Blackjack: Splitting Pairs
Any blackjack player who’s studied basic strategy has this pair-splitting maxim deeply ingrained: Always split Aces and 8s. Never split 5s or 10s.
There’s one minor exception. With two or more decks in play in a game where the dealer hits soft 17 and late surrender is offered, it’s better to surrender 8-8 against a dealer’s Ace.
Some hands are closer calls than others. Let’s check out some numbers for six-deck games where dealers hit soft 17 — the most common blackjack games around today.
Property Profile: Ameristar Casino Hotel – Vicksburg, Mississippi
If you ever want to visit one of the greatest attractions in all of Mississippi, look no further than the Ameristar Casino Hotel in historic Vicksburg. It’s the largest riverboat casino in Mississippi, and according to Ameristar’s website, also ‘the most exciting’. It’s the premier destination for sports betting in Central Mississippi, with the amount of betting options the casino offers. The casino features over 1200 slot machines and video poker games, 27 table games, and even has its own poker room that’s the only one in all of Vicksburg. The Ameristar Casino offers a great mix of hospitality, excitement, and relaxation, and they’re happy to provide it to all of their customers.
Opening in 1994, the huge casino boasts 148 hotel rooms, over 70,000 square feet of gaming space on the property, and a variety of other options available for guests, like a nice list of dining options and the availability of sports betting. The company was purchased by Penn National Gaming in 2018, but celebrates operating for over 26 years as Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg.
Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel- The Gangster Who Had A Dream
Hollywood has a long history of glamorizing the gangster lifestyle on screen. From Depression-era films like “Public Enemy” and “Little Caesar”, through “The Godfather”, “Goodfellas”, and “The Sopranos”, filmmakers have found that audiences will flock to theaters to watch the exploits of fictionalized mobsters. While the most famous gangster of all, Al Capone, has been portrayed on film more times than any other real-life criminal, one of his contemporaries, Bugsy Siegel, runs a close second. He has been played by actors ranging from Armand Assante to Richard Grieco to Warren Beatty, and in thinly-veiled aliases such as The Godfather’s Moe Greene (whose name was an amalgam of two Siegel cronies, Moe Sedway and Gus Greenbaum). Siegel’s unique personality, his hobnobbing with movie stars, and of course, his leading role in the development of Las Vegas as it currently exists all makes him an irresistible character for celluloid immortality.
Visit Coastal Mississippi: Something for Everyone
Coastal Mississippi is one of the best kept secrets in the South and has grown into a premier casino destination as well. The area boasts great gambling, beautiful beaches, restaurants and so much more. The stretch that runs from Moss Point to Waveland features twelve casinos, a buzzing beach scene and a plethora of restaurants located beach front or directly across the street.
We are excited to provide you with an overview of the area, as well as a few recommendations. For a full list of recommendations, offerings and more, visit CoastalMississippi.com.
Horse of the Month: Barbaro
A wise man once told me, “Many a great narrative is camouflaged on that occasion when it first rubs shoulders with the limelight”. Well, believe me when I tell you that this axiom certainly proved true inside the confines of Delaware Park Racetrack on October 4th, 2005. See, because even though the day’s 7th race (a one mile “Maiden Special Weight” turf affair) was captured in dazzling fashion by a 7-1 first time starter, no one in attendance could have possibly realized that the curtain had just gone up on one of thoroughbred horse racing’s most poignant tragedies.
Property Spotlight: Rhythm City Casino Resort: Davenport, Iowa
Rhythm City Casino Resort is a mix of the best parts of hospitality. Reopening the land-based operations in 2016, the resort is located on the eastern border of Iowa in Davenport and has some of the best amenities for guests to enjoy. The resort is primarily owned by the Kehl family, who are known for customer service after a long tenure in the hospitality business.
The Kehl’s got their start in restaurant business the 1960’s with a small café, by the 1970’s they had expanded and started offering dinner cruises and by 1986, they had a 1,000 passenger boat and were filling up the cruises nightly. So, when the talks of expanded gambling on the riverside in Iowa started to get serious, the Kehls were among the first to get in on the new industry.
Slot Spotlight: All Aboard by Konami Gaming is Full Steam Ahead!
Casinos around the world are evolving daily with new games showcasing the latest features and technology for players. Konami Gaming has always been on the forefront of the latest game themes featuring crisp graphics, clear sounds and entertaining game play, and their latest product line is no exception.
Their newest video slot theme, All Aboard, is quickly amassing incredible energy and momentum and you can expect to see it at your favorite casino soon!
Destination Spotlight: Palmetto Dunes: Hilton Head, South Carolina
There is no shortage of charming Southern getaways scattered throughout the Carolina’s ranging from Charleston and Kiawah Island to Hilton Head Island. Whether you are looking for a long weekend or full-fledged vacation, pick just about any of these beach laden destination and rest assured you will find all of the rest and relaxation you have been looking for, and deserve.
A popular coastal destination that continues to impress visitors and residents alike is Hilton Head Island. Offering a variety of activities from great golf and fantastic fishing to expansive beachscapes and delectable dining, you can fill your days with fun, or simply kick back on the beach in the sun. The Lowcountry island offers 12 miles of beach front and is scattered with small neighborhoods where visitors can find accommodations in apartments, condos or houses ranging from a few bedrooms to mansions on the seashore.
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Churchill Downs to Hold Kentucky Derby 146 on September 5th with Spectators
(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) – Churchill Downs Racetrack announced that after consultation with Gov. Andy Beshear and state public health officials the 146th runnings of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and Longines Kentucky Oaks will occur with spectators under strict guidelines.
Kentucky Derby Week will be held Sept. 1-5 with the Oaks on Friday, Sept. 4 and the Derby on Saturday, Sept. 5.
“We truly appreciate the leadership of the Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, and all of the hard work, collaboration and guidance that state and local officials and public health experts have provided us to safely and responsibly host Kentucky Derby Week in September with spectators,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. “Our team is deeply committed to holding the very best Kentucky Derby ever, and we will take all necessary steps to protect the health and safety of all who attend and participate in the Derby.”
