Heard it on the River: Fitz Casino holding major blackjack tournament

Fitz recently opened a new high limit table and slot room and followed up as the year ended with a new VIP player room. Hosted by the lovely MARIA, the lounge comes with rest rooms, full-stocked bar, television, and snacks. Also new at the casino is a familiar name, CHRIS BARRON, who is in charge of marketing. Chris was recently in Pittsburg after a stint at PEARL RIVER RESORT and is also remembered for her very successful work at the HORSESHOE. She fills the post vacated by Glenn Buxton and you can expect some aggressive marketing once she gets settled. Welcome home, Chris.

If you don't know who GEORGE KLEIN is you are probably new to town. GK, who is a super host at HORSESHOE, was a also a buddy of EP, better known as the KING. GK has known Elvis since the 8th grade at Humes in Memphis and now has written a new book about the relationship with a lot of info never before published. GK kept notes and it has paid off with the new book, ELVIS : MY BEST MAN. I don't know where you can buy the book since GK is suddenly hard to reach with his new celebrity, but he is having a book signing at the Horseshoe on Jan. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. And how about this …he is doing a signing in Washington at the SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY on Jan. 23. GK also has a great show that I listen to regularly on Sirius Radio's Elvis channel. Maybe we can get GK on the Goodtimes Radio show when sales slow down? Bottom line, great guy with a great book.

Gold Strike says there is still time to enter its PERFECT YEAR BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT this Friday (Jan. 15). There is $50,000 on the line with $25,000 slated for first place. The buy-in is only $250 so what are you waiting for?

GoldStrike is also about to launch the DELTA GOLD POKER CLASSIC Feb. 25 through March 8. See full detail at www.goldstrike.com.

The WSOP circuit tour starts at HARRAH'S on Jan. 20 with 19 ring events.

The PICK SIX $200,000 GIVEAWAY is one reason to visit PEARL RIVER any Friday through Feb. 26. There are four $1,000 drawings starting at 8 p.m. and drawings for a motorcycle, truck, car, ATV, diamonds, and $10,000 in cash. On Jan 21 SILVER STAR hosts the U.S. Grand Finale for Miss Hawaiian Tropic and the International Grand Finale takes place Jan. 23. See the legendary BOBBY RUSH perform at ISLE OF CAPRI this Saturday (Jan. 16 at 8 p.m.

Instead of driving all the way to HOT SPRINGS, AR for the 60-day OAKLAWN meet, visit the WINNER'S EDGE room at SOUTHLAND GAMING & RACING in West Memphis. Here you can have your own private carel to sit in, complete with a television, smoking and non-smoking rooms, food service and a cashier's cage in the room. Listen to the Goodtimes Show on WMC79 AM Saturdays from 8:30 to 10 AM for winners picked by the best tout in the South, VINNY " THE HORSE" GULLA. Tune in around 9: 00 or so to hear Vinny who knows his ponies.

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER, Lyons Press

The Russians were bluffing. They didn't want a world war over Cuba. We had all the cards in our hands; there was no way they could win. Of course, you might say that the U.S. was bluffing too, because we didn't want a world war either. But were bluffing with the best hand.

GENERAL DAVID SHROUP

Quoted in David Halberstam, The Best and the Brightest (1972)

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER