arizona gaming guide magazine - may 2012 - 04:05
DESCRIPTION
Hints, Tips, And Advice On Your Favorite Casino Games! A Monthly Publication Created By Slot Machine Game Designers. The Arizona Gaming Guide is a free monthly magazine for people who enjoy visiting casinos and playing casino games. The magazine discusses Slot Machines, Video Slots, Reel Slots, Electronic Table Games like: Blackjack, Roulette, and Craps. Packed with in-depth features, advice, hints, tips, secrets, and so much more!TRANSCRIPT
Contents
19 GAMING NEWS
Caesars Entertainment’s “Escape to Total Rewards.”
21 GAMING NEWS
Yavapai Casino clears the air & Glendale Casino.
22 GAMING NEWS
Lucky Mesa man wins $5.7 Mil. at Casino Arizona.
24 CASINO BUZZ
More penny slots at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel.
FAST FACTS
08 NEW SLOTS
IGT’s Wheel of Fortune® Triple Extreme Spin Slots.
10 NEW SLOTS
Aristocrat’s Three Wishes Progressive Jackpot Slots.
13 COMING SOON
WMS’ The Lord Of The Rings 3-Reel Slots.
GREAT GAMES
MAY
1616
1313
14 HINTS & TIPS
Staying positive, Table limits, Video poker, Max bet.
15 HINTS & TIPS
The $40 test.
WINNING WAYS
16 MOTHER’S DAY FEASTS AT AZ’S CASINOS
Where to take your Mom on Sunday, May 13.
CASINO DINING
26 CASINO LISTINGS
The editor’s picks of Arizona’s casino entertainment.
CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
0808
04 EDITOR’S NOTE
What’s on our mind.
06 PLAYERS TALK
What’s on your mind.
28 FUN & GAMES
Sudoku & Puzzles to keep your mind sharp.
30 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
Rants, raves & reflections.
30 CASINO DIRECTORY
REGULAR RESPINS
azgamingguide.com | May 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide 03
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VOLUME 04 • ISSUE 05
PUBLISHER
Chris Hoft
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Elizabeth Torma
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Alexandra Lang
ART DIRECTOR
Melanie Mueller
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mark Novak
Alex Stewart
Samantha Becker
Lana Hartmann
Elizabeth Torma
ADVERTISING SALES
Nina Consiglio
Elizabeth Torma
MAILING INFORMATION
Arizona Gaming Guide
P.O. Box 20636
Mesa, Arizona 85277
INTERNET INFORMATION
www.azgamingguide.com
www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
Copyright © 2012 The Arizona Gaming Guide.
All rights reserved.
The Arizona Gaming Guide (AGG) presents casino industry and
gaming related facts as well as personal opinions and expects the
reader to make his or her own decisions. All responses to reader
posts, e-mails and letters are to be considered as advice only. AGG
accepts no responsibility and no liability for any actions of our
readers based on the articles and advertisements presented within
this publication. All pictures, images, logos, trademarks and trade
names, etc. are the sole property of their respective owners.
You must be 21 or older to gamble. Please play responsibly.
Help is available at 1.800.NEXT.STEP or problemgambling.az.gov.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Your Authority On Everything Gaming
AZ Casinos Offer Many Options
Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Graduation, Memorial Day—May is a
busy month filled with celebrations and Arizona’s casinos are the perfect
place to have fun with your loved ones. In this month’s issue, we provide
a myriad of options to choose from for that special event. Whether it’s
playing a new slot game, enjoying a scrumptious meal, or listening to
your favorite band in concert, you’re sure to find an activity that will
commemorate any special occasion. From gaming to lodging to dining to
golf and everything in between; Arizona’s casinos truly have it all!
Please visit us at: www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide, become part of
our community and share your thoughts and experiences with others
who also love the same casino games you do. You can sign up for our e-
newsletter and find the current and back issues of the Arizona Gaming
Guide on our website at www.azgamingguide.com. Let me know what you
think of our May issue and have fun!
Cheers!
Alexandra Lang
Editor-in-Chief
Alexandra
Arizona’s State Gaming Regulatory Agency:
Arizona Department of Gaming
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007
1.602.771.4263 or azgaming.gov
Tribal Gaming Funded Problem Gambling Resource:
Office of Problem Gambling
1.800.NEXT.STEP or 1.800.639.8783
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007
1.602.542.8998 or problemgambling.az.gov
04 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
“Like” us on Facebook because
we “Like” you too!
www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
PLAYERS TALK Q&A On Everything Gaming
06 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Q: JACKPOTS & BET LEVELS
Last year I was playing a “Monopoly” slot machine at
Desert Diamond Casino in Sahuarita. Someone sitting
at a similar machine next to me won $400 when all five
wheels landed on “Monopoly” symbols. If she had
been playing the max bet, she would have won the jack-
pot of $129,000. Her husband asked me if the machine
still would have stopped on five “Monopoly” symbols
if she had been playing max bet at that moment? I guess
what he was suggesting is whether or not slot machines
are programmed to produce different outcomes depend-
ing on the amount bet. Do you know?
Jonathon Shacat – Bisbee, AZ
A: Jonathon, that hurts!!! One of my team members witnessed
a player lose out on over a $1 million jackpot playing “Wizard
of Oz” by WMS because she wasn’t playing max bet either. I
would have a hard time handling that situation if it happened
to me! For that reason, all of us here at the Arizona Gaming
Guide usually play max bet on those types of games or if our
bankroll doesn’t allow it at the time then we completely avoid
them altogether. Unfortunately, I have to answer that the slot
machines are not programmed to increase or decrease your
chances of lining up the symbols needed to hit a top award on a
game based on your bet level. Therefore, the lady playing the
“Monopoly” game missed out on the jackpot.
