January / February 2006 Article

Meetings That Hit the Jackpot

James Bond. Glamour. Excitement.
Casinos conjure up images of sophistication and fun.
They also can be intimidating to those who don’t know a point from a seven out or a split from a double down. Oh, but what fun it can be to learn!

All the colorful terms become clear in the hands of the deft teachers at Casino 101, a most popular special event offered at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. Created by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, the resort features more than 300,000 square feet of gaming excitement. Yet much of that same excitement can be had without risk in Casino 101. The festive class is an evening unto itself, while also aiding those who want to try their skills later live on the Casino floor itself!

Casino 101 involves setting up gaming tables and bringing licensed dealers into Mohegan Sun’s Convention Center. Participants are taught about the games and shown different strategies. They are then able to learn while playing with “non-valued” chips.

Traditional games taught include Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, and several kinds of poker (i.e. Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Caribbean stud, Let It Ride and Texas Hold’em Bonus) according to Ricky Landry, table games pit manager. “The most popular game is craps because it is the most complicated and least understood,” he continues. (Incidentally, “point” and “seven out” are terms in craps.)

Players are given a supply of chips which is replenished should the player run out. During this time participants are instructed on the proper etiquette and best strategic way to play each game they choose to learn.

Another level of excitement can be added when participants test their skills against each other in a competition, tournament or team building event. These events are structured to find the best of the best, adding drama throughout the evening. Some participants leave Casino 101 bragging about their accomplishments and others pondering about what went wrong. Regardless they all leave with knowledge and insight about Casino Gaming.

This no-risk gaming night can be produced in a variety of ways suggests Melissa Plante, program manager, Destination Services.

• Reception: Add food and drink, music, and a roving magician and it is quite an evening’s entertainment.

• Dinner: Start at 7:30 p.m., with dinner at 8, and continue until 10:30 with guests trying the tables before and after they dine.

• Team building. It can occur as a competition between groups or as an activity in which the entire group learns to work together. “It serves as both a learning experience and entertainment.” Melissa says.

• Themed event. Add air hockey, a golf simulator, and mechanical bull riding for a particularly sporting evening.

Good for All Size Groups
Casino 101 makes a great event for groups from 10 to 300. The number of tables and games offered depends on how much else is going on. With receptions and dinners where people will be eating, drinking, and chatting, six tables may be sufficient for a few hundred. On the other hand, if it is being used as a team-building activity, you need enough places for everyone. Pricing is based on number of tables used.

Entertainment a Plus
As with most gaming resorts, Mohegan Sun has a range of entertainment venues featuring major national talent. As a result, they are especially well equipped to provide all kinds of entertainment for meetings from production shows, strolling characters, magicians, and DJs to headliners.

Gifting the Real Thing
When holding an event at a resort with gaming, often the sponsor will hand out actual chips to guests to spend on the casino floor. Commonly worth about $100, the chip is a thank you for the guest’s participation.

Flo Fougerouse, operations manager - Destination Services, reports that they’ve had many repeat customers for Casino 101, the best measure of its appeal.

Here’s the complete list Krisam Group properties with gaming. For more information on them, please contact your Krisam representative or send us an e-mail.

Bahamas
Atlantis, Paradise Island, Nassau

Connecticut
Mohegan Sun, Ucasville

Mississippi
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino
(Reopening August 2006)

Nevada
Bally's Las Vegas
Caesar's Palace La Vegas
Flamingo Las Vegas
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
Harrah’s Las Vegas
Harvey’s Resort & Casino, Lake Tahoe
John Ascuagas Nugget Resort, Reno
Paris Las Vegas
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno

New Jersey
Trump Plaza and Casino, Atlantic City

Puerto Rico
El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa