The Venue lands a legend

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Updated: January 23, 2012 12:20AM

Chubby Checker will ring in the new year at the Horseshoe Casino. He is continuing 40 years of live performances while releasing new studio music.

Tickets are $25 for the 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21. show at the Venue in Hammond, Ind.

Country star Darius Rucker will appear at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23. Tickets are $95 and $45.

Appearing at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 will be Air Supply, featuring the trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell’s simple yet majestic songs. Tickets are $49.50, $35 and $25.

Blue Chip

Creedence Clearwater Revisited is coming to the Stardust Event Center at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Ind., at 8 p.m. Feb. 19.

Tickets will go on sale on Jan. 15 and are available for $30, $35 and $40 at Ticketmaster.com and at the Blue Chip Gift Box in the pavilion.

The band was formed in 1995 by Creedence Clearwater Revival bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford, both Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members.

Originally created to play only at private parties, the band now performs at up to 100 shows a year and just released the double live CD “Recollection.”

Fans of Creedence Clearwater Revival, which disbanded in 1972, will recognize some of the original group’s hit songs including “Proud Mary,” “Susie Q,” “Down on the Corner,” “Lodi,” “Fortunate Son” and “Who’ll Stop the Rain.”

Resolutions

Critics of casino gambling don’t like to hear it called another form of entertainment. But for most of the millions of people who visit casinos every year, it’s just that.

It’s a form of entertainment unlike theater, concerts, movies, sporting events and the like because there’s always the chance gambling could prove financially rewarding.

The idea is to visit a casino for a few hours, just like other forms of entertainment, and try to make it an enjoyable experience, if not a profitable one.

If you think of it that way, you’re ahead of the game. If you’re out to break the casino, “luck be with you.”

In either case, there’s still time to work on those New Year’s resolutions.

To help you along, here are some resolutions — gleaned from years of experience and contributions from other gaming writers:

Only take the amount of money you feel comfortable spending and play within your means.

Once you’ve establish your dollar limits (have a general idea on how much you are willing to lose, or would like to win), leave checks and credit cards at home so there’s no temptation to increase your stake.

Before going to the casino, read up on the games you want to play.

Choose the table or game that will give you the best odds such as blackjack, craps and video poker.

If you like progressive slots that have big rewards for jackpots, always play maximum coin. Otherwise, play “multipliers,” three-reel slots that pay equal amounts for one, two or three coins played.

The key to slots is to play at your own pace. Remember, speed kills, in a casino.

Gus Rose can be reached by sending an e-mail to jvirtusio@southtownstar.com with “Gus Rose” in the subject line.