Heard it on the River

But that is somewhat misleading as while the book is based on craps, it is really about the characters that occupy the world of controlled shooters, precision shooters, and rhythmic rollers, whatever you want to label them. BONUS BOOKS sent me a comp copy to review and I read it from cover to cover in one night. That's 306 pages, ending with Frank's no-holds barred Las Vegas diary of 16 straight days of craps plays in sin city…and what a 16 days they were.

We've seen some of the characters Frank writes about here in Tunica Resorts in recent months as part of the GOLDEN TOUCH CRAPS crew and I saw some of them create money from their magic skills on the craps tables. In the book, which is like an odyssey through the world of casino craps, Frank recounts his hands-on-the-die experiences and some are eye-opening: like his encounter with a professional craps team composed of guys like the Lee brothers, who are not brothers, and whose name is not Lee. A team that was raking in hundreds of thousands and toured the country all expenses paid. There are also insightful sessions with the famed CAPTAIN and a visit with the ARM, an elderly lady who struck terror into the hard hearts of Vegas box men and pit bosses.

If you are looking for a book on how to play craps, this is not it. It is much more and the amazing stories told here for the first time in print make enjoyable reading. There is a lot of flak that controlled shooting is a lot of crap but after you read this book, you will think again. If you want to learn about craps playing, then check out Frank's "BEAT THE CRAPS OUT OF THE CASINOS." It is the best selling craps book of all time. His follow-up books, " THE CAPTAIN'S CRAP REVOLUTION "and "FOREVER CRAPS," solidified his position as the nation's greatest authority on the game. If you are interested in any of these books, you can call Frank at 516-596-0406.

Scoblete, who is a regular on the GOODTIMES RADIO SHOW every Saturday, will read some entertaining sections in the book on the show of Dec. 27, which will air after the U. of Memphis basketball game, about 4 pm, on WMC790 AM. You can call the show with your questions at 901 274-7979.

ADOLPH LEPRE, director of table games at BALLY'S, tells me that the next Ultimate Blackjack tournament there will take place Feb. 6-8 with a first place prize on tap of $50,000. They had a record turnout for the last event so you may want to enter early by calling 1-800-38BALLY for entry details. We will also have a feature story in the next issue of JACKPOT with complete details. Do you like to hunt but have no place to practice your shooting skills over the winter months? WILLOWS Sporting Clays Center behind GRAND CASINO is the place for you. MIKE MIZE told us the center is open but to get a complete schedule, call 662-357-3118. Gold Strike is hosting the Mississippi CRAPS tournament on Feb. 20-22 with a $25,000 first place prize. It's limited to 144 entries so check it out now at 888-24K-PLAY.

Tickets are now on sale at TICKETMASTER for the US OLYMPIC BOXING TRIALS to be held at the PAUL BATTLE ARENA in Tunica Resorts Feb. 17-21. And some of the proceeds will go to ST. JUDE, which has been named the official charity for the event. SAM'S TOWN is a corporate sponsor and will also be the official hotel for the trials.

GOLD STRIKE is heating up for tournaments and the following are on tap. Weekly video poker tournaments are being held each Monday and Wednesday through the end of Feb. and the entry fee is only $10 or 220 points with a $1,000 first place prize. The top ten finishers for each tournament day receive an invitation to the $10,000 Championship on March 11-12. The casino is also offering the 10 FLAT SLOT TOURNAMENT each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday through Jan. 29. The entry fee is only $10 or 200 points. And the top ten finishers each tournament day receive an invite to play in the championship on Feb. 12-13 to play for a share of $10,000. Over 40 grand is awarded during the tournament and the championship.

In Jan. the casino kicks off the New Year with its unique "SLOTS OF FUN promotion Jan. 5-31. There are daily drawings and the names of four slot or video poker machines, yes, machines, will be drawn each hour and if you are caught playing that machine using your ONE CLUB card, you will get to pick a prize from the prize cart that includes cash and comp bucks. You can get all the official rules from the One Club booth. The tournaments and drawing all add up to a bunch of work for ERIC DALE. He has just been named director of slot operations. His timing could have been better but he's happy to be at Gold Strike as GM DAVID SCHUGAR said his presence would improve overall slot business and operations as Gold Strike begins incorporating its state-of-the art systems into slot operations. Schugar also announced the appointment of KATHRYN MCLAUGHLIN, a 19-year vet with FEDEX, to the position of Training Manager.

Congratulations to SHERRYL TUCKER, Guest Services Manager at HORSESHOE CASINO. She recently celebrated her tenth anniversary at the 'Shoe. She signed up 14 months before the casino opened and has been on the job since Dec. 2, 1993.

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER…The Lyons Press

"Never play cards with a man named Doc."
Nelson Algren (1909-81)

Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Heard it on the River is published courtesy of Jackpot Magazine, the South's leading gaming newspaper.