Here’s a summary of how the slot picks what will be shown to
the player on any given spin: Every slot machine has a random
number generator (RNG) whose function is to arbitrarily pick
what symbols will appear in what order to form winning or
losing combinations. The RNG is constantly shuffling through
all possible combinations and going through 100,000 or more
outcomes in just one second! It is perpetually doing so even
when the machine is not being played! The RNG stops on a
combination only when the player presses the SPIN button.
The RNG does not differentiate between bet amounts.
Now, here’s a different scenario: Let’s say someone is playing
max bet and seems to be getting into a randomly triggered pro-
gressive bonus (Fort Knox for instance) more frequently than
another player betting the minimum. This is a different situa-
ASK THE EXPERTS and get a $25 gas card if we decide to print your question! Do you have a question for our staff of casino gaming industry professionals and slot experts? Write us with your questions
and comments in any area of gaming and we will make every attempt to publish a response in upcoming issues. Space is
limited so we are unable to print every letter or e-mail we receive. Please include your name and mailing address with all
correspondence. Mail to: Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277 or E-mail to: [email protected].
tion and, in fact, playing max bet on this type of game does
increase your likelihood of getting into that randomly triggered
progressive. It’s important to understand the difference be-
tween these two situations. A progressive controller that is
randomly picking a machine based on the bet level to trigger a
bonus CAN differentiate between bet amounts. The RNG that
is randomly selecting combinations to display on screen (like
the five top symbols for a jackpot) CANNOT differentiate be-
tween bet levels!
Q: SAME GAME, DIFFERENT PAYBACK
Dear Arizona Gaming Guide, I am a long-time Arizona
resident and slot player. I recently had the opportunity
to visit Last Vegas and play at three Strip Casinos. I
went specifically looking to play the WMS titles “Alice
and the Mad Tea Party” and “Alice the Enchanted Mir-
ror” for I have come to love these games locally and
have played them for many hours. After playing these
games for only a short time in Vegas, I could “feel” a
definite difference in how these games played. The ran-
dom pop-up bonuses on the games were far less fre-
quent, the multiplier bonus was in a range much lower
than those I had experienced in Arizona, the “Super
Mad Respins” were far fewer and paid less than usual,
and the three symbol Bonus was almost non-existent! I
played both games for several hours at each Vegas Ca-
sino and got the same impression at each location, very
disappointing!
Was the "feeling" of such a difference in the game play
due to the payback percentage that the Casino had set
for the machines? I realize that the payback percentage
is the profit that the Casino can expect to earn over the
lifetime of the machine, but did this factor alone make
the game play so drastically different in the short-term
play? I know that the WMS “ALICE” machines are
leased to Casinos, and wonder if that affects payback
percentages? I know that some states regulate the mini-
mum payback that a machine can return. Do Arizona
Tribal Gaming Casinos fall under this rule? I learned a
valuable lesson on my Vegas trip that sometimes the
grass is greener in your own backyard and I think I will
Q&A On Everything Gaming PLAYERS TALK
azgamingguide.com | May 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide 07
stay and play right here at home from now on! Thank
you.
Sara Hill – Gilbert, AZ
A: Sara, I'm very impressed with your ability to pick up on the
differences between the same games in different jurisdictions.
Your "feeling" is absolutely correct. Every slot game is de-
signed with different payback percentage variations. Slot ma-
chine manufacturers need to be able to offer casinos options.
According to Las Vegas gaming jurisdiction laws, the paybacks
can go as low as 75% - and trust me, from what I've seen they
do! They rely heavily on non-gaming revenue in Las Vegas and
feel they can afford to offer their games at lower percentages
because Vegas is a tourist attraction. Here in Arizona, the
minimum is 80% for non-skill games and the main revenue
stream comes from the gaming. Therefore, almost all new game
installs we've been privy to are usually set in between 83% and
85% for penny denomination games to provide a more enjoy-
able gaming experience.
When you play a game at 75% and the exact same game at
85%, you will feel a difference. The mathematician's job is to
try and create all these variations of the game without making
it obvious to players where changes have occurred. And, most
players aren't as perceptive as you are, so these differences
aren't as evident. Specifically referencing the WMS “Alice”
slots you mention, the math designers probably did lower the
pulls-to-hit and the average wins on the bonuses. If they had to
"shave off" several percentage points somewhere, then your
feeling that it happened in the bonuses is most likely correct.
They could have, just as well, modified the base game by mak-
ing some winning combinations occur less frequently. Math
designers don't have an easy job, because they have to find that
right balance when modifying the game variations. Some choose
to only make changes to the bonus or just to the base game,
while others choose to make some modifications to both. It's a
delicate balancing act! As I mentioned to you, I'm impressed
that you picked up on these differences. If more players would
just listen to their gut instincts, they would be able to identify
which casinos offer their favorite games in the best payback
percentages - just from pure observation! $
Hint: Changing the reel strips during a bonus with free
games can allow a mathematician to change the payback
percentage of a game as well. In other words, they can
increase or decrease the hit frequencies of the individual
wins, change your chances of re-triggering the bonus, af-
fect (on average) how much each free games will pay, and
so on. Next time you play your favorite slot game, see if
you can tell if any changes were made.
GREAT GAMES New Slots
08 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Quick Hints & Tips
The minimum bet is 50 credits.
Slot pays a win, on average, once every other spin.
Recommended bankroll of $40.00 allows for ex-
tended play at the minimum bet level.
Slot is a low to medium volatility game!
Player favorite Siberian Storm® is the main game
with pays left-to-right and right-to-left for adjacent
symbols in any position and a five reel screen
showing 3, 4, 5, 4, and 3 symbols respectively.
Mini Wheel Bonus game pays when three or more
Scatter symbols land on the reels. Small wheels
spin on screen for credit wins. The symbols on the
right reels pay more than those on the left reels!
Triple Extreme Wheel Bonus game pays with three
to seven bonus symbols on the middle reels. The
screen transforms into envelopes and players pick
for pointers on the massive wheels. Players can win
up to three pointers per wheel! Two wheels have
credit prizes and the last wheel has a multiplier
used to increase the total bonus win.
