This "Powered by Poker" hoodie would be a great gift for any card player to find beneath the Christmas tree.

Looking for gifts for casino players?  We’ve got lots of ideas for you.  From stocking-stuffers to more substantial offerings, we’ve picked gifts for slot machine players and card players – ones we know they will love.  There’s still plenty of time left to shop online and we’ll be posting some of our fav picks from Amazon.com’s extensive gift catalog right up until the bitter exciting end of this year’s holiday shopping season.

Best Gifts for Cards and Poker Players:

Whether you are just learning to play poker or looking for advice on advanced strategy, this is one of the books to own and read.   Harrington on Hold ‘em is one of the few books players agree on — it’s a five-star guide to winning the game of poker.  One reviewer says,  “This book paid for itself immediately. Some of the fundamental concepts in this book seem extremely obvious once they’ve been pointed out to you, but cost real money until you grasp them.”

Instead of a stocking stuffer, how about the entire stocking?  Accented with a royal flush, this Playing Cards Christmas Stocking will definitely make any card player smile come Christmas morning.

A fun little goodie to put into the stocking: this World Series of Poker Texas Holdem Handheld Video Game.

Here’s a colorful addition to any Christmas tree and especially one belonging to a poker player — this holiday ornament representing stacks of poker chips.

Home poker parties continue to be all the rage these days and this Poker Platter With Aces is a perfect gift for entertaining. An optional set of Poker Snack Plates is also available.

Want more gifting ideas for casino players? We’ve assembled a huge variety of gifts to choose from in our storefront Casino Gifts Guide. (Don’t miss the cute ornaments featuring the poker dogs.  Yep, those ubiquitous “Dogs Playing Poker.”)

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There’s also a section on the site that we particularly like which pictures all the “slot hosts” and gives their individual email addresses so you can get personalized attention to your questions or comments.  Also, be sure to check out the page that gives you “Slot Floor Updates” including details on all the newest additions to the gaming floor.  We’re really looking forward to playing the new video poker variations from IGT/Action Gaming, “Ultimate X Poker™” and “Good Times Pay Poker™,” when we visit The Bellagio later this month.

Here’s another item of interest from the Bellagio Slots website and we’re quoting them directly:  “Compared to official data published by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, during the first two months of 2009 Bellagio’s average payback on its slot machines was over 2.75% better than the rest of the Las Vegas Strip! In fact, Bellagio’s payback percentage has been consistently higher than the Strip average since 2005.”  So we just added another reason to love the Bellagio casino!

Looking for a great rate at The Bellagio?  Check out The Bellagio at hotels.com for the summer’s best deals on The Strip.

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Our initial idea was to do one site which would cover lots of great gambling destinations and give recommendations – and hot deal alerts! -  on where to stay, places to dine, where to shop and what sight-seeing and special events were not to be missed.  We’ve now decided that there is so much to see and do in so many of the good gambling spots we visit that it would best serve our readers to build some additional websites focusing on specific destinations.

With that in mind, we are pleased to announce our first “sister” site, AZCasinoTravel.com.  With 23 casinos spread throughout the state plus so many special things to do and see here in the Grand Canyon State, we felt we had more than enough to work with in building an info-packed site for visitors to our beautiful state. In addition to our casino guide and reviews, we’ll also keep readers up-to-date on the best deals on Arizona hotels, dining, golf, shopping and all types of vacation activities.

This new site is the first in what will be a family of websites our readers can go to for help in planning a casino trip that includes not only where to play but also where to stay, dine, shop, play golf and more.  (We think you’ll find these sites helpful in planning any trip to the specific destination – with or without gaming!)

Also, because these sites will be more location-oriented, we hope our readers will feel comfortable in asking for suggestions, posing questions and leaving comments about each spot we feature.

Click on the name – AZCasinoTravel – to visit our new site now and let us know what you think!

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Here are some of my favorites:

American Casino Guide:  The new forum is really well done with categories like “Trip Reports” and “Casino Gambling Strategies.”  This is also the place to purchase the Guide itself which has lots of coupons and promos for casinos in Las Vegas as well as around the country.

Slot Machines Forum:  If you’re looking for hot slots this is the forum for you.  Subjects include the popular “Tales from Winners” as well as ”Casinos” where you’ll find info for places from Atlantic City to California and all spots in between.

Videopoker.com:  Join the forum and you’ll have lots of opportunities to talk “turkey” (sorry, couldn’t resist) with vp aficionados everywhere.  Also, since the site is owned and operated by Action Gaming Inc., you’ll get the latest info on new games and where to find them.

Yahoo Groups:  Head straight for the Search box and type in a term like poker, casino or video poker to find the online gathering of gamers that is right for you.  My favorites are “vpFREE” and ”casino_comps.”  Poker players can check out the different “city” groups to find players in their towns.  Whatever or wherever you enjoy playing, you’ll be amazed at the number of options available.

