Every issue of World Gaming has had a “From the CEO”, written by our CEO, Andrew W Scott and/or a “From the Editor” or a “From the Editor-in-Chief” written by WGM’s Editor-in-Chief, James Potter.
We wanted every word of editorial content in our offline magazines to be available on our website, but since the “From the…” pieces weren’t articles, we couldn’t put them in our article listings. We needed somewhere for them to live on wgm8.com, so this page was born.
With the release of each issue of our offline magazine, that issue’s “From the…” will be added to the list below. As they build up over the years, we hope they provide an interesting window into the history of WGM.
#35 May/Jun 2015
From the Editor’s Desk
In the past this page was titled “From the CEO”. With the expansion of our parent company World Gaming Group’s activities in the region, such as recently launching gaming operations subsidiary World Players Entertainment (WPE), I’m taking less of a role in the day-to-day production of WGM. Our highly capable Managing Editor Ben Blaschke, who has been editing WGM for over two years, is now responsible for most of the production of WGM and also our daily email WGM Daily (please visit our Facebook page to subscribe). – AWS
It’s hard to imagine a time of so much uncertainty in Macau as the one we’re experiencing right now. China’s anti-corruption crackdown, combined with issues such as the new smoking laws and uncertainty over future gaming table allocations, have prompted many to express concern that not only have Macau’s halcyon days past, but that they may never return.
At the same time, there remains reason for some cautious optimism – the great hope being that the opening of eight new properties in Cotai by the end of 2017 will spark Macau’s second golden era. If so, it shouldn’t be long before we start to see evidence of this resurgence with the first and second of those new properties – Galaxy Phase II and Broadway Macau – opening on 27 May.
Whatever the case, there is no doubt there is a lot to look forward to as Cotai 2.0 takes shape. Following Galaxy II and Broadway, Melco Crown’s Studio City will open its doors in September, followed by The Parisian, Wynn Palace, Louis XIII and MGM Cotai in 2016. Finally Lisboa Palace will join them to complete Cotai’s facelift in late 2017.
The significance of these properties is more than just skin deep. In the past, Macau has been extremely gaming focused which, although detrimental to the city’s diversity, was in line with the demands of players who by and large visited from Mainland China with the sole purpose of hitting the tables.
But as time has passed, at least some of the casino operators have started to recognize the need to invest in more non-gaming offerings in order to add a wider range of destination tourists to the list of people visiting Macau’s shores. This has become even more important since China’s “tigers and flies” crackdown.
As a result, we can expect the new integrated resorts to provide a range of exciting new entertainment options such as Asia’s highest Ferris wheel at Studio City, an aerial transport system at Wynn Palace and an open-air street market at Broadway as well as any number of new retail outlets and restaurants.
It is these non-gaming features WGM is looking forward to most and we can’t wait to experience what promises to be a new Macau as it evolves over the next few years.
Follow the Dragon,
Andrew W Scott, CEO
Ben Blaschke, Managing Editor
#34 Mar/Apr 2015
From the CEO
Doom and gloom in Macau helps other Asian gaming destinations
As I sit down to write this on February 10th, there is nothing but doom and gloom for the Macau gaming industry. The visa rules have changed making it tougher for Chinese to visit Macau and right now many casino players are staying away from Macau for a variety of factors mostly to do with the prevailing state of play in mainland China.
Macau’s loss is the gain of other gaming venues throughout Asia such as the superb Resorts World Manila in the Philippines and the uber-luxurious The Grand at Ho Tram in Vietnam. I finally had the opportunity to visit Ho Tram last November and was blown away by the 5-star service, world-class golf course, magnificent restaurants, gorgeous hotel rooms, incredibly sunny weather and luxurious pools and beach. I had heard the property was spectacular but getting there was a problem. The first part of that advice was correct but the second was so wrong.
It was a very comfortable, scenic and relaxed two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City airport to Ho Tram and I was lucky enough to do it in one of Ho Tram’s luxurious VIP “Sprinters” – which feel more like the first class cabin of a plane than a motor vehicle. The vehicles have a phone to call the driver (who is on the other side of a closed partition), an enormous flat-screen TV, USB hubs, luxurious leather seats, fold-out dining tables and Wi-Fi for the entire journey.
Where else in Asia can you find a luxurious full-service destination integrated resort with a fantastic spa, great nightclub and gleaming swimming pools just steps from a two kilometer long sandy beach only two hours from the heart of a major city? I had such a great time at Ho Tram and have such great faith in the long-term prospects of the property that WGM’s parent company World Gaming Group signed a long-term deal partnering with the property to develop Ho Tram’s poker offering. We hope to soon be able to announce a major poker tournament at the property in mid May. Watch this space!
And as always, follow the Dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#33 Jan/Feb 2015
From the CEO
Welcome to the all-new WGM!
It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the launch party of World Gaming magazine at The View at Sands Macao – but it was actually back in December 2009. It was another Sands venue, the Bellini lounge at Venetian Macau, where we recently held our fifth anniversary celebrations on December 3. The event was held in conjunction with the final of our Model Search II competition and our good friends at Bellini helped us do it in style as did our Model Search partner Annie Siara of AsBella Models. The beautiful winner was Macau’s own Miss Kooky Dela Cruz and you can see some great pics from the night by turning to page 40.
I clearly remember being told when we first came to Macau that it would take at least five years before we became part of the scene. Well we’ve stuck out those five years and while in some ways we’re still newbies in town, our humble magazine has grown from 60-something pages to over 130 and we’ve gone from a grand total of just three advertising clients in our first issue to having well over 30. We love every minute of being in Macau and plan to be here for many more years to come.
As we embark on our sixth year, it’s time to make some changes. Whilst our official name has been World Gaming, every man and his dog has referred to us as WGM for years and this seemed the right time to make the change official. We’ve also increased the quality of our cover by adding a matt finish and gold foil.
When we arrived on the scene Macau was all about gaming. And while gaming remains the cornerstone of the Macau scene, we’re seeing the government’s and the concessionaire’s efforts to diversify the economy to non-gaming industries starting to pay off. The House of Dancing Water is well established, fighting culture has taken off at the Venetian in the form of boxing and MMA, we seem to have new high-end restaurant offerings opening every month and the world’s biggest stars are adding Macau to their tours. When I tell people around the world I live in Macau, I don’t ever hear, “Where’s that?” anymore.
The non-gaming trend will be accelerated by all the “Cotai 2.0” openings starting this year. The combined effect of Galaxy II, Grand Waldo, Studio City, Wynn Palace, the Parisian, MGM Cotai, Lisboa Palace and Louis XIII will be an exponential increase in non-gaming offerings. In this vein you’ll see WGM moving in that direction too. While we’ll always be a gaming lifestyle magazine, there’s a lot of non-gaming culture that comes with that – wine, golf, cigars, whisky, restaurants, luxurious hotels and all the things we love to do. You’ll be seeing all of it and more in the pages of WGM in the future.