Wheel of Fortune® TRIPLE EXTREME SPIN Ready for play across Arizona!
Three or more bonus symbols start the
Triple Extreme Spin Wheel Bonus below
where you pick for wheel pointers!
Main game pictures showing the symbols & a big win!
lueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, Arizona is
where we first played this new slot by IGT and what
a great decision that was! My team member and I walked
up to the empty MegaFX® surround-sound chairs, admit-
tedly with some apprehension. Armed with $40 a piece,
we carefully eyed the minimum bet button of 50 credits (a
$0.50 bet as the game is available in pennies) and quickly
calculated the guaranteed number of spins based on our
bankroll to be 80. Over an hour later both of us walked
away with $60! This game delivers a top-notch playing
experience and, in our opinion, all our readers who are
interested in having a chance at extending their play ses-
sions need to consider this slot! Our largest win was $75
playing the minimum bet which was a pleasant surprise,
but the slot delivered frequent wins in the $10 to $40
range which kept us going, and going! Both bonus games
hit often to keep you interested and pay out well enough
to prevent you from losing your stake quickly. By now,
you’ll find the slot in almost every casino in Arizona!
Give them a try and let us know how it goes.
Write us a hand written letter (Editor—Arizona Gaming Guide, PO BOX
20636, Mesa, AZ 85277), send us an e-mail ([email protected]) or
tell us on our Facebook wall (www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide) what
you think of this new Wheel of Fortune® Triple Extreme Spin slot by IGT. $
B
Exclusive to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
in Maricopa, Arizona is a brand new
bank of rapidly hitting progressive
slots called Three Wishes by Aristocrat
Technologies. Located just inside the
main entrance, this group of slots see a
lot of action every day, all day long!
Featuring all your favorite Aristocrat Technologies games
like Jaguar MistTM, BuffaloTM, Timber WolfTM, Aztec
DreamTM, and Crusader’s HeartTM, this new bank delivers
excitement spin after spin. In addition to the standard
bonuses available in each game, there are three progres-
sives waiting to be awarded to one lucky player at the
end of each spin.
Each game is installed in a penny denomination and the
rapidly hitting progressives bring non-stop gaming ac-
tion to Aristocrat slot enthusiasts. The lowest level pro-
gressive jackpot resets at $15 and must be awarded by
$25. The middle progressive jackpot starts at $40 and can
only climb to $60 before the prize is randomly delivered
to one player at the bank. The top progressive jackpot
starts at $2,000 and will award by $2,500!
The Inside Scoop*
Jaguar Mist
Min Bet 40 Bonus Hits 130 spins
Play Time Low Big Wins Good Chances
Bonus Free games with Wild multipliers
Buffalo
Min Bet 40 Bonus Hits 130 spins
Play Time Low Big Wins Good Chances
Bonus Free games with Wild multipliers
Timber Wolf
Min Bet 40 Bonus Hits 150 spins
Play Time Good Big Wins Small Chance
Bonus Free games
Aztec Dream
Min Bet 50 Bonus Hits 100 spins
Play Time Low Big Wins Very Good Chances
Bonus Free games
Crusader’s Heart
Min Bet 30 Bonus Hits 150 spins
Play Time Low Big Wins Very Good Chances
Bonus Free games
*The Inside Scoop data presented here is based solely on the analysis of mul-
tiple play sessions by Arizona Gaming Guide Staff and represents averages.
GREAT GAMES New Slots
10 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Three Wishes By Aristocrat Technologies
Here’s a hint: Our con-
tacts at the casino tell us
the progressive jackpots
will hit, with continual
play, on average 60 times
per day! Furthermore, the
top progressive jackpot
will hit about once every
ten days! How’s that for
regular luck? $
Coming Soon GREAT GAMES
rought to life in two unique base game
themes, an engaging and interactive top box
and six unique feature events themed for charac-
ters from the award-winning motion picture tril-
ogy. You can experience all the action in either 3-
Reel Mechanical Transmissive Reels® or 3-Reel
Video versions that are enhanced with Sensory
Immersion and Wide Area Progressive technolo-
gies. Both unique base themes – The Fellowship
and Land of Mordor™ – include six features from
which one is randomly selected once the bonus is
triggered giving players the bonus-filled adven-
ture they’ve come to know and love with The
Lord Of The Rings™ slots.
Both themes include a menagerie of features, in-
cluding one worth up to a 3000x bet multiplier
credit prize; a one-spin feature with a multiplier
of 10x - 30x; a spin-till-you-win feature with ei-
ther held stacked WILD symbols or a held 3X
WILD; a one-spin feature with up to 9 WILD
symbols; a feature with held 1x, 2x or 3x WILDs
held on Reels 1 and 3; and a Free Spins feature
with up to 20 free spins during which additional
spins or other features may be triggered.
azgamingguide.com | May 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide 13
B
Slot manufacturer WMS Gaming and Arizona casinos are making all efforts to bring you the latest installment of
The Lord Of The Rings™ slot machines during the next few months. Players who enjoy 3-Reel slots and traditional
video slot players need to pay attention to this game as six—that’s right, six—special features from Middle-earth™
await in these brand new 3-Reel adventures!
This is The Lord Of The
Rings™ slots adventure
3-Reel fans have been
waiting for!
To learn more about these
new slots and see a preview
video, point your web
browser to:
http://now.wms.com and
http://www.youtube.com/
wmsslots. $
14 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
WINNING WAYS Hints & Tips
TABLE LIMITS
Next time you’re at your favorite casino
and you find the table limits a bit too
steep for your bankroll, just ask to have
them lowered! If a higher-limit table is
open with no players, there’s a good
chance the pit supervisor will lower the
minimum bet.
Stay Positive!
