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Jamie Jones: Dibiase down but not out » Sports » The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

February 21, 2012

Here are the notes and news items from the week in pro wrestling: Ted DiBiase — not “The Million Dollar Man” — broke his wrist last week at a WWE house show. Despite the bad break, DiBiase is considering wrestling through the injury. “It’s just my wrist,” he tweeted. “Not my neck, knee or back. Got no problem fighting with one arm!” • Matt Hardy will return to the ring at an independent show on March 3 in North Carolina. • John Cena was recently honored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation for granting his 250th wish, the most wishes ever granted by an individual. The Local Corner: Action continues at TWA. In matches last Saturday night: Josh Vaughn retained the Southern title with a victory over Toy Dodson; in the “Going for the Gold Gauntlet Match,” Spades outlasted Tiffany, Ricochet, Will Force and Wandy da Wrestler to earn a future title shot; in the tag team title semifinal match, Honor & Respect defeated The Mixed Ones to advance to the finals; The Playmakers defeated Wandy da Wrestler and Jam Styles; in the tag tournament finals HCP 2.0 downed Honor & Respect to become the new Action Zone tag team champs; in the Action Zone title match, Ray Fury topped Da Bill to become the new Action Zone champion. TWA Friday Night Brawl runs at 8 p.m. at the TWA Arena off Reed Road in north Whitfield County, about three miles north of the bypass. The TWA Action Zone runs at 8 p.m. on Saturdays. Tickets for all shows are $5 for adults and $3 for ages 6 to 12; senior citizens 60 years and older with proof of age will be admitted for $3. Kids younger than 6 are admitted free. Any military member with proper identification will be admitted free. If it’s your birthday, you will be admitted free. Trivia Teaser: What is the only former WCW “Monster Jam” truck still competing under its original name? Last week’s question: Which wrestler is most famous for his finishing move, “The Iron Claw”? Most famous is a relative term, so if you answered Blackjack Mulligan, Killer Kowalski, The Spoiler, Fritz Von Erich or Baron Von Raschke, consider yourself a winner. Jamie Jones probably won’t even boo John Cena again. He can be reached at or (706) 272-7723.

Jamie Jones: Dibiase down but not out »
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The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

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Fosters.com – Dover NH, Rochester NH, Portsmouth NH, Laconia NH, Sanford ME

