When it comes to deals, there may not be a better deal in Tunica than the $35 bed and breakfast special at Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica. Every Sunday through Thursday enjoy one of Fitz’s comfortable rooms at a special rate. Plus rise and shine to a complimentary breakfast for two – all for just $35. Click here to learn more.

That awesome deal represents more than just costs savings, it represents value, because Fitz’s hotel rooms make you feel right at home. Fitz offers more than 500 newly renovated rooms and suites with flat-screen televisions, directly connected to the casino action. For more fun and excitement, there’s also an indoor pool, Jacuzzi and exercise facility to help you relax after the fun.

Like always, I recommend getting a room on one of the upper floors. The view of the Mississippi can’t be beat. A little trick of the trade…odd numbered rooms at the Fitz will give you that one-of-a-kind view.

It’s just not individual gamblers who appreciate all that Fitz has to offer. Fitz is also a perfect place to bring groups. Group room packages are available for group booking consisting of 10 or more rooms. From the moment your group arrives to the final good-byes, you will be greeted and treated as someone special. The Group Sales department also offers personalized motorcoach group offerings and is always looking to create partnerships with group leaders and tour owners/operators.

Fitz also has the space to accommodate your next meeting or event. Get down to business in one of two excellent meeting facilities. The Great Hall, which is divisible into four sections, accommodates up to 675 people for a theater presentation or 500 for banquet seating. The Ireland Room, divisible into two sections, accommodates up to 100 people for theater seating. And all of your meeting attendees will enjoy the convenience of Fitz’s parking garage with over 400 covered parking spaces.

To top it all off, the employees at Fitz couldn’t be more friendly and accommodating. Whether they are charged with making beds or making eggs, they always have a smile on their faces and are willing to do whatever it takes to make your stay more enjoyable – now that’s Southern hospitality!

For most Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer and we tend to agree!  Tunica is going to be packed this summer with great entertainment, hilarious comedy, exciting action and hot concerts!  And don’t forget to soak up the sun in Tunica at the Harrah’s Tunica Heatwave Pool Parties.  Make plans now to spend your summer in Tunica!  For a complete list of upcoming entertainment, click here.

May 2012

24, 27, 29 & 31 ~ Brian Lee Howell as Elvis ~ Funny Bone Comedy Club at Harrah’s Tunica
24 – 26 ~ John Morgan ~ Funny Bone Comedy Club at Harrah’s Tunica
25 ~ Alive after Five: The Memphis Snake Doctors  ~ Downtown Tunica
26 ~ Arnez J ~ Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica
26 ~ Maximum Championship Wrestling ~ Tunica Arena & Expo
26 ~ Heatwave Pool Party ~ Harrah’s Casino Tunica
27 ~ Emmanuel & Phillip Hudson ~ Funny Bone Comedy Club at Harrah’s Tunica
28 ~ Memorial Day Program ~ Downtown Tunica

June 2012

1 ~ Little Big Town ~ Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica
2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 ~ Heatwave Pool Party ~ Harrah’s Casino Tunica
1-3 ~ Bill Bellamy ~ Funny Bone Comedy Club at Harrah’s Tunica
8 ~ Travis Tritt ~ Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino Tunica
9 ~ Rick Springfield ~ Gold Strike Casino Resort
23 ~ Charlie Pride ~ Horseshoe Casino Tunica
23 ~ 1^st Annual Juneteenth Celebration ~ Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino Tunica

July 2012

3 ~ Independence Day Parade & Picnic ~ Downtown Tunica
6-7 ~ Rodney Carrington ~ Gold Strike Casino Resort
6-8 ~ Mid-South Quarter Horse Show
~ Tunica Arena & Expo
7, 14, 21 & 28 ~ Heatwave Pool Party ~ Harrah’s Casino Tunica
8 ~ Boston ~ Horseshoe Casino Tunica
20-22 ~ USTPA Team Penning
~ Tunica Arena & Expo
22 ~ Asian Show ~ Gold Strike Casino Resort

August 2012

4, 11, 18 & 25 ~ Heatwave Pool Party ~ Harrah’s Casino Tunica
11-12 ~ Brother N Laws Team Roping
~ Tunica Arena & Expo
18 ~ Oak Ridge Boys ~ Gold Strike Casino Resort
31 ~ Meatloaf ~ Horseshoe Casino Tunica
31-September 3 ~ USTRC Southeast Regional Finals
~ Tunica Arena & Expo

September 2012

1 ~ Heatwave Pool Party ~ Harrah’s Casino Tunica
7 ~ The O’Jays
~ Harrah’s Casino Tunica
8-9 ~ Lucky Dog Productions Barrel Race
~ Tunica Arena & Expo
11 ~ Patriot’s Day Program ~ Downtown Tunica
21-23 ~ Circle G Quarter Horse Show
~ Tunica Arena & Expo
22 ~ Charlie Daniels Band ~ Gold Strike Casino Resort

If you ever hear me say my job is all work and no play, then make sure to smack me upside the head!  I thought this past weekend would be work, but it was all play thanks to the Funny Bone Comedy Club!

