Heard it on the River: Crapsless craps?

2 February 2012

By Rudi Schiffer

CRAPLESS CRAPS is making a comeback at the Fitz Tunica and with a name like that, it is bound to attract players, some who know the game, and others who ask…what the heck is this game? We kept getting requests to bring it back and finally we decided it would be a good idea and to make it even more attractive we have set a low $3.00 minimum bet,” said Adolph Lepre, vice president of table games.

The game, it is believed, was started in Las Vegas by the colorful Bob Stupac, the former owner of the Stratosphere Casino. Players like it because it is impossible to lose a pass bet by crapping out on the come out roll. Any number besides a 7 becomes the point on the numbers 2,3,11 and 12. Of course you might ask, won’t I lose on a sure winner with the 11? You do give up that but you get the benefit of no crap outs on the other three numbers. The game also offers free odds of 6:1 on the 2 and 12, and 3:1 on the 3 and 11. Your Place bets are $5.00 on the 2,3,11 and 12. The 2 and 12 pay 11:2. The 3 and 11 pay 11:4 .

“What it all boils down to this is a modified version of a regular crap game,” said Lepre. “You do not lose on the come-out roll when the shooter tosses a 2,3, or 12, Instead it automatically becomes the point, just as 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 do on a standard game. You also do not win if the shooter throws a natural 11. It too becomes the point.

The SILVER STAR HOTEL & CASINO has brought a familiar and great name to its high-end restaurant and it is now back to PHILLIP M’s, a legacy to the great Chief Phillip Martin who passed away a year ago almost to the day that the Pearl River Resort restaurant was named for him again. New Chief Phyllis Anderson said it was a “wise business decision.” A more complete feature story and a sidebar on Chief Martin are in this issue. On Feb. 25, Grammy award winner soul diva, PATTI LABELLE, will perform at Silver Star. Call Ticketmaster 800-745-3000.

SOUTHLAND in West Memphis has a new promotion that I have never heard of in the 20 years I’ve been involved in the business as a reporter and that is the $100,000 YOU’RE HIRED promo. It runs through Feb. 25 and those chosen will have a chance to win a weekly salary of the job picked in free play and cash. Check in at SOUTHLANDPARK.COM for more info.

How about this…if you smoke, chew or wear a nicotine patch you cannot work for Penn National’s two new casinos in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio. That goes for some 3,200 positions there. The casinos are smoke free anyway because of a state ban. It should be noted that 29 states have passed laws making it illegal to refuse to hire smokers. Interesting move.

Fitz runs a regular blackjack tournament on Friday nights with a low $20 buy-in for $2,000 in cash for first place win but is also bringing back for a second time its HOT HANDS tournament with a $150.00 buy-in with THREE optional re-buys, The event will be held Feb. 24-25 and includes a free room with your entry fee. BOBBY WOMACK is in concert at the FITZ on Feb. 18 and you can buy a VIP package for front row seating and meet and greet pass only at the Gift Shop.

HOLLYWOOD CASINO is inviting you to play in the lowest limit blackjack game in town as it has introduced blackjack for just $1.00 per hand at selected tables. Also new on the floor, BONUS CRAPS with the option to place three additional side bets with high payouts. You can now also play PROGRESSIVE THREE CARD poker here. Also this month you play $10,000 CASH DROP every 30 minutes on Saturdays from 6 pm to midnight If your name is drawn and you can answer multiple choice trivia questions you can be a winner. Sounds like fun.

Don’t know what keeps GEORGE JONES going on the hectic concert trail but he remains ever popular and you can treat yourself to his timeless talent when he appears live in concert at SAM’S TOWN this Saturday (Feb. 4). Ticketmaster.com. If you like live KENO the only place around that has it is Sam’s Town and there will be a tournament Feb. 6-8 with a first place payoff $3,000 from a total of $7,200 in prize money. You get two comp rooms when you enter. Call 800-456-0711 and ask for the Keno Dept and mention code E112KEN.

The new High Limit Slot Room at Gold Strike has 100 machines with denoms running from $5 to $100, not to mention 26 progressives with some going all the way up to $250,000. Still time to get back on the blackjack tournament trail and I’ll be playing in Gold Strikes BIG GAME this Saturday (Feb. 4) for a shot at $25,000. You can registered that day from 3 to 8 pm for a modest $50 BUY-IN. The next day you can play in the $25,000 slot tournament and get a free entry if you earn 300 slot base points the same day.