February 20, 2012

To send a Sports Short announcement about your community or recreational sporting event, please email , mail 150 Venture Drive, Dover, NH 03820 or fax us at 603-749-7079. If you are e-mailing your announcement, please paste it in the body of the email. Do not send email attachments. DO NOT SEND COPY IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. Please note: If your item is time sensitive, do not send at the last moment (i.e. the day before or the day of the event). It is suggested that you submit your item at least 10 days before the event to insure that it receives proper placement in a timely manner.@Brief head:Western Maine wrestling championshipNORTH BERWICK, Maine — Noble High School will be the host site for the Maine Principals’ Association Western Maine Class A Wrestling Regional Championship on Saturday Feb. 11. The wrestling will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the finals expected to begin somewhere around 4:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (over 65) and $5 for students. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m.@Brief head:Learn to skate programDOVER — New session of Great Bay Skating Learn-to-Skate begins on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Dover Ice Arena. Only $119 for 7 weekly sessions with 45 minutes of instruction with 10 minutes of free skate time. Beginner non-adult levels will be held at 9:20am Saturdays. Adult lessons held at 8:25am. You may register online at greatbayskating.org and download the form. Registration forms are also available at the Dover Arena. Please arrive 20 minutes early if registering the first day of lessons. Students will be added as space permits. A $25 annual administrative fee applies; $35 maximum per family. Contact Great Bay Skating at . @Brief head:Dover spring sports sign-upsDOVER — Dover Recreation would like to announce sign-ups for spring sports. Sign-ups will take place at the McConnell Center Cafeteria on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dover Baseball, (combines T-Ball, Instructional, Minor, Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth Divisions), Cocheco Lacrosse, Dover Soccer Association, Dover Youth Softball, Dover Youth Football and Dover Little Green Football and Cheer will be available for sign-ups. Please log onto dover.nh.gov/rechome.htm to view the Spring Sports Sign-up Flyer with more detailed information about each league. @Brief head:Roger Allen Baseball meetingROCHESTER — Roger Allen Baseball’s first meeting of the year is set for Feb. 11, 9 to 11 a.m., in the Community Room at the Rochester Community Center.Parents, coaches, league officials, etc., are welcome.@Brief head:Cocheco lacrosse seeks coaches and board membersDOVER — The Cocheco Boys Lacrosse Program is seeking coaches and board Members for the 2012 season. Cocheco has teams at U-9, U-11, U-13, and U-15 levels with close to 200 male athletes. Come join the fasting growing sport in North America, and the program will help introduce you and your son to the game of lacrosse. Training paid for and provided, 75 percent of players are from Dover but will accept Barrington, Rollinsford, Somersworth, and Rochester residents and any town that does not have a NHYLA lacrosse team. Contact Mark Geppert, VP, Cocheco Lacrosse Boys Division at 603-742-2577 or email .@Brief head:Roger N. Allen Baseball poker fundraiserROCHESTER — Roger N. Allen Baseball is fundraising at Gary’s Restaurant & Sports Lounge at 38 Milton Road in Rochester in which the organization will receive a percentage of the day’s profits as a local 501. The dates are Feb. 9 and 10. It is open to public from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Actual rules state between one and four dollars can be waged. A Blackjack, poker, poker tournament, three-card poker, and Texas hold-em with bonus will be available. No cover charge. @Brief head:Seacoast hoop tourney sign-upsPORTSMOUTH — Registrations are now being taken taken for the 63rd annual Seacoast Basketball Tournament at the Connie Bean Center in Portsmouth. This year’s tournament will be held from March 21 to April 15. The format will be a double elimination for all divisions. This year’s tournament will feature 5th-6th boys, 5th-6th girls, 7th-8th boys, 7th-8th girls, 9th-10th boys, high school boys, high school girls, and men’s division. The entry fee is $175 for all divisions except men which is $200. Applications may be obtained at Portsmouthbaberuth.org. For additonal information you may contact Peter Goodwin at , or 603-812-7566 or Mike Young at .. Entries will be accepted until March 13.@Brief head:Ports. seeks boys varsity tennis coachPORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth High School is looking for a boys varsity tennis coach. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest with coaching experience to Rus Wilson, Athletic Director, Portsmouth High School, 50 Andrew Jarvis Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801.@Brief head:Farmington 500 Hall nominationsFARMINGTON — The Farmington 500 Boys & Girls Club is currently accepting nominations for its sixth sports hall of fame ceremony, set for mid November.There are three categories: athlete, contributor and athlete/contributor. A contributor must have 10 years of significant contribution to Farmington sports and an athlete is eligible six years after athletic participation is completed. An athlete/contributor nominee must meet both criteria.Nominations should include nominee’s name, contact information (if applicable) and specific list of accomplishments. The deadline is March 15. Nominations may be sent to Joel Chagnon, 95 Pidgeon Drive, Farmington, NH 03835, email or call 603-923-3072.@Brief head:Dover High coaches openingsDOVER — Dover High School has the following coaching openings: For the spring 2012 sports season the Dover Athletic Department has openings in boys varsity tennis, JV girls softball and JV boys lacrosse. For the fall 2012 Dover is accepting applications for the head varsity girls soccer position. Anyone with interest in any of these positions should complete an application which can be downloaded from dover.k12.nh.us and anyone with questions should contact the Dover Athletic Department at 603-516-6950 or by emailing the athletic director at . All positions will remain open until filled.@Brief head:Durham Rec offers fitness classes for allDURHAM — Durham Recreation announces the next session of fitness classes. New session dates are available for Coyote Club, Pilates, Zumba, Yoga, Strength & Stretch, and Tai Chi. For more information on dates, times, and prices, please email or log onto the website at ci.durham.nh.us/community/recreation.html.