There will always be highs and lows during every play session at the
casino, but you should never let the lows affect your mood. Nobody
can deny that a losing streak can be extremely frustrating. However,
letting frustration turn into anger or desperation is when a bad situa-
tion becomes even worse very quickly. Here are a few hints on how to
shake off some of that negative energy and change your luck around:
LOSE THE ATTITUDE. Whining and grumbling about losing isn’t
going to do anything for you except keep you in a negative frame of
mind. If you find yourself huffing and puffing, protesting and criticiz-
ing—stop! And, get away from other party poopers who are doing the
same thing. A negative attitude is contagious and spreads like spilled
water.
GET A LUCKY CHARM. Okay, there is no proof that lucky charms
can bring you luck at the casino. However, I will tell you that feeling
lucky makes people feel happy. And, I know that the people who feel
happy are usually the ones who are having the most fun and enjoying
themselves at the casino!
TRY A NEW GAME. The quickest way to lift your spirits after a bad
run is to get your mind off of it. Trying a new casino game you’ve
never played before will do just that. Focus on learning the new game
and, who knows, beginner’s luck may just follow!
WHEN SHOULD YOU PLAY MAX BET? You should always bet the maximum on games that offer higher rewards at max bet. This includes most classic 3 or
5 reel stepper slots since the majority of these games are ‘buy-a-pay,’ video poker since the Royal is bonused at max
bet, games that are connected to progressive systems, and slot games that have bonus features that only activate with
the maximum wager. Make sure to read a slot’s help screen to see if betting max will give you an advantage.
PRACTICE
PRACTICE
PRACTICE
Of all the video slot games on a casino floor,
video poker has the highest payback per-
centages! However, to take advantage of the
high returns, you have to be using optimal
strategy. Become an expert by practicing for
free at videopoker.com!
azgamingguide.com | May 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide 15
Hints & Tips WINNING WAYS
ow much money should you put into a penny
slot to “test” a game before you get up and
move to another machine if it’s not going
well? While most people will say $20, this is
not nearly enough money to truly experience
the new slot games hitting the casino floors. Given that
modern slots tend to be more volatile, a $40 initial invest-
ment is your best bet—and this is assuming you will be
playing the minimum bet. Insert any less than this and
you may be setting yourself up for disappointment.
The average number of spins (called the pulls-to-hit) it
takes to trigger a bonus varies from slot to slot, and it’s
up to the mathematician to determine how often a player
will get into a bonus. Extremely volatile slots can take
over 180 spins, on average, to hit a bonus whereas less
volatile slots have much lower pulls-to-hits of between 60
and 80 spins. As a slot enthusiast, you should be able to
have a rough idea of approximately how many spins it
H takes to get into the bonuses on your favorite slot games
so you can plan your budget accordingly.
Let’s assume, for example, that your favorite slot game
has medium volatility with an average bonus pulls-to-hit
of 120. If you intend on wagering 30¢ per spin and it
takes 120 spins to get into the bonus, then you can expect
to spend about $36 before you trigger the bonus. There-
fore, a reasonable bankroll for this scenario is $40. This
amount of money would, most likely, allow you to ex-
perience the game’s bonus at least once. If you reach your
$40 mark but haven’t triggered a bonus, then it may be
time to end the play session and try a different game.
Since the “$40 test” is based on a medium volatility game
at minimum bet, make sure to adjust the initial stake
based on your playing style. If you tend to wager 60¢ per
spin, then the appropriate bankroll would be $80, and so
on. Always be realistic when setting your budget. $
The “$40 Test”
CASINO DINING
Mother's Day is the celebration of a mother's uncondi-
tional love, support, sense of sacrifice, and to thank her
for all small and big things she has done for her children.
It is believed that ancient Greeks celebrated Mother's Day
in spring by honoring Rhea, 'mother of the gods' by offer-
ing honey-cakes, flowers and drinks. This day is cele-
brated across the globe, in different ways and on different
dates.
In the United States, Mother's Day remains one of the
biggest days for sales of flowers, greeting cards, and the
like; it is also the biggest holiday for long-distance tele-
phone calls. Children typically give their Moms a break
from household chores and take them out for a festive
dinner. Moreover, churchgoing is also popular, yielding
the highest church attendances after Christmas Eve and
Easter. Many worshippers celebrate every Mother’s Day
with carnations, colored if the mother is living and white
if she is deceased.
In the Roman-Catholic Church, the holiday is strongly
associated with reverencing the Virgin Mary. In many
Catholic homes, families have a special shrine devoted to
the Blessed Virgin Mary. In many Eastern Catholic and
Eastern Orthodox Churches, a special prayer service is
held in honor of the Theotokos Virgin Mary.
In Australia, traditionally, the chrysanthemum is given to
mothers for Mother's Day as the flower is naturally in
season during Autumn and ends in 'mum', the Australian
Mother’s Day Feasts at Arizona’s Casinos
16 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
azgamingguide.com | May 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide 17
slang for a mother.
In France, a Mom is honored with a cake resembling a
bouquet of flowers followed by a traditional family din-
ner. In Mexico, Mother's Day is celebrated on May 10
every year. On this day, churches organize special
masses. This is followed with distribution of 'tamales' and
'atole', the traditional early-morning meal for all mothers.
In the United Kingdom, there is a tradition of making
almond cake (called Simnel Cake) for mothers in addition
to giving gifts and flowers.
So make sure to tell your mom Happy Mother’s Day on
Sunday, May 13th, take her out for a lucky day at her fa-
vorite casino and don’t forget to tell us all about it in an e-
mail to [email protected]! $
Where to take her &
what to expect!
Casino Arizona—Scottsdale—480.850.7777
Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge from 1pm to 8pm for
$42 without wine pairings and $70 with wine pairings. Starters—Sesame seared tuna with crab mango relish, cilantro oil and lemon.
Salad—Red pear salad with spring mix, candied walnuts, gorgonzola and apple
cider vinaigrette. Entrée—8 oz. horseradish crusted sirloin & 4 oz. lobster tail
with drawn butter, fingerling potatoes and sunburst patty pan squash. Des-
sert—Crème fraiche panna cotta with port poached rhubarb and phyllo crisps.
Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell—800.843.3678
Red Rock Buffet from 9am to 3pm for $19.95.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa—800.427.7247
The Buffet from 9am to 3pm for $21.99.
Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale—480.850.7777
Blue Coyote Café from 11am to 11pm for $24.95. Choice of soup or salad. Entrée—seared Australian rack of lamb with a rasp-
berry mint demi-glace, buttered baby carrots, and herbed roasted fingerling
potato medley. Dessert—Lavender shortbread with a Meyer’s lemon cream.
Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale—480.850.7777
Wandering Horse Buffet from 9am to 8pm for $42.95
(Adults—includes champagne toast) and $17.00 (Children
5—12, 4 & under—complimentary). Slow roasted prime rib of beef, orange tangine pork crown roast, grilled halibut,
American kobe steaks, lamb chops, red curry sturgeon, porcini mushroom lob-
ster risotto, crab and cream cheese enchiladas, and chilled jonah crab claws.
Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler—800.946.4452
Café 24-7 May 12 & 13 from Noon to 8pm for $14.95 Baby spring salad with choice of dressing, boursin stuffed chicken breast with
sun dried tomato and artichoke sauce, whipped potatoes, baby vegetable medley,
and assorted cakes and pies.
Available Mother’s Day menus at press time. All restaurants are open daily. Please verify all details and
any age restrictions with each casino. We are not responsible for incorrect or outdated information.
Gaming News FAST FACTS
azgamingguide.com | May 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide 19
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES “ESCAPE
TO TOTAL REWARDS,” AND UNVEILS THE NEXT
GENERATION OF TOTAL REWARDS LOYALTY
PROGRAM.
Now through the end of May, Total Rewards members
have countless chances to win more than 90,000 prizes
through the “Escape to Total Rewards” game that can be
accessed at www.TotalRewards.com/Escape. In addition
to a vast array of experiences and millions in prizes that
will be awarded at Total Rewards resorts nationwide, one
lucky winner will receive a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expense
paid trip to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
With the new Total Rewards, members are able to re-
deem their Reward Credits for free play. Elite members
also have the ability to gift up to 5,000 Reward Credits to
friends or family members, up to twice per year. Total
Rewards members receive preferred pricing at restau-
rants across the network. Participating restaurants will
have two sets of menu prices—full price for anyone who
chooses to dine at the restaurant and a lower price avail-
able exclusively to Total Rewards members. In addition,
Total Rewards members will now be able to redeem their
Reward Credits for gift certificates at several hundred
retailers participating in the Total Rewards Marketplace.
These gift certificates can be used for online purchases, or
they may be printed out and used at the retailer’s local
brick-and-mortar locations. This unique feature of the
Total Rewards Marketplace makes Total Rewards more
relevant and valuable in members’ everyday lives. For
more information about the new Total Rewards program
and all the benefits, visit: www.TotalRewards.com.
ABOUT TOTAL REWARDS
Total Rewards, a loyalty program connecting millions of active mem-
bers who visit nearly 40 Caesars properties nationwide, is focused on
building loyalty with guests through a unique combination of great
service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational ex-
cellence and technology leadership. With Total Rewards, members
have access to the largest network of hotel and entertainment options
in the gaming industry and are able to take advantage of endless
amenities, including exclusive access to unique experiences and bene-
fits. Total Rewards’ major resort brands include Caesars Palace,
Horseshoe, Harrah’s, Showboat, Bally’s, Harvey’s and Planet Holly-
wood Resort & Casino.
azgamingguide.com | May 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide 21
Gaming News FAST FACTS
on-smokers, the wait is over. As part of an exten-
sive overall renovation to Yavapai Casino starting
earlier this year, the Yavapai-Prescott Indian
Tribe and Yavapai Gaming Agency has recently opened a
completely smoke-free room with more than 80 new and
old favorite slot machines in a 2,300 square foot space
located in the current Yavapai Casino building. At the
present time, the new no-smoking room is the largest of
its kind in any Arizona casino.
Complementing the smoke-free Poker Room at Bucky’s
Casino, the smoke-free area in Yavapai Casino boasts its
own entrance, restrooms, beverage area, and a separate
HVAC system to keep the fresh air continuously circulat-
ing. Other changes within Yavapai Casino have also
taken place. Walls have been painted, new carpet has
been installed and slot chairs have been reupholstered or
replaced. New directional signage will be added to make
everyone aware of changes within that building.
In addition to the gaming area, Yavapai Cantina is also
experiencing a facelift. More seating in the cantina is
available and wireless speakers at each individual table
have been added for select listening. The 8 big screen TVs
in the cantina will remain for added viewing. “We would
like to thank all of our customers for their patience dur-
ing this renovation. We are confident that all the im-
provements we’ve made will be met with as much enthu-
siasm as we feel here at Yavapai Gaming Agency.” $
N
YAVAPAI CASINO IS CLEARING THE AIR
Proposed Casino Near Glendale
Heads To Court The Gila River Indian Community, which currently operates the only West
Valley casino, Glendale, and top state lawmakers are appealing a federal deci-
sion to take the Tohono O’odham-owned land into the reservation system.
n 2003, the Tohono O’odham tribe purchased property around Loop 101 and Northern Ave. near Glendale to
replace nearly 10,000 acres of ancestral reservation land damaged by a federal government dam. In 2010, the De-
partment of the Interior declared the Glendale property a reservation. Ever since the Southern Arizona tribe has
stated their intentions of building a casino, opponents have been challenging the decision. On April 16, 2012, a fed-
eral appeals court in San Francisco took up the complicated legal fight that has ensued for nearly three years. We
want to know what you think! Send an e-mail to [email protected] and tell us your opinion. $
I
FAST FACTS Gaming News
22 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Lucky Mesa Resident Hits Lucky Mesa Resident Hits
A A $5.7 Million Jackpot$5.7 Million Jackpot At At
Casino ArizonaCasino Arizona
Mesa resident, Gerald
Allen Phillips Jr., 51,
won $5,707,069 after hitting
the top Wheel of Fortune™
award at Casino Arizona
located on Loop 101 and
McKellips Road on April 13.