You’ll also be seeing more “Power People” interviews in WGM. We plan to bring you the movers and shakers of Macau like never before. And we kick off 2015 with an absolute coup for WGM – an exclusive one-on-one long format interview with non-other than the normally media shy Mr Alvin Chau, CEO of Macau’s most influential junket operator, Suncity Group. This is the first time Mr Chau, undeniably one of the biggest names in the Macau gaming industry, has sat down with any media outlet for such a wide-ranging interview. Suncity is responsible for more VIP rolling turnover than any other junket operator in Macau – so as its public face Alvin Chau is right up there with the likes of Sheldon Adelson, Lawrence Ho, Pansy Ho, Angela Leong, Francis Lui and Steve Wynn as Macau’s gaming industry leaders. Some would say with his VIP clubs being hosted by all six Macau concessionaires Mr Chau is in fact more influential than some of those big names. It was indeed a great honor to sit down with him and hear his thoughts on all things gaming and all things Macau, as well as ask him a more personal question or two. Turn to the next page for the interview.
Gazing into my crystal ball I see a big year coming up for WGM – so sit back, relax, grab that tea or coffee – and enjoy the very first issue of WGM for the year of the goat!
Follow the Dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#32 Nov/Dec 2014
From the CEO
November and December – my favorite time of year in Macau. The heat and humidity has subsided but the colder weather of January and February has yet to make an appearance. November is also the month of the Macao Gaming Show at Venetian Macao (November 18 to 20 this year) and World Gaming will once again have a big presence at the show. Please do come visit our booth!
This time of year is a time for parties and socializing for those of us in Macau’s gaming industry. It’s a great time to enjoy all of what Macau has to offer both indoors and out – and of course play a little at the tables too. But let’s talk about Macau away from the tables. Our cover feature is entitled “Away from the Game”, and discusses the non-gaming aspects of this wonderful adult playground we call Macau. Michelin-starred restaurants, sumptuous hotel rooms, A-list entertainment, some of the world’s highest-end shopping, perfect pampering for the ladies and some incredible sights and sounds – Macau has it all, with much more of it on the way with all the new properties opening in Cotai starting next year.
This year has been a great year for World Gaming but 2015 will be even better. We’ve recently had a number of new appointments both in our senior and middle management and our team has never been stronger. I will let you in on a little secret – there’s method to our madness when it comes to all this new hiring – and all will be revealed in the next issue of WGM!
So sit back, relax, grab that tea or coffee – and enjoy the latest issue of WGM!
Follow the Dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#31 Sep/Oct 2014
From the CEO
As I write this I am back in Macau after the long round the world trip I take every summer which always includes playing in the world’s most prestigious poker tournament – the World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas. This year was my best showing ever coming in at 635th out of the 6,683 runners in the event. It was only a min cash but even min cashing in the WSOP Main is an achievement – it takes four long, hard, gruelling days of poker just to make the money. It was nice to still be alive in the tournament when those immortal words came across the speakers, “You’re all in the money!” It was also nice to hold a few of those lovely dark green 25,000 chips. Next year I’m aiming for the lavender 100,000s.
Anyway, back to WGM. Let’s talk about gaming stocks. What the hell happened? There we all were merrily pocketing a small fortune from all these gaming stocks inexorably climbing up and up and up for four years from 2010 to the beginning of this year. Then the Share Market Gods decided to hit the doomswitch (google it) and it was busto-time. Why? Why indeed – turn to page 12 to check out WGM’s hypothesis on the crash.
What else is in this issue? An interesting story about Macau’s absolutely dreadful taxi industry, a high level poker tip all about three-betting from our poker guru Ben, an interesting analysis of where the sport of boxing is headed (something the Venetian Macao will be very interested in), a review of one of the most interesting new casino games to emerge in recent years – Lunar Poker, our assessment of the new young rising stars of tennis as well as all the lifestyle articles you’ve come to expect from your regular dose of WGM.
I should also take this opportunity to congratulate our very own Michael Mariakis on his promotion from World Gaming CMO to COO and welcome avid WGM reader Derrick Tran into the family as our new CMO. There are a lot of new faces coming on board at WGM in the coming months, so please check out our website at wgm8.com to see who’s who in the zoo.
Until next time, when we will have a very big announcement to, er, announce, don’t forget to keep following that Dragon!
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#30 Jul/Aug 2014
From the CEO
Phil Ivey. Most argue he is the greatest poker player alive today – and he’s famously reclusive, shying away from media attention and rarely giving interviews. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to bring you a long format in-depth interview with the man himself as the cover feature of this issue of WGM. Since it’s become known I interviewed Ivey, people have asked me, “Was he completely honest with you? Did he open up? Were you happy with the interview?” The answer to all three questions is perhaps, “In some ways yes, in some ways no.”
The truth is the Phil Ivey story is still being written, and whether he comes out at the conclusion of the last chapter as hero or villain – or perhaps a bit of both – is yet to be seen. We left on good terms, so hopefully we’ll get the opportunity to interview Mr Ivey again and bring you more of his story as it unfolds.
As I write this we are in the group stage of the World Cup in Brazil, and I hope you’re all referring to our awesome guide to the competition in WGM issue #29, our May/Jun issue. In WGM#31 we’ll no doubt bring you a wrap of the greatest sporting competition on earth (sorry, Olympics). Hopefully Germany will win and we’ll have bragging rights in picking the winner twice in a row, after we successfully tipped Spain in South Africa 2010.
I’m just about to jump on a plane to join our good friends at Resorts World Manila and play a 3 million Peso baccarat tournament there, before zipping back to Hong Kong to start a lightning round the world trip – a quick dash to London during Wimbledon and to visit some casinos there, followed by a couple of days on the beaches of Miami and then of course it’s Las Vegas for the Main Event of the World Series of Poker, which we will cover in WGM’s next issue.
Then it’s back to Asia and down to the beach resort town of Sihanoukville in Cambodia to try my luck at the Asian Poker Tour event in late July before finally returning to home base in Macau. Someone’s got to keep those airlines in business!
As always, follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#29 May/Jun 2014
From the CEO
The World Cup. Amazing how quickly four years rolls around again. And in Brazil no less – it’s the King of World Cups. This will be huge, the greatest sporting event the world has ever seen. Olympics – bah, humbug. With Brazil in the totally wrong time zone for us here in China, we can all look forward to plenty of sleepless nights. It all begins in the middle of the night at 04:00 China time on Friday 13 June. Turn to page 12 to get stuck into our 41 pages of everything you need to know to be an instant expert.
At 120 pages this issue of WGM is the largest ever published – almost double the size of our early issues over four years ago. How far we’ve come.
As I write this I’m on the ferry from Macau to Hong Kong on my way back to Hobart, Tasmania, where it all began for me. I did my formal schooling in Hobart but my real education began one fine Saturday evening in November 1986. I well remember walking into Australia’s first casino, Wrest Point, that night – and life was never quite the same again.
By the time you hold this issue in your hands I’ll probably be back in Macau though – preparing for World Gaming Group’s presence at G2E Asia at the Venetian Macao from 20 to 22 May. For anyone who’s interested pop along to visit us on the show floor at booth M06 or even check out the G2E conference session I’m moderating on 22 May at 13:15. Then it’s off to visit our good friends at Resorts World Manila in late June to play their Php 3 million baccarat tournament – immediately followed by the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas in early July. Someone’s got to do it!
Do not, I repeat do not miss our next issue, WGM#30 (Jul/Aug). We have someone very famous on the cover – giving us a fascinating in-depth interview. You’ll just have to wait until then to find out who!
