The Delta Gambler

By Penny Wolfe
wolfe@commercialappeal.com

It's hard to imagine that you could run out of things to do this weekend. But, on the off-chance that you do, Gold Strike might lure you down to Tunica with an array of hard-to-resist promotions. Ford Harley Davidson F150, anyone? Read below for details. Or, maybe you're interested in the bad beat hold 'em jackpot of over $300,000? Gold Strike knows how to tempt you. Read on.

Gold Strike reports:
April 2008 update
CASINO PROMOTIONS

Get Your Motor Running
Don’t miss your chance to go hog wild and win a Ford Harley Davidson F-150 from Gold Strike Casino Resort. Sign up to become a Player Club member and receive five entries. Existing members can receive one entry each day now through April 26 and earn one additional chance for every 50 points made on his/her Players Club card.

On April 26, qualifying drawings will be held at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. The nine (9) finalists will be eligible for the car drawing immediately after the 10 p.m. drawing. The grand prize winner may accept the Harley Davidson F-150 or a $30,000 FREEPLAY® prize.

Wild and Crazy Weekend
April 11-13 will be a crazy (and lucky) couple of days for Player Club members during WildFire Weekend slots promotion. One hundred jackpots will be awarded from 6 p.m. on Friday through 6 p.m. on Sunday. The jackpot starts at $100 and must hit by $1,000. Each pull, spin or bet on every slot machine by a valid Player Club member contributes to the WildFire Jackpot progressive total. QuickFire, SureFire and RapidFire Jackpots will be turned off during the promotion.

Table of Loot $50,000 Blackjack Tournament
Open to Players Club members with a $250 buy-in fee, the Table of Loot Blackjack Tournament is set for April 25-27. Registration is April 25 from 8-10 p.m. at the Promotions Booth next to the Food Court, where guests will be given the first round table assignment. Tournament play is on the casino floor from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The top six spots qualify for prizes, with first place receiving $12,500 cash and $12,500 table play; second, $7,500 cash and $7,500 table play; third, $2,500 cash and $2,500 table play; fourth, $1,250 cash and $1,250 table play; fifth, $750 cash and $750 table play; and sixth, $500 cash and $500 table play. Pre-registration is highly recommended. Call Gold Strike Casino Resort at 888-245-7529 and ask to be connected to Casino Marketing.
Gold Strike’s Rapid Fire, Quick Fire, Sure Fire Jackpots continue in 2008
The Rapid Fire Jackpot, the Quick Fire Jackpot and the Sure Fire Jackpot are the hottest things in Tunica. Rapid Fire Jackpots start at $500 and are guaranteed to hit by $1,000. QuickFire Jackpots start at $5,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $10,000. SureFire Jackpots start at $150,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $200,000.

If you are playing with your Players Club card when the jackpot hits and your machine is the winning one, you win! Membership in the MGM MIRAGE Players Club is absolutely free. Additionally, every Players Club cardholder playing slots at Gold Strike wins when the Sure Fire Jackpot hits. Sure Fire not only awards up to $200K in freeplay to one person, it also awards every cardholder playing slots with their card at the time of the jackpot $10 in freeplay.

IN THE POKER ROOM

For all official Poker Room tournament rules and more information or for poker rate room reservations, call 1-888-24K-PLAY, ext. 1136, or stop by the Gold Strike Poker Room.

BAD BEAT HOLD ‘EM JACKPOT IS CURRENTLY AT $310,522
Win the Bad Beat Jackpot by having a hand with four tens or better beaten by a higher hand. For official rules and qualifications, stop by the Poker Room at Gold Strike.

Weekly Texas Hold’em Poker Tournaments:

Mondays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $80 Buy-in/ $500 Added/ $4,000 Chips /
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out - $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips
Tuesdays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $20 Re-Buys/$20 Add-On/ $500Added/ $1,000 Chips
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out $100 Buy-in/$4,000 Chips/$2,000 Guarantee
Wednesdays
11 a.m. $90 Bounty /Gold Strike Doubles Each $10 Bounty Fee
Thursdays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $80 Buy-in / $500 Added / $4,000 Chips
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out - $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips
Fridays
2 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out $100 Buy-in / $500 Added / $4,000 Chips
Saturdays
2 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out $60 Buy-in /$20 re-buys/$20 add-ons/ $1,000 Guarantee First Place
Sundays
1 p.m. No Limit Hold’em Freeze Out $125 Buy-in / $2,500 Guarantee / $4,000 Chips
*First Sunday of Every Month
1 p.m. $10,000 Guarantee/No-Limit/$335 Buy-in

The Mississippi Gaming Commission reserves the right to investigate any and all complaints and disputes regarding tournaments, promotions, and drawings. Such disputes will be resolved in accordance with Mississippi Gaming Control Act and Mississippi Gaming Commission Regulations. Management Reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament, promotion or drawing with prior written notification from the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

COURTYARD BUFFET OFFERS THE GOLD STRIKE GOURMET SERIES
It’s April in Paris at Gold Strike’s Courtyard Buffet. Continuing our new themed months, a section of the buffet is reserved for “The Gold Strike Gourmet Series.” The special French menu items are available Sunday through Thursday.

