Heard it on the river: Beware of counterfeits

There is nothing counterfeit about DANCING RABBIT GOLF CLUB at PEARL RIVER RESORT where the CHOCTAWS have kept the layout in top shape since it opened and the courses there got a lot of praise from many of the young pros playing in the recent NGA HOOTERS tournament. I was lucky to play in the pro-am event and have never seen conditions better in all the years playing here. Maybe that is why MISSISSIPPI MAGAZINE named Dancing Rabbit as the best in the state and ZAGAT gave it a 29 out of 30 rating, not to mention GOLF MAGAZINE rating it number 32 out the 100 best courses in the country. MARK POWELL and his crew are doing something right year in and year out.

Tournament blackjack players check this out…GOLDSTRIKE is hosting the $50,000 GOT GAME GOT SOUL blackjack tournament Oct. 24-25. Buy in is $250 with a $125 re-buy…and there is a strong supporting lineup of tournaments at GoldStrike such as…$35,000 After Hours Blackjack Tournament starting at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 and 20 for only a $100 buy in with a $50 rebuy round…the $5,000 Reel Good Times slot tournament Saturday Sept. 23...All About Aces $10,000 video poker tournament Sept. 30...and the Sept 27-28 $20,000 Baccarat tournament. One of my favorites, KENNY G will be at the Millennium Theatre Oct. 17 followed by the TEMPTATIONS on Oct. 24. Go to GoldStrike.com

SAM'S TOWN has a $24,000 THREE CARD POKER open tournament coming Oct. 16-17 and you can now play FOOTBALL SQUARES every Sunday at in the poker room. The only place you can play KENO in Tunica is at Sam's Town so it figures this where the only Keno tournaments are held.. The next one is Oct. 5-7 with first place paying $3,000…www.samstowntunica.com.

I wonder if I am to un-hip to get an invitation from HORSESHOE for the GRAND OPENING of PUSH - THE NIGHTCLUB on Oct. 2. This place promises to too cool what with nationally known DJs such TINA T and TREE on opening night. The club will have the most sophisticated sound and lighting systems, like nothing in these parts. When the tempo heats up the PUSH dancers enliven the hot scene, Book your VIP reservation now and be sure to come dressed very chic, very fashionable or you won't get past the door. www.horseshoecasinotunica.com

HARLOW'S CASINO in Greenville will have a new restaurant on the menu coming down the road. We HEARD it will be called LOUIES' FINE STEAKS. It will be located adjacent to the buffet room, which is also being remodeled. In the meantime here are some current reasons to visit Harlow's…now underway is the MILLION DOLLAR FOOTBALL FRENZY and a $60,000 BLITZ not to mention a really popular casino act, the raunchy hypnotist, ANTHONY COOLS, on Oct. 3. I could write he was banned in Boston but he wasn't. He should have been. It is a cool show.

If you like VIDEO POKER, take advantage of the Tuesday night tournament at SOUTHLAND GAMING & RACING. It's free with a $500 first prize and top ten finisher moving on to the quarterly tournament for a shot at $15,000 in cash. Inviting special at the BOURBON STREET STEAKHOUSE…Only $25 per guest for the EARLY BIRD SPECIAL Wed-Saturday 5-7 pm.

STEAKHOUSE restaurants have always been the favorites at the just about every casino but there other notable eateries which are terrific options…like the MAGNOLIA GRILL at HORSESHOE. See a full blown review of this gem in this issue by our esteemed editor, DAVID GRISHAM. The first FALL FESTIVAL, a great family attraction, is being staged by HARRAH'S Oct. 16-18. It's real carnival with food, fun, games, big fireworks display and more.

One of the top public relations executives in the state is MARY CRACCHIOLO-SPAIN who oversees that responsibility at BEAU RIVAGE in Biloxi and GOLDSTRIKE in Tunica. I've worked with this lady for years and many a tip and story she sent my way made my job easier. Mary has just been re-elected to the PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY OF AMERICA'S Board of Directors for Travel & Tourism. It is her second consecutive term for PRSA, an organization serving some 32,000 members. It's chilling to think that there are so many FLAKS loose in the world. I know, I used to be a dues paying member until I want bad.

There's a neat little blackjack tournament each weekend at the Golden Moon with $10,000 in total prize money with a $5,000 first prize and only a $50 buy-in. Top attractions are headed for Silver Star next month when SINBAD shows up Oct. 3 followed by my favorite guy, WILLIE NELSON, on Oct. 23.

CHEF FREDRICK GORDON from famed NOLA, which EMERIL LAGASSE made famous, brings his delicious award-winning gumbo from NEW ORLEANS to MIKO restaurant at SILVER STAR CASINO. His "shrimp 'n grits" is not shabby either. By the way, what makes Gordon's gumbo so special is the lump crabmeat, shrimp and andouile sausage all simmering in a very thick dark roux. Across the highway at GOLDEN MOON, Remo's has re-opened with a new menu and new décor giving it a very hip look. Look for the feature on Remo's in our next issue of JACKPOT. WINE SPECTATOR likes what the wine cellar is doing at Miko and Eclipse restaurants at Pearl River Resort. It gave both restaurants its BEST OF AWARD of EXCELLENCE for Mississippi honors. Hats off to SOMMELIER II SCOTT SUTHERLAND.

A Nickel can go a long way these days. A woman playing a five-cent slot at the SEMINOLE HARD ROCK in TAMPA, won $1.46 million in a tournament. Another gal also hit big, taking home $1million as champion of the slot tournament.

Diabetes has become a serious health issue and is a big problem in Mississippi. Supporting the fight against this disease, SILVER STAR in Choctaw, MS has donated $25,000 for the DIABETES FOUNDATION of MISSISSIPPI to help fund programs services and research. TUNICA NATIONAL GOLF & TENNIS has just named MICHAEL JOHNSON its new director of tennis. He comes from Chickasaw Country Club in Memphis where he has been a teaching pro for the last l5 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHOCTAW MIKO BEASLEY DENSON ON YOUR 60TH.

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER - Lyons Press -- Played five aces, now playing a harp. CHEATER'S TOMBSTONE Laissez le bon temps rouler.