The TunicaTravel.TV crew spent our Friday night listening to the comedic talents of Sinbad.  He was hilarious and after a full night of laughs my cheeks were hurting!  The truly funny comedians are the ones that can ad lib and interact with the audience without flinching and he is definitely one of those.  After the show, we interviewed him for a segment for one of our videos and he was the most down-to-earth guy.  I’m pretty sure if he hadn’t had another show that night, we could have hung out with him and finished the Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers game, although he was cheering for the wrong team.

Check out some behind the scenes footage to learn what Sinbad thinks Tunica needs.  Plus be on the lookout for our extended video coming soon at TunicaTravel.TV.

Even though Funny Bone calls Harrah’s Tunica home, you don’t even feel like you’re at the casino.  I don’t know what it is, but when you walk-in you just know you’re leaving your cares behind and life is going to be filled with the sound of laughter (at least for a couple of hours).  Make sure the next time you’re in Tunica to grab a friend, have a drink and a few laughs at the Funny Bone Comedy Club.  For more information or a list of upcoming comedians, visit www.funnybonetunica.com

One of the things blackjack card counters look for is penetration — the proportion of cards put into play between shuffles. Counters want to see more cards dealt. When the count is favorable, the last thing a counter wants to see is a shuffle.

But most of us are not card counters, and I’ve received emails from players asking if penetration means anything to the average blackjack player.

As it happens, it’s not really something most of us need to worry about. Penetration does not change basic strategy. Basic strategy players just keep on making the same decisions regardless of how many decks are cut out of play.

If penetration makes any difference at all, to a basic strategy player, it’s in the speed of play. Lower penetration means more shuffles, and more shuffles means fewer hands per hour. Fewer hands per hour reduces exposure to the house edge. The vast majority of players will actually lose less money per hour in games with poor penetration.

Speed of play favors whoever has the edge on the game. The advantage player wants more hands per hour, more chances for the edge to work in his or her favor. Against basic strategy players or average players, the house has an edge, and the casino wants more hands per hour to allow that edge to pad the bottom line.

Casinos walk a tightrope with penetration. Those who are overly concerned with card counters and reduce their penetration wind up dealing fewer hands per hour. That costs the casino money in reduced play from non-counters. But that’s the operator’s problem. For most players, it’s nothing to worry about.

Regular gamblers know the value of loyalty programs, but I have to admit that I was a little late to the game. I didn’t want another card in my wallet, didn’t want to have to register. And it was Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica’s Key Rewards Players Club Card that really let me know how shortsighted I was being, because loyalty programs are one of the best parts of the gaming experience.

First and foremost, the Key Rewards Players Club Card is absolutely free, and the great team at Fitz makes the registration process easy and painless. By using your card each and every time you gamble, you are sure to get the most for your play, because the card really is the KEY (get it?) to unlocking some incredibly generous rewards.

The loyalty program is actually tiered, so the more you use it, the higher you climb. The minute you sign up, you already have access to a host of benefits, such as gift shop discounts, tickets to special events and, every casino goer’s favorite, comped rooms and meals. Once you get into the higher two tiers, the perks get better and better. Think suite upgrades, VIP service, concert meet and greets, exclusive parties and more.

And, of course, your Key Rewards Card can also get you access to special promotions and tournaments reserved just for members. For instance. You can earn 200 points while playing on your Key Rewards card and receive a special gift each Tuesday every month, while supplies last. Or you can win a share of $5,000 in Promo Cash every Sunday by registering for the Sunday Slot Tournaments. All you have to do is earns 50 points on your Key Rewards card between 12:01am Friday thru 9am on Sunday during the week of the tournament.

So as you can see, the Key Rewards Players Club Card is really the gift that keeps on giving. Learn from my mistakes, and get signed up the next time you are at Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica. You’ll thank me.

Want to experience the Mississippi River kind of like Tom Sawyer did but without having to get your feet wet? You can, on board the Tunica Queen. The Tunica Queen is an authentic riverboat that sails from the Tunica RiverPark and offers sightseeing, sunset and dinner cruises.

We recently went along for a ride and had a blast. See for yourself in our video from TunicaTV!

ShowFest is BACK at Sam’s Town Casino & Hotel on May 19 & 20, 2012 for its 15^th annual show!

ShowFest Truck & Car Show is a national auto show that highlights quality show vehicles competing for top honors.  If you love auto shows, then you can’t miss it!  On average, over 600 vehicles participate including Show trucks, custom cars, classic cars, classic trucks, mini trucks, 4 wheel drives, Hot Rods, Rat Rods, Pro Street, custom SUVs, motorcycles and lowriders.