As always, follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#28 Mar/Apr 2014
From the CEO
Welcome to WGM#28 – yet another fun and action packed instalment of our mag! This is the issue where you get to test your gaming smarts – and hopefully earn bragging rights over your friends in the process. Are you a shark gliding your way with ease through the ocean of betting opportunities like an expert? Or are you really just a fish, a juicy victim for the sharks! Turn to page 10 to take our test and find out.
On the gaming front our resident Macau legal expert Luís Mesquita de Melo examines the enforceability of debts racked up in Macau’s casinos, we have an interview with G2E Asia supremo Michael Johnson, our mahjong expert Jenn Barr discusses breaking down international borders hampering the greater development of the game and there’s a blackjack “blast from the past” – we re-visit an article I wrote back in 2010 about assessing expectations in the game of 21 points.
Sport is always a big part of any issue of WGM and this issue is no exception. WGM’s resident football guru Leanne Lu takes a look at the resurrection of Liverpool’s Luis Suárez in the hearts and minds of the Reds’ fans, our good friends at Oneworks give us some very interesting data on football betting in Asia, we take a look at the concept of “hope” in sporting competitions and we round it out by examining the wonderful sport of snooker, in which China is now clearly the number two country in the world. Don’t miss WGM#29 in May which will be our special issue with all you need to know about the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Poker sees Railbird Ronny give his usual report as well as coverage of the Asian Poker Tour Iron Man event and the most recent Macau Poker Cup. Our poker guru Ben Blaschke covers the always touchy subject of calling “time” on your opponent.
Our Macau lifestyle editor Yuci Tai gives us her usual Out and About in Macau, The Panda has a disappointing feed at Laurel, the Stallion finds some beautiful reasons to visit Altira’s 38 Lounge and the Eagle surprises us with his top five old school accessories for gentlemen!
See you all again next time – when it will be all about the football!
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#27 Jan/Feb 2014
From the CEO
It seems like just yesterday we were planning to launch WGM, but with the clock ticking over to 2014 it represents the start of our 5th year of publishing in Macau! Happy New Year to all our readers!
WGM#27 is certainly an action packed mag! Where do I start? At the beginning I suppose. I take a crack at some crystal ball gazing with an analysis piece on the Macao Gaming Show and the state of gaming industry trade shows in Macau – we now have two of them in MGS and the long-established G2E Asia. Which will prevail? Turn two pages to read all about it.
This issue also sees the start of our “Power People” series of interviews of Macau’s biggest movers and shakers. Who better to start with than Mr Edward Tracy, CEO of Sands China Ltd. The Tiger chips in with a piece on the Slot Experience Center at MGS, and then we turn our attention to sport where Football Editor Leanne Lu explains the comeback of those European Red Devils from Belgium. We also take a look at a fascinating hypothetical horseracing matchup between two undefeated runners – Frankel and Black Caviar.
Our Managing Editor and poker guru Ben Blaschke gives us his take on how long to play cash games and we take a easy-on-the-eye look at the beautiful and talented Ngok Mei, a favorite poker player on the Macau tourney scene. Of course Ronny Railbird has his usual Railbird Report but he gets an extra page to honor WGM’s very own Michael Mariakis’ victory in the recent Asia Championship of Poker. Someone check the video!
Our Macau lifestyle editor Yuci Tai gives us her usual Out and About in Macau, The Panda munches some noodles and The Stallion finds somewhere in Taipa for a drink after 5, but I have left the best for last! Finally it is time for our WGM Model Search I Final which will be held on 12 February 2014 at the Bellini Lounge at the Venetian Macao – for details including your chance to win double tickets to the night turn to page 24 right now!
Have a wonderful Chinese New Year and see you all again in March!
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#26 Nov/Dec 2013
From the CEO
Welcome to WGM#26! November is always a busy time in Macau with the Macau Grand Prix, but especially so this year for two reasons. Firstly, this year’s GP is the 60th anniversary of the event, and to celebrate it will be held over not just one weekend, but two! Secondly, the long anticipated inaugural Macao Gaming Show (MGS) will be held between those two weekends, on November 14, 15 and 16. You’ll be able to find WGM both at Booth K06 and at the MGS TV Studio at the show, which will be held at Hall D of Cotai Expo at Venetian Macao. If you are in the gaming industry, feel free to visit WGM to say hello. Turn to page 30 for our comprehensive look at what to expect from MGS.
I get to test my creative writing skills in this issue’s cover story “Time machine Macau”, which begins on page 14. It was a lot of fun to write! Our “blast from the past” article revisits “Baccarat by the numbers” and guest contributor Dan Glimne keeps us amused with “The world’s worst bets”.
Turning to sport, our Football Editor Leanne Lu takes a look at the incredible €100 million price tag Real Madrid paid for superstar Gareth Bale, the most expensive transfer in the history of football. Christian Newbold explains the Asian-dominated sport of badminton and we delve in to the intriguing world of how sports betting websites set the prices they offer.
In the poker department WGM’s Managing Editor Ben Blaschke interviews Malaysian Mervin Chan, the winner of the 2013 Aussie Millions. We also take a look at the most recent Macau Poker Cup and our regular poker tip explains the importance of being honest with yourself.
Heading to lifestyle – our Macau Editor Yuci Tai gives her regular “Out and About in Macau” wrap up, The Eagle tells you his favorite scents for men, The Panda finds a yummy yum cha and The Stallion goes for a splash at Four Seasons. And of course, we have our last three contestants in the first-ever WGM Model Search, bringing us to a total of 18 lovely entrants for 2013, from which we’ll be selecting a winner early next year! You’ll hear all about that in our Jan/Feb 2014 issue.
Until then …
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#25 Sep/Oct 2013
From the CEO
Welcome to the 25th issue of WGM! It’s been a very busy time for the World Gaming Group (WGG), with our flagship businesses WGM (the magazine you are reading now) and WGM8.com (our daily news website, now publishing about 40 articles a week) both going through major expansion drives. Our consulting business, World Gaming Consultants (WGC), has also been racking up new clients.
So what’s in the mag this issue? Well, September and October are always exciting months in Macau – the worst of the hot weather is over and we all get to enjoy spectacular fireworks performances throughout selected September evenings leading up to the grand finale on the October 1 National Day holiday. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Macau Fireworks Contest and our Macau Editor Yuci Tai has written a fantastic article that will tell you everything you need to know about this Macau institution. Turn to page 14 and read all about it.
I recently had the honor and privilege of interviewing arguably the most famous boxer in the world – Mr Manny Pacquiao. We talked not only about his boxing life, but his political career – turn to page 28 for more. In this issue we also have my interview with Mr Jay Chun – whose company LT Game has revolutionized the way baccarat is played in Macau. Mr Chun is now organising what he claims will be the biggest gaming show in Macau. You can learn more by turning to page 22.
We also have all the usual content you have come to know and love in WGM – casino tables games, slots, mahjong, football, other sports betting and of course poker. There’s also our regular restaurant review from The Panda and party place column from The Stallion. The WGM Model Search continues and our regular social pages “Out and About in Macau” returns. And much more!
