Big Slot Jackpot Had Help

Nevada’s recently hit Megabucks jackpot was the second-largest in the system’s history, but it left a lot of questions in the minds of players who monitor Megabucks closely. Specifically, how did the total climb from $19 million to more than $30 million in a week? In reality, the jump took place in a day, when International Game Technology (IGT) decided to retire its Penny Megabucks system and combine the two jackpots. Adding the money from the penny game to the dollar progressive resulted in an instant jump to $31 million, which grew to $33,000,563 before it was hit at Terrible’s Rail City in Sparks, Nev. (the record remains the $39.7 million bonanza hit at Excalibur six years ago).

 

 

ECan Buffet: Las Vegas’ newest buffet is Cannery Row at Eastside Cannery. After opening with an all-you-can-eat buffet hybrid, ECan has switched to a traditional smorgy with low pricing: $8.99 for lunch and $11.99 for dinner (except for the $17.99 Wed. seafood night).

 

 

Bellagio Summer: The new summer display at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens features cold-air balloons, a spectacular 42-foot-high Ferris wheel, an aviary with lorikeets and parakeets, and patriotic displays of the Stars and Stripes. The display is open to the public all day every day.

 

 

 

 

Question: Is there any rule that dictates whether the player’s cards in blackjack are dealt face down or up?

Answer: No, the individual casinos decide. However, the rule of thumb is that single decks are dealt down, four decks or more are dealt up, and double decks are dealt both ways.

 

(Anthony Curtis’ weekly column is syndicated to all the above publications.)