The lucrative jackpot is among the biggest given over the
course of Casino Arizona’s more than 10-year history. “All
of our players come to Casino Arizona with the hopes of
winning the big jackpot. It is so rewarding to see that dream
come true for a really deserving player,” said David Chavez,
director of slot operations at Casino Arizona and Talking
Stick Resort.
Phillips, who was playing for the first time at Casino Ari-
zona in more than a year, had put $60 in the lucky 25-cent
machine at the time of the win. According to Phillips, “I had
been playing the machine next to it and kept hitting, but my
wife wanted me home. As I got up and was ready to leave, I
put in my last $60. Then the bells and lights went off and I
was freaked out.” Thinking, he had first won $100,000, Phil-
lips found out his true win when he saw all of the managers
and pit bosses rush to his side. “I was so nervous, I almost
passed out when I saw all the people,” said Philips. In fact,
he wasn’t the only person ‘freaked out’ by the jackpot. After
learning of the amount he had won, Phillips immediately
called his wife who hung up on him in disbelief. It wasn’t
until he had one of the casino’s managers call her back that
she actually believed the news about the win. When asked
about his plans for the money, Phillips said, “I’m going to
buy a nice new truck, which has always been a dream of
mine, but we are still going to be the same penny-pinchers
we’ve always been. We want to buy a little house and then
invest so the money can work for us.”
Casino Arizona is part of a Native American progressive
gaming network, which includes 20 casinos statewide. Each
time a coin is played in a linked machine, anywhere in the
network, the jackpot accumulates until a winner hits the top
jackpot award. The Wheel of Fortune™ progressive ma-
chines are among the most popular among guests, featuring
an exciting bonus spin. For more information about the
Wheel of Fortune™ progressive by IGT visit www.igt.com.
For more information about Casino Arizona visit their web-
site at www.casinoarizona.com. $
A
By Christy Telese of Cliff Castle Casino Hotel
liff Castle Casino Hotel would like to invite you to play our new penny video slots
from slot machine manufacturers IGT, Bally Gaming & Konami Gaming! We’ve
installed a total of 28 new penny and multi-denomination 1¢/2¢/5¢ video slot games in
recent weeks that are waiting for you to come play and enjoy.
From IGT there are 12 new 1¢/2¢/5¢ machines that include 20 all new themes on Cliff
Castle Casino Hotel’s gaming floor. These include Wolf Run 2, Larry Lobstermania 2
Three level progressive, Lil’ Lady 2, Frantic Antics, Jaguar Princess and more! These
games all have affordable bets ranging from a 25 credit minimum to a 500 credit maxi-
mum depending on the theme. Also installed from Bally Gaming are new 1¢ five-level
linked progressive video machines that look like a traditional 5 reel stepper machine!
You can find the Moon Goddess and Sun God themes (minimum bet 30, maximum 300)
in 4 of the Pro Series Curve© cabinets right next to our 10 table Blackjack/Pai Gow/3
Card Poker pit. Let’s see if you can tell that it’s a curved LCD and not traditional me-
chanical reels! Also included on this bank of machines are four 1¢, 25 line machines
with very low minimum bets (too low to publish) and a max of 400 credits.
When 30 credits will cover all of the lines on a volatile 1¢ machine you can’t go wrong!
Over spring break this year Konami Gaming delivered to us the fun – and jackpots! –
with 8 new Podium© cabinets. Dynasty of Gold, Fairy’s Wish, Electrifying Riches, and
more new themes were an instant hit at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel. These games have a
maximum bet of either 250 or 300, depending on the theme you choose, and have been
hitting jackpots like crazy (over $84,000 combined) since we turned them loose on
March 22! $
Cliff Castle Casino Hotel would also like to inform all of our Guests that we are now utilizing downloadable credits for point
redemption and promotional groups. New Castle Club members will receive $10 in free Castle Cash beginning May 1. Make
sure you sign up when you first arrive! Over 95% of our slot machines are enrolled in our Castle Cash function, so you will
have plenty of options to play, on us, in all available machine denominations! All Castle Club members must visit the Castle
Club to set up a personalized PIN before being able to utilize Castle Cash so don’t forget to visit the friendly Castle Club team.
The Castle Club is located right next to our ever popular Gallery Restaurant. For more information call 800.381.7568 or visit
www.cliffcastlecasinohotel.com. $
FAST FACTS Casino Buzz
24 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
MORE NEW PENNY SLOTS Arrive at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel in Camp Verde, Arizona
C
Only at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel
We would also like to give a small reminder and extend
an invitation to everyone that we are still the only casino
in Arizona with the Battleship themed community bo-
nus bank from WMS Gaming! Come see this new style
of Wide Area Progressive where no reel combination is
needed to win the BIG jackpot—it’s totally random!
ENTERTAINMENT Casino Listings
26 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438
Cabaret Lounge: Call for more entertainment details*
BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360
BlueWater Showroom: Cage Rage on the River 2—Jul. 7 at 7pm
Bucky's Casino—Prescott, AZ—800.756.8744
Call for more entertainment details*
Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777
The Showroom: Call for more entertainment details*
The Pima Lounge: Local bands playing rock, pop, funk, old-school
and more from the 60's, 70's, 80's 90's & today. Start times: 8pm Su-
Th & 5pm Fr-Sa.