ATRIUM CAFÉ INTRODUCES NEW MENU ITEMS
Customers of Atrium Café will have even more delicious selections available at the restaurant and via room service with the debut of a new menu. Start the meal right with a wide array of new appetizers. Selections include Buffalo Wings Your Way, Barbecue Pork Nachos, Crab Cakes, Chinese Crispy Egg Rolls, Crispy Bam Bam Shrimp, Tabasco Friend Onion Loaf, Seafood Gumbo, Thai Lettuce Cups and Pho Bar Soup. Atrium Café is the only 24-hour full-service restaurant in any of the Tunica casinos. The Atrium continues to offer daily specials – adding variety to an already distinct menu. Lunch specials are priced between $9.95-$13.95. Dinner specials are $13.95-$25.95.

CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE OFFERS EXTENSIVE WINE LISTS
For the second year in a row, Gold Strike’s Chicago Steakhouse has received Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence. The honor is given to restaurants whose wine lists feature interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. Chicago Steakhouse offers a standard wine list and a reserve wine list with both old- and new-world selections.

CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE WON DELTA MAGAZINE’S “BEST OF”
It’s been called the world’s most decadent dessert, and one of the finest versions of it is available only in Tunica, Mississippi, at Chicago Steakhouse. The restaurant’s Crème Brûlée was recently named “Best of the Best” by Delta Magazine.

STEAK AND LOBSTER BUFFET
Landlubbers and seafarers, alike. Clear your calendar because you’ll want to make time to relish every bite of Gold Strike’s new Steak and Lobster Buffet. It’s waiting for you every Friday and Saturday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m. at the Courtyard Buffet.

ENTERTAINMENT
Now appearing at the Bullion Bar
For more information call 662-357-1127.
Schedules:
Wednesdays - 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.,
Thursdays - Saturdays – 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.,
Sundays - 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Mean Green Music Machine ∙ April 1-5
Randy Brock ∙ April 8-19
Randy Moore ∙ April 22 – May 3

By Penny Wolfe
wolfe@commercialappeal.com

Evidently The Fitz is predicting April showers for our area. Club Fitz has an umbrella giveaway in the works. Read on to find out all the fun in store for patrons of The Fitz.

Club Fitz Umbrella Giveaway
Stay dry. Look sharp. This Fitz Gift will keep the April showers at bay. Just earn 100 points on your Club Fitz card and pick up your Fitz umbrella. Supplies are limited, so grab one soon. Visit Club Fitz for details.

Fights at the Fitz
Live boxing will take place on Saturday, April 26 at Fitz. Luis Gallarza will meet Ramon Arellano in the ring for a 8 round main event. Tickets can be purchased at the Fitz Gift Shop for $35 or by credit card by calling 1-800-766-5825.

Club Fitz New Member Extravaganza
Join Tunica’s luckiest players club and play all week to earn entries toward our Extravaganza drawing!  See Club Fitz for details.
Sign up and instantly receive one free entry
Receive one bonus entry for every 25 points earned
Every Friday at 4pm, 10 new members will win $100 in Promo Cash.

Spring into Cash Slot Tournaments
Every Sunday the Fitz presents Spring into Cash slot tournaments.  Win a share of $2,500 in Promo Cash every Sunday by registering for the Sunday Slot Tournaments between noon-2pm at Club Fitz on the second floor.  One free entry per person that earns at least 50 points on their Club Fitz card between 12:01am Friday thru 12 Noon on Sunday during the week of that tournament.  Play begins at 1pm. See Club Fitz for details. 

Sunday is not the only day of festivities at the Fitz. Great events and specials are going on all week, every week.

Crapless Craps at Fitz
Fitz offers Crapless Craps.  On the come out roll, 2, 3, or 12 does not lose!

Paycheck for Life
There’s also the excitement of free money. When guests cash their paycheck at the Fitz, they’ll be entered in our new Paycheck For Life promotion, and have the chance to win $1,000 every week - for life!  Over 17,000 winners so far this year.  See Casino Cage for details.

Live Entertainment at the Fitz Stage Bar
You can catch some of the hottest local acts rocking the Stage Bar at the Fitz on:
Wednesday – Thursday, 7pm-Midnight
Friday-Saturday, 6pm-4am
Sunday, 2pm-7pm

Fitz Dining Options
For dining options, Fitz offers visitors a chance to fill up on fantastic food all week long, and satisfy their craving for savings with tasty specials. The Café’ is offering two new specials. Enjoy our “prime time” prime rib deal ever for only $8.95. Twelve ounces of incredible prime rib served with hot au jus, our special horseradish sauce, and a big pile of seasoned fries. Also offered is a shrimp basket with a dozen jumbo shrimp battered and deep fried to perfection, served with French fries, cole slaw and our special cocktail sauce for only $6.95. Both specials are available from 4pm to 11pm weekends, and 4pm to 10pm weeknights. Seafood lovers can enjoy $17.95 Seafood Feast buffet on Fridays from 4pm-2am and $15.95 Steak & Crab legs buffet on Saturdays from 4pm-2am in the buffet.

By Penny Wolfe
wolfe@commercialappeal.com

Nothing starts the work week better than the contemplation of weekend fun.
In all seriousness, we need something to look forward to – so it's delightful to hear the news that Dr. John will be visiting Bluesville Saturday, March 29. Some juicy boogie-woogie is just the kind of carrot-at-the-end-of-the-stick reward that will keep me plugging away like a mule at the office all week. That and the house note.

Dr. John is one of my favorite performers, and I've caught his shows several times. One of the performances that never fades in my memory was for a buttoned-down crowd in Connecticut (double bill with B.B. King). Dr. John had a beautiful exotic snake charmer wrapped in a huge live boa dance throughout his set. The outdoors venue's family crowd was shocked and mesmerized. The people-watching alone was worth the price of admission. Speaking of admission, Bluesville at the Horseshoe Casino is charging only $25 for this show. That's a fantastic bargain.

Details below from the casino:

Dr. John will be in the right place at the right time – Bluesville on Saturday, March 29.

Bluesville reports:

Dr. John will bring his New Orleans style boogie woogie tinged rock & roll to Bluesville inside Horseshoe Casino Tunica Saturday, March 29 at 9 p.m. Tickets are just $25 and available at the Horseshoe Box Office or through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 901-525-1515. Guests must be 21 or older to attend the show.

When a BBC interviewer recently asked Dr. John, “What is the secret to musical longevity?” the legendary New Orleans artist had a ready answer. “Living,” he replied. Through more than half a century of music making, Mac Rebennack Jr. has been doing just that as he’s rolled with the highs and lows that come with being a working musician, and these days he finds himself in an extended stretch of being in the right place at the right time. Now 65, this American icon, whom fellow legend Jerry Wexler once described as “the blackest white man I know,” continues to take all that life has to offer, crisscrossing the country and spanning the globe with his band of virtuosic veterans, the Lower 911, and recording whenever the spirit moves him, which is frequently. More than ever, it seems, Dr. John’s head is brimming with ideas.

The latest one, which comes to glorious fruition on the Blue Note album “Mercernary,” came from his daughter Tina, who pointed out that “Personality,” a 1946 hit for Johnny Mercer, would be a perfect fit for her dad’s down-home style. In fact, Tina suggested, why not do a whole album of songs written or popularized this giant of American popular music? That got Mac thinking. Mercer was a fellow Southerner and workaholic—the Savannah-born artist wrote the words, music or both to a good 1,500 songs, a remarkable number of them classics, as well as spending decades as a performer. He could relate.

“Personality” was one Mercer-associated standard the great man didn’t write himself, although the wry Jimmy Van Heusen lyric was a perfect fit for Mercer’s knowing vocal style. “I just loved the way Johnny sold that song,” Mac says. “It was so much out of the old burlesque thing, and you could tell he knew that stuff, and he always appeared to me to have that Southern something about him. He just hit the lines in songs that was like the real McGillicuddy. He was a great singer, a great A&R man, a producer, and he even started Capitol Records. So we started looking at some Mercer stuff.”

After running the idea past Blue Note and getting an enthusiastic response, Dr. John got down to business, poring over Mercer’s massive songbook. “I wanted to pull as many of the ones that people weren’t as familiar with, but it was impossible,” he says. “One thing about Johnny Mercer’s stuff is that even the songs that aren’t that well known are well known from something.” Rebennack had a handful of songs in mind from the start, including “Blues in the Night,” “Lazy Bones,” “That Old Black Magic,” “Save the Bones for Henry Jones” and “Tangerine,” and he looked forward to seeing what would go down when Mercer’s perpetually hip material made contact with his own brand of N’Awlins funk—or fonk, as he calls it. As usual, he demo’d up the tunes he’d chosen for his band. “They get what I’m thinking about from that, and then they play it for real,” he says.

“Mercernary” was recorded at New Orleans’ Piety Street Studio in the spring of 2005, a few months before Hurricane Katrina hit. The facility, located in the Bywater (once referred to by locals as the Upper Ninth Ward), escaped serious damage, and it’s back in business now. Despite these and other pockets of activity, says Rebennack, “Every time I go back, I get weirded out by how little or nothing is going on. Sippiana Hericane [an EP he recorded and released last fall in response to the devastation of Katrina] was a labor of shock. This record was a regulation recording, and I hope it’ll do something in some way to help New Orleans .” Sippiana Hericane was released on Blue Note Records November 2005, with all proceeds from CD sales divided equally between three charities—New Orleans Musicians Clinic, the Jazz Foundation of America and the Voice of the Wetlands.

Ultimately, then, “Mercernary” honors not only the great American songwriter/performer whose music provides its content but also the great American city in which it was created. Every note played by Dr. John and his fellow musicians is the sound of living New Orleans. May they keep on keepin’ on.

By Penny Wolfe
wolfe@commercialappeal.com

Who put the fun in fund-raiser? With Harrah's involved, it's an easy bet.
When I receive notice from two different places about an event, it's a tip that the invite must be the place to be. Both Harrah's and the Alzheimer's Association have teamed up to throw this gala honoring Joe Birch.

Friday, April 4 at the Memphis Botanic Garden, Stetsons and Stars will debut as a fund-raiser for the Alzheimer's Association. Be there!