And as always …
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#24 Jul/Aug 2013
From the CEO
Welcome to the 24th issue of WGM! It’s been a huge last two months for the World Gaming Group, with a very successful G2E 2013 behind us, distributing the millionth ever copy of WGM, some new and exciting projects coming up for the magazine and our website wgm8.com, and also our consulting arm, World Gaming Consultants (WGC), moving into full swing. All this work has meant our staff have been working very hard. Thanks to Ben, Cynthia, Dave, Dicky, Ferdie, James, Gary, Gian, Leanne, Maria, Michael A, Michael R, Sophie and all the rest of the team for your tireless efforts. With your help, World Gaming has carved itself a very comfortable niche here in Macau, and we look forward to more growth in the future.
Speaking of Macau and growth, we’re always hearing how big Macau is going to be in the future. Sometimes this message is so strong, we forget to stop to smell the roses. As well as Macau being a place of the future, it’s also very much a place of the present. Macau’s gaming action is six times bigger than that of its rivals Las Vegas and Singapore. Macau is here – right now – and that’s the theme of this issue’s cover story.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome one of Macau’s most distinguished lawyers, Mr Luís Mesquita de Melo of MdME Lawyers, as one of WGM’s regular contributors. You can read Luís’ first article on page 48.
Of course we also have all the usual content you have come to know and love in WGM. We have casino games including roulette, blackjack and slots. We have football, sports betting and poker. And of course we have our regular restaurant review from The Panda and our party place column from The Stallion. The WGM Model Search continues and our regular social pages “Out and About in Macau” returns, now expanded to three pages. And much more!
Don’t forget to visit wgm8.com to get your WGM fix while you’re waiting for our Sep/Oct issue to hit the streets. We now have a “What’s on this week” article published on wgm8.com every Tuesday and every single morning we publish “What’s on tonight”, so now you have no excuse for missing all the nightlife and events Macau has to offer!
And as always …
Follow the dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#23 May/Jun 2013
From the CEO
It’s been a very busy time at WGM – we’ve expanded by appointing a new Managing Editor and a bunch of new Macau-based staff. The whole team has been working hard on expanding our writing both in WGM and on our website wgm8.com. We’re covering more topics than ever before.
Take this issue of WGM for example. One minute we’re talking about the latest slot machines, the next we’re voting on gorgeous girls, then it’s Asia’s biggest gaming industry exhibition and conference, suddenly we’re all about partying in Macau, then we’re on to networked mahjong gaming in darkened Hong Kong parlors, followed by an analysis of the EPL’s woes in Europe, before moving on to the rise of Asian poker and finally none other than “Big George” Foreman! What a buffet of information and entertainment!
Speaking of “Big George” Foreman, it was an absolute honor, pleasure and delight to have the opportunity to interview someone that as a kid seemed as far away as Superman or maybe Santa Claus. “Big George” is famous on so many levels I won’t even begin to describe it – he’s simply a cultural icon of the 20th century. It was wonderful to have such an engaging interview with him and to discover that despite the legend, he is just a man, and a damn friendly one at that! Turn to page 32 to read the interview that will definitely go down as a highlight of my journalistic career.
It’s G2E time, and for those of you who don’t know that means it’s simply time for the gaming industry to explore all that might be coming up in the future. New games, new machines and new ideas. You need only turn one page over to learn more.
Don’t forget to visit wgm8.com to get your WGM fix while you’re waiting for our Jul/Aug issue to hit the streets. I’ll see you all then, and don’t forget to …
Follow the dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#22 Mar/Apr 2013
From the CEO
Once again we’ve got another jam-packed issue of WGM for you all. Congratulations to Mervin Chan from Malaysia – the first Asian player to ever win the Aussie Millions, Asia’s premier poker tournament. As we’ve written about many times before in WGM, poker has boomed in Asia and it was no surprise to see someone from our part of the world take out the Aussie Millions Main Event, one of the most prestigious poker tournaments on the planet. Chan pocketed a tidy AU$1.6 million for his efforts, with a car thrown in for good measure. A special mention also goes out to Jay Tan, Celina Lin and Ken Wong, three more Macau regulars who all ran very deep in the tourney. Hopefully another Asian can take out the WSOP APAC at Crown Melbourne in April.
In celebration of the big win and also as an acknowledgment of poker’s rising popularity in Asia, this issue of WGM is the first ever with a cover that features poker. “How to win a poker tournament” takes you through the combination of art and science that is the journey from sitting down at a starting stack to taking out the final heads-up battle.
This issue also marks the beginning of our regular “Blast from the Past” feature. From now on, each issue of WGM will re-visit an article we published years ago, with our up-to-date commentary on it. It’s nice to have been around long enough to do that!
What else have we got? On the gaming front we continue last issue’s cover feature “Rise of the Machines” with part B, we talk about doubling down in blackjack, automatic shuffling mahjong tables, and introduce what is claimed to be the world’s most played card game – bridge.
In sport, Leanne Lu examines Swansea’s meteoric rise from nowhere to the English top flight, Christian Newbold gives his take on Lance Armstrong’s Oprah confession, we have Li Na, and Big Jim gives you his usual sports betting tip.
Of course we have our usual lifestyle articles: the Panda goes Indian, the Stallion goes Irish and the Phoenix goes diving! Our WGM Model Search continues with three more beautiful girls, as it will for every issue this year.
Don’t forget to visit wgm8.com to get your WGM fix while you’re waiting for our May/Jun issue to hit the streets. See you then!
Follow the dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#21 Jan/Feb 2013
From the CEO
The machines are coming! Macau is enjoying rampant and rising demand from mainland visitors, but the number of baccarat and other gaming tables in Macau is capped. As a result, our slot machines, electronic table games and live dealer electronic hybrid games are enjoying meteoric growth, and are set to do so for many years to come. This issue’s cover story, part A of our “Rise of the machines” series, begins our in-depth analysis and discussion of everything you need to know about slots and electronic gaming.
The other big news from WGM is the launch of our WGM Model Search. Over the course of the year we’ll be featuring 18 gorgeous ladies, one of which will eventually be selected as the winner of the model search and become a WGM ambassador in 2014. Turn to page 30 to meet our first three ladies Alicia, Kooky and Kris_Tina.
This year sees the birth of two new regular WGM columns. Each issue “Out and about in Macau” will focus on Macau’s entertainment and social scenes. Check out our very first “Out and about” on page 82. Our other new column is “The Macau Files”, which will profile someone who helps Macau tick. Turn to page 85 to meet Ken Leow, who is featured in our very first “Macau Files”.
As usual we have all the best in gaming, sport, poker and gaming lifestyle. Leanne Lu tells us about Asian players in European football, The Stallion profiles Macau’s Irish Bar, we meet poker legend Wally “The Dream” Sombero, Chris Newbold explains the crisis in international cycling, we profile the Aussie Millions which is being held in Melbourne at the end of January, and have stories on Downtown Las Vegas, the UFC in Macau, the Macau International Marathon and much, much more!
Don’t forget to visit wgm8.com to get your WGM fix while you’re waiting for our Mar/Apr issue to hit the streets. Roll on 2013 – it’s hard to believe this is WGM’s fifth year in Macau!
Follow the dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#20 Nov/Dec 2012
From the CEO
It’s not very often you get to interview arguably the most powerful man in Macau, but that’s something I’ve just had the pleasure of doing. It’s the second time I’ve interviewed Francis Lui, the first time being about 18 months ago, just before the opening of Galaxy Macau. Mr Lui has seen the share price of his beloved Galaxy Entertainment Group (HKEx: 0027) triple in that time, and his company has clearly become the challenger to SJM for the title of top dog amongst the six Macau concessionaires.