Showfest will also have a free after hours event on Saturday night featuring local rock band, Splendid Chaos, and then on Sunday, Cooter & the General Lee will be there for a viewing/signing.

For more information, visit showfest.com or Facebook.com/showfest.

Free play has become one of the primary ways casinos reward loyal customers who use players club cards. As with complimentary meals, rooms, shows and other perks, the amount of free play you get depends on how much you play while using your card.

But players often wonder if there’s a hidden cost, as in the following email I received from a reader:

“With the new computer/electronics, is there ANY way for the casino to LOWER the payoffs on slot machines, when the computer detects that you are “playing” on the $300 credit, and thereby changes the odds in payoffs?  (Perhaps using another set of codes?)”

Such programming would be illegal in licensed casinos, and would be weeded out by the gaming labs before game was ever approved for installation. In games that actually make it onto casino floors, the random number generator doesn’t know where the credits on the machine came from. Free play, cash, tickets — it makes no difference to the RNG.

You’re getting the same game with free play as with fresh money.

If you tracked results over a very long time, you’d find your payback percentages with free play would be roughly the same as when you use fresh money or when you use tickets brought over from other games. In the short-term, anything can happen, and a bad streak or two or three with free play can lead us to conclude there’s something other than random chance at work.

Keep in mind that casinos don’t want to short-change the players they’re trying to turn into long-term, loyal guests. The house has all the edge it needs built into the games, and is willing to reinvest a small portion of its proceeds into building customer loyalty.

After months of cleanup and repairs following the 2011 Mississippi River floods, the Tunica RiverPark & Museum is back!!! And it’s time to shout it from the rooftops.

The RiverPark is a one-of-a-kind interactive, interpretive museum that showcases the life of the river and its history, featuring aquariums, ecotrails and riverboat cruises. During the hiatus the facility’s event space was reconfigured, pavilions with grills are being added to the grounds that can be rented for parties and family reunions and brand-new museum exhibits are in the works. Come see all the changes for yourself.

You’re invited to celebrate the reopening with us at the Tunica RiverPark Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 10 am – 5 pm. The day’s festivities will include live blues music, children’s activities, FREE admission to the RiverPark Museum, special Tunica Queen cruise schedule at a discounted rate, gift shop specials and more!

For more details on Family Fun Day scroll down to see our flyer. For more information about the Tunica RiverPark & Museum, call 866.517.4837 or visit TunicaRiverPark.com.

Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica has a motto: “Luck lives here.” And while I personally subscribe to Grizzlies player Rudy Gay’s philosophy that you make your own luck (unless you are playing the Clippers), I have to admit that there is something about Fitz that makes Lady Luck right feel at home.

Fitz has undergone a facelift, and there are definitely great things happening on the hotel, dining and entertainment front. But for this casino spotlight, we are starting with what matters most – promotions.

Fitz has a number of ongoing promotions and tournaments designed to give Tunica visitors the most bang for their buck. Here are few to take advantage of:

Key Rewards Gift Giveaway 
Earn 200 points while playing on your Key Rewards card and receive a special gift each Tuesday every month. While supplies last.

Spin for your chance to Win Seniors Wednesday     
Key Rewards members who are 50 or older who earn 10 points while playing your favorite slots or table game will get a chance to spin the prize wheel. Seniors are winners at the Fitz! The fun doesn’t stop there; enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Riverview Buffet by using your $5 buffet coupon on Wednesdays. Buffet coupons are valid from 7 a.m. to close.

Ladies Night at the Fitz
Every Thursday at 7 p.m., come enjoy a night out with the girls playing in the Viva La Diva slot tournament. Quench your thirst with signature drink specials. Registration begins every Thursday at 5 p.m. at Group Sales Check-In.

Tournament Prize Payouts
1^st -$250 Promo Cash
2^nd -$100 Promo Cash
3^rd-$50 Promo Cash

Friday Night Blackjack Fridays

• $2,000 Guaranteed
• $20 buy-in and re-buy option

Registration will be held on the day of each tournament from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

$5,000 Sizzling Sunday Slot Tournaments
Win a share of $5,000 in Promo Cash every Sunday by registering for the Sunday Slot Tournaments between 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Group Sales Check-In. One entry per person who earns 50 points on their Key Rewards card between 12:01 a.m. Friday thru 9 a.m. on Sunday during the week of the tournament. Tournament play begins at 1 p.m.

$35 Bed & Breakfast Special…Just $35 a night
Relax and get away for just $35 a night. Every Sunday through Thursday, enjoy the comforts of Fitz’s rooms at a special rate. Plus rise and shine to a complimentary breakfast for two!

Reserve your room by calling 1-888-766-5825
Mention room rate code: $35 Bed & Breakfast Special

Fitz is always coming up with ways to help gamblers maximize their experiences, as these promotions and tournaments prove. Stay tuned, because next week we’ll talk about how you can get the most out of Fitz with the Key Rewards Players Club Card.