February 2009 Archives

The other day we mentioned Excalibur's new promotion: all you can eat, all day for $25 and you guys loved our 6 Slot Machine Myths, so I'm mixing the two up to make 5 Casino Myths: Buffet Edition!

1. Myth: Buffets are only 99 cents!

FALSE: Decades ago, you could find buffets for 99 cents but that was a way to draw people in! Since then, the buffets have becoming more upscale and, in turn, more expensive. Going to Las Vegas now, you can expect to pay between $10 to $15 for breakfast and anywhere from $15 to $35 for lunch and dinner.

People usually think of slots being the easiest game to play in casinos. It is simple, insert coin, pull lever, win or lose. Not much else, right? What a lot of people don't know is that there are two types of slot machines and both play very differently.

The two types of slot machines are: Class II and Class III. (There's no Class I though, anyone know why?) Within each category, there are unique variations. After the break is a breakdown of the differences between the two types of machines and how you can identify them as a player.

Learn the differences between Class II and Class III slots after the break.

Excalibur in Las Vegas is trying something new with their latest promotion.

The slot machine is a source of endless superstitions and myths. The most rational of us can suddenly be reduced to acting like 8 year-olds once we're in front of a slot machine. I don't want to break it to you, but all those crazy little things you do to win at slots, well, that's just luck. So you can finally take your coins out of the freezer.

1. Myth: Don't use credits, only use coins. And cold coins at that!

False: Slot machines don't care, and aren't capable of determine the temperature of the coins inserted. The only difference between credits and coins is the speed at which you play, if you use coins you're going to play slower.

The slot machine, sometimes called the fruit machine or one-armed bandit, is a staple in casinos worldwide. Created over 100 years ago, the basic premise remains the same to this very day: insert coin, pull lever, maybe win, rinse and repeat. Prior to 1895 though, gambling was restricted to dice and card games. Then a young mechanic from San Francisco named Charles Fey decided to build a new gaming machine. Made of cast iron and weighing over 100 pounds, the first slot machine was born.

While primitive by our standards today, the machine Fey christened "The Liberty Bell" was groundbreaking at the time. Three reels of 10 symbols taken from card suites, horseracing and a cracked Liberty Bell. Three liberty bells paid out ten nickels! The Liberty Bell also raised the standard in security through the creation of the trade check separator, a device that was able to distinguish between slugs and real coins.

A few days ago we mentioned a new card counting iPhone application. When the California casino officials alerted the media of the new iPhone application, they hoped to alert casinos about the card counting program. Instead, sales for the program have gone through the roof.

The programmer, Travis Yates, behind the card counting application has slashed prices from $4.99 to $2.49 to $0.99 and has sold over 1,400 copies. His hope of all this? To make the top 10 sales list for applications.

"I never intended it for to be used in a casino. It's really just for people to play with at home with their friends. I certainly wouldn't risk using it in a casino myself." - Travis Yates

It's Mardi Gras week! A whole bunch of fun stuff is happening in Atlantic City this week!

And yet all the really fun stuff seems to be happening at the Showboat AC, but that makes sense since they celebrate Mardi Gras every week. On Saturday, The Neville Brothers with Dr. John are performing at night but during the day, the King Cake Sweepstakes are being held, hosted by the Ace of Cakes!

On Fat Tuesday, you could win your share of $50,000!

If that's not enough, the Showboat has three other concerts happening during the week: Disturbed, Mudvayne and 3 Doors Down!

Check out the full listing after the jump!

When playing Blackjack, there's more to remember than just getting to 21 or what to do with your hands while playing. Blackjack is unique in that while you're playing with other people, you're not playing against them. Every game of blackjack you play is between you and the dealer, no one else. For this reason, the table etiquette while playing Blackjack is slightly different than most other table games.

February is wrapping up, 28 days feels a lot shorter than 31.

Before the month's over, you've got plenty of time to make the most of the best tournaments, events and promotions! Daily poker tournaments are Seneca Salamanca and Mohegan Sun!

If you're at Twin River, there's still time to beat Cupid by cracking his safe and spinning his wheel! And make sure you enter Finger Lakes giveaway for a 2009 Lincoln MKS or take part in Newport Grand's Blizzard of Cash!

Full listing after the break!

Another week means new events and promotions in Las Vegas!

Highlights for this week include the $10,000 Tropicana Mardi Gras Slot Tournament, the Vietnamese Variety Show at Paris Las Vegas and more Barry Manilow at Las Vegas Hilton!

Prefer playing games? Stop by Monte Carlo, Treasure Island or Riveria for daily poker tournaments. Or hit up the Sahara every Wednesday for their blackjack tournament!

As always, full list after the jump!

Still looking for plans for the upcoming weekend? We may have just the deal you're looking for! On February 21st at the Paris Showroom, Le Theatre des Artas in Las Vegas the Vietnamese Variety Show, Tinh Dang Theo Dieu Vu will be filled with music, comedy and entertainment!

An impressive roster of acts includes MC Nguyen NgocNgan & Nguyen Cao KyDuyen, LamNhat Tien NguyenHong Nhung, Nguyen Khang DiemLien, Manh Quynh & NhuQuynh, Hong Ngoc, Nam, DonHo and ThuyNga & Nhat Cuong!

There are two shows only! One at 7 pm, the next at 10 pm. Tickets are normally $75, $50, or $25 but, we can help you out!

All Nevada residents can show their Nevada ID at the box office and get two tickets for the price of one when purchasing the $50 or $25 tickets! That's right, half price tickets!

Looking for some fun in Indiana and Illinois? We've got the full break down of tournaments, shows and promotions for you.You can start earning entries in "Twice as Nice" at either Harrah's Joliet or Horseshoe Hammond for your chance to win your share of $500,000 in cash and prizes!