Interviewing Francis Lui is a real pleasure. For a man worth billions of dollars, he has a great deal of humility and a calm and composed demeanour, quite opposite to your stock-standard arrogant billionaire entrepreneur. I’m under no illusion that Mr Lui doesn’t have his moments – anybody in his position needs the wherewithal to negotiate hard, make tough decisions and exercise at least a little ruthlessness – but the way he goes about his business is most impressive.
Francis is an insightful and intelligent man who possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of the Macau gaming industry and Macau society in general. It was fascinating to hear his views on all things Macau, and especially his call for the government to take the lead in articulating a new vision for Macau. I thank him for graciously granting us the interview and choosing WGM to put forth his views. You can read our in-depth interview on page 10.
I must say I’m so proud of our staff – the content created by our hardworking writers, editors, translators and designers just keeps getting better and better each issue. This issue our gaming pages include the King of MGM tournaments, some blackjack, more pai gao, and a look at the newest gaming floors in Macau, which you can find at Sands Cotai Central.
Turning to sport, our expert EPL writer Leanne Lu explains the miraculous rise of Manchester City over the last few seasons, James Potter shows us how to make some money betting on sports futures and we try to score 180!
As usual we have plenty of poker for you including the World Poker Tour coming to Sanya, the enormous Macau High Stakes Challenge which saw a mind-boggling prize pool of HK$182,360,000, PokerStars Macau tournaments and of course we have our usual poker tip to help you improve your game.
The Eagle guides you on the hottest watches going around, The Panda grazes at the delightful Merrywell gastropub at Melbourne’s enormous Crown Entertainment Complex and the Stallion takes us partying at Venetian Macau’s Bellini Lounge.
Don’t forget to visit wgm8.com to get your WGM fix while you’re waiting for our Jan/Feb issue to hit the streets. Have a wonderful Christmas, and I’ll see you all in 2013 – it’s hard to believe it will be WGM’s fifth year in Macau!
Follow the dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#19 Sep/Oct 2012
From the CEO
All hail the Golden Lion. This issue we take an in-depth look at MGM Macau, one of the most luxurious properties in our hometown. You may be surprised to learn MGM’s story goes back over 100 years! We explore the company’s rich history and give you a full review of the MGM Macau property.
You may remember our opinion piece on anti-Macau website “CasinoLeaks” in WGM’s May/Jun issue. Turn to page 10 of this issue for an update. Was WGM the catalyst for this website fizzling out?
On the gaming front, we talk about the upcoming Golden Week, learn about 16-tile mahjong in Taiwan, continue our series on pai gow and give our point of view on a very interesting court case in Vietnam, where a slots player is trying to sue a small e-gaming club for a lazy US$55 million!
On the sports front the new EPL season is well and truly underway and we analyze the chances of the main contenders, identifying which teams we think represent the best betting value. On the subject of EPL, please visit our website wgm8.com every Wednesday for Leanne Lu’s review of the previous week’s games and preview of the upcoming week’s. We also pronounce our verdict on not only the London Olympics, but also on the top ten men’s tennis players of all time.
On to poker. We have an in-depth long format interview with Winfred Yu, supremo of the Poker King Club at StarWorld Macau. James Potter also gives his views on the use of headphones at the poker table.
The Panda has been over to Hong Kong and discovered the best Mexican food in town is at Lan Kwai Fong’s Brickhouse restaurant. The Stallion’s been hanging out at Macau’s new Divino ultraclub and The Eagle’s been busy buying baggage. On the subject of the letter “b”, we learn about the birth of bungy. As usual we have the lowdown on Macau’s tastiest local treats in the Good Food Guide towards the back of the mag.
Don’t forget to visit wgm8.com to get your WGM fix while you’re waiting for our Nov/Dec issue to hit the streets.
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#18 WSOP Special Issue 2012
From the CEOs
Crown’s Aussie Millions Poker Championship, Asia-Pacific’s largest and most prestigious poker tournament, is hosted by Crown Melbourne, one of the world’s leading integrated entertainment resorts.
Commencing on Thursday, 17 January 2013, players at the Aussie Millions will have the opportunity to compete in some of the game’s most popular variations and sit alongside some of the most notable poker players from around the globe.
With an impressive line-up of tournaments, including the opening event, the no limit hold’em 2-day event, the Joe Hachem and Shane Warne Charity Poker Tournament and the Super High Roller events such as the AU$100,000 and $250,000 Challenges, poker enthusiasts will be able to witness some of the greatest players in the world competing in Melbourne at Crown.
The Aussie Millions Main Event will start on Sunday 27 January and is expected to smash all previous records and prize pools. The world-class poker staff at Crown are always available to assist with queries you may have relating to the Aussie Millions, our award winning hotels (Crown Towers, Crown Metropol, Crown Promenade), our restaurants, tours and much more.
On behalf of the entire Aussie Millions team we look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne for the summer and wish you the best of luck at the poker tables during the 2012 World Series of Poker.
Kind regards
Greg Hawkins
Chief Executive Officer
Crown Melbourne
Welcome to World Gaming’s 2013 Aussie Millions Poker Championship special issue. When the idea of making a special issue of World Gaming to be distributed at the 2012 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas arose, I was instantly hooked. The WSOP and the Aussie Millions are two poker tournaments very dear to my heart. One because it is the undisputed biggest and best in the world, and the other because it is the premier event of my homeland, Australia, and my adopted home, Asia.
Our magazine is mainly distributed in Macau and throughout the rest of Asia and Australia, so many of you will be seeing World Gaming for the first time. If you like what you read, please pick up a free 12 month subscription by visiting our website wgm8.com. No strings attached, and we even pay the postage!
Thanks to our Editor James Potter and Deputy Editor Ben Wilson, our designers Lem Wong, Chen Tao and Desmond Fox, all our contributors and everyone else who made this magazine possible.
I could wax lyrical about the wonders of Crown Melbourne, the Aussie Millions and Melbourne in January during our perfect Aussie summer, but there are plenty of others within these pages doing that already.
I play the WSOP each year, so if you see me please say hi. I’ve also played the Aussie Millions almost every year since its inception in 2003, and there’s no doubt I’ll be there once again in January for the 2013 instalment. I’d love to see you there!
Play well and run good
Andrew W Scott
Chief Executive Officer
World Gaming Magazine Limited
From the Editor
Putting together this magazine about the Aussie Millions was an easy task for me. Crown Melbourne is where I started my professional poker career well over a decade ago. The poker room holds wonderful memories, as does the Aussie Millions Poker Championship itself, having made numerous final tables over the years.
I’ve traveled the world playing poker but I honestly only ever feel at home when I am at Crown. With the Aussie Millions, Crown has created a fantastic tournament, run by top-class poker room staff.
I haven’t always lived in Melbourne and Crown is like a home away from home to me. Even the most discerning Las Vegas or Macau visitor will be surprised at just how well we do the casino thing here “down under”. Crown is not just a casino it’s a world-class complex with everything you need under one roof.
I would urge you to come down and enjoy this wonderful country and everything on offer during summer in Australia. Our country, and especially Melbourne, is a wonderful place for families and singles alike. The incredible café culture and most vibrant array of international cuisines in the Southern Hemisphere will have you clamoring for more. Sports fans will enjoy the incredible events Melbourne offers at this time of year, such as the Australian Open tennis. You can hire a car or jump on a plane and find there is a huge range of Australia’s “must do” attractions right at your fingertips.
