By John Grochowski on Thursday June 29, 2017

Alex is a regular reader, a blackjack player who long has played at traditional tables with a live dealer and real cards and chips. He tried out a game with video betting, and later had some questions about the experience. “I played at one of those blackjack tables where a dealer dealt the cards, but you bet by touching the screen,” he wrote.  “All the payoffs were automatic. As soon as the hand was over, the credits were added or deducted from your screen. “I still like handling the chips myself, but I liked this better than I thought I…

Alex is a regular reader, a blackjack player who long has played at traditional tables with a live dealer and real cards and chips. He tried out a game with video betting, and later had some questions about the experience. “I played at one of those blackjack tables where a…

By Guest Blogger on Tuesday June 20, 2017

“Muriel plays piano every Friday at the Hollywood.” I’ve heard the lyrics more times than I can count, but I never knew much about the place Marc Cohn oh so famously refers to in his 1991 hit song, “Walking in Memphis.” Head down Casino Strip Boulevard, take a turn down Old Commerce Square and you’ll see the smoke billowing out of a small, 1920s commissary. Comfortably nestled away from the shadows of flashing casino lights, The Hollywood Cafe is one of Tunica’s hidden culinary treasures. If you blink, you might miss it. But believe me; you don’t want to do…

“Muriel plays piano every Friday at the Hollywood.” I’ve heard the lyrics more times than I can count, but I never knew much about the place Marc Cohn oh so famously refers to in his 1991 hit song, “Walking in Memphis.” Head down Casino Strip Boulevard, take a turn down…

By John Grochowski on Friday June 16, 2017

There is a seemingly endless variety of video poker games, each with their own pay tables and strategy nuances. One Interesting game is Super Double Bonus Poker. Like Double Bonus Poker and many other games, it pays 160-for-1 on four Aces for an 800-coin bonanza with a maximum five coin bet. It also pays 80-for-1, or 400-for-5, on four 2s, 3s or 4s. What sets the game apart is a 120-for-1, or 600-for-5, payday on four Jacks, Queens or Kings. On most games, those hands pay 250 for a five-coin bet. Upping that to 600 on the most frequently held…

There is a seemingly endless variety of video poker games, each with their own pay tables and strategy nuances. One Interesting game is Super Double Bonus Poker. Like Double Bonus Poker and many other games, it pays 160-for-1 on four Aces for an 800-coin bonanza with a maximum five coin…

By John Grochowski on Wednesday June 7, 2017

Regular readers of this blog might remember Charlene, a slot player who usually played three-reel games with her husband George, but who played video slots when she was on her own. In a blog entry published March 27, Charlene explained her husband wanted nothing to do with video slots, which he doesn’t see as real gambling. Video slot players beg to differ, of course, and Charlene’s tale brought an irate retort via email. “I really feel needled when it is suggested that penny slot players aren't gambling. I put $20 into a penny video slot machine. I may lose my…

Regular readers of this blog might remember Charlene, a slot player who usually played three-reel games with her husband George, but who played video slots when she was on her own. In a blog entry published March 27, Charlene explained her husband wanted nothing to do with video slots, which…

By Travel Tunica on Thursday June 1, 2017

It's almost time for the annual meeting of the Arkansas Society of Association Executives to meet in Tunica, MS. With so much to see and do here in Tunica it can be overwhelming, so we put together a list of activities for those that may want to pamper themselves with a spa visit, take in a round of golf or enjoy one of the area attractions.  Gateway to the Blues Museum – Located on legendary Highway 61 in a rustic train depot, circa 1895, the museum tells the remarkable story of how the blues was born and the role the Delta…

It's almost time for the annual meeting of the Arkansas Society of Association Executives to meet in Tunica, MS. With so much to see and do here in Tunica it can be overwhelming, so we put together a list of activities for those that may want to pamper themselves with…

By John Grochowski on Thursday June 1, 2017

If you play enough blackjack, sooner or later you’ll see someone try to make every possible play, for better or worse. That includes doubling down on blackjack, a play most casinos won’t allow. That doesn’t stop players from trying, as a reader told me in this recent email: “Weird thing at blackjack the other night. Some guy wanted to double down on blackjack when the dealer had a 6. The dealer told him it was against house rules to double on blackjacks. It became this whole big thing. The pit supervisor came over and told the guy sorry, they don’t…

If you play enough blackjack, sooner or later you’ll see someone try to make every possible play, for better or worse. That includes doubling down on blackjack, a play most casinos won’t allow. That doesn’t stop players from trying, as a reader told me in this recent email: “Weird thing…