From Harrah's:

Alzheimer’s Association Announces Stetsons and Stars Fundraiser

New Event Honoring WMC-TV’s Joe Birch Promises Cowboy Fun with Texas-Sized Proceeds

The Alzheimer’s Association Mid South Chapter today announced its newest fund-raising event, Stetsons and Stars – Cowboy Up for Alzheimer’s. The western themed evening will take place Friday, April 4, 2008 at Memphis Botanic Garden’s Hardin Hall. Individual tickets are $75. For more information, tickets and sponsorship package information visit www.cowboyupmemphis.com.

Stetsons and Stars and the Alzheimer’s Association will proudly honor WMC-TV’s Joe Birch for his many years of service to champion the awareness of Alzheimer’s. Joe has used his time and talents to help increase Alzheimer’s awareness through his involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk® and gala An Evening to Remember. As caregiver to his father, who passed from Alzheimer’s, Joe has championed this cause and helped Memphis become more aware of the disease and the hardships of being a caregiver.

Conceived by event chairpersons Valerie and Jeff Morris, Stetsons and Stars promises to be one of the year’s most entertaining and successful fundraising evenings. Soon to be stars, country music band Crossin’ Dixon will provide musical entertainment while “Daisy Duke” girls help to encourage guests to dance. Additional donation opportunities include: mechanical bull rides and live and silent auctions. Fabulous food selections from a gourmet buffet will also be available for guest’s enjoyment.

“This will be a fun opportunity to raise much needed funds for a disease that will touch almost a million people in West Tennessee this year,” said, Sheryl Ludeke-Smith, West Tennessee Regional Director.

For more information about Alzheimer’s Disease, programs of support or how you can help, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 901-565-0011 or 800-272-3900

By Penny Wolfe
wolfe@commercialappeal.com

When I was a young girl I would sit on my grandmother's knee as we played, "What would you do if I gave you a million dollars?" We'd spend hours thinking up ways to use that imaginary million. As long as my ideas included some gift for my grandmother, I was a strategic genius.

I can use those same skills today when contemplating what to do in Tunica in March. What's more fun than planning what you might win? At the Gold Strike, I'll win Rapid Fire, Quick Fire, Sure Fire Jackpots. Then, I'll win the Mercedes 300 luxury sedan, and celebrate by going to eat the world's most decadent dessert, Creme Brulee, at the Chicago Steakhouse. Sounds like a plan.

The Gold Strike reports:

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Gold Strike
You don’t need to go to the end of the rainbow to find your pot of gold this St. Paddy’s Day. Just head on over to Gold Strike Casino Resort and enter the Dublin Your Money slot tournament.

First place receives $4,000 in cash. Second through 21st get $200 in free play. Registration on March 17 is from 3-6 p.m. on the second level of the casino floor. Earn 250 points on the holiday to receive a free entry. Play is from 5-9 p.m.

Leap into Luxury Giveaway at Gold Strike

Don’t miss your chance – actually many chances – to win a Mercedes C300 Luxury Sedan. Sign up to become a Player Club member and receive five entries. Existing members can receive one entry each day and earn one additional chance for every 50 points made on his/her Players Club card.

Earn Players Club points between January 26 and March 29. On March 29, we will draw three (3) names at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. All entries must be in the drum by 9:55 p.m. The nine (9) finalists will be eligible for the car drawing immediately after the 10 p.m. drawing. The grand prize winner may accept the 2008 Mercedes C300 Luxury Sedan or a $30,000 FREEPLAY® prize.

Gold Strike’s Rapid Fire, Quick Fire, Sure Fire Jackpots continue in 2008
The Rapid Fire Jackpot, the Quick Fire Jackpot and the Sure Fire Jackpot are the hottest things in Tunica. Rapid Fire Jackpots start at $500 and are guaranteed to hit by $1,000. QuickFire Jackpots start at $5,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $10,000. SureFire Jackpots start at $150,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $200,000.
If you are playing with your Players Club card when the jackpot hits and your machine is the winning one, you win! Membership in the MGM MIRAGE Players Club is absolutely free. Additionally, every Players Club cardholder playing slots at Gold Strike wins when the Sure Fire Jackpot hits. Sure Fire not only awards up to $200K in freeplay to one person, it also awards every cardholder playing slots with their card at the time of the jackpot $10 in freeplay.

IN THE POKER ROOM

For all official Poker Room tournament rules and more information or for poker rate room reservations, call 1-888-24K-PLAY, ext. 1136, or stop by the Gold Strike Poker Room.

BAD BEAT HOLD ‘EM JACKPOT IS CURRENTLY AT $319,719

Win the Bad Beat Jackpot by having a hand with four tens or better beaten by a higher hand. For official rules and qualifications, stop by the Poker Room at Gold Strike.