The Arizona Room Piano Lounge: Features a variety of music
styles including the sounds of swing and jazz. Start times: 4pm week-
days & 5pm weekends
Casino del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506
AVA Amphitheater:
Gabriel Iglesias—May 12th at 8pm
Chickenfoot—May 31 at 8pm
Scorpions & Tesla—Jun. 17 at 8pm
Chicago & Doobie Brothers—Jul. 11 at 8pm
Earth, Wind & Fire—Jul. 31 at 8pm
Seal & Macy Gray—Aug. 3 at 8pm
Duran Duran—Aug. 12 8pm
Casino of the Sun—Tucson, AZ—520.879.5450
Call for more entertainment details*
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Talking Stick Resort—May 25th
Happy Together Tour
Fort McDowell Casino—July 15th
Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568
Stargazer Pavillion: Call for more entertainment details*
Dragonfly Lounge: BeatleMania LIVE!—May 16-20
Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687
Call for more entertainment details*
Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467
Desert Diamond Sports Bar: Call for more entertainment details*
Monsoon Nightclub: Friday Night Groove—Join 106.3FM The
Groove for a dance party now through Dec. 28. $5 cover, ladies free!
Desert Diamond Casino II—Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467
Sports Bar: Friday Night Party—Music & dancing at 8pm or after
the featured game. Saturday Night Party—Music & dancing at 8pm
or after the featured game.
Diamond Center: Kool And The Gang—Jun. 15 at 7pm
Desert Diamond Casino III—Why, AZ—866.332.9467
Call for more entertainment details*
Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678
Radisson Ballroom:
George Jones—Jun. 15 at 6pm
Happy Together Tour—Jul. 15 with performances by The Grass
Roots, The Buckinghams, The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, Garry
Puckett and The Union Gap, and Mickey Dolenz
Verify all details & age restrictions for each event. Venues, times, dates, and ticket information are subject to change. Photos/images are copyright of the individual artist(s) or photographer(s). All Rights Reserved.
We are not responsible for incorrect or outdated info. *Based on information available to us at press time.
Casino Listings ENTERTAINMENT
azgamingguide.com | May 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide 27
Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—800.427.7247
Oasis Lounge:
The Walkens—May 12 at 8pm
Young Country—May 19 at 8pm
Moonwalker, A Tribute to Michael Jackson—May 25 at 8pm & 10pm
Mark Chesnutt—May 28 at 2pm & 5 pm
Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744
Timbers Lounge and Showroom:
Munday Funday—Comedy Show
Classic Cowboys—May 8-12
60’s Mania—May 15-19
Groove City—May 22-26
The Doo-Wah Riders—May 29-Jun. 2
Cornell Gunters Coasters—Jun. 5-9
Johnny Ray Band—Jun. 19-23
Tony Marques—Jun. 26-Jul.1
Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452
Call for more entertainment details*
Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529
Event Center:
Surfin’ Safari—Jul. 28
Hotel California—Sep. 21
Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946
Sharky’s Bar & Bites:
DJ Anthony—We—9pm-1am
DJ Noriega—Th—9pm-1am
Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426
Pipa Event Center: Call for more entertainment details*
Sidewinders Bar & Grill: Call for more entertainment details*
Spirit Mountain Casino—Mohave Valley, AZ—888.837.4030
Call for more entertainment details*
Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777
The Showroom:
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic—May 25 at 8pm
Jay Leno—May 26 at 8pm
Smokey Robinson—May 27 at 8pm
Terry Fator—Jun. 3 at 8pm
Purple Reign—Jun. 7-9 at 8pm
Keb’ Mo’—Jun. 16 at 8pm
Coffee Garden: Dueling Pianos—Th, Fr & Sa from 8-11pm
Vee Quiva Casino—Laveen, AZ—800.946.4452
Call for more entertainment details*
Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452
Showroom:
Keith Sweat—May 12
Russell Watson—May 19
Latino Fashion Live—May 26
The B-52’s—Jun. 8
Indigo Girls—Jun. 14
Yavapai Casino—Prescott, AZ—800.756.8744
Yavapai Cantina: Karaoke—Fr—8pm-Midnight
Keb’ Mo’
Talking Stick Resort—June 16th
SUDOKU Each of the columns, rows, and nine 3x3 grids must con-
tain all of the digits 1 - 9. None of the digits may appear
more than once in each column, row, and 3x3 grid. (Solution on page 30)
1
5
5
7 9
6
5
7 9
4
6
6
5 3 7
4
5 8
2
1
8
6 4
7
1
2 7
9 6 4
CASINO MATH 101
What are the chances of drawing two 10’s from a stan-
dard 52 card deck?
What are the chances of rolling a 7 in craps?
What are the chances of rolling two 7’s back to back?
What are the chances of a roulette ball landing on 3 if
there are 38 spots on the wheel?
What are the chances of a roulette ball landing on 3
back to back on a 38 spot wheel?
If there is one WILD symbol on a reel with 40 total
symbols, what are the chances of seeing the WILD in a
reel window which is three positions high?
Suppose the chances of getting into a bonus on any
spin of a slot machine are 1 in 100. What are the
chances of winning two bonuses back to back?
(Solutions on page 30)
FUN & GAMES
28 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
azgamingguide.com facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
Scan our QR Codes with your smartphone!