@Brief head:Ports. Little League registrationPORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Little League (PLL) announces registration dates for the 2012 season. All players from Portsmouth, Greenland, and Newington are eligible to participate. Online registration has opened and can be performed by visiting the Portsmouth Little League website at portsmouthbaseball.com. Live registration for players unable to register online will be held at the Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Ave., Portsmouth on Monday, Feb. 13, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. To be eligible to register for the 2012 Little League season, players must have been born between May 1, 1999 and April 30, 2005. Portsmouth Little League provides an opportunity for interested boys and girls to participate in an organized baseball program under the auspices of Little League Baseball International, Inc. The league is broken out by age with 11-12 year old, 9-10 year old, 7-8 year old divisions and our Challenger program.For more information call 603-431-6488, 603-433-2283 or 603-817-9425.@Brief head:NHSUA seeks softball umpiresDOVER — The New Hampshire Softball Umpire Association will hold clinics for apprentice umpires on Feb. 26 at the Plymouth State University Fieldhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or at Manchester Memorial High School on Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Call Tom Ebol at 603-493-8383 for an application or email . The website is nhsua.org.@Brief head:Green Wave Winter Break hoop campDOVER — The Dover High boys basketball program will host their 7th Annual Green Wave “Winter Break” Basketball Camp for boys and girls, Feb. 27 to March 1, at the Woodman Park School.The camp will be broken down into two sessions. This camp is for all skill levels and will focus on some skills but mostly playing games. The camp will run from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. for 2nd thru 4th graders and from 10:30 a.m. to Noon for 5th thru 8th graders. The cost for is just $40. For more information please drop by the athletic or recreation department to pick up a registration form (flyer) or call Coach Romps at 603-834-0112 or email at . Enrollment is limited. @Brief head:Dover High School softball skills clinicDOVER — The annual Dover High School softball skills clinic will be held on Sundays starting Feb 12 and 19. The times will be from 2-5 p.m. at the Dover Middle school gym. This is for girls in grades 3-8. Please register ahead of time and get further information by emailing coach Tim Dudley at The clinic covers hitting/fielding/throwing and pitching/catching. The cost for everything is $75/player. If you don’t want to pitch or catch the cost is $50. This is a fundraiser for the Dover High School softball program.Boys grade 5-6 hoop tournamentMILTON — The Milton March Madness grade 5-6 boys basketball tournament will take place March 10-11 at Nute High School, hosted by the Teneriffe Sports Club.The entry fee is $75. Teams are guarantted four games (maximum of eight teams). There will be a championship team and individual trophies, as well as all-tournament player awards. There will be a full concession and a 50/50s.To register, contact Mike Whitehouse at or call 603-973-4724.Coe-Brown looking for varsity boys soccer coachNORTHWOOD — Coe-Brown Northwood Academy is looking for a boys varsity soccer coach for the 2012 season. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume and three references to Matthew Skidds, Athletic Director, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, 907 First NH Turnpike, Northwood, NH 03261. The email address is .South Berwick Babe Ruth Baseball sign-upsSOUTH BERWICK, Maine — South Berwick Babe Ruth Baseball will be holding sign ups for the 2012 season on Friday, March 9,. from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 10,. from 9 a.m. till noon at the South Berwick Town Hall. Sign-ups are open to 13 through 15 year olds from South Berwick and Eliot. All 13 year olds must provide proof of age. Please bring a copy of your birth certificate for the league files. Any new 14 or15 year olds who have not played for South Berwick Babe Ruth must also provide a birth certificate. Applicants must be 13 on or before April 30,. 2012 and no older than 15 on April 3o,. 2012. For any questions or information please contact Richard Raitt at 207-384-9281.AAU hoop tryoutsROCHESTER — Rochester Rebels Girls AAU Basketball will be holding tryouts for the 2012 season. Girls in grades 6 thru 11 are invited to come to the tryouts on the following dates: Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 19, from 8-10 a.m.Tryouts will be held at the Spaulding High School gymnasium. There will be no charge for tryouts unless placed on a team. The girls will participate in 4-6 tournaments with an approximate cost of $275 for the season. If you have any questions, please contact Jeri Mooney at or 603-321-0826.Dover Arena youth 3-on-3 hockey league sign-upsDOVER — The Dover Arena is now accepting registrations for the youth spring 3 on 3 hockey league. This league has always been a fun ending to a long hockey season and teams fill quickly. 3 on 3 is a fast paced game and means more ice time for improved skating, puck handling, passing and shooting. Players register as individuals and the arena will create evenly matched teams at each level of play. Teams are limited to 9 skaters and one goalie. Players will skate at the level they have played in this past youth hockey season. Mini Mites and Mites will skate on Friday nights and Squirts, Pee Wee and Bantams will skate on Thursday nights. Sign-ups end late March, however, this program was full last season and early sign up assures a spot on a team. This program runs for 7 weeks in April and May; April 5 ? May 18. Player fee is $ 150 registration forms online or at the Dover Arena.Contact the Dover Arena for more information 603-516-6060 or online at doverarena.comExeter soccer players neededEXETER — FC Exeter seeks experienced high school age players interested in competing for a roster slot on one of our four teams for the upcoming Spring 2012 GSYSL travel soccer season. Teams competing under the FC Exeter banner this Spring will include U-19 girls, U-17 girls, U-17 boys, and U-15 girls.Interested players should visit the FC Exeter webpage at the Exeter Youth Soccer website (exeterexpress.com) or email FCX Coach-At-Large Chuck Murray ( OR ).Dover High Baseball ClinicDOVER — The Dover High School Baseball Clinic for student/athletes ages 7 to 12 will be held March 17 and 18 at Dover High School. Please contact Sandy Soden at .Feb. vacation soccer campDOVER — Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover will be offering a February Vacation Soccer camp for boys and girls in grades 1-6 during the week of Feb. 20-24 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. The camp costs $80 and is open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Call 603-742-3617, x110 or email for more details. Space is limited.