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This is a comment/question that was posted today on one of our older articles — Play FREE Slot Games Online Courtesy of Bally – so I thought I would move it up here and answer it.  With all of our budgets getting squeezed these days, it’s nice to have the option to play some non-gambling, casino-style slot games at home.  So, here are some options for playing free games online, Ken:

This site from AOL, games.com, has a section called “Slots Lounge” featuring casino games you’ll likely recognize such as ”Black & White Double Jackpot” and “Stars & Bars.”  You can play as a guest or register and chat with other players — either way, it’s free.

Also online, check out the free games at Pogo.com for some slots, Keno and poker fun.  Not exactly like the games you know from the casino but still lots of fun are their Ali Baba Slots™, Show Biz slots and Keno games plus the chat is always lively if you want to ”talk” with other players.  You’ll find these games and more in the area labeled “Freebie Casino.”

Good luck playing! 

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Planet Hollywood, video poker and a chocolate chip cookie…that works for me.

I get asked this question a lot — “When you go to Las Vegas, what and where do you play?”  As I’ve written in other posts, I am mostly a video poker player so I always look for my favorite games with the best pay tables.  On The Strip in Las Vegas, you can find me at Planet Hollywood where they have the games I like – Spin Poker™ and Super Times Pay™ plus the multi-game All-Star Poker™ machines – and the pay tables are reasonable for what I’m playing.  For several reasons, ”Planet Ho” just has a “vibe” that appeals to me.  I like the music and I really like the adjustable chairs.  The drink servers are friendly and pretty good about keeping me supplied with bottled water and the occasional glass of white wine.  Plus, when I’m ready to take a break and stretch my legs, there’s a warm chocolate chip cookie with my name on it at the Nestle Toll House Café in the connecting Miracle Mile Shops.
When I do play slots, I like the Hot Shot Progressive™ machines at Paris Las Vegas, Bally’s or MGM Grand while P.B. usually goes off in search of one of his favorites, Jackpot Party™.

If you’re looking for the games you like to play, Harrah’s has a nifty gadget on their website that allows you to find your favorite slot machine or video poker game at any of their casinos in Las Vegas or across the country.  Over at the IGT/Action Gaming site, videopoker.com, you can also do a search to find your favorite video poker variations and denominations at casinos throughout the U.S.

I’d love to know what and where you like to play in Vegas.

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So, if you really want to know how slot machines work then this article chock full of details (I’m talking charts and graphs and full-color diagrams…with cross-sections!) and with words like step motors, digital pulses and solenoids is for you.  For instance, here’s a brief excerpt from the article section entitled “Computerized Slot Machines” –

“Most modern slot machines are designed to look and feel like the old mechanical models, but they work on a completely different principle. The outcome of each pull is actually controlled by a central computer inside the machine, not by the motion of the reels.”

At the end of the article, you’ll find lots of links for other gaming and casino-related subjects you might also want to explore.  And, if after all that, you still have a need for unusual knowledge, there’s always this Thursday’s seasonally-appropriate episode of “HowStuffWorks” television simply entitled — “Turkey.”

Custom poker tables at 50% OFF for your home game

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It comes as no surprise that Blazing 7s™ from Ballys is a customer slots favorite.

The iconic Bally’s Blazing 7s machine and Vision Gaming‘s old-time favorite, Pot of Gold, were named as two of the games casino slots managers “can’t pull” off their floors due to customer popularity. This question – ”What old school slot or video poker games are so popular with players that you just can’t pull them off your floor?” — is asked and answered at the website belonging to popular industry-insider magazine, “Slot Manager.”

The site has lots of interesting information and categories including “Hot Topics” where you’ll find the question-and-answer forum, a “New Products & Games” section, and great articles and columns by industry pros.  Being mainly a video poker player, I was particularly interested in the article called “More of a Kind” by Craig Berosh outlining what’s to come and what’s popular in new VP games.

In the article, Berosh says this —  ”According to John Daley, director of video poker at International Game Technology, the video poker maker based in Reno has been finding success bringing to market games with bonuses that don’t affect base pay tables, where players fund the action by betting an extra coin.”  Think the popular Super Times Pay™ and the new Quick Quads™ — both from IGT’s Action Gaming.

Also currently at the site is a run-down on this week’s gaming convention in Las Vegas, G2E, where more than 30,000 gaming professionals will gather for a look at new products, seminars and more.  Check out the Global Gaming Expo article here.

And don’t forget, you can play some of your favorite video slots free from Bally’s here and free, non-gambling video poker at Action Gaming’s popular game site videopoker.com

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Play free video poker games online at Action Gaming's videopoker.com website.

As I’ve said before, when it comes to playing video poker, the original Spin Poker™ and it’s 20-line sister, Spin Poker Deluxe™, are two of my favorite machines so I found this article by John Brokopp at Casino City Times interesting.   

Mr. Brokopp says  — “There is one video poker hybrid, however, that has stood the test of time: Spin Poker, an invention developed a number of years ago by (who else?), Action Gaming and IGT.

