Heard it on the River

There is a big blackjack tournament coming up and you still have time to enter it. THE FITZ is staging its first ULTIMATE BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT, an offspring of the minds of THE MAV and his compatriot, BIG ADOLPH. It has a $500 buy-in that includes two days of play, a comp two-nighter in the newly decorated hotel, a comp breakfast each morn and a tournament gift. There is also a pool-side welcome reception on Friday June 29 with tournament play taking place on June 30 and July 1 at 9 a.m.

First place is $35,000 with 2nd paying $10,000, 3rd $7,000,4th $4,500, 5th $2,000,6TH $1,000 and 7th $500. All players making the semi finals and not playing on the final table get a $500 promo chip. The prize money is based on 100 entries. Check it out and call 800-766-5825 9 (ext. 8291) to enter. See you there.If you like slot tournaments, get in line for SAM'S TOWN FIRECRACKER…a $50,000 tournament July 6-7. The buy-in is only $200. (www.samstowntunica.com)

DOM MEZZETTA is well-known in Mississippi gaming circles for his successful stints as general manager at HOLLYWOOD CASINO and later at FITZGERALDS, both in Tunica. His career also covered top positions at El Capitan in Reno, the Stardust in Las Vegas and Cactus Pete's and Horseshoe in Jackpot, NV. In 2005 he turned all that experience and knowledge into a consultancy and soon after was retained by Mississippi gaming pioneer, RICK SCHILLING (founded Splash in 1992 in Mhoon Landing, the state's first legal casino) to be the Chief Operating Officer and General Manager for the new HARLOW'S CASINO RESORT scheduled to open on the Mississippi River between the two bridges just west of Greenville on Highway 82 sometime later in Oct.

There will be a lot of casino, restaurant and hotel jobs opening there, over 400, but you can't apply until July 9. On that date you can call 662-335-9797, ext. 620.

While Mr. Mezzetta puts his life experience to work again, we have to say goodbye to an old pro, a guy who really knows his way around a casino since he once owned one in Vegas and later came south to "sort of retire." He retired into a part-time pit position at SAM'S TOWN where his 50 years of experience at such places as Caesar's Palace, The Tropicana, the Stardust, and other joints earned him the respect of his colleagues. A consummate professional and teacher, he knew all the tricks, FRANK ROMAIN also become involved in the community and will retire with his wife to their home in Tunica. Frankie "The Deuce" doesn't play golf, bocce ball, or fish but he is a very skilled blackjack table player and also knows his way well around restaurant tables. He is also a great story teller if you can get him to talk about his days in Vegas when others, not corporations, ran the joints. A true casino character, you will be missed, Deuce. They don't make 'em like you anymore.

HOLLYWOOD has run out of those neat little Mini Coopers to give away but they have another nice giveaway for the rest of this month. If you get caught using your Player Card on slots you could win a 15 inch plasma TV every 15 minutes from noon to 6 p.m. on June Sundays. Fill out a free entry form and you get a shot at 42 inch plasma at 6 pm. More on slots, just earn 50 points in one day and you are eligible to play in one of the $5,000 Saturday matinee slot tournaments in July. On Friday the 13th, in July, you can take part in a drawing for $13,000. Earn entries every day on slots, and tables, and swipe your card daily between July 1 and the 13th for one free entry. There will be 130 winners. Drawing times start at 7:13 p.m. on the 13th.

The NGA/HOOTERS Pro Golf Tournament takes place for the third year at PEARL RIVER RESORTS fabled DANCING RABBIT GOLF CLUB near Philadelphia, MS.

It will be held August 6-12 but happily the media day is sooner and no way I am missing out on this trip and a chance to play one of the top courses in the country, the AZALEAS. July marks the tenth anniversary of the Club but I hope I get a Hooters Girl for my caddy. Not only is there the golf outing but also a chance to fish in a media rodeo on LAKE PUSHMATAHA.

But if you are not a member of the media, you might want to check out the 58th CHOCTAW INDIAN FAIR on July 12 and 13. You can see the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF STICKBALL and other great entertainment. Lots to do, not to mention a visit to the GEYSER FALLS WATERPARK. For more info go to www.CHOCTAWINDIANFAIR.COM. And the SIZZLIN SUMMER drawings continue at Pearl River Resort on July 22-24 with too many item to list here but check out their full page ad in this issue for the details.And then clip the coupon on that page for 10 free drawing tickets.

Turn back the clock and see PERCY SLEDGE live in concert at SOUTHLAND GAMING AND RACING on Saturday June 30. If you have a Players Reward Card, the ticket is only 15 bucks.

Speaking of golf, the July issue of GOLF DIGEST has put its seal of approval on two Tunica courses. COTTONWOODS at GRAND CASINO, made the magazine's ranking as one of the Top 40 Casino Courses in the U.S. and just down the road, TUNICA NATIONAL was selected as one of the Best Courses Near (but not owned) Casinos. I play on both layouts and to see Tunica National achieve this recognition in just three years in business is amazing and a tribute to TUNICA COUNTY and GM BOB WOLCOTT and his crew. Over at Cottonwoods, the ranking validates the job PGA PROFESSIONAL and DIRECTOR, MATT MCNEIL and his talented staff have done in improving the course and operation. Get a tee time, if you can, by calling Cottonwoods at 662-357-6078, or Tunica National at 662-357-0777.In a related note, the 2007 NATIONAL SUMMER NTRP CHAMPIONSHIPS will be held at Tunica National Golf & Tennis Center July 6-8. Interested in playing, singles or doubles, call my pal, DONNY FLOWERS, at 662-357-0777, ext. 1510. GOLF DIGEST was also very high on DANCING RABBIT GOLF CLUB'S two courses naming the AZALEAS course number 11 and the OAKS number 18 in its Top 40 Casino Golf Courses list. As Pearl River Resort VP of Operations, DONNA BROLICK, put it…"it's a testament to the dedication of our associates."

Nice to see JANE MALTON back on the River. Jane returns to the TUNICA QUEEN operation as its new sales manager, a job she formerly held in 2003-06. Jane will take up working with corporations, school groups, wedding parties and other groups for special occasions on a classic 19th century riverboat that has all the comforts and safety of a 21st century vessel. Great to have you back, Jane. For a booking call 1-866-805-3535. Another local appointment has STEVE DAHLE being promoted to Regional VP of Direct Marketing for HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT. If you get all the mailer offers I receive, it seems almost daily, from Grand, Horseshoe and sometimes Sheraton, you will appreciate what a tough job he has. Keep 'em coming, Steve.

Harrah's has also announced that its H.E.R.O. employee volunteers will stand out in the mid-south heat for ten hours on Saturday June 30 at all DeSoto County WALL-Mart stores to raise awareness and donations to purchase fans for area seniors in conjunction with IN FAMILY SERVICES CENTER, serving communities in North Mississippi.

If everything connects right, we hope to have famous author JACKIE COLLINS on the GOODTIMES RADIO SHOW one of these Saturday mornings in an exclusive interview with co-host DANNY Z. Jackie will be in town for a book signing and reading for her latest sizzler, DROP DEAD BEAUTIFUL, on June 30 at 11 a.m. at HORSESHOE'S BLUESVILLE. It's free.

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER