Catch '4-of-a-kind' the easy way with Quick Quads

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BY JOHN G. BROKOPP | Thursday, November 27, 2008 | (No comments posted.)

Many new products unveiled during this week's Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas represent waves of the future and not necessarily what casino fans will be able to play any time soon.

Such has been the case with a video poker variation showcased at last year's Expo by International Game Technology.

The game is Quick Quads, and just as the name implies, the format is designed to make it easier for players to hit those much-coveted 4-of-a-kinds.

Here's the unique feature: If your hand shows 3-of-a-kind, the values of the two nonmatching cards are added together. If the sum is equal to the rank of your 3-of-a-kind, you are awarded the payout for 4-of-a-kind.

Aces (which count as a value of 1) through 9s are used in tabulating the values of nonmatching cards. Face cards and 10s don't count. Only 3-of-a-kind in 2s through 10s can be made into a "Quick Quad" using the bonus feature.

According to John Daley, IGT's director of video poker and Barcrest USA, the game's introduction around the country is imminent. It should be at casinos in Illinois after the first of the year.

Players have two opportunities to hit a Quick Quad: First on the deal and again on the draw. The only "catch" with Quick Quads is that it's a "buy-a-pay" game, meaning you have to play an extra coin on each hand to be eligible for the feature.

You can play the game in all of IGT's video poker game families.

Quick Quads brings with it some important strategy changes. You can visit IGT's official video poker Web site, videopoker.com, to practice the game.

Casino news

* A new Audi Q7 and $3,000 cash will be the grand prize in a drawing at 8 p.m. (Eastern time) Nov. 30 at Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich. There will be additional drawings held that day from 2 to 8 p.m. in which guests can share $18,000 in cash prizes. Please visit the casino's W Club Players counter for details.

* Motor Money Madness is being held every Saturday this month at Blue Chip Casino Resort in Michigan City. On Saturday, $1,000 cash will be given away to lucky B Connected player's club members every hour from 3 to 9 p.m. At 10 p.m. somebody will win $15,000. On Nov. 29, the grand prize at the 10 p.m. drawing will be a new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

* Specially priced tickets, when purchased in "Horseshoe 4-Packs," have been announced for performances by Johnny & The Leisure Suits (Saturday); Al Green (Nov. 28); Jeff Foxworthy (Dec. 11); and Al Jarreau (Dec. 13) at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino Hammond. FYI: thevenue-chicago.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at jbrokopp@comcast.net.

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