Spin Poker was the first game to successfully blend the components of traditional video poker with those of multi-line video slot play and create something that appealed to both dedicated video poker players and slot players.”  Read more here.

The machines in the casinos I play at here in Arizona are ALWAYS busy — sometimes even attracting a line of would-be players waiting for machines to open up — so I know this is one popular game!

No doubt hoping to repeat that success, Action Gaming and IGT have introduced a couple of new video poker games and you can play them — for free (no money, no wagering, just fun) — at their popular website videopoker.com  Check out new games “Big Times Draw Poker™” and “Quick Quads™” poker.  And, for some great info on strategy when playing Quick Quads™, here’s a recent article by VP pro Bob Dancer at Casino Gaming that you should read.

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Hot Shot Progressive by Bally Technologies is a smokin' fun game!

Some of the most popular slot games in casinos across the country come from Bally Technologies and now you can play them for FREE online on your personal computer.  Video slot games such as the extremely popular Hot Shot Progressive® as well as both Playboy® and S & H Green Stamps® can be downloaded from the Bally Technologies site and played for free whenever you want a little casino-style fun at home or on the road.  Follow the link that says “Click here to play for free.”

Not only can you enjoy fun casino-style action but your points stay on the game so you can track your luck visit-to-visit.  To keep your play even more interesting, there’s a “chat room” available while you play so you can connect with fellow players if you wish.

Also, when visiting Bally’s site be sure to check out the “Players Center“ section.  There you’ll find a Winners Gallery, current progressive Jackpot Totals, and a game-finder for locating your favorite Bally slot.  For instance, if you click on the Hot Shot Progressive logo, you’ll be taken to a page that lists — by state — the casinos that have that game available.  In Arizona, you’ll find this game at both Harrah’s Ak-Chin outside of Phoenix and the Desert Diamond casino near Tucson.

So if you’re between visits, have fun playing these “reel life” casino games!  Also, check out these fun DVD games at Amazon.com with favorites from Bally’s, WMS Gaming and more.  Specially-priced double-disc set Slots WMS Double Pack, or try these popular games — Slots From Bally Gaming.
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Learn video poker strategy then try your luck at South Point's casino.

If you are a video poker player like P.B. and me and you want to take your game to the next level, then here is an opportunity for you – FREE video poker classes with America’s most well-known player, Bob Dancer.  Mr. Dancer has spent years researching and teaching video poker strategy through his popular books, software programs including “Video Poker for Winners” and live lessons. 

Beginning on Tuesday, November 11, and continuing through to January, Mr. Dancer will be giving classes at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.   Again, classes are free but you must be 21 or older to attend.

The classes will offer both a 90-minute session for beginners as well as a one-hour portion for intermediate players.  Classes focus on different games such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Double Bonus Poker as well as varying subjects so see the class schedule here for more details.

Also, check out the great package prices available at South Point and combine your free video poker training with a hotel stay.  South Point is about 10 minutes from The Strip but offers guests all the amenities such as a spa, multiple restaurants, show room, lounges and more that Las Vegas visitors have come to expect in a casino destination.

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"Gold Fish" - a popular slot game from WMS Gaming.

For a spirited discussion on “favorite slot machines,” visit TripAdvisor and check out what people are talking about right now in regards to slot machines. This is one hot topic on TripAdvisor considering the original post asking Las Vegas visitors to name their favorite slots game is dated August 24^th and the replies keep coming – six pages of them so far.

I don’t play slots too often but always stop and check out any new games I see  – think eBay®, Deal or No Deal® – and any games that seem to have a lot of people gathered ‘round.

From the topic replies, it looks like “Gold Fish” from WMS gaming is a hot slot favorite.  I mention this one specifically because P.B. and I walked by a double bank of the machines several times during our last stay at Paris Las Vegas and not once was there a machine open.  People were even hanging around waiting for machines to open up so they could play.  Hmm, based on its popularity, maybe we’ll check it out again when we go to Vegas later this month.

The hot new "Wizard of Oz" slot machine from WMS Gaming.

We recently saw this new game at Harrah’s Ak-Chin near Phoenix  - “The Wizard of Oz” from WMS Gaming (for information, click on the game icon in this cool virtual gameroom.)  Check out the high-backed spaceship seating for this game.  Here’s what the manufacturer says about it on their website:   “The Wizard of Oz^TM is the newest theme in the revolutionary “Sensory Immersion Gaming” product category, where players hear, see, and feel the experience, thanks to real-time 3D animation and our innovative gaming chair that features the BOSE® 3Space^TM audio system and CPU-NXT®2 enhanced graphics.” Again, we didn’t get a chance to play since all the machines were taken but we will definitely play Wizard of Oz slots in the future – when we get the chance.

If you’re a slots player, I’d love to hear about your favorite game and where you play it.  Also, check out the thread on TripAdvisor and chime in with your recommendations.

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