If you want to play poker, head over to Hollywood Casino Aurora on Wednesdays or Blue Chip for tournaments on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday! Check out the slot tournaments at French Lick Casino on Tuesday.

As always, full breakdown of the listings after the jump!

What used to be a standard in casinos has returned! Mohegan Sun is now offering $5 Blackjack tables full-time to help out during the tough economic times.

The norm in the industry used to be the minimum bet rose as the day went on but a few casinos are now bucking that trend and Mohegan Sun takes it a step further.

As of now, Mohegan Sun is now offering six, $5 blackjack tables open 24/7! What are you waiting for? Grab a few bucks and go have some fun!

A little over an hour ago, Trump Entertainment filed for bankruptcy. Donald Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, quit from the board on Friday.

Little information is known right now, head over to CNN to read what is know.

We'll keep you posted as the story develops.

Love is in the air as Valentine's Day approaches (you didn't forget, did you?). If you're looking for something different this weekend, we can help you out.

The Gypsy Kings are performing Saturday and Sunday and Caesars AC, while Sweet Surrender is at the Showboat AC on Saturday too. The following Friday, LL Cool J is performing at the Showboat too!

Looking for some gambling fun? Take part in Conquering the Empire at Caesars or win a Lincoln MKS at Trump Plaza.

A full list is after the break!

Looking for some fun in New England as it keeps getting colder? Warm yourself up with Mohegan Sun's Warm Up & Win promotion! Or play in any of their exciting daily poker tournaments to get your blood rushing.

Prefer something more laid back? Try your luck against Cupid at Twin River in their Crack Cupid's Safe or Cupid's Spin to Win!

Even New York is getting in on the fun. Daily poker tournaments at Seneca Niagara Falls or take a chance to win a 2009 Lincoln MKS at Finger Lakes!

Full list after the jump!

Earlier this week, the Maine Gambling Control Board voted 5-0 to allowed Penn National's Hollywood Slots in Bangor, Maine to be open on Sunday mornings. The facility used to open at noon on Sundays, but now it can open as early as 8 a.m.

The vote was met with minimal opposition from the Maine Family Policy Council and local clergy. You can check out the full article on Boston.com

More time to play slots is good, right? Though I doubt it will make much of a difference, Hollywood Slots in Bangor recently started closing earlier in the day because of a reduction in traffic.

Looking for something different in the City of Sin? We can help!

There's a mess of poker tournaments being offered everyday in Las Vegas! The Bellagio, Sahara, Binion's and more are all hosting tournaments with a variety of buy-ins to fit any budget.

If you prefer watching a show, check out Wayne Brady at the Venetian or Bobby Slayton, the Pitbull of Comedy at Hooter's Casino!

Full break down after the jump!

Image take by Stephen Witherden

Winter may still be going strong, but the deals and promotions are heating up in Indiana and Illinois! No matter where you look, you're going to find some great promotions and tournaments!

Want to feel like a high roller? Casino Queen is offering free valet parking to all card members! If that's not enough, they're doubling points on President's Day and tripling them on Thursday.

Prefer playing some slots? Enter the $10,000 slot tournament at Harrah's Metropolis!

And you can't forget this Friday being 13th! Maybe you'll luck will change. Check out the themed promotions at Casino Queen, Par-A-Dice, and Belterra Casino!

As always, the full break down is after the jump!

Tomorrow night David Alan Grier is performing at Horseshoe Hammond! There are some seats left, check out what's still available here. Tickets range from $35-$45.

David Alan Grier's television career began on the popular sketch comedy show "In Living Color." Now Grier stars in Comedy Central's new comedy smash hit "Chocolate News." This Yale School of Comedy graduate has jumped from theatre, TV and to the big screen, and goes back and forth all the time. Grier was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of baseball great Jackie Robinson in the Broadway play "The First." He has also lent his voice to the Comedy Central's hit prank show "Crank Yankers."

A whole bunch of stuff is going on in Atlantic City this week. The Million Dollar Conquer the Empire game is still going strong at Caesars and this Friday the 13th, they're giving you the chance to win Salvatore Ferragamo Handbags!

The Showboat is hosting The Best Damn Comedy Show. Period. on Friday the 13th as well. While Cheap Trick is playing Saturday the 7th at Harrah's AC. Meanwhile, head on down to Trump Marina to enter their drawing for a 2009 Cadillac CTS or to win a chance to roll their Million Dollar Dice.

More events, shows and tournaments are listed after the break!

Like three other companies now, Penn National has put their plans on expanding in Atlantic City on hold given the state of the economy. Penn National still owns 23 acres off the Boardwalk, which has been lovingly described as being known for traffic games and sewer sludge. Still, the area where Penn National has land is over 150 acres and could easily support three casinos. Too bad Atlantic City can't even support the 11 casinos they have now.

Full article can be read over at Yahoo!

This is a little last minute and completely different from what we normally cover but tonight at Rockingham Park you can watch some live Combat Zone Mixed Martial Arts! Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 8 pm!

There are ten fights planned for tonight! Four amateur rounds, you can be among the first to see some of these guys fight! Five pro rounds are next with the final main event of Calvin Kattar vs. John Bermudez!

If you still haven't gotten your tickets (general admission is only $40) to the show, visit CZMMA.com/ or RockinghamPark.com!

February is here and that means new events, promotions and tournaments!

Looking for a new car? Make sure you enter for your chance to win a 2009 Lincoln MKS at Finger Lakes! Want to get some extra cash? Try your luck against Cupid at Twin River by cracking his safe or Spin-to-Win.

If you're looking for a show tonight, check out Mixed Martial Arts in Rockingham Park!

As always, a full breakdown after the jump.