Fosters.com – Dover NH, Rochester NH, Portsmouth NH, Laconia NH, Sanford ME

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Bill Would OK Table Games, New Md. Casino

February 19, 2012

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A measure introduced in the Maryland Senate on Monday night would allow table games like blackjack at casinos and make it possible to build a casino in Prince George’s County.The bill, sponsored by Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters, would put both the table games component of the legislation and the provision allowing a sixth casino in the state before voters in November. The Prince George’s County casino could be Rosecroft Raceway or National Harbor, near the nation’s capital. Peters, D-Prince George’s, said the proposal for the additional casino would require the approval of voters statewide as well as by voters in Prince George’s County. Even after that, local officials could decide against zoning provisions needed for the casino.”So, there are really three levels of votes here,” Peters said.The bill also increases the amount of money a casino operator would receive, Peters said. Currently, they receive 33 percent of the revenue. The measure would raise that to 40 percent.In addition, the measure would change current state law to enable a casino operator to own more than one casino in the state.The bill would set aside 5.5 percent of revenue generated by a Prince George’s County casino for an economic development fund in the county. Another 2.5 percent would help pay for capital costs at a hospital.”Those are all issues that are going to be discussed with the county executive and the council,” Peters, referring to Prince George’s County officials, told reporters after Monday night’s session in the Senate. “I’ve asked them to come back and give us some feedback on the issue.”Peters noted that, so far, a similar bill has not been introduced in the House of Delegates. He said he believes it’s important that the House consider a bill filed by a delegate to improve the chances of legislation clearing both chambers.”I think it’s a priority,” Peters said.Peters said he hopes a hearing will be held on the measure within two weeks or so.Maryland currently only allows slot machines at casinos. Of five casino sites allowed under the current law, only two have opened. One is in Perryville off Interstate 95, and the other is near Ocean City at the Ocean Downs horse racing track. The third, which will be the state’s largest with 4,750 slot machines, is scheduled to open this summer in Anne Arundel County near Arundel Mills Mall.Maryland faces stiff competition for gamblers’ dollars in neighboring Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, which all allow table games like blackjack, roulette and poker.

Bill Would OK Table Games, New Md. Casino

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Vegas theme makes Mansfield charity ball worth the gamble

February 17, 2012

Viva Las Vegas. The Mansfield Cares Charity Ball, set for Feb. 25, will be the place to party hearty.An event committee that thinks of Las Vegas as more than a destination has announced that “The Rat Pack’s back” and that it plans “to transport guests at the ball to that time when Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford played in the glittering desert city.”The Ken Nelson Band will do its part to re-create the bygone era with old-school Sinatra music, alternating sets with popular dance band Scott McCurry and the Mercenaries. After a dozen years, a brand-new venue was chosen for the 13th edition of the ball — the Aristide Event Center at 570 N. Walnut Creek Drive.Co-chairwomen Debbie Koennecke and Courtney Wilson, with help from Greg Thomas, Christy Silvas, Lisa Stewart, Lisa Hudgins, T.L. Davis, Amanda Rogers, Lance Walker and Cindi Walker, have arranged a lovely evening for guests to enjoy while raising money for economically disadvantaged families that Mansfield Cares serves.This event is known for a lavish hors d’oeuvre buffet, and this year will be no exception. Revelers can nosh while shopping the silent auction, where some surprise items will be up for bid. A live auction will feature trips, autographed sports memorabilia and more.Staying in character with the Vegas theme, board chairwoman Karen Freeman quipped, “Viva Las Vegas Charity Ball — What happens here makes a difference!”To make reservations, go to mansfieldcares.org. For more information, call the Linda Nix Family Caring Place (funded by Mansfield Cares) at 817-269-1915.Anything is possible. For imaginative and adventuresome souls who like a challenge, the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta is problem-solver’s dream. Contestants will compete in timed races, boat design and appearance, and even most spectacular sinking, on April 28 at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.But before setting sail, prospective crews attend a Boat Building School to learn how to build a sturdy ship. The free class is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Arlington City Hall council chambers, 101 W. Abram St. Tips from the experts on construction, supplies, engineering strategies, and hands-on math and science applications for teachers are part of the fun class. To learn more, call Kristi Payne at 817-860-6752 or go to riverlegacy.org.Casino Night. Ducks Unlimited, leaders in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, is planning unlimited fun at its casino party March 3 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Community in Arlington.Tickets include a prime rib dinner catered by Prairie House, drinks for the evening and membership to Ducks Unlimited. Casino games such as blackjack, craps and roulette will offer entertainment between live and silent auctions.To make reservations, contact Matt Townsend at 469-446-4176 or .

