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View pdf - The GrandPrive Group of Online Casinos
Marilyn Monroe Star Icon The Prestige Back and better US$50 000 Up for grabs GrandEdition 8 August 2009 - October 2009 Previous Next 36 42 Introducing Kia Introducing you to GrandPrivé.com’s energetic VIP customer services department manager, Kia Del Fava 44 New games Contents 36 The Prestige icon All the players. All the adventure. All the Prestige… again 52 How to win online! 10 Marilyn Monroe: the ultimate travel icon of all time winners 32 Two sides of a (glinting) coin An unforgettable movie: we travel to Casablanca itself and then shoot over the Atlantic to Atlanta, in the United States 38 Huge rewards at GrandPrivé.com We profile some of our winners from all four corners of the world fun promotions 23 Spinning the reels for US$50 000 The search for GrandPrivé.com’s ultimate slots champion begins 16 Grandtrivia 18 From highball to highrollers We take a journey back to the glitz and glamour of early 1960s Las Vegas and join the famous Rat Pack at the luxurious Sands Hotel August 2009 50 Banking options and their benefits envy 54 The car of your dreams 24 What’s your Rat Pack gambling style? Take our quiz and find out 28 Aces high Take a peep into the world of Frank Rosenthal, who it was said knew more about gambling than anyone else on the planet play 40 What UIGEA means to you 28 luck 58 Work out your winning color 62Your gambling horoscope, August to October 2009 Regulars 6 welcome 8 pitboss 9 letters 56 gadgets 60 puzzle 66 20 Grand Edition 8 Maybe Sammy Adrienne Brookbanks examines the UIGEA and how it affects you 18 4 20 Dean Martin – Maybe Frank – Adrienne Brookbanks gives you her choice of the hottest games at GrandPrivé.com as well as tips for playing online slots Previous 8 talk Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 5 welcome by Brandon Faber Four seasons of having more thrills I don’t see why people have such a negative attitude towards winter. There’s hope, there’s passion, there’s giving and happiness, carols, laughter and rediscovering the undisputable fact that the world is not as bad as we think it is. Beyond the borders of recession and negative press lies a planet of plenty for everyone to share in. We can still find joy in each other and inspiration in acts of kindness. We can be the change we want to see (to borrow a famous saying), we can – and we will – still, have much to be thankful for as the magic of winter begins its descent over the Northern Hemisphere. Without running the risk of sounding like I’ve fallen into a tub of Prozac, ladies and gentlemen, this winter we all have front row seats to a changing of fortunes for the planet, our economies and our wellbeing. Experts predict our industries will gain momentum as the year 6 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous draws to a close, thereby also sounding the horn of new beginnings for the prosperity of the planet. All the efforts by various governments, all the hard labor of ordinary citizens, all the sacrifice and lessons learnt stand us in good stead for a new dawn of optimism and positive growth. I think it’s safe to say the toughest times many of us care to remember are firmly behind us – and that, in itself, is reason to celebrate, is reason enough to dream, dare and play! GrandPrivé.com casinos have also undergone a period of introspection and renewal. We’ve looked at methods to improve your gaming enjoyment, your promotions and the feedback you’ve been Editor: Proofreader: Contributors: sending our way and have restructured our resources to ensure that our group of casinos remains your preferred online entertainment partner. You will also see that this edition of Magazine is available as an online edition only. The full version can be viewed in flash and then, of course, we will feature selected articles on a regular basis at www.emag.grandprive.com. Speaking of which, regular visitors to the website will find weekly articles added for your information. Find out which are the best games to play, see what your stars have to say, ask our resident gaming expert, Adrienne, and discuss our new promotions on the forum. Also don’t forget our regular competitions for all players in our Loyalty Club. Tier specific as well as “open to all” competitions will keep you in our winner’s circle, having more fun and thrills than ever before. On the promotional side, we are bringing back by-invite-only spins on our famous Wheel of Fortune as well as our legendary “Prestige” large-scale competition where you stand a chance of winning a oncein-a-lifetime trip to Southern Africa. Our last winner, Tami C and partner spent nine unforgettable days at some of the most exquisite resorts on offer, all expenses paid. The Prestige was our most popular promotion of 2007 and now it makes a welcome return in 2009’s best designer threads. Check out the details in this edition of Magazine and ready yourself for a white hot winter of the very best in gaming – and the very best in life. Now’s your time. Take care, take it easy, take it all. Next Danette Breitenbach Marilyn Farquharson Roy Johnson Linda Shaw Monica Guy Martin Hopkins Madelaine Page Brandon Faber Giselle Willcox Photography: Elite Photo Agency, Shutterstock Stockxpert Adel Beukes Design and Layout: Leani Thomson GLL Production Designs Production: Angela Silver Publisher: Bridgette Manamela Magazine is published by Primedia Publishing, for and on behalf of GrandPrivé.com. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of GrandPrivé.com, the publisher or its agents. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of its content, neither GrandPrivé.com, the editor nor the publisher can be held responsible for any omissions or errors, or any misfortune, injury or damage which may arise therefrom. All rights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical; including photocopying, recording or using any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission from GrandPrivé.com, which owns the copyright on all content and the distribution list. letters pitboss by Danette Breitenbach ur m you so keep yo We love hearing fro ur member this is yo letters rolling in. Re u– ant to hear from yo magazine so we w you for ct we will reward good or bad! In fa yalty can WIN 50 000 lo writing to us. You winning r is selected as the points if your lette ive ce er-up letter will re letter and the runn t ou ints. Write to us ab 30 000 loyalty po d an GrandPrivé.com any issue related to r could be one of ou Magazine and you winners. Never rat on a rat In the tradition of the Rat Pack hey-days of Vegas, this issue is packed with entertainment that is as upbeat and smooth as the music the Pack made at that time. From Sinatra and his Rat Pack – Dean Martins, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, of the 60s to the iconic, Marilyn Monroe this issue celebrates talent, opportunity, friendship and success, and of course, taking a chance. The mid to late 60s belonged to the Rat Pack. Picture the big band playing in the background, the cocktails flowing and the cigar smoke curling, as we offer you a look back at a time when Vegas was the centre of the universe and the Rat Pack her royalty. As the public played court to the Pack and the city, everyone was having a good time. Today the public watch revival shows featuring the Pack as they recognize not only their talent, but also the fun they had. And while those days may be over, at GrandPrivé.com and Magazine, the fun never stops. With promotions, a loyalty club that offers the best, and competitions big and small, GrandPrivé.com offer the best of the online casino world, for you, its loyal players, who are the center of its universe. And don’t forget the newest addition to the GrandPrivé.com family – www.emag.grandprive.com – offering you even more opportunities to play and win! Remember the competitions are there, waiting for you to enter and claim your winnings, so keep watching this space. While the stories of how the name Rat Pack came about differ, 8 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous by Our Readers ALL THOSE WINNERS I could not believe it, but there it was in black and white: five players and US$446 000 in just three days. While I wish it was me – but one of these days it will be – I was so happy for those players. – Angela ENJOYING ROURKE I really enjoyed your last issue. It certainly sizzled up my summer. While I have always been a fan of Mickey Rourke, I really did not know much about him. So I enjoyed the article on him, with the great pictures. WINNING LETTER – 50 000 loyalty points there is one that appeals to me. It is said that the name may refer to the belief that an established pack of rats will belligerently reject an outsider who tries to join them. What appeals is not the rejection, but the thought that the pack is a tight-knit group that supports and looks out for one another. So while we will never reject anyone – we always welcome new members to join the magic that is GrandPrivé.com – once you are a member of our family, we will be there to support you and celebrate with you. Always. Enjoy this issue of iconic magic and more. Till next time. Danette Wow, wow and wow again. I cannot believe that you guys have done it again. Apart from the great promotion, Cruise2Riches, the last Magazine really took things to the limit with the launch of the new Magazine website. What a great addition to the magazine. And the fact that I can now win with the website and the magazine. The Loyalty Club tokens were easy to find – for me because I read the magazine from cover to cover – and the prizes a real bonus. Thank you GrandPrivé.com for thinking of my every need before I have thought of it myself. And it is nice to know that you also value my opinion and suggestions. – John WEEKLY BONUSES Thanks for my weekly bonuses. I love this benefit from GrandPrivé.com’s loyalty club. I started as a Jack, but soon will be a Queen. Thanks a mil’. – Thomas – Olivia RUNNER-UP LETTER – 30 000 loyalty points I love to travel, but do not always get the opportunity. Thanks to your magazine I am able to read about all these fantastic destinations and imagine I am there, sipping exotic cocktails in Mexico, or watching F1 in Monaco or joining celebrities in Italy. Thanks for the great articles. Keep it up. – Janet Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 9 icon icon by Madelaine Page by Madelaine Page 37 – 23 – 36 Marilyn Monroe, Angie Dickinson, Juliet Prowse, and Shirley MacLaine were often referred to as the “Rat Pack Mascots”, a title which reportedly made these ladies feel like “one of the boys”. However, the star, who will always be remembered for her sensual rendition of Happy Birthday Mr President, could never be mistaken for one of the boys. A nd Marilyn Monroe’s popularity has extended beyond her life from star status to icon. While she made 30 films during her career, she was more than just a movie star or glamour queen and more of a brand – synonymous with beauty, sensuality and effervescence. And it has far more to do with just being an alluring beauty with voluptuous curves (37-23-36) and a generous pout. Decades following her tragic death, the most famous cover girl of all time showed that she can still make the headlines as Vanity Fair’s chose to use the blue-eyed blonde as cover girl for its 25th celebration in 2008. The fact is that her untimely death in 1962, at only 36 years old, left the world stunned. Ironically the woman who wanted to grow old without facelifts died at the height of her career, leaving her no choice, but to “have the courage to be loyal to the face I have made”. At a mere 5 feet 5 ½ inches, weighing 115 lbs, Marilyn had a sense of innocence and naiveto. Was it her apparent vulnerability and innocence, or that innate sensuality or a combination of the two that endeared her to millions? 10 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 11 icon by Madelaine Page Her first husband described her as: “a sweet, generous and religious girl. She liked to be cuddled”. A far cry from the exhibitionist who probably had an affair with more than one Kennedy. She was also said to be consumed by insecurity. So who was the real Marilyn? We will never know, but fascination with her convoluted private life has been exacerbated by her death and has led to four decades of murder conspiracy theories. Generations and generations just cannot seem to let her go. Described once as: “a genuine ethereal, magical, muse quality”, fans are still captivated by the mystery and complexity of Monroe’s character. To use the old cliché: Men loved and adored her; women wanted to be her. ”I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else.” But a look beneath the surface reveals a different story. One of self-doubt, depression and unhappiness. Perhaps it is this underlying unhappiness that caused the public to cling to the image of this beautiful, but sad woman. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on 1 June 1926, in Los Angeles, California, she never knew her father and her mother spent most of Marilyn’s childhood years in a mental institution. No surprise that, after years in foster homes and orphanages, she married Jimmy Dougherty at the tender age of 16. The marriage lasted only four years when Marilyn was discovered by photographer, David Conover, while hubby, a Merchant Marine, was in the South. Marilyn was a “photographer’s dream”… and within two years she was a popular model. This led to dreams of stardom and she enrolled in drama classes. Soon 12 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 she signed her first studio contract with Twentieth Century Fox and earning a whopping US$125 a week. She quickly became a blonde and changed her name to Marilyn Monroe, which was her grandmother’s last name. In 1956 she legally changed her name. At the start of her career she played smaller roles and although she did not make the credits, her appearance generated a huge amount of fan mail. Her reputation as a blond bombshell was quickly established. All about Eve (starring Bette Davis) earned her further praise, as did Let’s make it Legal, As young as you Feel, Monkey Business and Don’t bother to Knock. The turning point in her career was Niagara in 1953 and lead roles followed quickly. Who does not remember, or has not seen Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire. At 27 she married baseball superstar Joe DiMaggio. He was, however, so uncomfortable with thousands of men ogling her that they were divorced nine months later. But life carried on. Marilyn did what was to become one of the most famous photographic stunts of all time. To advertise the 1955 movie, The Seven Year Itch, Marilyn posed, in a white halter dress, with her skirt blown up by a draft from a sidewalk grate, leaning down to catch her dress so that her cleavage showed. This iconic image became Marilyn Monroe. However, this picture of Marilyn shows only one side of her. After playing the prototypical “dumb blond,” so many times she moved to New York to study at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg for a year. A year later she started her own motion picture company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, and produced Bus Stop and The Prince and the Showgirl (co-starring Sir Laurence Olivier). These allowed her to demonstrate her talent and versatility as an actress. In 1959 she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in the comedy, Some like it Hot. Previous Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 13 icon by Madelaine Page On 29 June 1956, Marilyn wed playwright Arthur Miller. This marriage lasted longer than her others – five years. Of him she said: “He wouldn’t have married me if I had been nothing but a dumb blonde.” He wrote the part of Roslyn Taber in 1961s The Misfits especially for Marilyn, co-starring Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift. The Misfits was to be Marilyn’s (and Gable’s) last completed film. It was during her marriage to Miller, for whom she converted to Juduism, and after several miscarriages that she caved in to self-doubt, depression, drugs, alcohol and especially sleeping pills. Maybe it was genetic as her mother and grandparents all struggled with mental illness. While filming her last movie, Something’s got to Give, Marilyn’s lateness and addictions led to her dismissal after a month and she was committed to a mental hospital. Although she proved fit later, she never resumed filming. Two months later, she was found dead by her housekeeper, in her home in Los Angeles, with an empty bottle of sleeping pills next to her body. The coroner found her death was caused by an overdose of barbiturates. Despite this tragic ending, Marilyn Monroe had, and still has an impact on popular culture. She is the most famous woman of the 20th century. But with a line like: “I have too many fantasies to be a housewife. I guess I am a fantasy.” How could she not be. Previous Next Trivia fun Playing the odds Compiled by Danette Breitenbach Top 20 Games • Curry in a Hurry video slot • Fighting Fish video slot • Tally Ho video slot • Monster Meteors video slot • Gopher Gold video slot • Sterling Silver video slot • Aces & Faces Multihand video poker • Double Bonus Poker video poker • Burning Desire video slot • Halloweenies video slot • Agent Jane Blonde video slot • Age of discovery video slot • Deck the halls video slot • Lady of Orient video slot • Stash of the Titans video slot • Bars & Stripes video slot • Your Lucky Day video slot • Fearless Frederick video slot • Lucky News Network video slot • Star Appeal video slot Time moves on Rat Pack watches of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. were up for auction at Auction Antiquorum’s summer sale of “ Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Pocket Watch & Clocks” along with other timepieces from 20th century icons such as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Steve McQueen. Sinatra’s Gruen watch is a very thin14K pink gold wristwatch with a pink gold-plated brick link bracelet and is accompanied by a gold-plated necklace with 12 letter-links spelling “Frank Sinatra.” The watch was sold by the estate of Al Silvani who received it as a gift from Frank Sinatra, his close personal friend. Silvani spent a lot of time with Sinatra’s Rat Pack and appeared in a number of his movies. Sammy Davis Jr.’s Cartier Pasha was given to him by Sinatra in the late 1980s, and is inscribed, “Sammy I Luv Ya F.A.S.” the timepiece is a fine and rare, two-time-zone, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold quartz wristwatch with moon phases, day and date, produced in 1987. 2 to 1: Odds of getting away with murder 115 to 1: Odds of being on an airplane with a drunk pilot 180 to 1: Odds of being audited by the I.R.S. 220 to 1: Odds of marrying a millionaire 776 to 1: Odds of catching a baseball at a major league baseball game 3 333 to 1: Odds of fatally slipping in a bathtub/ shower 5 000 to 1: Odds of scoring a hole-in-one in golf 12 200 to 1: Odds of winning an Oscar 19 000 to 1: Odds of becoming a murder victim 24 550 to 1: Odds of becoming a professional athlete 89 200 to 1: Odds of dating a super model 655 750 to 1: Odds of getting a poker royal flush with the first 5 cards dealt 3 200 000 to 1: Odds of sighting a U.F.O. today 10 000 000 to 1: Odds of dying from debris dropping off an airplane 10 000 000 to 1: Odds of becoming president of the United States 13 000 000 to 1: Odds of winning California’s lottery (Estimates based on US data only. Source: http://www.casinosviplounge.com/) Stars at WSOP charity tournament Stars Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Brad Garrett, Mekhi Phifer, and top poker professional Phil Hellmuth were just some of the celebrities who played in the Ante Up For Africa charity tournament at the 40th annual World Series of Poker. Annually, the largest celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas, the event is accessible to the public to play with their favorite stars or watch as spectators. Celebrities and athletes join poker’s most notable players. In previous events, many of the finishers volunteered to donate half of their winnings to the charity. Proceeds from the event went to the ENOUGH Project and Refugees International, organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur. Wimbledon Star Still Chasing Aces Younger generation discovers online Boris Becker has hung up his tennis whites in favor of the green baize of the poker table – almost 25 years since becoming the youngest ever winner of the men’s singles event at Wimbledon. The 42-year-old is looking for aces again, but this time as a poker pro. According to him, poker is all about staying cool under pressure, and this is exactly where he’s been for the last three decades. In July he participated in the European Poker in Dortmund. Players between the ages of 18 and 25 are flocking to online gambling as a means of escape and an opportunity to earn extra income. This is according to several studies done at college campuses around the world. The reasons for this shift vary from the current economic crunch to the hit movie 21. Add to this the fact that this is a generation familiar with the internet and its uses and comfortable with games such as poker, and it is no surprise that online gambling in this age group has seen a marked increase. Many of these students have also discovered that online gambling can earn them as much money as working part-time. (http://www.onlinecasinoreports.com/news/theheadlines/2009/ 6/24/suspicious-betting-over-wimbledon-match.php By Nigel K) http://www.casinosviplounge.com/young-people-play-onlone-gambling.html 16 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 17 fun by Danette Breitenbach Manhattan Cocktail Highballs T From highball to highrollers he Rat Pack was known for casinos, alcohol, cigars, and women. A favorite drink of the pack was the cocktail. The story goes that Old Blue Eyes himself would grab a cocktail out of the hands of fellow party-goes. However, if it was watered down he would order a fresh one. Even the movies made in that era reflected the popularity of the cocktail – think Casablanca and All About Eve – with the men in suits and the women in little black dresses, the air thick with cigar smoke. 18 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 While the Rat Pack is gone there is no reason we cannot host our own cocktail party in the tradition of Sinatra, Dean Martin and the rest of the rats, including the ladies such as Marilyn Monroe. So log onto Jupiter Club Casino, GrandPrivé.com’s casino that reflects that old school Vegas glam, darken the room, put some smooth Rat Pack music in the stereo such as “Luck be a Lady,” light up that cigar and sip on some vintage cocktails and play the casino. Welcome to the Rat Pack. Previous Here’s to Old Blue Eyes… sipping this cocktail will make you hear “New York, New York” Goes with high•rollers, so get playing. Can be made with any of the following: • Sloe Gin, Bourbon, Brandy, Creme de Menthe, Fruit Liqueurs, Gin, Rum, Rye Whiskey or Scotch Whiskey Method: • Add one cube of ice to a jigger of liqueur as desired • Fill up with carbonated water or Ginger Ale •Serve with small bar spoon in glass and a piece of lemon peel if desired • Use highball glass (6 oz) • Fill bar glass with cubed ice • 1 pony Sweet Vermouth • 1 jigger Bourbon or Rye Whiskey • 1 dash Cocktail Bitters • Stir well • Strain into a cocktail glass • Place cherry in cocktail glass • Twist of lemon or orange peel over completed drink • Serve Pink Lady Cocktail Here’s one for the ladies • • • • • • • Fill bar glass with 3 or 4 pieces of cracked ice and white of one egg /4 jigger Apple Jack 1 jigger Distilled Dry Gin 2 dashes Grenadine Juice of quarter of a lime Shake well Strain into a cocktail glass 1 NOTE: A jigger is one and a quarter ounces. A Pony is 3/4 of an ounce. (Source: http://www.retrovintagecollectibles.com) Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 19 fun by Danette Breitenbach With a resurgence of the Rat Pack, acts with impersonators are today as much a part of the Las Vegas landscape as the original Rat Pack performances were in the 60s. when Sinatra joined Martin for the first time on the stage of the Sands. The show reviews said it was the best show ever, so much so that the Sands agreed to cater for the “impromptu” shows. The 60s was a time when Vegas was the centre of the universe and the Rat Pack its biggest light. Swank was king and these cats (or rats) were hip. Their popularity was at its pinnacle, playing to packed houses every night. Headlines advertising a Rat Pack member performance would often feature:“DEAN MARTIN — MAYBE FRANK — MAYBE SAMMY” as this famous Sand Hotel advertisement read. Their upbeat entertainment style, smooth comedy (often ad-libbed) and superstar status drew high rollers, VIPs, celebrities, and entertainment buffs to Vegas. Dean Martin Maybe Frank Maybe Sammy “Return to the glitz and glamour of early 60s Las Vegas, when a trio of friends, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., teamed up to perform together at the luxurious Sands Hotel.” 