Page 32 - September 2007 • Southern California Gaming Guide

September 2007 Media Picks
Jean Scott and Viktor Nacht’s The Frugal Video Poker Scouting Guide VReviewed by Borris Bienn
ideo poker has always been known as the “thinking person’s slot.” It’s the only type of slot where a well- informed player knows up front what the expected return is, and where strategy can actually maximize the value of your entertainment dollar. Serious video poker players won’t play a machine until they’ve learned
and mastered the strategy for that speci c game variation. But learning the strategy for a game is only half of the
challenge—and the second half of it, at that. e rst, nd the right machine to play.
is is far more di cult than it sounds. Casinos maximize their pro ts by adjusting the pay tables on their video poker games. e pay tables are right up front on each machine, but players have to know what to look for. Two identical—and adjacent—machines may have entirely di erent pay tables and entirely di erent expected rates of return.
Jean Scott and Viktor Nacht have teamed up once again and put together a truly essential guide for every serious video poker player: The Frugal Video Poker Scouting Guide. Now, at rst glance, this might not look very impressive. It’s about the size (and thickness) of a typical checkbook and retails for $19.99. It basically does three things; however, once you realize what
and most important challenge for video poker players is to
these three things are, you’ll never want to play video poker without this guide.
e rst thing the Scouting Guide does is provide complete paytable information for each video poker game, showing all of the di erent paytable variations and showing the expected return for each. It highlights
the most common lines to watch for, and also ags some of the less typical changes elsewhere in the paytable. It also includes the expected return for each game in the new Multi-Strike and Super
Times Pay games.
is alone is well worth the
price of admission. Remember, while every video poker game shows its paytable, they don’t tell you the expected return on the game. With the guide, you can
quickly and easily determine if the return on a given game is worth your hard-earned entertainment dollars. e second thing the Scouting Guide does is take into account progressive video poker jackpots. As most players know, it’s hard to nd full pay machines in most casinos. What the Scouting Guide does is indicate the break-even point if the machine o ers a progressive jackpot. For example, if you came across a 6/5 Jacks or Better machine, you would ordinarily run screaming
for the exits—the return on this game is only 95%. However, if it’s a quarter progressive over $3,085 then this game is actually worth your play. (On a $1 machine, the progressive break-even is $12,341.)
e third thing the Scouting Guide does is rate the volatility of each game from $ to $$$$.
You can purchase your copy of e Frugal Video Poker Scouting Guide at www.QueenofComps.com.
Borris Bienn plays video poker in California and Gulf Coast casinos.
Celebrate Native American Traditions and SCulture at September Powwows
September 2007 Tribes in the News
Page 32
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE September 2007
Barona Band of Mission Indians Donates $100,000 for Local High School Aquatic Facility
n July 19th Lakeside, San Diego County local business leaders and elected o cials joined the sta and students of El Capitan High School for
an o cial ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of the opening of the school’s newly renovated pool and aquatic facility.
e year-long, $322,500 pool resurfacing project was made possible by generous contributions of $100,000 from the Barona Band of Mission Indians, $100,000 from the County of San Diego, $100,000 from the Grossmont Union High School District, $12,500 from the El Capitan Stadium Association/Lakeside Rodeo, as well as $10,000 from El Capitan High School.
After twenty-six years of use, the pool facility was in need of a new pool deck, drains, paint, pool plaster, and upgrades to its restroom facilities. e new facility will bene t the students of El Capitan, and the surrounding community, whose residents will be able to enjoy the pool for recreational swimming, swim meets, and water polo games.
outhern Californians have the opportunity to join in four di erent Native American powwows during September. Annual powwows celebrate Native American culture with singing, dancing and drumming contests, games, delicious food and arts and crafts sales. All powwows are open to the public and admission
is free. ere may be a parking fee. Bring chairs and prepare for the sun and heat. And please ask permission before you take any photos of Tribal members in their regalia.
enovation
RO
On September 1st and 2nd, you can catch the last two days of the 37th Annual Barona Powwow. Native American dancers from around the country will showcase traditional Tribal dances and compete for cash and prizes during the three-day event. e celebration takes place at the Barona Baseball Field, just one mile north of the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino on the Barona Indian Reservation in Lakeside from 1 p.m. to 12 midnight on Saturday, September 1st, and 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, September 2nd. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (619) 443-6612, ext 400.
e following weekend from Friday, September 7th to Sunday, September 9th the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Traditional Gathering & 18th Annual Pow-wow takes place at the Sycuan Reservation in El Cajon. Gourd dancing and singing contests attract tribes from all of the country. Arts and crafts sales and great food are not to be missed. Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to Dusk; Saturday 9 a.m. to Dusk; and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 619-445-7776 for more information or visit www.sycuan.com.
On September 21st–23rd the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians presents the 11th Annual Inter-Tribal Powwow Payomkawichum “People of the West” at the Soboba Casino grounds in Anza. e powwow includes peon games, singing,dancinganddrummingcontestsando ersfreecampingandswimming.Call951-654-2765for information.
And on September 28th–30th don’t miss the Morongo Band of Mission Indians 17th Annual Thunder & Lightning Powwow “The Path of our Ancestors,” with the biggest bird singing contest in America. During the three-day event, spectators will see dancers in full regalia, representing hundreds of tribal nations from across the United States and Canada compete for more than $260,000 in prize money in singing, dancing and drumming contests. Don’t miss the Indian Market. e powwow is on the powwow grounds behind the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, in Cabazon, near Palm Springs. Call 800-252-4499 x23952 for schedule and more information.
Tribes in the News Gaming Guide Media Picks