Weekly Texas Hold’em Poker Tournaments:

Mondays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $80 Buy-in/ $500 Added $4,000 Chips /
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out - $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips
Tuesdays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $60 Buy-in / $20 Re-Buys/$20 Add-On/ $500Added
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out $100 Buy-in/$4,000 Chips/$2000 Guarantee
Wednesdays
11 a.m. $90 Bounty /Gold Strike Doubles Each $10 Bounty Fee
Thursdays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $80 Buy-in / $500 Added / $4,000 Chips
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out - $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips
Fridays
2 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out $100 Buy-in / $500 Added / $4,000 Chips
Saturdays
2 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out $60 Buy-in /$20 re-buys/$20 add-ons/ $1,000 Guarantee First Place
Sundays
1 p.m. No Limit Hold’em Freeze Out $125 Buy-in / $2,500 Guarantee / $4,000 Chips
*First Sunday of Every Month
1 p.m. $10,000 Guarantee/No-Limit/$335 Buy-in

The Mississippi Gaming Commission reserves the right to investigate any and all complaints and disputes regarding tournaments, promotions, and drawings. Such disputes will be resolved in accordance with Mississippi Gaming Control Act and Mississippi Gaming Commission Regulations. Management Reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament, promotion or drawing with prior written notification from the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

ATRIUM CAFÉ INTRODUCES NEW MENU ITEMS
Beginning March 11, customers of Atrium Café will have even more delicious selections available at the restaurant and via room service. New entrées include Tropical Seared Salmon, Crab-Stuffed Tilapia, Old-Fashioned Meatloaf, Country-Style Chicken Pot Pie, Yankee Pot Roast, Fire Cracker Shrimp, Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Crispy Orange Chicken, New York Strip Lyonnaise, Chicken Marsala, plus new salads, sandwiches, appetizers and breakfast items. Atrium Café is the only 24-hour full-service restaurant in any of the Tunica casinos. The Atrium continues to offer daily specials – adding variety to an already distinct menu. Lunch specials are priced between $9.95-$13.95. Dinner specials are $13.95-$25.95.

CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE OFFERS EXTENSIVE WINE LISTS
For the second year in a row, Gold Strike’s Chicago Steakhouse has received Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence. The honor is given to restaurants whose wine lists feature interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. Chicago Steakhouse offers a standard wine list and a reserve wine list with both old- and new-world selections.

CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE WON DELTA MAGAZINE’S “BEST OF”
It’s been called the world’s most decadent dessert, and one of the finest versions of it is available only in Tunica, Mississippi, at Chicago Steakhouse. The restaurant’s Crème Brûlée was recently named “Best of the Best” by Delta Magazine.

COURTYARD BUFFET OFFERS THE GOLD STRIKE GOURMET SERIES
Mangia! Experience “A Taste of Italy” in the Courtyard Buffet during the month of March. Continuing our new themed months, a section of the buffet is reserved for “The Gold Strike Gourmet Series.” These special menus are available Sunday through Thursday.

Steak and Lobster Buffet
Clear your calendar because you’ll want to make time to relish every bite of Gold Strike’s new Steak and Lobster Buffet. It’s waiting for you every Friday and Saturday 3 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Courtyard Buffet.

ENTERTAINMENT
IN THE MILLENNIUM THEATRE
Charlie Daniels Band
March 14, 2008 - 9:00 pm
The devil may have gone down to Georgia but its creator, or at least the man most famous for singing about him, will be at Gold Strike this month. The Charlie Daniels Band will perform March 14 at 9 p.m. in the Millennium Theatre. Tickets begin at $35. For tickets or for more information, call 888-24K-Play and ask for Casino Marketing.

Now appearing at the Bullion Bar
For more information call 662-357-1127.
Schedules:
Wed. 9 p.m.-1a.m., Thurs.-Sat. 10p.m. – 2a.m., Sun. 7p.m.-11p.m.

Trigger Proof ∙ February 26-March 8
Mean Green Music Machine ∙ March 11-15
Trigger Proof ∙ February 26-March 8
Gabby Johnson ∙ March 25-29

By Penny Wolfe
wolfe@commercialappeal.com

Finally, I understand what all the fuss about "going green" is! It's about chances to win hybrid vehicles at the Sheraton and Grand. And, about drinking lots of aluminum pull-tab beverages, saving the tabs, then giving the tabs to the casino. All in the name of Ronald McDonald House. Read below for the details straight from the casino's official spokesperson.

The Sheraton and Grand casinos report:
Go for the Green in March at Grand and Sheraton

Win a Lexus GS 450 Hybrid, a Lexus RX Hybrid, a Honda Civic Hybrid, a share of $50,000 cash, Free Slot Play and More

March 1 through March 30 Total Rewards® members can go for the green and a chance to win a 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid or a share of $25,000 at Grand Casino Resort or a 2008 Honda Civic or a share of $25,000 cash at Sheraton Casino and Hotel or a 2008 Lexus GS 450 Hybrid at Grand or Sheraton.

Guests may swipe their Total Rewards cards daily for one entry into the finale drawings. Guests may also accumulate extra entries based on tracked play on their Total Rewards card. Guests at Grand may accumulate five times bonus entries on Sundays and Tuesdays. Sheraton guests may accumulate five times bonus entries on Wednesdays and Fridays. Guests must swipe their Total Rewards card at the promotional kiosks on bonus entry days before they play to receive bonus entries based on tracked play.

To kick off the promotion, March 1 beginning at 10 a.m. the first 500 patrons that swipe their Total Rewards card will receive an energy-saving CFL light bulb. Guests will also receive a free collectable letter and official game board. Guests that collect all of the collectable letters win a 2008 Lexus GS 450 Hybrid. Guests may bring in 12 aluminum pull tabs from 12 ounce aluminum cans to receive one bonus letter on March 1 only. Pull tabs will be donated to Ronald McDonald House of Memphis. Five winners will be chosen every hour from Noon until 4 p.m. to receive $100 in Free Slot Play.