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Vegas theme makes Mansfield charity ball worth the gamble

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Baccarat is big money for Vegas casinos

February 16, 2012

Baccarat dealer Ramiro Nepomuceno, right, shuffles cards as floor supervisor Sam Insyxiengmay looks on while preparing a table for play at the MGM Hotel and Casino Wednesday in Las Vegas. There are generally more Asian gamblers in Vegas because of the Chinese New Year, and it means increased traffic at high limit baccarat tables. Though not widely known, baccarat is actually the most profitable table game for casinos, which try to court Asian gamblers who tie luck and good fortune to the start of the Lunar Year. Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — In the days before the Chinese New Year celebration began this week, six high rollers sat down at the private baccarat tables one day at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and began throwing down wagers of $100,000 to $200,000 a hand. It was a scene hardly out of place these days in Sin City.Big-time gamblers, primarily from Asia, are flocking to Las Vegas to play baccarat and providing a big lift to the overall bottom line of the city’s casinos.Baccarat has easily surpassed blackjack in terms of casino revenue in Las Vegas and now represents nearly 60 percent of the MGM Grand’s table games revenue over the past year. It’s especially popular this week with tens of thousands of tourists from Asia in town to celebrate the Chinese New Year."For us to make money in gaming today without baccarat is almost impossible," said Debra Nutton, senior vice president of casino operations at the MGM Grand hotel-casino. "We need the big whales to make money."In Las Vegas parlance, a "whale" is a big-time gambler who easily wagers more in one night at the tables than most American families make in a year. Casinos cater to them with plush, secluded gambling salons inside the top casinos — with baccarat games that often start out at a minimum $10,000 per hand.The whales typically favor baccarat — a game romanticized in James Bond flicks and highly popular in Macau and Singapore.The game is built on a simple premise: Who will end up with a better hand, the player or the banker? Gamblers are dealt two cards and predict whether they will beat the banker, typically a position that rotates among the players at the table. Smaller tables, known as midi-baccarat, start at $100 limits and look more like large blackjack tables, skipping the rotating banker and leaving that role to the dealer. Even smaller-limit tables are called mini-baccarat.Nevada figures show that during the 12 months ending Nov. 30, casinos statewide won $1.27 billion from baccarat players, with the game offered at 258 total tables in 24 casinos. Blackjack, meanwhile, pulled in just $1.03 billion — even though it was offered across 2,810 tables in 151 casinos.While casinos hope to pocket 12 percent of the money wagered on baccarat, the large amounts played in fewer bets mean big swings in revenue quarter to quarter, depending on how lucky the gamblers are.Slots are still the most popular and lucrative form of gambling in Nevada, with nearly 165,000 machines over 330 locations including supermarket, gas stations and airports. Continued…

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Baccarat is big money for Vegas casinos

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» Bill would OK table games and new casino site

February 15, 2012

Posted: 7:30 am Tue, February 7, 2012 By Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS — A measure introduced in the Maryland Senate on Monday night would allow table games like blackjack at casinos and make it possible to build a casino in Prince George’s County.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters, would put both the table games component of the legislation and the provision allowing a sixth casino in the state before voters in November. The Prince George’s County casino could be Rosecroft Raceway or National Harbor, near the nation’s capital.

Peters, D-Prince George’s, said the proposal for the additional casino would require the approval of voters statewide as well as by voters in Prince George’s County. Even after that, local officials could decide against zoning provisions needed for the casino.

“So there’s really three levels of votes here,” Peters said.

The bill also increases the amount of money a casino operator would receive, Peters said. Currently, they receive 33 percent of the revenue. The measure would raise that to 40 percent.

In addition, the measure would change current state law to enable a casino operator to own more than one casino in the state.

The bill would set aside 5.5 percent of revenue generated by a Prince George’s County casino for an economic development fund in the county. Another 2.5 percent would help pay for capital costs at a hospital.

“Those are all issues that are going to be discussed with the county executive and the council,” Peters, referring to Prince George’s County officials, told reporters after Monday night’s session in the Senate. “I’ve asked them to come back and give us some feedback on the issue.”

Peters noted that, so far, a similar bill has not been introduced in the House of Delegates. He said he believes it’s important that the House consider a bill filed by a delegate to improve the chances of legislation clearing both chambers.

“I think it’s a priority,” Peters said.

Peters said he hopes a hearing will be held on the measure within two weeks or so.

Now, Maryland only allows slot machines at casinos. Of five casino sites allowed under the current law, only two have opened. One is in Perryville off of Interstate 95, and the other is near Ocean City at the Ocean Downs horse racing track. The third, which will be the state’s largest with 4,750 slot machines, is scheduled to open this summer in Anne Arundel County near Arundel Mills Mall.

Maryland faces stiff competition for gamblers’ dollars in neighboring Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, which all allow table games like blackjack, roulette and poker.

» Bill would OK table games and new casino site

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Players club card points can add up to rewards

February 14, 2012

Understanding the mechanics of players club cards is the key to getting the most out of them. Free food, free play and other awards await.

