Issue 151
August 4-10, 2003
Volume 3
page 2
 

Poker Nights Gain Popularity

HONOLULU, HAWAII – Across the country, an estimated 40 million to 50 million Americans play Poker recreationally, according to the World Poker Tour and other sources. In fact, thanks to cable broadcasts of the World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker, the proliferation of online gambling, and an increased presence in movies and television, Poker has quickly and quietly become a major challenger to surfing as pop culture's fad du mois.

Combining elements of the Persian game Nas, Indian Ganjifa, French Poque and German Pochen, modern Poker is believed to have taken shape sometime in the early 1800s in Louisiana.

The game spread across the country by steamboat, rail and wagon, and by the Civil War, thousands of soldiers for the North and South were said to have played the game in various forms, contributing such modifications as Stud, Draw, and
straight Poker.

Like jazz, another American invention, Poker is a sometimes complex, often mistrusted cultural institution. Where poets and barroom philosophers see an enactment of human determinism in the face of indifferent chance, others see little more than a gateway
to vice.

The World Series has become a surprise hit on ESPN. With telegenic figures such as Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth, Chris `Jesus’ Ferguson, Carlos Mortensen and a sophisticated on-screen presentation that allows viewers to see the players' held cards, the event has produced moments as dramatic and engaging as any on the

sports network. The success of the World Series has paved the way for the newly introduced World Poker Tour, a joint venture between award-winning filmmaker Steven Lipscomb and Lakes
Gaming Inc.

 

 

Mohegan Sun Shuts Down Poker Room - UNCASVILLE, CT – The Mohegan Sun Casino apparently knows when to fold 'em when it comes to poker. The casino will close its poker room as of September 2 and fill the vacant space in the Casino of the Earth with slot machines.

Mitchell Etess, executive vice president of marketing, said on July 29th that the poker market was not growing enough to justify keeping the room open. The 200 poker room employees will be offered jobs as dealers and floor people in other parts of the casino, according to Etess.

Mohegan Sun's poker room holds 36 poker tables and four novelty card games, while Foxwoods' larger card room has 54 poker tables and four novelty games.

Boyd Gaming Plans New, Expanded Casinos - MICHIGAN CITY, IN – The company that owns Blue Chip Casino plans to replace the boat with a larger vessel it hopes can better compete with a proposed Indian casino just across the Michigan state line.

The new casino also would be able to take advantage of recent changes in Indiana law allowing 24-hour gambling and dropping the requirement that boats must cruise, said Rob Stillwell, a spokesman for Boyd Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas, which owns Blue Chip. The Blue Chip's 11.7 percent increase in revenue in the second quarter was attributed to the legalization of dockside gambling. The proposed $160 million Four Winds Casino is planned for a 675-acre site at Interstate 94 and Michigan 239 near New Buffalo. By comparison, the $40.5 million Blue Chip Casino has about 37,000 square feet of gambling space.

Detroit Casinos To Conduct Anti-Terrorism Drills - DETROIT, MI – MotorCity Casino will be the first Detroit casino to conduct a state-mandated anti-terrorism drill. The casino will be closed Tuesday from midnight to noon. Michigan State Police Detective Lt. Harvie Jarriell explains that the drill is like a "big play" with a plot involving perhaps a bomb, hazardous materials, a natural disaster or an armed robbery. Each exercise involves up to 200 people. "It's important that we go through exercises so we can try different scenarios and be ready for any potential terrorist incident," says Shelby Slater, director of homeland security for the city. The Greektown and MGM Grand Detroit casinos are tentatively scheduled to conduct their anti-terrorism drills on Aug. 20 and Aug. 25 respectively, but will remain open.

Gloria Estefan

Nero couldn't sing and Augustus couldn't dance, but when the Latin rhythms of Gloria Estefan take over The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, October 10-19 (dark October 13, 14 and 15), the entire Roman Empire is sure to shake.

Coinciding with the release of Estefan's first English language album in six years, "Unwrapped," the superstar recording artist will bring her unique blend of pop and Latin music to Las Vegas for seven shows entitled "Gloria Estefan Live & Unwrapped." Choreographed by renowned film and television director Kenny Ortega ("Dirty Dancing," "Chicago Hope," "Ally McBeal," among others), "Gloria Estefan Live & Unwrapped" will be an explosive multimedia experience mixing music, dance and costumes into an unforgettable concert experience.

Price: $175, $150, $127.50, $87.50

Price Note: May not include all taxes & fees.

Show Time: 8:00 p.m.

Reservations: Reservations Recommended

For more information please call: (702) 474-4000
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