20 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop made up the Rat Pack and performed songs that are classics today such as Luck be a Lady,The Lady is a Tramp,I’ve Got You Under My Skin,That’s Amore,and Ain’t That a Kick in the Head. Their routine was everything but routine. If one member was performing in Vegas, you could be sure that the rest of the Pack would appear at one point or another. They would all end up on stage doing an impromptu show. This format for Rat Pack shows started in January 1959 Next And it all added to the excitement that was Vegas. In fact their legendary off the cuff performances were instrumental in the rise of Vegas as a popular entertainment destination. Audiences would flock to the city, often not finding bed space and ending up sleeping in their cars or hotel lobbies, just to see the Rat Pack. The nickname Rat Pack for these iconic stars is even said to stem from Vegas. When the group returned to Humphrey Bogart’s home from a five night party at Vegas his wife, Lauren Bacall is said to have used words to the effect of “You look like a rat pack”. Another story is that the name is a shortened version of “Holmby Hills Rat Pack,” a reference to the home of Bogart and Bacall, which served as a regular hangout for the group. Which is true – one, both, none? No-one really knows. Proudly GrandPrivé.com 21 promotion by Adrienne Brookbanks Spinning the reels for When Bogart died, Sinatra became the head rat, and the Rat Pack original members were replace with his fellow rats. There were also women in the Rat Pack – referred to as “Rat Pack Mascots” and they included Marilyn Monroe, Angie Dickinson, Juliet Prowse, and Shirley MacLaine. At first the group was called the Clan, but then it was felt that this word was inappropriate so they reverted to the original Rat Pack name. But essentially the Rat Pack was Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Jr., Lawford and Bishop. Each one was famous in his own right. Sinatra – old Blue Eyes – is one of the greatest singers of all time while Martin and Davis Jr were singers, actors and comedians. Lawford was an acclaimed actor while Bishop was a comedian and also hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson more than anyone else. Together they drank, gambled and performed. They were also known for having mob ties. This later became a problem as Lawford was the brother-in-law of John F Kennedy (JFK). In fact the Rat Pack is said have been instrumental in getting JFK elected as President. The Pack even performed the Star Spangled Banner at the 1960 Democratic National Convention. 22 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Apart from being political reformists, they were also social reformists and helped Vegas’ segregation policy. The Rat Pack performances were so popular, that they refused to perform or do business with any establishment in the city which practiced segregation. As a result the Vegas hotels removed their segregation policies. But at the same time the Rat Pack were under surveillance. Their rumored mob ties had caught the attention of the FBI. It led to JFK distancing himself from the Pack and as a direct result the outing of Lawford from the Pack – Sinatra had thought his support of JFK would gain him access to the Kennedy inter circle, but when it did not, he dropped Lawford instantly. Regardless, the Rat Pack were the rulers of Vegas. Lighting up the city with their performances and partying for days at a time; their excessive lifestyle continued with The Sands as their headquarters. Vegas and the Rack Pack were synonymous. The pack even developed their own language in which anywhere that was not Vegas was “Dullsville, Ohio”, the average Joe known as “Clyde”. Death was called “The Big Casino”. Previous But what happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas and with the assassination of JFK the country began to change. It was as if the death of JFK signalled the end of the Rat Pack. Their popularity waned as a new counterculture emerged and by the end of the 60s the Pack was gone. Despite this the members continued in their individual capacity to entertain and they all remained close friends, except for Lawford. Martin and Sinatra remained best friends and together they made seven films. Included in this is the famous original Ocean’s 11, which starred all of the members of the Rat Pack. In 1996 the original Sands Hotel was demolished. Two years later Sinatra died. With only Bishop left, and he died two years later, the Rat Pack was well and truly gone. But not forgotten. The revival of the Rat Pack, started with the re-make of Oceans 11. In Vegas Rat Pack acts by impersonators abound – some performed by celebrities – and this year in American Idol 8, the contestants had to sing music from the Rat Pack for one show. So the Pack’s legacy lives on. The members must be looking down from the “Big Casino”, puffing on their cigars and smiling. Ain’t that a kick in the head. US$50 000 The search for GrandPrivé.com’s ultimate slots champion is still on – with players spinning reels, earning points and claiming their share of the $50 000 to be handed out at the end of September. The tournament, which kicks off on 26 August, will have many skilled and ambitious players competing for the Slots Championship prize money, constantly fighting to maintain top spots on the leader board. Loads of bonuses are being given away throughout this competition to give more players a better chance at spinning reels and winning big money! Why take part in slots tournaments? If you’re a regular gamer and you enjoy the array of slots GrandPrivé.com has to offer, you might as well enter our slots tournaments. Many players are surprised to find out how easy it is to climb up the leader board and win prize money on top your normal slots winnings. Slots Championship prizes 1st wins 2nd wins 3rd wins 4th wins 5th wins 6th wins $30 000 cash $10 000 bonus money $5 000 bonus money $3 000 bo nus money $2 000 bonus money $1 000 bonus money You can still sign up and get cracking on the Slots Championship. Take a shot at spinning your reels and becoming our ultimate champion! Why slots tournaments are so popular They’re easy to play – All you have to do is enter the competition and get cracking on your favorite slots games. You don’t have to pay to enter – At GrandPrivé.com, we don’t believe in charging an entrance fee to be able to register for lucrative promotions. The entry process takes less than a minute! No invitation required – Many online gaming platforms use an invitation only strategy when it comes to their slots tournaments. Our competitions are open to everyone. You can track your progress – The leader boards get updated every hour so you know who you’re up against, what other gamers are doing and how far you are from getting into the top spots. Next fun by Danette Breitenbach 1. Name your poison: a. Martini b. Bourbon/whiskey c. Anything really d. Gin and tonic e. A cocktail 2. Your favourite gambling game: a. Roulette b. Blackjack c. Poker d. Bacarat e. Slots What’s your gambling style? Are you hipsville or dullsville? Are you a rat or a mouse? Check out which member of the Rat Pack you would have been by simply filling in our Rat Pack quiz. The answers are on the last page… no cheating now. 24 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous 3. When is your best time for gambling? 6. What career would you have been if you could have? a. Boxer b. A delivery boy c. A dancer d. An actor e. Stand-up comedian 7. In your free time you like to: a. Watch westerns b. Play electric toy trains c. Watching television soap operas d. Travel the world e. Laugh a. Always b. Whenever the opportunity arises c. Occasionally d. At teatime e. Late at night 4. What reflects your philosophy the most? a. A world without rules or consequences b. The best is yet to come c. My talent is my weapon, the power, way for me to fight d. God save the Queen e. I am a rock 5. What describes you best? a. The eternal essence of cool b. The (crooning) voice c. The icon of cool d. Brother-in-Lawford e. Son of a gun Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 25 ANSWERS: If you answered mostly a’s: Dean Martin: an icon more than an entertainer, he was the essence of cool and lived the high life of booze, broads and bright lights, always projecting a sense of utter detachment and serenity. You are an accomplished gambler who faces any situation with calmness. You are cool and collected. We suggest you cruise our casinos and try your luck just about anywhere. But with your attitude, take a look at our online magazine competitions page. It is made for cool. Mostly b’s: Frank Sinatra: Known as the chairman of the board. He was the boss and took charge no matter where he was. He rose from being a delivery boy to one of the world’s best loved entertainers. You are an entertainer for whom gambling is just one part of a fun evening out. You like to live it up. Enjoy! Join our loyalty club if you have not already. You are a leader and that will soon be clear as you rise up the loyalty ranks. Mostly c’s: Sammy Davis Jr: One of the world’s greatest 26 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 entertainers who rose to fame during the time of the color bar in the US. However he overcame this. You are a devil at the tables, overcoming whatever adversity to win, while staring your critics in the face. Take a look at our new games as introduced by Adrienne our resident slots-guru. We think you’ll enjoy working to get the better of these games. Mostly d’s: Peter Lawford: A great actor, born in the United Kingdom, he literally made 100s of movies. He was also married to JFK’s sister for many years. However, eventually they were divorced because of his roaming eye. So watch yourself when you gamble. You want to be everywhere at once, playing everything at the same time. We suggest you watch our top games and play these. It will give you some focus. Mostly e’s: Joey Bishop: A born comedian, he was the anchor of the Rat Pack (called the Hub of the Big Wheel by Sinatra). People don’t realise that you are serious when you gamble as they are so busy listening to your wisecracks and jokes. However you are very consistent. We suggest you enter our weekly competitions – you should do well – like Bishop who guest-hosted on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson more times than anyone else. Previous Next fun by Danette Breitenbach ”Few if any people know more about the world of gambling than, Frank Rosenthal.” Aces high Think Stardust Casino and Frank “Ace” Rosenthal springs to mind instantly. Rosenthal ran the Stardust, along with three other Las Vegas casinos, in the late 70s and early 80s. In fact it is said few people on this planet knew as much about gambling as Rosenthal did. - Nicholas Pileggi, author and Hollywood screenwriter of Wiseguy, Goodfellas and Casino. B De Niro as the character Sam Ace Rothstein while Sharon Stone portrayed Ginger the character based on Geri. orn in Chicago, Rosenthal became the US’s top handicapper, setting the line for thousands of bookmakers across America. He is also seen as a true visionary for bringing the first Race and Sportsbook to Las Vegas, despite resistance from the traditional table bosses. As a child Rosenthal was interested in sports, but not in a way that would make a parent proud. No, while his interest began young, so did his arrest and indictments for gambling crimes such as bribing players. He described it as ” I was studying all phases of gambling in my late teens. It’s no different than anything else, like a doctor, a lawyer or a writer.” He also hosted a popular TV variety show, The Frank Rosenthal Show, in the 1970s in which he was joined by Las Vegas’ brightest stars, celebrities as well as sports champions and handicappers, such as Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope. He was married to Geri, who was a beautiful, blond showgirl. In the national bestseller, Casino, by Nicholas Pileggi, also the author and Hollywood screenwriter of Wiseguy and Goodfellas, his character’s name is fictional, but the man himself is based on Rosenthal. In the 1995 movie by Martin Scorsese based on the book, he is portrayed by Robert 28 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous According to Rosenthal Casino, both the book and movie, were on target. “When Pileggi set out to write his book he interviewed hundreds of people, reviewed court proceedings, transcripts, television news footage and such. Most of the information he published is right on target.” To add to the authenticity of the movie, De Niro insisted that his entire wardrobe come from the same manufacturers that Rosenthal had dealt with. Despite Rosenthal saying that there was a certain amount of “Hollywood” in the movie – for example he did not juggle on his television show – and while some of the timelines are askew and events portrayed in the film were written for The Big Screen, the film does give a fact-based snapshot of events and people behind the scenes from the Good