Casinos everywhere have players clubs, which, according to author and gaming analyst Jeffrey Compton, got their start in 1982 when the Sands in Atlantic City launched the Galaxy Slot Club to show appreciation to slot players.

“There’s rarely any slot clubs left. They’re all players clubs,” says Chase Lough, marketing director for Meadows Casino and Racetrack in North Strabane. “People accumulate points both in slot and table play.”

Rivers Casino on the North Shore rolled out a new players club this month. The Rush Rewards program replaced Rivers Edge, which had been around since the casino opened in August 2009.

Rivers marketing director Matt Stewart says the casino’s two sister operations — SugarHouse in Philadelphia and Rivers in suburban Chicago — also use Rush Rewards.

The biggest benefit for players is that their Pittsburgh gambling could qualify them for free or discounted stays in Las Vegas or for cruises, Stewart says.

Tropicana Hotel and Casino is the first Las Vegas partner in the program, and more Strip destinations are expected, he says. The cruise partner has not been announced.

Players clubs track how much you gamble at slots or table games, giving casinos valuable information about players’ habits. The free play and free food bring players back to the casino, and they’re likely to spend more than they received.

Casinos add up players’ bets just as airlines log the miles of frequent fliers and supermarkets track how what shoppers club members buy. Extra perks go to card holders who give more betting action — either from multiple visits with small wagers or less-frequent visits with high wagers. The Meadows club has four membership levels, for example, and Rush Rewards has three.

“Base” or “tier” points reflect actual money bet. Casinos frequently offer “multipliers” to increase traffic on an otherwise slow day.

Players might earn seven or 12 times their base points on these days — even more if they’re in the upper membership tiers. Bonus points can be redeemed for free play and comps, but they don’t count toward moving from one membership level to the next.

The points reflect more than the amount of your buy-in. Say you put $40 in a slot machine and decide to play until you’ve doubled your money or lost it. On the way to whichever fate is in store, you’ll likely have a mix of wins and losses. Playing the money you won counts just as much as playing your original $40. If you hit a few payoffs before quitting, you easily could have $100 “coin through” during the session.

At Meadows and Rivers, slot players get one point for every dollar bet. At Meadows, the rate is the same for video poker and traditional slots, Lough says; at Rivers and in several other jurisdictions, video poker players must play $2 to get one point.

At Meadows, video poker players’ multiplier points are half the rate of those at regular slots, Lough says.

Video poker generates fewer points because it typically has a better payout rate than traditional slots, especially for players who follow proper strategy.

Pennsylvania video poker machines offer a payback rate around 97 percent with perfect play; while less than the 99 percent or better rate found elsewhere, it’s far better than the 90 percent rate for all Pennsylvania slots.

Table games players accumulate points at a slower rate than slot players. Meadows awards one point for every $5 bet at a table game; a tiny radio frequency chip embedded in each casino cheque helps record bets precisely. At Rivers, floor supervisors track players’ average bet and time played to determine how many points they earned. The formula includes the casino’s expected profit from a game.

“If you’re playing the exact same amount of hours, the exact same bet on a blackjack game vs. a roulette game, you’re probably going to earn more (points) on the roulette game,” Stewart says. The house advantage in roulette is much higher than in blackjack.

At Rivers, 800 points translates to $1 in comps or free play. At Meadows, the figure is 1,000 points.

Poker players, who compete against each other rather than the casino, generally earn comp dollars but no base points for the players club.

Moneymaker back in Erie

Poker champion Chris Moneymaker will make his third visit to Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie on Feb. 11 and 12. He’ll play in a tournament with a prize pool of $45,000 if all 90 seats are sold.

Satellite tournaments, with a $71 buy-in, start Wednesday. One player of every 10 will get a seat in the main event.

Moneymaker won the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Even as an amateur and is credited with triggering a poker boom in the United States.

Slot players lost $38.5 million at Pennsylvania’s 10 casinos during the week ended Jan. 22, the Gaming Control Board reported. That’s up from $37.6 million in the comparable week last year.

The state takes 55 percent of that “gross slot revenue” — or what’s left of players’ wagers after all jackpots are paid.

Statewide, slot machines have paid out at a 90.1 percent rate since the fiscal year started in July. For every $100 bet, machines returned an average of $90.10. Payout rates for Western Pennsylvania casinos:

  • 89.88 percent: Rivers; revenue for the week ended Jan. 22 was $4.88 million, up from $4.18 million last year.
  • 89.79 percent: Meadows; revenue for the week was $3.94 million, up from $3.62 million last year.
  • 90.45 percent: Presque Isle; revenue for the week was $2.38 million, just below the $2.4 million of last year.

I had a $5 match play coupon, but the only open seats I could find were at a $10 table. Can I use a coupon that’s worth less than the table minimum?