Casino Math Solutions
4/52x3/51 = 12/2652 = 1/221 = 0.45%
6/36 = 1/6 = 16.67%
1/6 x 1/6 = 1/36 = 2.78%
1/38 = 2.63%
1/38 x 1/38 = 1/1444 = 0.07%
1/40 x 3 = 3/40 = 7.5%
1/100 x 1/100 = 1/10000 = 0.01%
Sudoku Solution
8 9 3
6 2 1
5 4 7
2 4 5
7 8 9
3 6 1
7 1 6
5 4 3
8 9 2
3 7 9
4 1 8
2 5 6
6 1 2
5 3 7
8 9 4
4 5 8
6 2 9
3 7 1
9 8 2
1 6 4
7 3 5
4 7 6
9 5 3
1 2 8
1 3 5
2 8 7
9 6 4
Apache Gold Casino Resort
5 miles East of Globe on Highway 70
1-800-272-2438 or apachegoldcasinoresort.com
634 Class III Slots, 1,000 Seat Bingo Hall, 4
Blackjack Tables
BlueWater Resort & Casino
11300 Resort Drive, Parker
1-888-243-3360 or bluewaterfun.com
493 Class III Slots, 350 Seat Bingo Hall, 6 Poker
Tables, 7 Blackjack Tables
Bucky's Casino
Highway 69 and Heather Heights, Prescott
1-800-756-8744 or buckyscasino.com
307 Class III Slots, 10Poker & 7Blackjack Tables
Casino Arizona
524 N. 92nd St, Scottsdale
1-480-850-7777 or casinoaz.com
900+ Class III Slots, Live Keno, 48 Table Games
Casino del Sol
5655 W. Valencia Rd, Tucson
1-855-765-7829 or casinodelsol.com
966 Class III Slots, 694 Seat Bingo Hall, 16
Poker Tables, 19 Blackjack Tables
Casino of the Sun
7406 S. Camino de Oeste, Tucson
1-855-765-7829 or casinodelsol.com
316 Class III Slots, 12 Class II Slots
Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel
555 Middle Verde Rd, Camp Verde
1-800-381-7568 or cliffcastlecasinohotel.com
656 Class III Slots, 10 Poker & 8 Blackjack
Tables
Cocopah Resort Casino
15318 S. Avenue B, Somerton
1-800-237-5687 or cocopahresort.com
506 Class III Slots, 350 Seat Bingo Hall, 8
Blackjack Tables
Desert Diamond Casino I —Tucson
7350 S. Nogales Highway, Tucson
1-520-294-7777 or desertdiamondcasino.com
1,080 Class III Slots, Live Keno, 270 Seat Bingo
Hall, 17 Poker Tables, 19 Blackjack Tables
Desert Diamond Casino II —Sahuarita
1100 W. Pima Mine Rd, Sahuarita
1-866-332-9467 or desertdiamondcasino.com
767 Class III Slots, 2 Poker & 8 Blackjack Tables
Desert Diamond Casino—Why
Highway 86, Why
1-866-332-9467 or desertdiamondcasino.com
66 Class III Slots
Fort McDowell Casino
Beeline Highway 87 and Fort McDowell Rd
1-800-843-3678 or fortmcdowellcasino.com
843 Class III Slots, 40 Class II Slots, Keno, 1,700
Seat Bingo Hall, 17 Poker & 11 Blackjack Tables
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
15406 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa
1-800-427-7247 or harrahsakchin.com
1,089 Class III Slots, Keno, 470 Seat Bingo Hall,
13 Poker Tables, 13 Blackjack & Table Games
Hon-Dah Casino, Resort & Conference Center
777 Highway 260, Pinetop
1-800-929-8744 or hon-dah.com
802 Class III Slots, 3 Poker & 4 Blackjack Tables
Lone Butte Casino
1077 S Kyrene Rd, Chandler
1-800-946-4452 or wingilariver.com
850 Class III Slots, 1,500 Seat Bingo Hall, 6
Poker & 16 Blackjack Tables
Mazatzal Hotel & Casino
Highway 87, Payson
1-800-777-7529 or 777play.com
407 Class III Slots, 12 Class II Slots, Keno, 280
Seat Bingo Hall, 3 Poker & 5 Blackjack Tables
Paradise Casino
450 Quechan Drive, Yuma
1-888-777-4946 or paradise-casino.com
470 Class III Slots, 300 Seat Bingo Hall
Quechan Casino
525 Algodones Road, Winterhaven, CA
1-877-783-2426 or playqcr.com
1,000+ Class III Slots featuring a High Limit
Slot Room, 10 Poker Tables, 15 Table Games
Spirit Mountain Casino
8555 Highway 95, Mohave Valley
1-928-346-2000 with 247 Class III Slots
Talking Stick Resort
9700 E. Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale
1-480-850-7777 or talkingstickresort.com
700+ Class III Slots, Live Keno, 52 Poker Tables,
50 Table Games
Vee Quiva Casino
6443 N. Komatke Lane, Laveen
1-800-946-4452 or wingilariver.com
846 Class III Slots, 500 Seat Bingo Hall & Tables
Wild Horse Pass Casino
5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler
1-800-946-4452 or wingilariver.com
990 Class III Slots, 23Poker&37Blackjack Tables
Yavapai Casino
1500 E. Highway 69, Prescott
1-800-756-8744 or buckyscasino.com
236 Class III Slots Source: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as
of 4/01/2012 & available casino info by press time.
Casino Gaming Directory
Do YOU have something to rant about?
Write me at: [email protected]
30 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2012 | azgamingguide.com
By Sami Becker
Tell a non-gambler how maddening it is to put a
bunch of money in a slot game and not have a
chance to experience a bonus and they’ll probably
say something along the lines of, “Oh, I’m sorry. I
can see how that would be annoying.” On the other
hand, tell someone who actually plays the games
themselves and they will feel your pain. You can
sense the camaraderie when they acknowledge your
sentiment and follow it up with a personal anecdote
of their own.
Very few casino hosts actually understand their cus-
tomers and this is because they just don’t gamble
themselves. This, in my opinion, is a major mistake
casinos make when hiring employees. Several years
ago, I had a casino host openly tell me she doesn’t
play any casino games. In fact, she was always blunt
with me about her aversion to gambling. Eventually
this host quit, because she just wasn’t happy in her
position. Clearly, the casino could have avoided the
situation by not hiring her to begin with. And, had
they known that she often tried to persuade me to
not spend my money on gambling, I’m sure they
would have dismissed her long before.
Casino hosts need to be personable, courteous, and
professional—obviously. However, they must also
be knowledgeable about casino games and show a
genuine understanding and interest in their clients’
experience while at the casino. The best way this can
truly be accomplished is if they, themselves, play
casino games occasionally. Otherwise, apathy can
turn into disdain; neither of which a casino wants
employees conveying to their customers. Besides the
apparent lack of interest in my experience, I always
sensed that the casino host was looking down at me
for gambling! No player should ever be made to feel
this way by their casino host or any casino employee
for that matter! $
Don’t Look Down At
Me For Gambling!