Old Days in Las Vegas.” What were Rosenthal’s good old days in Las Vegas? As long as you were on his side they were good. But if not… Rosenthal actually ran the Stardust as well as the Fremont, Marina and Hacienda casinos while they were controlled by the Mafia. While he had various titles – from food and beverage director to entertainment director – it was no Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 29 fun by Danette Breitenbach secret he was concerned with more than how many blueberries were in a blueberry muffin and how tall the show girls were… In 1976, the authorities found out that Rosenthal was running the casinos without the required Nevada Licence. This led to a hearing by the board to determine his legal ability to obtain a licence. He was denied a licence. He appealed to judge Joseph Pavlikowski and he avoided having his name put into the Black Book which would have seen him banned from Nevada casinos forever. Before his death Rosenthal admitted to having sneaked into Las Vegas on many occasion, in disguise over the years. In 1982, Rosenthal survived an assassination attempt. It is said that a metal plate under the driver’s seat is what saved him. The plate had been placed in his 1981 Cadillac Eldorado to correct a balancing problem. However, it was a sign that the end was near. His wife had left him, taking a significant part of his savings with her. She died in 1982, at age 46, of an apparent drug overdose in a motel in California. In 1988, he was forced to leave Las Vegas as his name was entered into the Black Book. He retired to Laguna Niguel, California then to Boca Raton, Florida, and then to Miami Beach. From there he ran his website, frankrosenthal.com until his death in 2008. He was 79 years old. 30 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 While his death left many nostalgic, the fact was that Rosenthal was no angel and also represented a time in Las Vegas that was hard, tough and even bloody. Comments on his death include: “I hope it is true and it’s been said you should never speak ill of the dead. There are exceptions to the rule. Frank Rosenthal is one of those exceptions. He was an awful human being.” Considering that many felt like this about him, he got off lightly. Of his wife, his friend from childhood, Tony Spilotro, whose affair with Geri destroyed their friendship, he was the only one who died a natural death. (Spiltro was murdered and dumped in an Indiana cornfield in 1986, courtesy of his mob bosses.) Once called “the greatest living expert on sports gambling” by Sports Illustrated, Rosenthal is credited with bringing sports betting to Las Vegas casinos in the 70s, but the same man also fixed games, allowed past-posting illegal booksmakers and skimming casino profits. Gambler Lem Banker, who knew Rosenthal well, admits that Rosenthal would cheat “a blind pencil salesmen if given the chance”. Banker sums up Rosenthal: "He was an egomaniac. But he was a smart sonofabitch." Either way, his legacy in Las Vegas will always be talked about. Previous Next travel by Monica Guy “Play it again, Sam. Play.” Who hasn’t heard those immortal words from the movie, whispered by Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) in Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart)’s nightclub and gambling joint? Immortal words, an unforgettable movie, and Casablanca itself, an enduringly fascinating city. Across the Atlantic, another city is starting to shoot into the high life: Atlanta, in the United States headquarters of many big businesses, a growing party town and a potential rival for Las Vegas. Read on... The white house Two sides of a (glinting) coin 32 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous Casablanca is the economic powerhouse of Morocco, a glitzy center of business and entertainment on the warm west coast of North Africa, a city with a population of four million hopefuls who have flocked from all corners to do business, bargain, gamble – and win – their fortunes. It’s known as a place where some bite the dust while others bathe in gold dust, where dreams can come true... but only if you’re smart or lucky enough. husband, a Czech Resistance leader fighting the Nazis. Love, power, drama, trickery, intrigue... all set against the background of this glamorous cosmopolitan city. Perhaps it was such an iconic movie because it had an A-list cast. As well as Bogart and Bergman, we see the other greats of the era: Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. They were stars of the screen, of The name Casablanca means ‘white house’, but most buildings are striking blends of art deco and Moorish architecture. Amid the bustling crowds and bright lights are the exotic sights and scents of Arab culture: the spicy street food, crowded markets, and gorgeous fabrics. It’s a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity, a true hotbed of culture and history. Ruled by the French from 1910 to 1956, it has dash of both Arabic and French in its culture and customs. It’s also the country’s most important port and was home to a crucial American air base in World War II. You must have seen the movie Casablanca, the blackand-white classic from way back in 1942. It won three awards at the 1944 Oscars and has remained one of the most enduringly popular films of all time. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman played the starring roles: he as Rick Blaine, an American expatriate owner of an upmarket nightclub and gambling den, she a Swedish beauty by the name of Ilsa Lund. She was one of Rick’s former lovers, now trying to escape to America with her Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 33 travel by Monica Guy course, but also real men and women who revelled in the pleasures of the flesh, who lived the high life, but liked to let loose with their cronies. The group were predecessors of the infamous Rat Pack who caroused through Las Vegas’ casinos and clubs causing scandals left, right and center. Their motto was “they never let business get in the way of having fun”. Fun then business All the more comical in the movie, then, when Captain Louis Renault enters Rick’s Café American gambling joint with a theatrical cry: “I am shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!” Modern-day Casablancans don’t let business get in the way of having fun either. Party central is along the Boulevard de la Corniche, which stretches all the way from Hassan II Mosque to El Hank lighthouse on a rocky sea-swept promontory west of the city. Beaches, pools, hotels, cafés, bars, line the coastal road, which heaves with locals and visitors out for some ritz and razzmatazz. Morocco’s millionaires live in Anfa, just behind the Corniche and a short limo drive away. Casablanca may be a classic, but its heyday isn’t over. Luxury hotels and entertainment complexes are springing up faster than you can hum the movie’s theme song As Time Goes By. The Anfaplace Living Resort is underway, a US$240 million project for a 93 000 square meter luxury development. It’s being carved right into the cliffside of the Boulevard de la Corniche, and comprises a 5-star hotel, luxury apartments, shops galore, and hot places to eat, drink and party the night away. Stroll further down the coast and you’ll come across the Morocco Mall, a 10 hectare mall project which will open in 2010 as the largest shopping and leisure complex in North Africa. Watch this space. Across the ocean If Casablanca reflects the golden era of the 50s and 60s, the new era blinds us with its shiny modern steel, bright lights and towering buildings. Cross the ocean from Casablanca to the beta-world city of Atlanta, capital of Georgia and one of the fastest growing urban centers in the US. It is home to Coca-Cola, CNN, AT&T Mobility and Delta Air Lines and it boasts one of the US’s largest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies. You’ll land at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – one of the world’s busiest – and cruise into the city past towering glass-and-steel constructions. The Bank of America Plaza is the tallest building in the US outside of New York and Chicago. More than 60 new high rises have sprung up in the last three years, and counting. Clearly, Atlanta has moved fast from its former life as a Native American village called Standing Peachtree. It’s a city on the unstoppable up, up, up. Like Casablanca, Atlanta is a melting pot of cultures with Latinos and Asians coming to find their fortunes in this city of free-flowing wealth. Tourists are flocking too – up to 40 million a year. Hand-in-hand with a vibrant cultural scene and burgeoning tourism industry is the city’s happening nightlife. A lot of the fun takes place in the Buckhead, Midtown and Downtown districts, all of which ooze money: Buckhead with its millionaires’ pads and seriously upscale nightlife, Midtown with its shiny new ‘Midtown Mile’ 34 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous shopping extravaganza and trendy vibe, and Downtown with its famous Underground Atlanta shopping and entertainment mall. Atlanta has the fastest-growing population of millionaires in the US, so expect to see some cash flashed in the clubs and party-goers dressed to impress. The Underground Atlanta is currently bidding for a contract to open a half billion-dollar casino and hotel complex on its premises. Las Vegas beware. Casablanca and Atlanta are two sides of a glinting coin. The newspapers may be full of doom and gloom, but it’s a comfort that there are cities where the money still flows, and where euphoria reigns and the partying goes on through the night. So: Play it again, Sam. Play. Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 35 promotion by Brandon Faber All the players. All the adventure. All the Prestige… again. The year was 2007 and all around the house was stirring. GrandPrivé.com casinos had just finished wowing the industry with its US$66 000 Points Challenge when we delivered our coup de grâce for the year. It was called “The Prestige” and it offered our players a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Southern Africa in royal fashion. On offer was the VIP trip of a lifetime, with breathtaking accommodation, stunning locations, heart-stopping activities and glittering excess that would make any celebrity holiday look like a camping trip in the woods. A thousand magic moments Our last winner, Tami C, and her partner spent nine unforgettable nights at three magical locations in Southern Africa, including the legendary Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City and one of the world’s leading hotels, The Table Bay in Cape Town, South Africa. The prize included business class flights, $3 000 spending money, lavish hospitality and VIP treatment – every leisurely step of the way. With helicopter flips over the mighty Zambezi River, a full-time GrandPrivé.com manager on duty to ensure that absolutely every need was catered for, luxury spa treatments, golf, sunset cruises, wonderful dinners and stupendous evenings spent lapping up the magic and mystery of Africa, The Prestige redefined the meaning of Grand Prize Winner. Nothing has come close since. Priceless perfection Where players usually prefer cash prizes over holiday excursions, the Prestige proved just too alluring, too special, too addictive an offering to ignore. Its taken two years to plan and prepare for its sequel and we are not ready to reveal all the details just yet – but – we will state that the world’s premiere casino promotion makes its long-awaited return this winter across the GrandPrivé.com Group of online casinos. What you can expect Another nine awe-inspiring evenings at some of the most exotic destinations in the world. Yours will be a world of fantasy, a place for royalty where every decadent desire, every inspired dream, every breathtaking moment builds into a crescendo of boundless energy – beating the drum of every heart that expects the best. Surrounded by the finest the southern hemisphere has to offer – the second installment of The Prestige promises to bring you a symphony of sunsets, an adventure of the senses and your perfect moment in time. Pampered exclusivity. Royalty-personified. It’s yours. . . THIS WINTER. Watch this space for more information… coming soon. GrandPrivé.com casino management promised a nine night extravaganza of such epic proportions that it be talked about for years to come – mentioned only when the very finest promotions in online gaming history was the topic of the day. 36 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 37 Huge rewards at winners by Adrienne Brookbanks Ever asked someone why they don’t Dream, Dare and Play online and their answer is “Nah, the house always wins”. We’re always dumbstruck about this train of thought because at GrandPrivé.com, we’ve got a 97% payout rate and we celebrate our huge winners with more gusto, bravado and high-fives than other casinos deem necessary. Our winners come in all shapes and sizes, from all four corners of the world and the winning happens in various forms. Some people are online, spending only a few bucks, when they suddenly strike it rich. Other players are extremely ambitious, sign up for tournaments and rejoice in seeing their name move up the competition leader board. Wedding bells Judi C is one of our players who plays (and wins) regularly at our group of casinos. She won over US$90 000 between May and June this year.