But even more important than all this is the fact you can enjoy one of the best poker carnivals in the world. With its incredible schedule of events, Crown’s famed Aussie Millions is simply world class.
I hope you enjoy coming to the Aussie Millions as much as I have enjoyed telling you about it. See you all down here in January.
James Potter
Editor
World Gaming Magazine Limited
#17 Jul/Aug 2012
From the CEO
Once every four years a crazy carnival of sport called the Summer Olympics rolls around. For two and a half weeks the world’s countries put aside their differences and their elite athletes run, jump, throw, paddle, row, sail, dive, swim, shoot, kick, hit, ride, punch, wrestle, lift and cycle their hearts out in the battle for gold.
National pride is on the line, life-changing performances occur daily and records are sure to tumble. Half the world watches the drama unfold on TV. To become an instant expert at all the sports and impress your friends, turn to page 50 and read our “every sport explained” article.
China won the most gold at the 2008 Beijing Games, so it will be interesting to see if China can make it two in a row. Australia is another Asia Pacific country that punches way above her weight at the Olympics. Ranked around 50th in the world by population, Australia consistently comes in around 5th in the medal rankings. South Korea and Japan also figure in the top 10 so the Asia Pacific region is well represented.
WGM was very excited to have 20,000 copies of a special issue of our magazine distributed this July at the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Well over 100,000 unique players attend this incredible event, the biggest poker carnival in the world, with every single one of them exposed to World Gaming. The special issue was only distributed in Las Vegas so if you want to read it please go to wgm8.com, click on the “WGM” menu, select “Our Magazines” and look for issue number 18. Thanks go to Crown Casino in Melbourne for their incredible support, which made the special issue possible.
Aside from the Olympics we preview the upcoming EPL season, tell you about phase 2 of Galaxy Macau, take you dining at Opus at Resorts World Manila, explain the sometimes mysterious game of Pai Gow and explore where Macau tournament poker is headed.
The Stallion visits Golden Monkey, a wonderful Asian-themed club in Melbourne (home of Crown Casino’s Aussie Millions), The Eagle shows you how to get a decent drop of red, we learn how to best bet on the river in poker and we also have blackjack, mahjong and much more.
Remember to visit wgm8.com to get your WGM fix while you’re waiting for our next issue to hit the streets.
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#16 May/Jun 2012
From the CEO
The hot item of this issue of WGM is our analysis of the CasinoLeaks Macau website. The website has a finger-pointing stance of smearing the Macau gaming industry, claiming Macau is “infected” with organised crime and all sorts of other nasties. While many have reported the site’s existence, there has been no significant analysis of it in the media. All that has changed with our detailed investigation, which includes an interview with the creator of the CasinoLeaks website Mr Jeffrey Fiedler, the response of Mr Sheldon Adelson, Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, and our view on the real motivation behind the website.
This issue features two articles about openings: the first being the welcome re-launch of PokerStars Macau at Grand Waldo, and the second being the highly anticipated and exclusive China Rouge at Galaxy Macau.
As usual we’ve got a stack of other fantastic articles to keep you turning the pages. Mahjong, blackjack, baccarat and carribean stud all get a run, we preview the most important gaming conference every year in the region, G2E Asia, and tell you how to visit New Orleans without leaving Las Vegas.
On the sport front our highly knowledgeable football expert Leanne Lu analyses why the EPL is still the best league in the world, we discuss the 2012 formula 1 racing season, and explain the major importance of golf.
Turning to poker we preview this year’s World Series of Poker, review the unique China Poker Carnival held in Sanya, and tell you what to do when the game turns crazy!
After all that you should be hungry so head to a local Macau eatery courtesy of our Good Food Guide or perhaps tuck into a laksa in Melbourne, then finish it off with a fine single malt Scotch whisky.
See you all next time, and remember to pay us a visit at wgm8.com to get your WGM fix while you’re waiting for our next issue to hit the streets.
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#15 Mar/Apr 2012
From the CEO
World Gaming magazine, often referred to as WGM, continues to go from strength to strength. We’ve employed more staff, moved to a bigger office, launched our new website wgm8.com and embarked on an expanded editorial program. Please sign up at wgm8.com to enjoy a free 12-month subscription to WGM, and much more.
In this issue, we have plenty to offer our readers and members. The casino resort pool started humbly, as merely a place to take a dip and escape the heat of the day. But now it has evolved into a high-end party venue, a “place to be seen”. WGM’s James Potter examines the phenomenon of casino pool culture, and talks us through 10 of the very best casino pools in the world, including four in Las Vegas and four in our very own home of Macau.
This issue’s second feature results from my recent trip to the exotic destination of Laos. I was lucky enough to be the guest of the Savan Vegas casino in Laos’ second city, Savannakhet, and I was truly surprised at the size and quality of the property.
As usual we’ve got a bunch of other goodies. Our articles this issue include Jenn Barr on mahjong in Seattle, Leanne Lu on Newcastle United striker Demba Ba, Harry-Lee Dong Wu on splitting tens in blackjack, Christian Newbold on the Japanese betting and cycling craze that is Keirin and I continue my “How to win a baccarat tournament” series. Then we jump on the “Linsanity” bandwagon, report on Phil Ivey’s amazing performance in January’s Aussie Millions poker tournament, analyse the “battle of the brands” currently taking place in Macau, and review four local restaurants in our regular “Good Food Guide” section.
We also cover the £400,000 China Open snooker to be held in Beijing in late March, controversially rank the golf majors from 4 to 1, give our point of view on the recent basketball lockout in the US, and Railbird Ronny provides his usual poker tourney wrap in “The Railbird Report”. For good measure we show you how to play big pairs in poker, head to Grand Lisboa’s HK$1.8 million “Heir to the Throne” mixed gaming tournament, teach you the card game of hearts, and cover Wynn Macau poker room manager AJ Brock’s win in the super high roller at Resorts World Manila.
Finally we visit St Paul’s ruins in Macau, follow it up with a Japanese teppanyaki dinner at Koko at Crown casino in Melbourne and drinks at the Roadhouse. Finish it off with The Eagle giving us his five favorite cigars and let’s call it a night!
Or maybe we should call it yet another bumper issue of everyone’s favorite mag, WGM!
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#14 Jan/Feb 2012
From the Editor
First I would like to wish our readers a happy New Year and I hope the year of the Dragon brings you much prosperity. I also hope that if you follow Christmas and the western New Year you had an enjoyable break.
We had a fantastic celebration at Rain for our second birthday. I would like to thank our good friend Harold Tsakmaklis and his team at the Grand Waldo for taking such great care of us. The night was very special to World Gaming magazine. Not only did we celebrate the start of our third year producing the magazine but it marked the launch of our new interactive website wgm8.com. This site will cover the world of gaming with special emphasis on the Asian region and Macau. I urge you to visit and enjoy all the exciting updates, prizes and information on offer.
WGM has grown. We’ve become Asia’s number one gaming magazine. We produce far more copies of WGM than any other magazine in the marketplace, but despite this we’ve decided to increase the quality of our paper and cover to a level used by magazines with much lower print runs than ours. We are happy to report that WGM is now a “perfect bound” magazine. This means our magazine now has a spine. We’ve also almost doubled the thickness of our cover.
