Heard it on the river

Seems a bit slow around Tunica Towne, but it might be me and the alien thing in my body that won't go away. Not the flu, nor avian virus, but there nevertheless...Maybe I should quit toking on my fine hand-rolled imports from Dominica and elsewhere. Might as well be dead when I have to do that.

Anyway, the WPO and WSOP poker tournaments were deemed successful and Tunica was a busy place with thousands upon thousands of sharks and minnows swimming in the same waters.

Former ironworker DENNIS PERRY showed iron will and outlasted 377 entrants for the WSOP Championship at GRAND CASINO RESORT. Total prize money amounted to $1,817,450. The buy-in was $5,000 plus $150. Perry took home $563,402.

It was a record breaking night at the GOLD STRIKE World Poker Open and one that would end with a new champion who was most likely not on anyone's top six players list. Yet, after 121 hands and more than four hours of play, the Southern gent of few words, BRYAN SUMNER wrote his own Cinderella man story as he was crowned the 2007 Gold Strike World Poker Open champion.

For his first ever tournament win, Sumner took home $913,986, a diamond- encrusted championship bracelet valued at $5,000, and a much sought-after $25,000 seat in the WPT World Championship set for April at Gold Strike's sister property, BELLAGIO, MGM MIRAGE's AAA Five Diamond resort in Las Vegas.

Both events held tournaments for the media and my colleague DAVID GRISHAM remains a shark on the tables. Last year he won the WSOP media event at GRAND and this year he placed 5th in the WSOP media game at GRAND. I didn't come close in either event, but DANIEL MARTINEZ, one of my co-hosts on the GOODTIMES RADIO SHOW, came in second at BOTH events. Ole.

In about a week, the Goodtimes show will have a new website to check out at goodtimesradio.com. We'll link up with casinos, what's going on in Tunica, have some pod casts, slot info, and more. Check it out. You can also get the show with a click or hear its archives if you wish.

Carpenters and painters continue to move in and out of the hotel and casino at the FITZ as the second phase of the multi-million dollar renovation continue there. The Fitz hotel had a full-house this past weekend as it sold out its 108 seats for the BIG STACK blackjack tournament where $25,000 prize money was up for grabs. The winner of the $10,000 first place money was JOHN LEFEVRE, tournament director, said the event was very successful and plans now call for a public blackjack tournament to be held there every three months.

Speaking of blackjack, if you would like to get up to speed on tournament play without a big buy-in, check out JOE STRONKI'S Sunday Spectacular afternoon tournaments beginning Feb. 25 at HOLLYWOOD CASINO. The entry fee is only $30 and first place wins up to $1,000. Registration begins at 4 p.m. I thought I saw a billboard announcing a Blackjack tournament at the Grand but no details have been announced as we went to press.

MYRIAD is back and is supposed to be opening an office in Memphis for its proposed mega resort in Tunica County. The company has a new business plan, new investors and is now focusing its efforts and resources on development of the Myriad Botanical Resort. NICHOLAS A. LOPARDO is now chairman of the board and he brings an extensive blue-chip financial background to the company while JOHN MEESKE is now CEO, replacing Scott Hawrelechko, the founder. Meeske has more than 30 years experience in the resort and hospitality industry. World-renowned designer PAULMA, also a board member, will retain the botanical garden theme that will offer world-class facilities and amenities. Phase one of development calls for two casino/hotels, a major 600,000 square foot convention and expo center with its own hotel, an 18-hole golf facility, a significant retail complex, water park, and an observatory. More casinos could come in Phase Two. If this biggie ever lives up to its promise, it will rock the casino business and make Tunica a world-class destination.

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER.

In addition to being a senior consulting editor and columnist for Jackpot! Magazine, Rudi Schiffer is host of the GoodTimes Show, heard every Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Country Legends WMC 790.