“I’m planning on throwing an extravagant wedding for my son!” said Judi. Most of her winnings were won on Age of Discovery video slot, Little Chief Big Cash video slot and Days of Tsar bonus slot. We hope that we’ll be able to see some pictures of her son’s lavish wedding celebration! 38 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Getting festive Richard R is another gamer who struck it rich on our games recently. During the course of one week, Richard won $11 000 on Halloweenies Video Slot, $3 500 on Deck the Halls Video Slot and $8 000 on Lucky Eggsplorer Video Slot. Delighted players Besides winning on games, many players also claimed a huge chunk of money with our highly successful Cruise to Riches competition. Over the past few months, Michael W won $52 060 on Curry in a hurry Video Slot, Lisa B won $34 100 on Fighting Fish Video Slot, France B won $26 000 on Tally Ho Video Slot and Nancy G won Gopher Gold Video Slot. “There are so many players who have called in to let us know that they hit a jackpot on one of our games,” says Jason, one of the VIP managers at GrandPrivé.com. “It’s so rewarding when you hear how delighted players are and find out what they want to do with their earnings,” he said. “I had such a lucky streak on your holiday themed video slots!” exclaimed Richard. “Now I only play games that have a festive theme, this is obviously my niche.” Huge rewards Whether you’re a regular player at our group of casinos or you only come in once in a while to earn some extra cash, it’s always worth your while to sign up for tournaments and competitions. Richard is planning on renovating his home with the cash that he won. “There are lots of things I want to fix and improve around the house and this cash will come in handy when I start to revamp the place.” Our goal is to give all our players huge rewards when they Dream, Dare and Play – make sure you’re trying your luck and claiming your share of the pool of money that has to go around! Previous Over 170 winners with Cruise to Riches Many of our players play certain games for months before they pay out huge sums of money and others bounce around between games while they wait for the loot to roll in. GrandPrivé.com dished out over $100 000 in cash, bonuses and prizes between March and July to celebrate Casino Grand Bay’s eighth birthday. What made this promotion unique was the fact that players could compete against other players in their Loyalty Tier. There were four leader boards representing each tier, so Jacks no longer had to sit back and see Ace players firing away on the leader board – they could actively play at their own level and still claim top prizes. At the end of every round, the top 10 players in each group walked away with massive prizes, which gave us a grand total of over 170 winners! Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 39 info by Adrienne Brooksband Problems with UIGEA I have an account, but sometimes struggle to make a deposit What UIGEA means to you In October 2006, the United States Senate passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) and since then the information on the Act has led to rumors, wild forum posts and other contradicting information on the web. To assist you with the ins and outs of gaming in the US, Adrienne Brookbanks examines the UIGEA and how it affects you. The low down The aim of this Act is to prevent US banks and financial intermediaries from accepting and processing certain online gaming-related transactions. What has confused most players is that the Act does not make online casinos illegal (hey, we’re still here!), although it does have an impact on certain players from select States (see block). Yes, unfortunately owing to the existence of UIGEA and conditions 40 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 set by our software provider, Microgaming, GrandPrivé.com | cannot accept wagers from players in the 13 States that have chosen to ban all forms of online betting. What if I had an account before the UIGEA was passed? If you opened an account at one of our casinos before the UIGEA was passed (and you reside in a State that hasn’t been banned from gaming online), then you are still free to Dream, Dare, Play and claim huge Previous rewards! However if your State has banned gaming online then your account is null and void regardless of when you opened it. Also, if you have never had an account at any GrandPrive.com casino, and you are a resident of the US, you will be unable to register a new account with us at this time – regardless of which State you reside in. (However watch this space for exciting developments on this front). As a result of UIGEA, US players sometimes find it more difficult to deposit funds into their casino accounts (this also relates to other sports betting sights and poker rooms). Many of the large banking solutions that facilitated deposits and withdrawals from US players have stopped taking business from the US market, but there are still several ways for American players to deposit and withdraw funds from their casino accounts: Purchase options for US players: Credit/Debit cards Click2Pay Moneybookers Withdrawal options for US players: Direct bank/Swift/Wire transfer Check payment UseMy Wallet GrandPrivé.com is keeping a hawk-like eye on UIGEA and we’ll be the first to send out victory mails letting everyone caught outside our winner’s circle know when they too can play at our famous casinos. As for the rest of the gaming population: keep having more fun, having more thrills and winning more at the most secure casinos in online gaming. Let’s play! Unlucky 13 Illinois Louisiana Wisconsin Washington Indiana Nevada South Dekota New York Owing to the lack of clarity, UIGEA relies on Federal and State laws to determine which types of internet gaming are restricted. It seems that “skill games” (such as poker) could possibly fall into a different set of rules which will allow players to play for money online. Many states view “gambling” as winning by chance (not skill). Although banks do have rules and regulations on what transactions they process, they only have to report on what they find (UIGEA will have to force them to ban the transaction, which would cripple their processing systems). Oregon It is going to take manpower, money and time to successfully implement UIGEA. Many industry experts actually expecting the legislation to be repealed within the next 12 months. “Unlawful Internet Gambling” is not clearly defined in US law and this makes it very difficult to create a set of rules restricting money transfers to websites. If the law were to differentiate between pure chance and skill games, banks and purchasing processors would have to determine what is legal and illegal. Michigan Watch this space The main problem with this piece of legislation is that it is difficult to enforce with a sceptical market loathe to move on implementation. Banks and America’s payment systems should not have to fill a judicial role by determining what transactions they will allow. Government acknowledges that the enforceability of UIGEA is debatable as it is extremely difficult to shut off payment systems and internet gambling. Kentucky Utah New Jersey Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 41 loyalty by Adrienne Brookbanks Kia Introducing “GrandPrivé.com always acknowledges loyalty and this is just one of the ways in which we reward ambition. You don’t have to be the biggest spender for me to visit you.” Kia Del Fava GrandPrivé.com’s energetic VIP manager of our customer services department jet sets the world for one reason and one reason only: YOU. Her role entails traveling by whatever means necessary (be it wheelbarrow, hovercraft, airplane or hot air balloon) to the four corners of the earth to meet GrandPrivé.com’s much appreciated players. “It’s been a hectic couple of months during which I’ve been visiting players in Orlando, Miami, Cleveland, Ohio and San Francisco,” she says, “It 42 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 is always so amazing to see where our VIP players live, what they do and what they think about gaming.” One thing that always surprises Kia is that the players she meets don’t realise that they are GrandPrivé.com VIPs. explains: “I don’t only meet up with company owners and hotshot businessmen. Many of our players have normal eight to five jobs, and these jobs range from chefs to fishermen, IT technicians, neo natal nurses and accountants.” “So many players don’t even know they’re the VIPs who receive bonuses and promotion invites because of that from us. When I meet these players – who we value so much – they’re taken aback by it,” she exclaims. Meeting and interacting with them is the best part of her job. “I really enjoy being able to put a face to people’s names. It takes quite a long time to contact people, set up an appointment and travel across the world, so when I finally get to meet them I kind of just exhale and think – finally,” she laughs. Many of our VIP players are just normal people like you and me as Kia Previous According to Kia, many of the players she meets can’t believe how much she can eat. “I’ve out-eaten so many of our players during lunch and dinner dates,” Kia exclaims. “They’re always shocked that a small girl like me can eat so much! One of our players even called the player support centre to let them know how impressed he was that I could actually eat more than him.” The goal of her travels, however, isn’t to out-eat players, but to find out what makes you, as a gambler, tick. “We want to know who you are, what games you like, what types of promotions you enjoy. I mean, so many land- based casinos are able to treat their players because they come in and game – why should an online casino be any different?” As she explains: “Gaining player insights and finding out more about our players is GrandPrivé.com’s way of creating the ultimate gambling experience for you. “I’ve discovered that many of our players love spot prizes and mystery prizes. A lot of them also tell me what types of prizes they would like to receive – I found out that cash and travel is very high up on the prize list!” Kia also says that GrandPrivé.com players are different to other online gamers. “The characteristic that truly sets our players apart from other players is loyalty and commitment. “With online gambling, people can click away and play anywhere they want to. Our players game with us because they like our brands, the player support department and the promotions. Most of the players I met said that even if they play at other casinos, they will always come back to GrandPrivé.com.” One of the downfalls of Kia’s job is not being able to get to all the players she wants to meet. “People are really security conscious – especially in the United States. When they hear that I want to take them to lunch or treat them to a drink, some of them become suspicious because they aren’t sure if playing at our group of casinos is legal or not.” (Be sure to check out the article on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in this edition of Magazine to get all the facts about gaming online!). “It’s such a pity that people miss out on the opportunity to meet me because of this!” Kia exclaims. “This is the fun part of being a gamer at GrandPrivé.com – it’s about us giving back to you.” And where will Kia be in the near future? “I’m planning on going to Canada before the festive season and am also going to try to go to California, Florida and Texas before 2010.” Next 43 play play by Adrienne Brookbanks by Adrienne Brookbanks It’s autumn, the leaves are colorful and so are the Video Slots! Find out which game will get you into jet pilot mode, what precious metal will boost your bank account and what game show themed video slot leads to big prizes. Sit back, relax and get all the video slot news you need. Adrienne Brookbanks is our ruthless video slot reviewer. She’s got a keen eye for entertainment and refuses to stop spinning reels until she’s reached the free spins and gamble feature on every game. Read about her hottest picks for the quarter