Sunday, March 30 beginning at 10 a.m. guests may activate their entries for the finale drawings. Entries are only viable for the casino in which they were activated. Qualifying drawings will be at Noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., at both Grand and Sheraton casinos. The final drawing at 7 p.m. will produce Ten finalists at both casinos. One finalist will win a car while the other 9 will win a share of $25,000 at both casinos. The grand prize winner at Grand will win a 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid while the grand prize winner at Sheraton will win a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid.

Total Rewards is free to join for guests that are 21 and older. For additional information and official rules visit the Total Rewards.

By Penny Wolfe
wolfe@commercialappeal.com

Horseshoe Casino is bringing back a popular promotion, "Legendary Jackpots." Read the information that they've sent me to find out all the details. It will behoove you to be at the Horseshoe Casino on March 19.

Horseshoe Casino reports:

Random Slot Jackpots up to $10,000 hit between 12 – 7 p.m.

Guests are in for a surprise at Horseshoe Casino & Hotel on Wednesday, March 19. Random slot jackpots will be hitting from 12 to 7 p.m. and guests could win up to $10,000 on a “Legendary Jackpot” hit.

When a Legendary Jackpot hits the party patrol and “Suitcase Man” will appear to pay to the winner 50% cash and 50% Free Slot Play. Every guest that is playing on the “winning” bank of slot machines when the Legendary Jackpot hits wins $25 in Free Slot Play.

By Penny Wolfe
wolfe@commercialappeal.com

We're past midway into February, but Gold Strike Casino Resort has sent me a reminder of the ongoing big events.

Gold Strike Casino Resort reports:
Entertainment & Promotions for February 2008

CASINO PROMOTIONS
Leap into Luxury Giveaway at Gold Strike
Don’t miss your chance – actually many chances – to win a Mercedes C300 Luxury Sedan. Sign up to become a Player Club member and receive five entries. Existing members can receive one entry each day and earn one additional chance for every 50 points made on his/her Players Club card.

Earn Players Club points between January 26 and March 29. On February 29 and again on March 29, we will draw three (3) names at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. All entries must be in the drum by 9:55 p.m. The nine (9) finalists will be eligible for the car drawing immediately after the 10 p.m. drawing. The grand prize winner may accept the 2008 Mercedes C300 Luxury Sedan or a $30,000 FREEPLAY® prize.

Gold Strike’s Rapid Fire, Quick Fire, Sure Fire Jackpots continue in 2008
The Rapid Fire Jackpot, the Quick Fire Jackpot and the Sure Fire Jackpot are the hottest things in Tunica. Rapid Fire Jackpots start at $500 and are guaranteed to hit by $1,000. QuickFire Jackpots start at $5,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $10,000. SureFire Jackpots start at $150,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $200,000.
If you are playing with your Players Club card when the jackpot hits and your machine is the winning one, you win! Membership in the MGM MIRAGE Players Club is absolutely free. Additionally, every Players Club cardholder playing slots at Gold Strike wins when the Sure Fire Jackpot hits. Sure Fire not only awards up to $200K in freeplay to one person, it also awards every cardholder playing slots with their card at the time of the jackpot $10 in freeplay.

IN THE POKER ROOM

For all official Poker Room tournament rules and more information or for poker rate room reservations, call 1-888-24K-PLAY, ext. 1136, or stop by the Gold Strike Poker Room.

BAD BEAT HOLD ‘EM JACKPOT IS CURRENTLY AT $319,011
Win the Bad Beat Jackpot by having a hand with four tens or better beaten by a higher hand. For official rules and qualifications, stop by the Poker Room at Gold Strike.

Weekly Texas Hold’em Poker Tournaments:
Mondays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out - $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips
Tuesdays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
Thursdays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out - $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips
Fridays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
Sundays
1 p.m. No Limit Hold’em Freeze Out $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips

The Mississippi Gaming Commission reserves the right to investigate any and all complaints and disputes regarding tournaments, promotions, and drawings. Such disputes will be resolved in accordance with Mississippi Gaming Control Act and Mississippi Gaming Commission Regulations. Management Reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament, promotion or drawing with prior written notification from the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

THE ATRIUM CAFÉ DAILY SPECIALS
The Atrium Café at Gold Strike is the only 24-hour full-service restaurant in any of the Tunica casinos. The Atrium continues to offer daily specials – adding variety to an already distinct menu. Lunch specials are priced between $9.95-$13.95. Dinner specials are $13.95-$25.95.

CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE OFFERS EXTENSIVE WINE LISTS
For the second year in a row, Gold Strike’s Chicago Steakhouse has received Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence. The honor is given to restaurants whose wine lists feature interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.
Chicago Steakhouse offers a standard wine list and a reserve wine list with both old- and new-world selections.

CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE WON DELTA MAGAZINE’S “BEST OF”
Don’t forget to save room for dessert. Chicago Steakhouse’s Crème Brûlée was recently named “Best of the Best” by Delta Magazine.

