Heard It On The River Is our glass half full or half empty? At this time of the year I prefer to fill my glass with optimism and why not? Casinos are re-opening on the Gulf Coast, the Iraqis have finally voted for a new government which hopefully means that our boys and gals will be coming home, Avian flu seems to have flown away, the Tunica Airport is landing big jets loaded with eager players, a huge development proposed just north of the County line has enormous potential for the whole region and with the economy doing well, we can predict a good year for our casinos in 2006. The New Year will get off with a bang in Jan., as thousands of poker players along with friends and family will be flooding the poker halls at GOLDSTRIKE and GRAND CASINO. Tunica will be the poker capitol of the world next month with the WORLD POKER OPEN at Goldstrike and the JACK BINION World Series of Poker Circuit event at Grand. Some of the biggest names in poker will be on hand and millions will be on the line. You can take in all the action starting Jan. 9 at Goldstrike and Jan 4 at Grand. The run of games at the WPO concludes on Jan. 19-23 with the WORLD POKER TOUR $10,000 buy-in championship. At Grand, the WSOP ends on Jan. 24-27 with another $10,000 buy-in championship. Both are no limit Texas Hold 'em games. You can still register for both events. Call for WPO information at 888-24K-PLAY and ask for the poker room extension, 1136. For the WSOP call 1-800-39-GRAND or go to grandcasinotunica.com
"How long does it take to learn poker, Dad?"
"All your life, son."
From the Quotable Gambler, Total Poker (1977)
MISSISSIPPI ON OUR MINDS was the title of a recent FRANK SCOBLETE column which you can read on CASINOCITY.COM , click on GAMING NEWS and then click on "GAMING GURUS." He strongly states that Tunica has the best overall gambling in America and should market itself as such to attract players who are more interested in a decent game than the overwhelming attractions of Las Vegas where the games can't compare. Scoblete, if you didn't already know, is unquestionably casino gaming's number one best selling author and also joins me every Saturday morning on the GOODTIMES RADIO SHOW on WMC790 AM MEMPHIS from 10 to 11 a.m. DR. HENRY TAMBURIN who writes occasionally for JACKPOT on blackjack and other games has made a nice offer for readers of this column which I am taking advantage of. A PhD who knows what he writes about, Doc is offering readers 3 free monthly issues of his popular BLACKJACK INSIDER NEWSLETTER. Just go to www.bjinsider.com/radio.html and put in your email address where indicated and then click on Subscribe to Blackjack Insider button. That's all it takes. Tipping for good service has always been an accepted part of our lives thus it pains me when I see players overlook this when they are in casinos. Dealers, servers, valets and slot attendants are almost to a person friendly and courteous in Tunica and play a big role in making the experience enjoyable. You don't have to win to tip. If you play and get good service you tip, win or lose. These great folks don't make big wages and gratuities are an extremely important part of their income. So say "Merry Christmas" with a tip this month. Among entertainment attractions coming to a casino near you soon will be my favorite, WILLIE NELSON. A country music legend if there ever was one, Willie will be at the HORSESHOE on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 pm. Now in his early 70s, he is still going strong and can pick that guitar like nobody else. Asked when he plans to retire, he says, "All I do is play music and golf - - which one do you want me to give up?" Call Ticketmaster at 901-525-1515. Another country music star, BLAKE SHELTON, will perform at SAM'S TOWN on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 8 pm. But before he does, Sam's Town will feature JEFF FOXWORTHY on Jan. 2. Ticketmaster has the ducats you need. BOYZ II MEN appear at GOLDSTRIKE on Friday, Dec. 30 at 8 pm. Call 888 24K-PLAY for tickets. Meanwhile CHRISTMAS ON BROADWAY will soon end its great run at GoldStrike but you can still take it in until Dec 28. It is a wonderful family show. And GLADYS KNIGHT will be at the SILVERSTAR CASINO at PEARL RIVER RESORT on Jan. 15 at 8 pm. Call 866-44PEARL. NEW YEAR'S EVE acts include RUBY WILSON at FITZGERALDS at 10:30 pm and SONNY BURGESS and the PACERS at Hollywood Dec. 30,31 and Jan. 1. The ISLE OF CAPRI in Lula at the foot of the Helena, Arkansas Bridge, has a nice little blackjack tournament on Tuesdays. If you like tournament play, such low buy-in tournaments are a good place to practice. This one has $20 buy-in and a good return as the first place prize is $1,000. Register between 6 and 8 pm at the Coral Reef Cage. SHARP AIR….is this the airline that might bring scheduled flights to Tunica Airport in the Fall? A CHRISTMAST CARD TO ALL OF MY FRIENDS OUT THERE… You have friends and family this Holiday Season,
What more can you ask within reason? Look around and enjoy what's in hand,
Fame and fortune make other demands. | 