and play it your way at GrandPrivé.com! Tips for playing online video slots Play the games that are hot. If you’re playing video slots you might as well play the games that are performing well! Every Friday, you can find a list of the top performing games (plus a short game review) on www.emag.grandprive.com! 4 or 5 Thespian Masks across your reels, you will be taken into three bonus screens, each overseen by one of the three horizontally challenged sopranos. When the fat lady sings, the player wins! I’m trying to come up with some politically correct euphemisms for the word “fat” to describe the look of the opera sopranos in this video slot. Maybe beefy, bosomy or chubby would work… The first screen decides the number of Free Spins that you will be getting (you can win between five and 30 free spins). The second screen determines the Multiplier level between 1 x and 5 x during free spins and the third screens delivers a bonus win value. Whichever synonym you use, these singing ladies have definitely reached maximum density and this game has also taken feature options to the limit. The Fat Lady Sings logo is the Wild symbol that substitutes for everything except the Thespian Mask (the Thespian Mask symbol is the Scatter). Get five Fat Lady Sings symbols on a line and you’ll be reeling in a jackpot of 3 000 coins multiplied by your line bet. If you bet the maximum coin size you will win a nice 15 000 coin jackpot with this feature. There are 25 paylines and players have to enable the paylines (using the +/- signs) to make sure they cash in on winning combinations on their enabled lines. The innovative bonus system is what sets Fat Lady Sings apart from other Video Slot games. If you are able to get 3, 44 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous Fat Lady Sings also offers an extra way to win with the Gamble bonus. You can choose to Gamble your win with a double-up feature where you can double your wins by choosing between red or black, or quadruple your win with the suits. This Video Slot offers high quality graphics, a fun theme and a lot of different options to up your chances of winning. High rollers might get a bit bored (the maximum bet is $31.25) but the rest of the gamers can easily get hours of entertainment along with some great payouts when the Fat Lady Sings! Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 45 w play by Adrienne Brookbanks Getting into the Free Spins is your first mission because this re-triggering feature carries a 2 x Multiplier and more chances to access a second screen – a two level bonus. The first level gives you three picks of 10 to find three atomic fuel symbols. The second level is more intense because you have to get the main bad guy from a pick of five mean looking blokes. Calling all Top Gun and airplane fanatics! Strap yourself into the cockpit of expertly crafted graphics that display jet fighters, helicopters and military pilots with this entertaining 5 reel, 25 payline Video Slot. What I liked about this game (besides the Gamble feature, Scatters, Wilds and Free Spins) are the graphics. The screen is set up to look as if you’re flying a jet that’s mid-air. The different shades of blue and red give it a military feel and the pilot that salutes you makes you involuntarily sit up straight. Whether you’re taking on the mothership or a gaggle of geese – you feel determined, in control, and ready to use army lingo that forces you to say “over” after every statement. The wagering range on this game lets you bet as little as 0.01 a line up to 0.20. You can win up to 47 600.00 in the base game, 95 200.00 on Free Spins and 3 400.00 on the Bonus feature. 46 46 GrandEdition Edition58 Grand August May 20092009 The Flight Zone symbol is Wild and the Missile is the Scatter Symbol. If you’re lucky enough to get the Missile Scatter on reels 1 and 5, you will be awarded 10 Free Spins where your wins are doubled. The Mission symbol is also a Scatter and if you get this symbol on reels 2, 3 and 4 you will also be catapulted to the two level bonus mission. Flight Zone Video Slot is a unique game that keeps you interested for hours on end – check it out! Previous Games that go into a bonus feature before you’ve even checked out all the symbols always score major points in my book. I was still giving this game the once over and suddenly I was picking boxes and getting my bet multiplied. Nice. Your Lucky Day is based on an 80s type of game show. You remember these TV shows – many screens featuring prizes that contestants can win, like cars wrapped in red ribbons, luxury travel and high-tech kitchen appliances from the 80s, like an egg beater or spatula. Well Your Lucky Day has that type of theme (minus the irritating game show host voice that repeats the same thing over and over again). The betting range of his game will suit all pockets, from as little as 0.01 to 0.50, with 200.00 maximum bet that could give you up to 57 240.00 in the base game and a massive 114 480.00 in Free Spins. The two show hosts act as Scatters and getting them on your reels will take you to the second screen bonus feature. If you get the lady host on reels 1 and 5, you will enter the Hi-Lo bonus game and the male host opens the door to the Lucky Money bonus game where you get to pick from 18 screens and win up to 60 x the stake. The Your Lucky Day logo is the Wild symbol (is anyone else starting to notice a pattern with this – why is the game logo almost always the Wild symbol these days?) and the Free Spins Television symbol opens the free spins game. If you get two Free Spins Television symbols on your reels, you will get a 1 x boost for the total bet staked and if three of these symbols appear on your reels you will get a 2 x boost along with 10 Free Spins. All payouts are doubled during Free Spins and even more freebies can be retriggered during the Free Spins feature. This game is fun, quick and everyone from high rollers to just-for-fun players have an opportunity to win. I enjoyed the 80s theme as well as the different bonus features. Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 47 play play by Adrienne Brookbanks by Adrienne Brookbands (25.00), you could win 6 515.00 in the base game, 97 725.00 on Free Spins and up to 10 000.00 on a Gamble feature. We never get tired of Alien themed Video Games and players never get tired of playing them! For some reason, outer space themed slots are always a hit and the graphics (plus payouts) keep getting better. Monster Meteors Video Slot is a 5 reel, 25 payline game with imaginative creatures and lots of rewards. You can get up to 15 x on Multipliers, 35 Free Spins and the Wild symbol is all over the show. You can expect to see some squiggly letters and numbers, cute looking furry monsters, a space trooper, green blob-looking monsters and other little creatures on your reels when you start playing. The Space Trooper is the Wild symbol that will help you make the winning combinations you need to earn some winnings. If you play the maximum coin size 48 Grand Edition 5 May 2009 Look out for the blazing meteors which will send you to a bonus game within this game. If you get three or more blazing meteors, you’ll get five Free Spins and this feature can lead you to a screen where you get to zap the extraterrestrial monsters. If you manage to zap the winning monsters, you could be rewarded with extra Free Spins and 15 x Multipliers. Experienced players will definitely appreciate the special features in this game, but beginners will also enjoy the betting range (you can play with from as little as 0.01 up to 0.10) that Monster Meteors offers. Sit back, enjoy the dramatic symbols and some serious winning with this creatively themed slot game! Previous present during Free Spin cycles (which definitely makes the Sterling Silver Wild something to look out for). Ever thought that silver was a second rate metal compared to gold? I think we all have, but Sterling Silver Video Slot proves that this precious metal is dripping with lucrative winnings. Sterling Silver is a 5 reel, 25 payline Video Slot with a betting range between 0.01 and 0.25 (maximum bet is 62.50). You can win up to 80 000.00 in the base game and another 80 000.00 in Free Spins. What adds to the entertainment and suspense of this game is the different ways in which you can win. Getting the Sterling Silver Wild symbol on the center reel will reward you with a multiplier between 2 x and 10 x. I like the fact that this multiplier is also You will also get 15 re-triggering Free Spins if you find three Sterling Silver Scatters anywhere on reels 2, 3 and 4. Make sure you double or quadruple your winnings with the Gamble Feature in this game where you will be prompted to guess the correct suit and color of a card! All that glistens isn’t gold, but in this case, silver is a great alternative! Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 49 fun by Adrienne Brookbanks More bank for your bucks There’s a flurry of information on online banking options on the internet. What should you be doing? You’ve got a casino account and a credit card, so the obvious train of thought is to fund your online entertainment with your credit card – but eCash (web wallets) is a global shift that accommodates all types of players’ needs. We cornered Hamdy Ashour, the Fraud and Risk Supervisor at GrandPrivé.com to find out exactly what players need to know about new types of banking options that are available for GrandPrivé.com players. “eCash, also known as web wallets, is such a secure and convenient way of managing your online banking funds – not only for gaming, but for all your online transactions,” says Hamdy. “It’s surprising that so many of our players are still using credit card and other forms of banking options when they have great, new, processing options that are quicker, cheaper and less of a hassle.” Not all of us are computer whizzes and not all of us are paranoid. But it’s important for everyone to know that their hard-earned money is where they want it to be. “In the end, we want our players to be able to play safely,” says Hamdy. “GrandPrivé.com casinos are guarded by more firewalls than any hacker would want to tackle and our Fraud and Risk Team are the type of folk that sleep with one eye open.” 50 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous Benefits of having a web wallet Find out which eCash option suits you • You can transfer money between your credit card, savings account, check account and more • These options are safer than credit cards because nobody can hack into your account (identity verification services ensure that only you can use your account) • You can use your money for buying anything online so you are not limited to online gaming purchases. Buy a boat on eBay, a book on Amazon.com or a one-way ticket to Hawaii with your web wallet money! • Cash-ins are much quicker. With web wallets, you will wait a maximum of 48 hours for your money (as opposed to 21 business days with a check, for example) • Web wallets use industry leading encryption to make sure that your money is moved to the exact destination you want it to go • The web wallets are usually much cheaper than other online banking options • There are no credit card rejections. Web wallets have no bias towards online gaming – it’s your money and you can do with it as you please. Not all web wallets are functional in all countries and you need to find out which eCash option suites your currency. Hamdy shared some of his favorite web wallets with us. What types of web wallets are available? “People like sticking to what they know,” says Hamdy. “They feel more in control using their credit cards, but the truth is that web wallets give you all the transparency you need – with more flexibility, guaranteed purchasing acceptance and quicker cash-ins.” There are quite a lot of eCash options available to people who want to spend money online. These are the best: “Neteller and Moneybookers are great web wallets all round and they offer top security and very quick cash-ins. “But this also depends what country you are in. I would advise American players to sign up with Quicktender because it is definitely the strongest web wallet company in the United States. Canadian players, who would like to shift to web wallets should try out UseMyBank – many of our Canadian players have been pleased with their services,” says Hamdy. How do you switch to eCash? “Switching to eCash is easy,” says Hamdy. “You can set up a web wallet at any of the above mentioned company websites, or you can simply do it on your banking page at any of the GrandPrivé.com casinos.” If it’s so safe and simple, why aren’t more players using eCash? Does this mean that credit cards aren’t safe anymore? “Not at all!” exclaims Hamdy, “Many of our players still use credit cards and we work round the clock to protect player details. But if you want a cheaper banking option that provides optimal security and ease of use – then eCash is the way to go. It really is the future of online gaming and banking.” Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 51 promotion By Adrienne Brookbanks How to win online! questions are also in multi-choice format so we’re actually helping you win! In the last edition of Magazine we scattered Loyal Flush logos throughout the pages. These logos indicated that there would be an answer to a question on this page to a competition on www.emag.grandprive.com. When are the different promotions taking place and what can I win? So, since 1 July, Loyal Flush players have been able to fill in quizzes and take part in competitions that test their gaming knowledge, while taking a shot at winning some great bonus money giveaways. Black Diamond players 25 August – 7 September. Win $1 000 bonus money. All Loyal Flush players 14 – 21 September. Win $400 bonus money. How it works All Loyal Flush players 28 September – 5 October. Win $400 bonus money All Loyal Flush players 12 – 19 October. Win $400 bonus money If you saw your Loyalty tier logo on a page (the Jack logo was on the Rat Pack video slot page, for instance), this signals all Jack players to go to the competitions page of www.emag.grandprive.com and answer a question about the Rat Pack Video Slot. If you see a Loyal Flush logo, then all players are able to enter the competition online. What if I don’t have the previous edition of Magazine anymore? Not to fuss, fret or fear. Most of the questions are related to games and promotions so, with a bit of research, you will be able to crack the answer. The 52 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 All you have to do is get onto the competitions page and answer the question to have more fun, have more thrills and win more with Magazine online. We’re going to be running regular promotions on the competitions page so it is definitely worth your while to keep yourself updated with the happenings at www.emag.grandprive.com! See you there! Previous Next envy Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony – drive an Aston Martin DB7 & Lotus Elise Janet Jackson – drives an Aston Martin Vanquish. Simon Cowell – drive a million dollar Bugatti Veyron. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – drive a BMW Hydrogen 7. Jessica Simpson – drives a white Escalade. Julia Roberts – drives a Toyota Prius. Kevin Costner – drives an Audi Q7 and Audi S8. Matthew McConaughey – drives a Lincoln MKX Amy Winehouse – drives a BMW 7 Series. Nicole Richie and Joel Madden – drive a Bentley Continental. Jerry Seinfeld – owns a whole bunch of Porches. Samuel Jackson – drives a Maybach 57 S. by Danette Breitenbach and Leani Thomson The car Pierce Brosnan – owns an Aston Martin Vanquish of your dreams Think of Herbie the little Beetle, the Dukes of Hazard’s modified charger R/T and Miami Vice’s 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4, and you are thinking of some of the greatest automobiles in the world. So here to envy and drool over are some of the truly iconomic automotives of our time, more often than not driven by icons of our time. Paris Hilton – owns a Mercedes Benz SLR! 54 Previous George Clooney – drives the two seater electric Tango 600 Frank Sinatra’s 1955 Ford Thunderbird Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 55 gadgets by Roy Johnson Hook me up, Scotty This might just be the ultimate geek device. It’s a VoIP phone that is an exact replica of the 1960s Star Trek Communicator. It connects by USB and has a variety of sound effects from the TV series to amuse the user, while still being a completely functional handset for use with VoIP services on your computer such as Skype or MSN Messenger. Just over $40 to boldly go where no phone has gone before. http://usb.brando.com.hk/star-trek-usb-c ommunicator-internet-phone_ p00908c038d15.html Yesterday and today Not everything new is necessarily good, and the old stuff often was not good to start with. Sometimes, however, by mixing the two you can have the best of both worlds: new technology with a retro look. We chose some gadgets that will leave you with a nostalgic feeling as they bring back memories of good times. Some are the real thing while others are a mixture of what was good yesterday and is great today. Record coasters Quite apart from actually having a collection of old LPs, there are always a few favorite albums where the cover pictures bring back happy memories. You might have the music now on CD or digital, but there’s always something missing if the floor isn’t littered with album sleeves and half-empty wine glasses. Get these drink coasters with original album artwork and you can take a practical walk down memory lane. A nice touch is that they really are recycled and the company offers other products to match. http://www.recycledlprecords.com/ 56 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Robot clocks There is one company that specializes in all things robot and they have a range of clocks that take us back to the days when robots were walking boxes with spanners for hands – or so we assumed. These are made of steel – what else? – and covered with amusingly antique graphics. They are definitely worth UK£30 ($50). www.whippetgrey.co.uk Jukebox Spinning wheel It’s not only filmmakers who are hooked on jukeboxes. They are a cultural icon right up there with boat-sized cars with tailfins. They are still being manufactured today and are not cheap (about $11 000) – but they are the quintessential centerpiece for the right setting. This fine example is the Xi and you don’t have to worry about being trapped in a time-warp regarding your music selection. This machine plays whatever you have on your iPod, while still retaining that authentic look. www.soundleisure.com Quite a few of us still have collections of LP records – or even singles. Even if you still have a turntable, connecting that to a computer system to save the old music requires a technical diploma. From ion you can get a turntable with audio USB output. It works for LPs or singles. At about $120, it’s a cheap way to save your music collection for replay on modern devices – compared to replacing everything with CDs. www.ionaudio.com Pin art clock The real fascination with pin art was the hands-on experience. The results were not always good, however, and the fascination was short-lived. A happy reminder comes in the form of this digital clock with a pin-art display. It also puts a whole new spin on the phrase “clock watching”. For US$60, you can get this 1980sstyle time machine. http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/ archives/2006/03/daka_design_pin_clock.html Previous In-your-face retro This handset from Thinkgeek looks just like an old phone. But look – no wires! It connects to your mobile via Bluetooth and will work up to about 10 meters away from the phone. It really makes a statement for those of us who object to phones that look like makeup kits or are tired of earpieces that look like something the Borg dreamed up to enslave humanity. This is $40 well invested for a conversation piece. www.thinkgeek.com Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 57 luck by Madelaine Page The next step is to attach the relevant lucky color to a specific number: The color of winning Color is an amazing tool to use as it is visual and it can create a specific mood or setting. Color has an undeniable effect on how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. Creating different energy fields and frequencies, it can be an important tool to help you to get what you want. Working out your lucky color In the previous issue of Magazine we learnt about lucky numbers. Now that you have worked out your lucky number, the next step is to find your lucky color. In case you have forgotten or misplaced your previous issue of Magazine, here is the formula to work out your lucky number again: 58 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Add all digits of the birth date. Now, minimize the result number to a one digit’s number. This lucky number refers to the person in question. Example: Birth date is 5.3.1977 Calculation: 5 + 3 + 1 + 9 + 7 + 7 = 32 Last step: 3 + 2 = 5 5 is the luck number. If the result is 10, the luck number will be 1 + 0 = 1. Previous 1 = Yellow (Gold) You are ambitious, optimistic and generous. You also like to impress others. Everyone knows when you have arrived at the table. But it’s not a problem, because like gold you are a winner. 2 = Blue Blue people love peace and tranquillity around them. They have relatively small aspirations and are easy to satisfy. This color is also the favorite color of more than half the people in the world. You like to gamble bit by bit – in no hurry – in a calm manner as you know where you are going and that you will get there. 3 = Purple Purple people have strong personalities with a prominent personal magnetism and create a secure and peaceful atmosphere around them. They are self confident and have high self esteem. You are an intuitive gambler who believes in him/herself (in the tradition of royalty and nobility). You know your path is to success and good fortune with purple. 4 = Red Red spells competitiveness. If this is your color then you have the ability to succeed and to move forward with no support. You have a dominant personality and are strong, physically and mentally. In terms of gambling nothing spells winning better than red. Need we say more?! 5 = Orange You have a strong character, are smart, sharp and have a great sense of humor. This color is warm and makes you a favorite with others. Perhaps you are a cautious gambler as this is a careful color. Not a problem, as you are the kind of person who likes to stick to a budget when gambling. 6 = Green Green people are conservative people who do not like extreme change and need to be secluded from others to contemplate their deep thoughts. The color represents luck, renewal and fertility – it is also the color of money. While many gamblers don’t really like this color, it works for you. Wear it and get ready to start growing your wealth. 7 = White, Pale Grey Number 7 people will constantly seek protection from the outside world. You know how to hide your feelings and do not share your thoughts with others. A cold and sterile color, but individualistic. Use this to give you the confidence to play with your gut instinct. No-one will know what you are thinking as you come across as professional and unfazed. 8 = Light Blue Close to blue (2) this lucky color will assist you in your life more than you realize. When you wear this color you feel ready to take on the world and nothing will fluster you whether you are playing slots or the tables. You are comfortable, and because it is light blue, you will also feel that you are not troubled and therefore can focus 9 = Brown No. 9 people are materialistic; they find security in earthly matters. They have a tendency to be rebellious and need to prove their rightness. While to others this is a dull and uninspiring color, this color grounds you taming your rebellious streak while gambling. Just remember, no matter what your favorite color, red is the ultimate color of success so make sure to add something red when gambling. Nothing spells winning better than RED! When gambling at home you also have the advantage of the home turf where you can surround yourself with colors that are conducive to winning. Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 59 REMEMBER: Each Sudoku puzzle has only one correct answer! (See this editions’ solution below!) 3 9 2 7 5 1 2 3 4 2 1 4 1 3 6 9 1 5 7 1 5 9 9 8 6 8 3 1 4 5 1 9 3 8 9 4 SUDOKU 5 7 7 5 8 1 Fill the grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes contains the digits from 1 to 9. 2 3 6 1 7 8 8 6 5 9 4 7 1 4 9 2 3 5 9 5 4 2 3 1 6 7 8 7 8 9 1 4 2 5 3 6 4 3 1 5 6 9 7 8 2 5 2 6 3 7 8 9 4 1 8 9 5 4 2 6 3 1 7 1 4 3 7 8 5 2 6 9 6 7 2 9 1 3 8 5 4 Previous SOLUTION The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid. When you insert a new number it should be unique in that particular region (block) and also in that particular row and column. Next luck by Linda Shaw Your gambling horoscope August – October 2009 ARIES 21 March – 19 April Friends are letting you down while conmen talk you into unhealthy deals. Although it’s not your style to play alone, you’d be wise to do so until 13 October when the planets pull themselves back on track. If love is the answer, pay special attention to 5, 20 August and anytime after 15 October. September is hopeless for relationships between 7 and 29 – so you’ll need to rely on your gut then. Preferably alone. The career’s going well too, so you’ll have extra cash to experiment. From mid-October you’re back on form, taking chances and amusing yourself with your success. September brings different kinds of changes – when those carefully laid plans can be tossed aside. Mostly, though, look forward to adventure and suprises. Make a pact with yourself to cram the most fun possible into every extraordinary moment. Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 6, 11 Lucky colors: gold, scarlet, black, green TAURUS 20 April – 20 May This is a tumultuous time for you, despite the fact that everything around you seems to be standing still. You’ll feel hesitant about your decisions – and so you should, from 7 to 29 September. Even so, don’t allow yourself to be manoeuvred into changing your arrangements. Just play safe and keep a low profile throughout August and September – after which your luck returns and the money starts to fall out of the sky. Choose familiar routines and strategies. You’re a traditionalist at heart, so be traditional. Oh, and don’t let your mildly wobbly love life distract. One thing at a time. Gambling and love are, as you know, two separate deals. Lucky numbers: 6, 7, 12, 23, 30 Lucky colors: earth tones, yellow, orange, emerald green, violet 62 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 Previous GEMINI 21 May – 20 June It’s a question of ego. Successful moments (August and early October ) are to be harnessed and treasured – not taken for granted. Because as you know, nothing lasts forever. Not even for you. So try not to wander off after the first tiny win. And don’t say you won’t. That’s exactly the kind of thing you do – lose interest just when things start going well. Why not get a partner to keep track? Failing that, the planets will drag you back to sanity in October, demanding regular hours and honest work. Not what you had in mind at all. Even so, throughout August gamble after hours. When you’re really wealthy at the end of October (provided you haven’t spent all the profits), you can go back to behaving like a five year old. If you like. Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 6, 14, 23 Lucky colors: sky blue, silver, yellow-orange CANCER 21 June – 22 July There’s something funny going on here – and the source is financial. If you think something is dodgy, check it out. And if you’re involved in a syndicate or partnership, pull back and operate alone. From 7 to 29 September it is mildly chaotic. But after that, you can make your fortune – but only if you’re also making your own decisions. Meanwhile, your personal value system needs work. And just to prove the point, finances take a sudden dive in late August – just long enough to shock you into transformation. No need to fret excessively. Just stay honest and get generous. The rough edges will very soon sort themselves out. You’ll have more to play with by October. Meanwhile, be good to the family, no matter how much they’re annoying you. You’d be lost without them. Lucky numbers: 7, 8, 9, 14, 16, 20 Lucky colors: blue, silver, orange, white LEO 23 July – 22 August Passions are high, sending you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Get off at once. There’s powerful energy in your corner – bringing abundance and adoration. Try not to make this about hormones – you know how you throw money about when the discipline goes south. So listen carefully: you’re attracting astonishing good fortune through the medium of love. In which case, here are your options: play only games you truly love; play with a partner you adore; let someone who loves you choose your plays; have wild passionate sex before every gambling session. Use September to play with other people’s ideas. August invites creativity and instinct – working alone. October wants impulsive action and inner trust. Use the energies to explore your massive potential. Lucky numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 22 Lucky colors: amber, pink, orange, red VIRGO 23 August – 22 September The planetary shifts on 7 September demand an added dimension. Suddenly gambling takes on a serious tone – with a commitment on your part to donate part of your winnings to worthy causes. Not only that. If someone offers you anything – time, money, assistance – accept with thanks. A refusal tells the universe that you don’t want any of its gifts. October is a lucky month for you. August is more earnest, demanding discipline and schedules not to mention generosity. Share what you have and it will be returned a hundredfold. One more thing: get an accountant. Your money management skills will need work for a while. Lucky numbers: 3, 5, 6, 9, 18 Lucky colors: earth tones, ochre, jade, light blue LIBRA 23 September – 22 October Between 7 and 19 September stay away from the casinos – unless you’re playing for fun. For the rest, you’re on a roll, making fabulous choices. As always you’re luck works better in groups. Find a gambling partner, or form a syndicate and keep in touch. You were never meant to be a loner. From 26 to 31 August and 11 to 28 October are your can’t-lose moments. Maximize your gifts by dressing carefully (you’re always more successful when you feel delicious) and gambling in beautiful environments. Your soul shrivels in ugliness – so budget Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 63 luck by Linda Shaw for a full-time decorator wherever you go. One more thing: that generous streak is wonderful. But only give that which you are happy to let go of. Resentment over unpaid debts damages your energies – and your success. One more thing: look out for a fascinating adventure on 18 October. Love is about to take a surprizing turn. Lucky numbers: 7, 11, 14, 18, 26 Lucky colors: blue, jade, burgundy, red-violet, cream SCORPIO 23 October – 21 November October is your lucky month, especially after the 13th. Take all the risks you like. September, meanwhile, works better for you than for most. The communication planet is on strike then, leaving you with instincts and inner wisdom to rely on. Perfect. You’re one of the few who understands the value of intuition over intellect – and September offers a chance to prove your point. There’s one tiny problem though: you’ll have to accept that feeling out of control is part of the magic. From 3 to 26 August, on the other hand, feeds your inner control freak. You get to make the rules – and watch the results. In fact, you might use this opportunity to discover which method works best. Love, meanwhile, is suffering slightly as your judgements override your generosity. Career, on the other hand, has never been better. You’ll have plenty of money to play with and win with. Enjoy. Lucky numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 13, 16 Lucky colors: indigo blue, scarlet, green 64 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 and enormous prizes. And take some risks – telling yourself every15 seconds that you deserve the very best. October is for sharing – both plays and wins. By the 17th, you’ll be back on target, ready to sacrifice your own needs for everyone else. Unless, of course, you’ve learned a thing or two by then. Hmmm. Interesting times. Lucky numbers: 1, 2, 8, 9, 10 Lucky colors: forest green, black, yellow AQUARIUS 20 January – 18 February SAGITTARIUS 22 November – 21 December Make your decisions early. The planets are on your side, delivering assorted delights, urging you to indulge every whim. Even so, your abundance planet is off-course until 13 October demanding care and thought before action. The cosmic plan, of course, is to push you into more instinctive, though disciplined, behaviors. It’s time to master the difference between impulsiveness and intuition. Besides, the planet of obedience and restriction is giving you a break, asking to see what else you’ve got. By October, you’ve mastered the art of doing the best you can – and allowing the universe to handle the rest. Good for you. Health is your only other concern, as in, hang on to it. Lucky numbers: 1, 5, 8, 16, 17, 19, 22 Lucky colors: dark blue, red, orange, indigo CAPRICORN 22 December – 19 January Differences of opinion may be exactly the spark you need to reassess your worth. That tough, silent approach has grown a little thin. So just for a change, why not actually lose your temper? Or resolve to work alone – for a while. That need for approval is holding you back. Use 7 to 29 September to find out what you’re really capable of. You’ll be amazed at how liberating it can be to behave with utter selfishness. Go for grand sites with huge promises Previous The question is, where do you find your fun? Is it online? In groups? By the sea? All things are possible, provided you can do something about that rage. Transform it. Truthfully, rage is a wonderfully creative energy. Use it to summon the magic – and let it fly. One thing though. Sudden costs make a mockery of your calculations in September, while at the same time ghosts from the past return for revenge or forgiveness. But what do you care? You have the force of 15. During August and October , you’re ready to take – and enjoy – whatever the world dishes out. But more important, you’re able to make magic from mud. This is not a gift to ignore. Take it seriously. Get rich before November. You can, you know. Lucky numbers: 5, 6, 12, 14, 19, 44 Lucky colors: electric blue, grey, turquoise, gold. PISCES 19 February – 20 March Winning’s not a big deal. It’s the fun of the game that you like. Even more, gambling is something you can do alone, testing yourself, planning your moves. The result is great success. Detachment, after all, is a vital part of triumph. The libido is up though, bringing romantic encounters and assorted passions. Your tastes turn to the extraordinary, as your determination to explore finds its path. This is an exciting time for you. Try new games, sites, venues, tricks. September’s planetary shifts demand a rethink of your life and loves. Your image is changing and your needs along with it. August is hard work and a healthy bank balance. October is bumpy, but interesting. Your social network expands, until you’re hardly at home anymore. Balance is the key. Try it. Lucky numbers: 2, 4, 6, 12, 20 Lucky colors: blue-green, red, pearl, purple. Next Proudly GrandPrivé.com 65 talk by Giselle Willcox Va-Va-Va-Vegas! Giselle Willcox is going to get married in Sin City. Just not today. chance of hope when the tiarawearing ring-bearer is Paris Hilton’s dog, right? If marrying with the rich and famous is what you’re into, then Vegas is for you, baby. Because 120 000 people walk down the aisle every year in the Mecca of Marriage that is Las Vegas – some of them stars. And a marriage made in Vegas is meant to last. But as tradition will prove: just not for very long. I mean, Vegas is where actress Pamela Anderson tied the knot – to Rick Solomon of Paris-Hilton-sextape fame. This, her third marriage, lasted just two months. As did the marriage of famous-forbeing-famous Nicky Hilton to money manager Todd Andrew Meister – at the Vegas Wedding Chapel in 2004. But then what marriage has any 66 Grand Edition 8 August 2009 And Angelina Jolie was also a Vegas bride. With her ‘Billy Bob’ tattoo in tow, she married her man in 2000 in the sultry and sizzling surrounds of Vegas. It was the fifth wedding for Thornton and Jolie’s second – and they called it a day in 2003. Another beauty to walk down the aisle in Sin City only to walk up it again was supermodel Cindy Crawford. Her Vegas marriage to actor Richard Gere lasted just four years. It seems this tradition started in the 50s when The Sands Hotel/Casino in Vegas, Nevada hosted the wedding of actress Rita Hayworth and singer Dick Haymes in 1953. Two years later came their split. Actress Mia Farrow also got hitched at The Sands – to Frank Sinatra in 1966. And they parted ways in 1968. Jane Fonda and director/producer Roger Vadim took the plunge in Vegas in 1965, yes, only to divorce in 1973. the same Vegas church seven times – and to seven different women! From actors to singers, the Las Vegas Strip has seen it all! Singer Bob Geldof married Paula Yates in 1986. They parted ways in 1995. In 1967, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Anne Beaulieu at Milton Prell's Aladdin Hotel. They divorced six years later. So there you have it: Las Vegas, the city with the second highest divorce rate in the United States. And a list of nuptials as long as my arm for a place that has one operating slot machine for every eight residents. Which means it’s only fitting then that a marriage made in Vegas is a bit of a gamble, then? So get married in Vegas if you like. Be my wedding guest. And actor Mickey Rooney really loved Vegas as a wedding venue. So much so that he got married at Previous Next