The stakes are high in the first global wireless blackjack championship, launched late last week by AC&G Software Ltd. Players can download the game from the official BlackJack World Championship site, and play against each other for free on their Palm Pilots or Palm OS compatible PDA devices, vying for the monthly grand prize of $10,000 cash.

Dear Mark,

Do casinos set higher-paying slot machines near on the aisle, or is this just a rumor? Monica R.

The fundamental aim behind slot placement is to encourage more slot play and increase the play of patrons currently feeding the machines. I have interviewed many slot managers and no two are twins when it comes to slot mix strategy (placement of machines). For example, some slot managers border the pit area with tight machines to grab and keep every last dime from players leaving the table games, while others love to have losing pit players hear the merry sounds of loose, winning machines. When those losers walk from their blackjack action, the slot manager hopes they will deposit any remaining bankroll in a slot machine.

The only good reason to play an end machine are for the creature comfort of stretching your legs, better access to a change person, snagging a cocktail server, and not having a player on both sides of you. If these slots seem to pay more, it is probably because many players believe the aisle-slot-scuttlebutt, and consequently, those machines receive more play.

For more expert advice, visit Mark's website, Deal Me In

The state of Texas is contemplating legislation against an invasion of illegal video slot machines. Estimates say Texas may have over 40,000 machines. State law is unclear wheter or not the machines are illegal and the lack of prosecutions has encouraged machine operators to set up their slots. In 1997 the state attorney declared that all slots with payouts are illegal but slots operators cite a 1995 law that exempts arcade games that payout less than $5 a play. Legislators are working on a bill to ban the machines while game room operators are ready to oppose it saying they'll go out of business.

Sometimes looking for information on the net can be overwhelming. Where to start, how to find the information, who to trust? Yahoo Travel offers a good place to start your comparison shopping because it searches its partner travel sites for you. You can search under the broad categories of air, lodgings and rental cars as well as vacation and cruise specials.

We found a hotel special at Sam's Town, Las Vegas from $55.95 and a Las Vegas Fly and Drive last minute package starting at $79.95 depending on your departure city. The Peppermill Hotel in Reno was available starting at $29.95. We had no luck calling up any specials to other casino destinations like Atlantic City. But that's okay because Yahoo has provided hyperlinks to all these travel sites and more if you want to dig further yourself.

WWAC-TV 53 in Atlantic City and Players Network has announced that Casino Connection, the nation's only weekly television program dedicated exclusively to casino gambling, will debut this week on broadcast television and the Internet. The one-hour live talk show will be broadcast on television every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EDT with a focus on gaming industry news and inside information for players.

Casino Connection will focus on Atlantic City but will also include news from casinos around the world. There will also be exclusive interviews with gaming celebrities, experts, public officials and casino executives. One segment will feature the hot attractions of gaming such as the top 10 buffets, slot clubs, blackjack, entertainment, rooms, and restaurants.

Bally's Las Vegas, has been upgrading and modernizing the entire resort to provide guests with classic Vegas style and contemporary amenities. The rooms have been remodelled, the convention centres updated with the latest technology and the casino has been expanded. The casino now has over 1700 slot and video poker machines and 100 new table games. Visit Bally's website.

The city of Detroit's plan to move all the casinos to the riverfront hasn't worked out as planned. The original plan to move the city's three casinos has been stalled because the city can't buy the riverfront land from the current owners at a reasonable price. According to Mayoral spokesman Greg Bowens, "We have bent over backwards and left no stone unturned to negotiate fair purchase agreements with everyone. Property owners who were holding out just talked themselves out of a deal." Only the MGM Grand will move. The Greektown and MotorCity casinos will expand in their current locations.

Years ago we came through Mesquite on our way home to Colorado. We stayed at the Oasis Hotel. We were treated royally so we decided to vacation there again. The Oasis was full, so we stayed at the Casa Blanca. The rooms were beautiful and the price was right. There are two other casinos, the Virgin River and Eureka. We've stayed at both. We did find the slots a bit looser at Casa Blanca. The casinos have a lot of black-jack and slot tournaments. Most cost $10.00 and if you want to play more rounds its $5.00 plus a buffet ticket. The Eureka has free slot tournaments every day. That's where we play most. We'll always come back to beautiful and friendly Mesquite, Nevada. - M., Pueblo, Colorado

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Each week I receive a few emails from readers who are curious about online casinos. Most ask questions like "Will I get paid if I win?" or "How do I find an honest Internet casino?" Good questions! The best resource I know of to answer these questions is the BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ONLINE GAMBLING. It's packed with free info and advice.

Your editor, Steve Johnson,

See you next week!

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