Heard it on the river: Pearl River Resort worth the trip

A visit to PEARL RIVER RESORT, deep in the heart of Choctaw Country in central southeast Mississippi is one worth taking as this gem has it all. Things you might enjoy on a weekend trip, which I did recently, was make waves at GEYSER FALLS Water Theme Park, play golf at DANCING RABBIT, one of the nation's best, dine fine at superb restaurants like MIKO, under new chef FREDRICK GORDON, and ECLIPSE, and take a safari through thousands of slots and table games. Whilst there had the joy of playing in the $100,000 SWING INTO SPRING invitational hosted by the man, RUDY LARSON, as did some other 144 hackers who all proved there is something missing in my game.

Also visited briefly with EXEC VP DALE HIPSH whose stewardship over the past year and a half has been challenging to say the least. But Dale remains as enthusiastic as when I first met him a year ago and feels that market has stabilized for the Resort and it will come out of the economic downtime stronger and more nimble than before. He also told me that a new card/point level system was being installed. A more in-depth interview with Dale will be in the next issue of JACKPOT, as well as a story on the new player card. One final note if you want to visit the Resort soon…the colorful CHOCTAW INDIAN FAIR is taking place July 8-11 and you can enhance your trip by enjoying this celebration of Choctaw cultural traditions and heritage. For more information go to choctawindianfair.com.

GOLDSTRIKE is putting on a nice little blackjack shindig this weekend (June 5-7) with a sweet little jackpot for the winner of $50,000 in cash and table play The "little" is a lot however, of $100,000 in total prizes to scramble for. Last tournament there drew over 200 entrants and there is no max on the number of players so there is time to get in. The buy-in is $350 and you can call your host or Customer Care at 1-866-245-4536.

SOUTHLAND PARK is the only place in the region where you can bet on the BELMONT this Saturday, June 6. Reserve a seat in the KENNEL CLUB by calling 1-800-467-6182.

You've heard of hopper divers, those who troll the slot pathways diving into slot machine hoppers hoping to fish out some coins. But we need real divers now to give the TUNICA RIVERPARK a helping fin. Volunteer divers, trained and certified, are needed to help clean the two large tanks. An informational meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 10 at the SOUTHAVEN library on Northwest Drive. You can also call FRANK ECKERT AT 662-429-4065.

Where are they now? MYRIAD ENTERTAINMENT in 2007 was still seeking financing for up to six casinos from $71 million in state tax increment financing, up to $291 million in a tourism grants from the Mississippi Development Authority and a public improvement district up to $229 million. Last seen longingly looking at the site of old Treasure Bay. OMF, LLC of Scottsdale, AZ, announced intentions in June 2008 to develop 220 acres in Tunica County for a three casinos just south of Hollywood Casino , a 500-room hotel and a 150,000 square foot convention center/entertainment venue. Ground breaking still to be scheduled. RIVERBEND CROSSING, an ambitious mixed used resort just north of Harrah's in DeSoto County, has run of out of time as it had a two year time limit dating back to 2006 to begin development. This project was to take in golf courses, hotels and up to 9,500 homes but efforts to put together financing got plowed under. In better economic times, these developments would be welcome assets for the County and the gaming-tourism biz but money is difficult to come by these days and maybe in better times some of this fantasy development will take place. As my dealer-philosopher BIG MO DOMBROWSKI likes to say…"no chips, no chance."

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER, Lyons Press

"If I live long enough the luck will change. I have had bad luck now for fifteen years. If I ever get any good luck I will be rich." He grinned. "I am a really good gambler, really I would enjoy being rich."

"Do you have bad luck with all games?"

"With everything and with women." He smiled again, showing his bad teeth.

Ernest Hemingway
"The Gambler, the Nun, the Radio" (1933)