This issue I had a lot of fun writing about my favorite sport, American Football. It is also exciting to see new projects opening. With the openings of the UA Galaxy Cinema and the new Venetian high rollers room Macau continues to be a fresh and innovative place for businesses and visitors. Work continues on the Sands Cotai Central project and that will be another huge
addition to Taipa when it opens shortly. In this issue you can hear from our CEO, Andrew Scott on his vision of Macau in 2020 and the role WGM will play in keeping you informed both online and in our traditional magazine format about developments in the region.
I hope luck is on your side and remember to make your wins big and your losses small.
Regards
James Potter
Editor-in-Chief
#13 Nov/Dec 2011
From the CEO
One of the best things about being CEO of World Gaming is that I get to interview some very famous people. I recently took the long journey all the way from Macau to Los Angeles to interview a man who has forged himself into publishing immortality over the last 58 years, the legend himself, Mr Hugh Hefner.
In today’s transient world where brands come and go and fortunes are made and lost overnight, Hefner’s Playboy brand stands as the world’s most recognised men’s lifestyle brand, close to entering its seventh decade! Playboy is particularly well known in China as a top men’s fashion brand. To have the honour and privilege of interviewing Mr Hefner at his home, the world-famous Playboy Mansion, is something I will never forget. Turn to page 8 for a peek inside Hef’s world.
Also very exciting this issue is the announcement of our trial free subscription. Some people may think we’ve gone crazy, but for a limited time we’ve decided to offer our readers a free 12 month subscription, no strings attached. All you need to do is visit www.wgm8.com/freesub.php, tell us your name, email and street address and we’ll send youWorld Gaming for a whole year without it costing you a cent! But do it quickly because this offer could end anytime.
This issue also marks two years of World Gaming magazine. Our parties have quickly become a Macau institution and you can win a double pass to our 2nd birthday party in Macau on Friday 9 December. Just turn to page 38 for more details.
Many of you have visited our website wgm8.com over the last two years. It’s been a great repository for the 14 issues and 222 articles we’ve created since November 2009, but to date it’s been little more than that. We’ve always dreamt of making wgm8.com Asia’s greatest gaming portal, with an interactive community, lots of giveaways, promotions and prizes, up to the minute news and articles, a tip of the day, videos of gaming-related content, the latest on the tournament poker circuit, daily football and other sports betting tips, and profiles of all your favourite casinos, hotels, restaurants and other businesses in casino towns – with our members’ comments on all of it! Well, we’ve finally done it! The all-new wgm8.com will be launched on the evening of December 9, at our second birthday party. We’d love you to join up as a member and start posting and sharing and mostly importantly winning! Instead of getting your fix of WGM once every two months, we’ll be posting new content to wgm8.com every single day.
Until next issue, follow that dragon!
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#12 Sep/Oct 2011
From the CEO
All of you know the spiritual home of World Gaming is Macau, China. Yes, we are a global magazine that can be found in such far flung places as London, Las Vegas, Toronto, Auckland and Mumbai; but apart from the global lingua franca of English our magazine’s main language is Chinese and there is no doubt whatsoever that Las Vegas passed the title of ‘global epicentre of gaming’ to the Chinese city of Macau quite a few years ago. Macau’s dominance in world gaming is unchallenged and increasing and China rightly deserves its status as the most important nation on the planet to the gaming industry.
But many families have a second ‘holiday home’ a short hop away from their main home. The World Gaming family is no different and our ‘second home’ is most definitely the Philippines. This enigmatic country has had (and continues to have) its fair shares of troubles, but we also feel it’s been unfairly maligned over the years. The Philippines has a lot to offer and can definitely claim to be the second gaming centre of Asia, especially with four more megaresort casinos due to open at PAGCOR city starting next year. The other contender for the ‘number two’ title would of course be Singapore with its two casino behemoths Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands. But Singapore is a country new to casinos without the rich gaming history of the Philippines. We’ll save Singapore for a future issue.
So it is with much pleasure that we present our special Philippines feature issue. The best casino in the Philippines right now is undoubtedly Resorts World Manila, the first international standard casino in the country, and we tell you everything you need to know about this wonderful new property. Our second feature article is about the magnificent beach holiday paradise of Boracay, a place that has consistently appeared on lists of the best beaches of the world for the last four decades. Many claim it to be the best beach in the world bar none, and there’s much talk of a Boracay casino opening soon.
We also give you our assessment of the betting in the upcoming Rugby World Cup, the biggest sporting event to hit New Zealand ever. Our London-based international football expert Leanne Lu tells us about her beloved Liverpool Football Club and its chances in the new EPL season, and of course as usual there’s much, much more…
Follow the dragon!
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#11 Jul/Aug 2011
From the CEO
Thanks to all our readers for your wonderful reaction to our bumper ‘Galaxy Macau’ issue in May/June featuring our in depth interview with Galaxy Vice-Chairman Mr Francis Lui. If you haven’t yet read it, all the articles are on our website wgm8.com.
For July/August we’ve got yet another fantastic issue of World Gaming for you. We’re very excited about our cover feature, “Fate in the cards: understanding baccarat trends”. Baccarat is the main game in Macau and Asia generally, and those red and blue baccarat trends that slither their way across each table’s electronic display have been a mystery to many. Not any more!
For all of you who love to bet on football we preview the betting for the upcoming 2011/12 EPL season, and select our best bet for the premiership. We congratulate Li Na on becoming the first ever Chinese tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles title, contemplate Barcelona’s dominance of world football and preview the arrival of MMA (one of the world’s fastest growing sports) to Macau.
Back in the casino we learn to play Fortune three card poker, continue our series on how to win a baccarat tournament and The Tiger tells you all the latest on new electronic games. Then we head over to the poker room with our newest regular column, the Railbird Report, which will keep you up to date with all the news and previews on the Macau, Asian and World poker tours. We learn to play deuce-to-seven triple draw poker, play the Sunday Million and sit back to soak up the tale our very own James Potter’s lifelong poker journey.
Finally, I couldn’t leave with mentioning one last very special article within these pages. Over the last two years our readers have come to know and love The Panda’s restaurant reviews. In this issue, The Panda reviews Macau’s only Three Michelin Star restaurant, Robuchon à Galera at the Lisboa casino. I won’t spoil your dinner, but let me just say it is a must read.
Until next time, follow the dragon!
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#10 May/Jun 2011
From the CEO
It’s here! To characterise the opening of the shiny new Galaxy Macau mega resort at Cotai as merely ‘highly anticipated’ is totally inadequate. Like a small child counting the days until he receives his present of a lifetime, Macau has been counting the days to the grand opening of the new jewel in the Galaxy Entertainment Group’s crown.
Galaxy Macau’s opening finally completes the triumvirate we all knew Cotai would become for this next phase of the post-Stanley Ho monopolised Macau. First we had the Venetian, but everyone knew what the Venetian would be: a virtual brick-for-brick clone of the (admittedly high impressive) Venetian in Las Vegas. For a sequel we had City of Dreams, but just like many movie sequels it offered so much but hasn’t been, well, quite what it could have been. The one everyone was watching was Galaxy Macau. Would it live up to the hype? Could Galaxy Entertainment pull a rabbit out of the hat?
