Heard it on The River: The Fat Man beats the house

Every gambler wants to beat the house but the FAT MAN may have found a way to do it without going to jail for not making good on his marker. Big-time gambler FOUAD al-ZAYAT, known to croupiers as the Fat Man, won a court battle with London's ASPINALLS'S CLUB to the tune of 2 million pounds he lost in one night there. Actually, he won the right to appeal a High Court ruling that he must pay up but if he wins the appeal Aspinall's could end up holding the short end of the marker. The Fat Man says they can't enforce the debt incurred when his big fat check bounced. Not to worry, sniffed Aspinall's. Mr. al-Zayat has lost 23 million pounds in 12 years there. He better not visit Mississippi, where we collect markers with a 2 x 4.

Congrats to hard-working BOB WOLCOTT of TUNICA NATIONAL, who has just been named as PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR in Mississippi. It is the highest award bestowed by the PGA on a PGA golf professional, but Bob credits his staff at the golf and tennis club for the award. We've known Bob since he came to Tunica and but for those of you who only know Bob by seeing him around the course, he was a three-time SEC and All-American golfer. He was on the PGA Tour for five seasons and joined the club in 2003 when it was under construction. Great honor for a great guy.

A few miles south of Tunica National is the Tunica Arena and it just threw a lasso around one the biggest equestrian events in the country. The DELTA FALL CLASSIC-TENNESSEE WALING HORSE SHOW is a top notch show and last year drew 732 entries. It will be held on Nov. 8-10. A nice aspect of this show is that fans can walk through the Arena and have one-on-one contact with trainers, owners, and of course, the horses. www.deltafallclassic.com

Do you think that the casinos in the world's newest and hottest gaming destination will make it? MACAU'S casino gambling revenue for the third quarter rose 46 percent to $2.55 billion. How many yen is that?

Could you use a new pick-up truck? Well, then get down to Pearl River Resort because they are giving away a coveted F-150 King Ranch. This one is a beauty. It's got saddle-stitched leather seats with the Running W cattle brand logo from the real King Ranch out in Texas and it really sets this truck apart from the rest. Beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, Pearl River Resort will draw names hourly to win cash and Bonus Bet prizes ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. The grand-prize drawing will take place at 10 p.m. One lucky guest will drive home in the King Ranch truck and also receive $5,000 in cash.

Courtyard Buffet now offers the Gold Strike Gourmet Series. Starting this month, Gold Strike has changed its theme nights to themed months. Each month the casino will be taking a section of the buffet and offering the gourmet series. November's theme is "Fall Harvest."

The Cafe at the Fitz Casino & Hotel is offering two new specials for $6.95 plus tax. Enjoy the prime rib deal for $6.95. Get 12 ounces of prime rib served with hot au jus, the Fitz' special horseradish sauce, and a big pile of seasoned fries. Also offered for $6.95 is a shrimp basket with a dozen jumbo shrimp, battered and deep fried to perfection, served with French fries, cole slaw and the Fitz' special cocktail sauce. Both specials are available from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. weekends, and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. weeknights.

A lot of folks like to come over to TUNICA for THANKSGIVING. All the casinos have special Thanksgiving Day fare and all of your holiday favorites on that special day — plus, you don't have to do the dishes. Think about giving the cook at home a break this year and take 'em to Tunica. And remember, there are plenty of TV screens tuned in to the football games at your favorite casino, so you don't have to miss any of that action either.

I'll remind you again because this is important. Hollywood Casino will host the 7th Annual Hollywood Casino/St. Jude Red Carpet Bash in the Hollywood Casino Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 10. This special and most worthy event directly benefits the life-saving work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. All proceeds benefit the biggest stars of all, the children of St. Jude. Cocktails begin at 7p.m., with dinner to follow. Entertainment, including live music with dancing, will be provided. Live and silent auction begins at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $100 per person by calling (901) 373-5051 or at the door for $125 per person. Be there, have a great time, and help out this cause!

Saturday could be your day to drive away in a sporty new roadster at the Sheraton Casino. Every Saturday during the month of November, guests have a chance to win a brand new 2008 Mazda Miata or a share of $5,000 in free slot play. See the front page for details.

Win your share of more than $150,000 in cash and free slot play in SAM'S TOWN CASINO & HOTEL'S $150K Free Slot Play Giveaway, going on through Nov. 25.

Every 20 minutes on Nov. 17-23 from 4 to 8:40 p.m., twenty people will win $20 in free slot play at Sam's Town as a part of this promotion.

Then, at 9:15 p.m. on drawing days, there are even more chances to win as all 300 of the free slot play winners get a shot to win $1,000 in cash. Plus, they will also be entered into Sam's Town's grand prize drawing on Nov. 25.

The grand prize for Sam's Town's $150K Free Slot Giveaway is an impressive one — a hefty $50,000 in cold cash. See the story on page one for the details on this promotion as well.

Also at Sam's Town, see comedian GEORGE WALLACE this Saturday. Call (901) 525-1515 for tickets.

LASSAIZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER

In addition to being a senior consulting editor and columnist for Jackpot! Magazine, Rudi Schiffer is host of the GoodTimes Show, heard every Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Country Legends WMC 790 or on audiovegas.com.