COURTYARD BUFFET OFFERS THE GOLD STRIKE GOURMET SERIES
Continuing our new themed months, Gold Strike reserves a section of the buffet for “The Gold Strike Gourmet Series.” These special menus are available Sunday through Thursday.
Mardi Gras Menu
Crawfish Etoufee
Cajun Spiced Pork Chops
Orange and Mustard Glazed Chicken
Creole Catfish with Strawberry Sauce

Steak and Lobster Buffet
Clear your calendar because you’ll want to make time to relish every bite of Gold Strike’s new Steak and Lobster Buffet. It’s waiting for you every Friday and Saturday 3 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Courtyard Buffet.

ENTERTAINMENT
Now appearing at the Bullion Bar
For more information call 662-357-1127.
Schedules:
Wed 9pm-1am, Thurs-Sat 10pm – 2am, Sun 7pm-11pm

Randy Moore February 5-16
Mean Green Music Machine February 19-23
Trigger Proof February 26-March 8

By Penny Wolfe
wolfe@commercialappeal.com 

With everything else going on this month, it would be easy to forget that we have an extra day, February 29.  Harrah's is going all out with promotions that include the number 29 at The Horseshoe, the Grand and the Sheraton casinos. Frankly, I rarely bother my pretty little head with figuring anything by 29s. I learned how to approximate by rounding up long ago. So, the beautiful mindset of 29 things happening every 29 minutes beginning at 4:29 is lost on me. 

Harrah's reports: 
Leap into Total Rewards® $200,000 Lucky Leap Year Giveaway
Choose the promotion that best suits you at Horseshoe, Grand or Sheraton
Now through February 29 Total Rewards® card holders can accumulate entries into the drawing of their choice at Horseshoe, Grand and Sheraton casinos for a chance at a share of $200,000. The drawings at Horseshoe, Grand and Sheraton casinos will be held on February 29, 2008 from 4:29 p.m. until 11:29 p.m. Guests get one entry into the drawings for every 50 Reward Credits® they accumulate now through February 29.  Guest's entries will be drawn from the casino where the entries are activated on February 29. Guests must activate their entries 30 minutes prior to each drawing. Activation period begins at Horseshoe and Grand at noon with activation beginning at Sheraton at 3 p.m. Horseshoe is giving away $80,000 in cold hard cash with one lucky winner taking home $30,000. Every hour from 4:29 p.m. to 11:29 p.m. the Horseshoe will be giving away increasing amounts of cash up to $30,000 at 29 minutes after every hour. Grand Casino Resort is giving away $85,000 in cash, cars and free slot play twenty-nine minutes after each hour beginning at 4:29 p.m. and ending at 11:29 p.m. Grand will give away cash, free slot play or a VW Eos or Land Rover LR2. Hours when the cars are not being drawn Grand will award 40 players at least $100 in cash and one player up to $2,500 in Free Slot Play. Sheraton Casino and Hotel is giving 435 winners a total of $40,000 in Free Slot Play between 4:29 p.m. and 11:29 p.m. Every 29 minutes 29 winners will be announced winning varying amounts of Free Slot Play from $25 to $500. 

Gold Strike reports:

There’s Slots of Love on February 14th at Gold Strike
Love leads to Las Vegas. Players Club Members, come to Gold Strike Casino Resort this Valentine’s Day, earn 250 points and win an entry into the Slots of Love Tournament. Registration is from 3-6 p.m. in between the escalators on the Casino Floor at the registration desk. Tournament Play is set for 5-9 p.m. on the Casino Floor in the designated tournament area near the main casino cage. The first place winner receives a $2,500 trip for two to the Bellagio in Las Vegas, PLUS $1,000 spending money. Second through-21st place will win $200 in FreePlay. As a bonus, we’ll have a Wild Card drawing at 9 p.m. for $500 in FreePlay. Guests are required to present their invite and Players Club card to participate.

A Sweet Deal
Life is like a box of chocolates at Gold Strike Casino Resort on Sweetheart’s Day, but you’ll definitely know what you are going to get. The first 1,000 Players Club members who bring their card on Thursday, February 14 will receive a chocolate heart made from Dinstuhl’s fine chocolate. What makes this deal even sweeter? You’ll earn 50 extra points on the day of the promotion.

Leap into Luxury Giveaway at Gold Strike
Don’t miss your chance – actually many chances – to win a Mercedes C300 Luxury Sedan. Sign up to become a Player Club member and receive five entries. Existing members can receive one entry each day and earn one additional chance for every 50 points made on his/her Players Club card.

Earn Players Club points between January 26 and March 29. On February 29 and again on March 29, we will draw three (3) names at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. All entries must be in the drum by 9:55 p.m. The nine (9) finalists will be eligible for the car drawing immediately after the 10 p.m. drawing. The grand prize winner may accept the 2008 Mercedes C300 Luxury Sedan or a $30,000 FREEPLAY® prize.

Gold Strike’s Rapid Fire, Quick Fire, Sure Fire Jackpots continue in 2008
The Rapid Fire Jackpot, the Quick Fire Jackpot and the Sure Fire Jackpot are the hottest things in Tunica. Rapid Fire Jackpots start at $500 and are guaranteed to hit by $1,000. QuickFire Jackpots start at $5,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $10,000. SureFire Jackpots start at $150,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $200,000.

