Grand Casinos - A Grand Array of Poker Action

Grand Casino Tunica

The Grand Casino Tunica is located in the Northern Mississippi town of Tunica. It features the largest poker room in Tunica, situated in a glassed-in environment on the casino's second floor. The room has 14 tables and is well-managed by Jerry Kyle, who is not only personable, but well-versed in all aspects of poker. Kyle stated, "I believe strongly in guest services and a friendly, professional staff." Players in the poker room may enjoy a variety of complimentary snacks, freshly brewed coffee, cappuccino, and sodas. The room's food comp policy is liberal, and poker players who play five hours or more qualify for a $25 room rate in the Veranda Hotel Sundays through Thursdays, and a $35 room rate on Fridays and Saturdays. Games spread include $1-$5 and $2-$5-$10 seven-card stud, Omaha, $10-$20 hold'em, and a very fast $15-$30 hold'em game.

The casino offers a large variety of restaurants, including Murano's for Italian cuisine, Replays Restaurant and Sports Bar, the Celebration Buffet for an abundance of food selections, and the luxurious LB's Steakhouse.

The property features three hotels, a great spa, an RV park, a 3,000-seat event center, and the Hale Irwin-designed 18-hole Cottonwoods Golf Course, which was designed and constructed with both beauty and play in mind.

Grand Casino Gulfport

The Gulfport property and its two hotels are located right on the beach on the Gulf of Mexico, and its poker room is located on the top floor of the casino. The room is spacious and comfortable, and offers players a choice of $1-$5 seven-card stud, $4-$8 and $6-$12 hold'em and Omaha, and weekly tournaments with guaranteed prize pools. The room has TV sports monitors, and a self-service snack area that includes freshly brewed coffee, cappuccino, and sodas. The poker room offers double jackpots up to $10,000 on Mondays and Fridays in addition to its other ongoing promotions. The poker room manager is Ted Vaughan, who was a shift manager at the Biloxi property prior to assuming his current position three years ago. Vaughn said, "The success of the room is the result of a quality staff, promotions, personable hospitality, and ethics."

The property's dining alternatives include the extensive Marketplace Buffet, Magnolias, the Nifty Fifties sandwich shop, and excellent fine dining in the award-winning LB's Steakhouse.

Besides several varieties of entertainment, including theatrical acts, live music, and dancing, guests may relax in the luxurious Bellissimo Spa or tee it up on the unique Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. In an effort to move forward with the rest of the country, Vaughan's Grand Casino poker room became the first nonsmoking room in the South. This feature of the poker room is expected to be well-received.

Grand Casino Biloxi

The Grand Casino Biloxi poker room is located on the top floor of the casino and is the largest poker room in the South. The room consists of 21 tables and a wide selection of daily games. The room's signature game is $20-$40 seven-card stud, because no other poker room in the South spreads this game on a daily basis. Games range from low-end play to as high as $30-$60, with two or three $10-$20 hold'em games regularly. Weekly tournaments run on a regular basis and start at noon, with the exception of a $15 ladies-only tournament each Monday at 7 p.m. Two special Saturday tournaments are held each month that feature a $100 buy-in and one optional rebuy. These tournaments are limited to 100 players, and normally fill up. The room also offers double jackpots up to $10,000 on Sundays and Wednesdays. The poker room also sponsors its annual Southern Classic Weekend, featuring a $500 buy-in tournament that always fills to its 120-player maximum, for a $60,000 prize pool. The property also hosts the annual MARGE (Mississippi Autumn Recreational Gaming Excursion) convention for Internet enthusiasts. A monthly calendar of special events, tournaments, and cash giveaway promotions is available to players who wish to be put on the poker room's mailing list.

The poker room features many TV sports monitors, liberal comps, and a free self-service snack bar, including freshly brewed coffee, cappuccino, and sodas.

The casino contains 10 restaurants, including two Oriental cuisine venues, Roxies sandwich shop, the extensively elaborate Seafood Buffet, Brulo's, and the excellent fine dining of the No. 1-rated LB's Steakhouse. Other amenities of the property include a 1,600-seat theater, the excellent Ballissimo Spa and Salon, and the beautiful 18-hole Jack Nickalus signature golf course.

Tony Collins

Tony Collins has been the vice president and consultant for the Mississippi poker rooms in Park Place Entertainment's Midsouth Region for the last four years. He began his gaming career in Las Vegas, then moved to open the poker room as the manager for Grand Casinos' first Mississippi property in Gulfport in 1993. He then transferred to the Grand Casino Biloxi property in 1994, and was promoted to his present position of vice president in 1998. Collins is a leader in supporting no-abuse policies and a philosophy that poker etiquette is essential to guests enjoying a positive and social playing experience. He attributes the success of the Grand Casino poker rooms to high-quality staffing, guest services, and continuous promotional activities. Collins' office is located at the Grand Casino Biloxi poker room. Gary Douglas, Biloxi's lead shift manager, is the acting manager when Collins is involved in company projects or is otherwise not available.