Yes. Most casinos require you to meet the table minimum with chips. In your case, bet two $5 chips and the coupon. If you win, you get $15; if you lose, you’re out $10.

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Players club card points can add up to rewards

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The 2011 eGR Awards Have Revealed the Clear Winner of the Rising Star Award – Technology Digital

February 12, 2012

Source:mfortune.co.uk

Stourbridge, United Kingdom, February 08, 2012 –(PR.com)– At the 2011 e-gaming review, mFortune Mobile Phone Casino has walked away with the Rising Star Award. The Rising Star capital word is touted as one of the most prestigious awards available in the iGaming industry. Mfortune's online bingo platform allows its players to participate in a game of bingo, anytime, anywhere, from their mobile phone. Mfortune's Mobile Phone Casino garnered the eGaming Review Operator Award for Rising Star at the 2011 eGR Awards at the HAC London.These gaming awards are given out to the highest performing companies in the iGaming industry. They are in recognition of eGaming excellence of all of the highest performing companies in the genre. Mfortune's mobile casino platform also offers players to partake in casino games any time, anywhere on their mobile phone, as well as bingo.Mfortune's mobile casino is currently number one in the UK market. This casino has provided its players with a 13 million+ pound monthly prize payout, weekly prize draws and the fastest payment turnaround available. All of their players can access any one of their 12 exciting casino games, from nearly any mobile handset. All of the game play can be conveniently paid for by standard mobile phone billing.MFortune's mobile casino is a leader in the mobile gaming industry, and has recently launched an innovative and first of its kind of multiplayer Texas hold 'em game. Mfortune currently supports over 400 different mobile handsets, including the iPhone and Android. It supplies players with 12 high-quality 3-D Java games and is fully licensed by the UK gambling commission.It is incredibly easy to install mFortune's mobile casino on your mobile phone. All you need to do is log on to the Internet, enter your country and your mobile phone number. Once you have done that, all you have to do is click on the "play now" and you will be sent the game that you would like to play for download onto your phone, for free. Currently, mFortune offers slot machines, which include Alien Fruits, Fruit Machine, Vegas Vegas, Pirates Treasure and Gold Rush.They also offer Bingo, Texas Hold 'em, HiLo Poker, Dog Racing, Blackjack, Sexy Poker and European Roulette. All of these games offered by mFortune are free to download and play. If you choose, you can also play these games for real money, or just play for fun. While you are playing, you also have the option of talking to other players, in mobile bingo chat rooms.MFortune's marketing manager, James Goode, is quoted as saying that the win of the 2011 eGR Rising Star Award was a superb achievement for mFortune. He also stated that the award is in recognition of the incredible growth and extraordinary strides that mFortune had taken in such a short period of time. He also has a very clear vision of where mFortune is going and where he wants the company to be, and that this is only the beginning. If you would like more information about mFortune Mobile Casino, you can log onto the Internet at mFortune.co.uk.mFortune Mobile Phone Casino has taken the prestigious Rising Star Award.###

Contact Information:mfortune.co.ukStephen Green01384444570Contact via Emailmfortune.co.uk/blog/mfortune-wins-rising-star-award-2011

Click here to read the full story: The 2011 eGR Awards Have Revealed the Clear Winner of the Rising Star AwardPress Release Distributed by PR.com

The 2011 eGR Awards Have Revealed the Clear Winner of the Rising Star Award – Technology Digital

Online Casinos News · Filed Under Blackjack News 

Deal Me In: Shopping list for the right blackjack setup – RGT Online

February 9, 2012

Deal Me In: Shopping list for the right blackjack setup 3 February 2012 By Mark Pilarski