If you are playing with your Players Club card when the jackpot hits and your machine is the winning one, you win! Membership in the MGM MIRAGE Players Club is absolutely free. Additionally, every Players Club cardholder playing slots at Gold Strike wins when the Sure Fire Jackpot hits. Sure Fire not only awards up to $200K in freeplay to one person, it also awards every cardholder playing slots with their card at the time of the jackpot $10 in freeplay.

IN THE POKER ROOM

For all official Poker Room tournament rules and more information or for poker rate room reservations, call 1-888-24K-PLAY, ext. 1136, or stop by the Gold Strike Poker Room.

No-Limit Hold’em $335 Freeze Out $3,000 Added!
The Poker Room is offering a No-Limit Hold’em $335 Freeze Out with a $10,000 Prize Pool guarantee on February 3. The tournament starts at 1 p.m., and the players receive $6,000 in chips. Table play is limited to 110 players, so get there early. For official rules and more information, call the Poker room at 1-888-24K-PLAY, ext. 1136.

POKER AND FOOTBALL LOVERS UNITE
Our Football Squares Promotion continues Sunday, February 3rd with the New York Giants-New England Patriots game. Beginning at 1:30 p.m., any player in a live game or tournament may pick a square based on his/her favorite NFL game. Prizes are: 1st Qtr. - $250, 2nd Qtr. - $500, 3rd Qtr. - $750, Final Score - $1,000. For official rules and qualifications, stop by the Poker Room at Gold Strike.

BAD BEAT HOLD ‘EM JACKPOT IS CURRENTLY AT $302,007
Win the Bad Beat Jackpot by having a hand with four tens or better beaten by a higher hand. For official rules and qualifications, stop by the Poker Room at Gold Strike.

High Hand Receives $50 Every Other Hour
Beginning Monday January 28, your high hand could win $50 every other hour on Monday through Friday. Both cards in your hand must play. (Kicker must tie or beat the board.)

Weekly Texas Hold’em Poker Tournaments:

Mondays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out - $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips
Tuesdays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
Wednesdays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
Thursdays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
6 p.m. No-limit Freeze Out - $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips
Fridays
11 a.m. No-limit Freeze Out $50 Buy-in / $10 Entry Fee / $4,000 Chips
Sundays
1 p.m. No Limit Hold’em Freeze Out $125 Buy-in / $1,000 Added / $4,000 Chips
*First Sunday of Every Month* 1 p.m. $10,000 Guarantee
No-limit Freeze Out $335 Buy-in*

The Mississippi Gaming Commission reserves the right to investigate any and all complaints and disputes regarding tournaments, promotions, and drawings. Such disputes will be resolved in accordance with Mississippi Gaming Control Act and Mississippi Gaming Commission Regulations. Management Reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament, promotion or drawing with prior written notification from the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
FOOD & BEVERAGE

THE ATRIUM CAFÉ DAILY SPECIALS
The Atrium Café at Gold Strike is the only 24-hour full-service restaurant in any of the Tunica casinos. The Atrium continues to offer daily specials – adding variety to an already distinct menu. Lunch specials are priced between $9.95-$13.95. Dinner specials are $13.95-$25.95.

CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE OFFERS EXTENSIVE WINE LISTS
For the second year in a row, Gold Strike’s Chicago Steakhouse has received Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence. The honor is given to restaurants whose wine lists feature interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.
Chicago Steakhouse offers a standard wine list and a reserve wine list with both old- and new-world selections.

CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE WON DELTA MAGAZINE’S “BEST OF”
Don’t forget to save room for dessert. Chicago Steakhouse’s Crème Brûlée was recently named “Best of the Best” by Delta Magazine.

COURTYARD BUFFET OFFERS THE GOLD STRIKE GOURMET SERIES
Continuing our new themed months, Gold Strike reserves a section of the buffet for “The Gold Strike Gourmet Series.” These special menus are available Sunday through Thursday.
Mardi Gras Menu
Crawfish Etoufee
Cajun Spiced Pork Chops
Orange and Mustard Glazed Chicken
Creole Catfish with Strawberry Sauce

Steak and Lobster Buffet
Clear your calendar because you’ll want to make time to relish every bite of Gold Strike’s new Steak and Lobster Buffet. It’s waiting for you every Friday and Saturday 3 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Courtyard Buffet.

ENTERTAINMENT
IN THE MILLENNIUM THEATRE
Here for the Party at Gold Strike
Every once in awhile a country artist comes along who breaks the mold. Think Patsy, Loretta , Dolly and Tanya. Now there is Gretchen Wilson, who will perform at Gold Strike Casino Resort for one special evening on February 15. The concert in the Millennium Theatre begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $75 each, plus tax. For ticket information call Gold Strike Casino at 888-245-7529 and contact Casino Marketing.

Now appearing at the Bullion Bar
For more information call 662-357-1127.
Schedules:
Wed 9pm-1am, Thurs-Sat 10pm – 2am, Sun 7pm-11pm
Randy Moore February 5-16
Mean Green Music Machine February 19-23
Trigger Proof February 26-March 8