Some people head to Memphis to spend time on Beale. I went to Memphis to see the Peabody ducks and listen to music emanating from the Memphis pig. Since I was in the area anyway I also decided to try my hand at the nearby casinos. I only get to this area occasionally and I don't know all the ins-and-outs. I was also a little pressed for time. What follows should accordingly be viewed only as the impressions of someone quickly passing through.

I didn't make it to the Grand, Sheraton, or Hollywood. I quickly passed through Ballys which is probably more attention then it deserves. The Irish offered a good DD and the casino has always seemed like a good place to visit if vexed with a limited bank.

Beyond that, SD and DD games were, for the most part, a little disappointing. SD RO5 seemed to be a common albeit not absolute theme. Personally, I would give the edge to the HS and GS over ST. PCs in the GS high limit pit seemed more tense that at the HS. The eye also seemed more active there. But the HS pit was busier (more players) so perhaps appearances were deceiving. At any rate, I think the shoe games were preferable.

VP at Sam's Town didn't seem worthwhile to me. Progressives at Harrahs and the HS were all low. This included a $1 9/6 DB at the HS whose payoff was only about $5100. The best I could see were $0.25 flattop JOB and DW. Of couse, the whole thing is mute anyways since I don't know where things stand now.

One humorous (or not) side note. Two players at a SD game. Everytime the dealer has an ace up, the second player wants to strategize with the first player. The first player dutifully shows his hand so that the other play can see any tens. What I found amusing and interesting in this pattern was that while the second player was 'strategizing', the dealer was proceeding to check for a blackjack. I guess that would make me tense also.

Oh, about the ducks. Sorry for the digression. I never did see the ducks. I don't mind traveling to Memphis just to see them. However, waiting around untill 11:00 a.m. when there are casinos about twenty minutes away was more than I could do. The pig, however, was in rare form.