Dear Mark: Please settle a disagreement between my brother and me. My brother thinks he has better odds against the house at blackjack playing out of a shoe with several decks. I think it is to the gambler’s advantage to play at tables with a single deck. Please explain the reason for your answer. Wade J. There is some mathematical footing, Wade, as to why you want to play on a single deck game. Compared to a single deck game, a two-decker handicaps your play by 0.35%, four decks 0.48%, six decks 0.54%, and eight decks 0.58%. Playing 100 hands per hour at $10 per hand, each handicap jump of 0.1% will cost you approximately a buck an hour. Given the choice, Wade, and the rules being “relatively” equal, I would recommend playing on a game with the smallest number of decks possible, because your odds are better. Likewise, multiple decks and continuous shufflers hurt your play because the dealer shuffles less, or not at all, thus increasing the number of hands dealt per hour. Increasing hands-per-hour generally multiplies the benefits-per-hour for the entity with the built-in edge, and that, Wade, is, yep, you guessed it, the house. Tell your brother for me, Wade, that he can plan on losing more money per hour against continuous shufflers, followed by non-continuous automatic shufflers, followed by multi-deck hand-shuffled games, than against the single deck – just by hands-per-hour. Still, stumbling upon a single deck blackjack game today is a rare occurrence. However, if by happenstance, you find one, make sure to look closely at the table layout, to see whether there’s this lethal notice: “Blackjack Pays 6:5.” On these new 6:5 games, a $5 blackjack gets you only $6 instead of $7.50. So although that the game is played with a single deck, the house edge increases dramatically. As I harped on just a few columns back, play in a casino that offers the following combination of rules: fewest decks possible; surrender, both early and late; double down allowed on any two cards; double down allowed after splitting pairs; multiple pair splitting allowed, plus re-splitting aces; dealer stands on a soft 17; deep deck penetration; and, of course, 3:2 for a blackjack. Dear Mark: Everywhere you look nowadays, there are penny machines. How can the casino make a profit a penny at a time? Joan T. Every gaming market in the United States is moving towards low-denomination slot machines at warp speed. The reason being, Joan, is because players keep the Naugahyde stools in front of them fully occupied. Penny machines and two-centers are laying claim to more and more casino real estate because players love the number of coins and lines they can bet with just the loose change they’ve been saving in their cookie jar above the refrigerator. In fact, Joan, casinos today haul in more cash per machine on penny video slots than they do on quarter or dollar reel-spinning slot machines. Casinos love them because they are huge moneymakers with relatively low paybacks. Certainly, you can wager just a mere penny per spin, but most players tend to bet far more than one coin per line, and many bet the maximum. This creates bets larger than they seem, putting penny play in the quarter, even dollar league. Low payback machines, and players standing in line to play them. Go figure. The casinos sure have. Gambling Wisdom of the Week: “Playing poker is sort of like riding a roller coaster: it’s up and down, speed up, slow down, first you’re scared and then you’re bored. And when the ride is over and you get up to leave, you usually feel like throwing up.” –VP Pappy

Deal Me In: Shopping list for the right blackjack setup – RGT Online

Online Casinos News · Filed Under Blackjack News 

Nonprofit Kalamazoo casinos delayed

February 4, 2012

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) – Plans for a mini-casino in downtown Kalamazoo are on hold as the state reviews the project. Ryan Reedy is working to open casino-like gaming at three Kalamazoo locations under the state’s Charitable Gaming Law. Black Jack’s Casino & Sports Bar was originally scheduled to open Wednesday in the patio bar of Will Bull Saloon & Steak House, located off Edwards Street near East Michigan Avenue. Casino Royale at The Gatsby at Rosenbaum Building at 310 E. Michigan Avenue will offer black jack, roulette, craps and a money wheel, located at Rosenbaum Building at 310 E. Michigan Avenue. Poker Blu will offer poker in a previously unused space in the basement of the Rosenbaum Building. Earlier in January, a spokesperson for the state’s Charitable Gaming Division told 24 hour News 8 that Reedy had been given approval to host the games and that the state was not concerned. But Reedy told 24 Hour New 8 on Wednesday that he was contacted two weeks ago by the state and asked to put the project on hold while the plans are reviewed.

Reedy said that he is frustrated because the state is not providing him with information, including why the already-approved project is now being reviewed or when it will be finished. Spokesperson Andrea Brancato of the state’s Charitable Gaming Division told 24 Hour News 8 on Wednesday that she could not comment other than to say, “The project is under review.” She would not say what prompted the review or when it is expected to be finished. Reedy said he thinks the review was prompted by lobbying from the established Native American casinos in the area. He thinks that they heard about his project and don’t want the competition. Reedy readily admitted to 24 Hour News 8 that the projects are a back-door way to get a casino in downtown Kalamazoo and said area businesses and the city support the plan. He said the mini-casino will bring people downtown and help the economy. Under the Charitable Gaming Law, the charitable group would receive 50% of the proceeds and Reedy’s company would get the other 50%. Reedy supplies the tables and the dealers. The charity provides people to sell and cash in the chips. The cost of the facilities and the staff come out of Reedy’s share. A couple similar operations are being run in the Detroit area, but this would be the first in West Michigan. The Charitable Gaming Law allows locations to offer poker nights. Charitable groups like parent-teacher organizations, band boosters and unions get what are called “Millionaire Party Licenses” from the state. Those licenses allow the organizations to participate in up to 16 days of charitable gaming at approved locations. Most groups use a growing number of poker rooms in the area, which offer Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments. Groups can make thousands of dollars over a weekend. The law does not allow slot machines, but a spokesperson told 24 Hour News 8 that Blackjack, roulette and craps are all covered under those same licenses. Reedy and his partners have invested nearly $500,00 in the plan.

Nonprofit Kalamazoo casinos delayed

Online Casinos News · Filed Under Blackjack News 

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