I can answer that question for you right here and right now: yes!
Five weeks before Galaxy Macau’s grand opening, I had the privilege to walk the property with the Vice Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Mr Francis Lui. I’ve visited some 200 casinos all over the world since I set foot in my first way back in 1986. And I can honestly say Galaxy Macau is in the top handful. It might even be the best. Any place that has the audacity to create a 43,000 square foot sky wave pool (in other words a sea in the air!) and then for good measure dump 350 tons of white sand next to it to create a beach fit for 1,000 people has got my attention!
Mr Lui also graciously granted WGM an in-depth interview, which you’ll find on the very next page. Immediately after that is most detailed description you’ll find anywhere of everything to see and do at Galaxy Macau: hotels, gaming, all the restaurants, bars, lounges, wine, nightlife, spas, cinemas and of course the many pools and party areas and that mind-blowing grand resort deck with its beach in the sky. WGM has everything you need to know.
Oh yeah, then we have the rest of the magazine too…
Follow the Dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#9 Mar/Apr 2011
From the CEO
We all like a bet, and we all like to win and have fun while we’re winning. That’s what World Gaming is all about: helping you win more while enjoying yourself in the process. Becoming a better gambler takes time. It’s a process of soaking up information, learning, testing and throwing out what doesn’t work while keeping what does. There’s one thing I can guarantee you: keep reading World Gaming every issue and you’ll be a better bettor.
Some of the world’s best gamblers share their secrets between these covers. Just take a look at this issue: we have two great articles about baccarat tournaments, you’ll learn how to quietly improve your mahjong game without anyone noticing and we discuss stake management, a crucial concept in successful betting. Want to improve your football and other sports betting results? Read more! Become knowledgeable about football, basketball, tennis or whatever sports you bet on. This issue we cover the Asian Cup in Doha, Li Na’s remarkable success at the Australian Open tennis, and the upcoming cricket World Cup – one of the biggest sports betting events on the planet.
Poker tournaments are another great way to make money on the punt and we cover the major tournaments that have just been run and won, and preview the upcoming APT event at Resorts World casino in Manila.
Winning money is fun, but of course we have to enjoy ourselves along the way. We have a new contributor, the Butterfly, and she shows us all the best places to shop in Macau. Once again the Stallion is out partying and round that out with the Panda’s dinner at Boca Tapas and you have another fine issue of every bettor’s favourite mag!
Don’t forget to visit us at www.wgm8.com and sign up as a member today!
Follow the Dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#8 Jan/Feb 2011
From the CEO
It was a sad day in 1991 when the world’s last remaining Playboy Club, in the Silahis International Hotel in Manila, closed its doors after a 31 year history of Playboy clubs around the globe. But 19 years later, the Bunnies are back! Playboy is enjoying a resurgence of popularity in the 21st century led by Hugh Hefner’s starring reality TV roles, its flagship Playboy Club at the white hot Palms casino in Las Vegas, and a fresh new vision for the company. Macau is the perfect place for Playboy, one of the world’s most recognisable and enduring brands.
It seems to be the time for grand openings in Macau, because we also report on The Dragon’s visit to the newly opened Grand Waldo spa. This magnificent facility claims to be the best family spa in town, and it is hard to disagree. You’ll almost feel the soothing hands of an invisible masseuse kneading your shoulders as you read The Dragon’s account of his feast of indulgent relaxation.
On the theme of indulgent relaxation, who doesn’t love a round of golf in beautiful natural surroundings? We take a visit to Ceasars Golf course in Macau and learn of one of Asia’s hidden gems. To top it all off, of course we’ve got all the usual news, reviews and tricks of the trade for baccarat, craps, mahjong, football, poker and a while lot more. We wrap all that up with some fine French cuisine in Manila of all places. Yum!
Don’t forget the web address that keeps you in the know for the wide world of gaming: www.WGM8.com. Visit us online and sign up as a member today!
Follow the Dragon
Andew W Scott
CEO
#7 Nov/Dec 2010
From the CEO
Can you believe it’s that time already? It only feels like a month or two since we were putting out our Chinese New Year special, but Macau is already hotting up for the November Grand Prix.
Amazingly this will be the 57th year in a row Macau has held its Grand Prix – imagine the changes in the streets and casinos lining the track! Of all the GP stories over the years who could forget the high drama in 1990 when Michael Schumacher tangled with Mika Häkkinen on the home straight of the final lap, with Schumaker’s damaged car limping over the line to claim victory in highly controversial circumstances. Who knows what this year’s race will bring…
Aside from the roar of the cars we have plenty of material for the player in you: we start our series on how to win a baccarat tournament, continue our popular articles on craps (we’re already up to part E of the series!), have a profile on EPL team Arsenal from their number one fan in Asia, and visit the Metro Card Club in Manila. The Dragon has a secret meeting with a high-ranking casino executive, we talk slot machine history, roulette wheels, and wrap up the world-class Macau Tennis Showdown we were treated to last month.
We check out exploding fireworks (are there any other kind?) and the Panda decides to casually slurp some noodles. For those of you that need a bit more adrenaline rushing through your veins we take a trip to D2, surely Macau’s best-known club.
Poker fans are not ignored: we visit the APT in Macau and wrap up those poker players you love to hate – poker’s dirty dozen!
Don’t forget to check out www.WGM8.com for back issues and articles, and best of all it’s completely free. Sign up as a member and you’ll find yourself in the running to win all sorts of prizes.
And I’m sure we’ll be seeing some of you in the flesh in Macau on 10 December for our first birthday party!
Follow the dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#6 Sep/Oct 2010
From the CEO
We like to party, we like, we like to party (apologies to the Vengaboys). Yes, The Stallion’s been yelling at us to let him loose on you, our dear WGM readers, with his very own regular column each issue bringing you all the goss on the party scene in Macau. And you don’t argue with a fired-up Stallion, you give him what he wants! All jokes aside The Stallion is The Man (or The Horse?) when it comes to nightlife in Aomen (that’s Macau to you). I’m sure you’ll love his party-place reviews and he might even save you a dollar or twelve.
The other big news right now is the World Series of Mahjong which has just been run and won, with Chan Tak-Kwan taking the chocolates home to Hong Kong. World Gaming fielded its very own professional mahjong team of nine players, in conjunction with our great friends from ReachMahjong.com. The team was captained by our Mahjong columnist Jenn Barr and included her co-columnist Kelvin ‘Puyo’ Ng. Of our nine players, four made the final 16 in the tournament which was a fantastic achievement – 44 percent of our team made it to the final 8 percent of the entire field.
Don’t forget to check out www.WGM8.com for back issues and articles, and best of all it’s completely free. Sign up as a member and you’ll find yourself in the running to win all sorts of prizes.
We’ve also got all the usual columns you’ve come to know and love in WGM: baccarat, blackjack, craps, world football, plenty on poker and our restaurant review. On top of that we introduce our new contributor, The Eagle, who is a high-flying lawyer but we’re trying not to hold that against him. Round that out with a review on the famous (infamous?) MP3 bar, the next instalment in our backgammon series and more sport and gaming and you have yet another bumper issue of Macau’s only gaming magazine written just for you – the players of Macau. We’re sure you’ll love it.
Follow the dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#5 Jul/Aug 2010
From the CEO
Our Editor-in-Chief James Potter has done it again! Backing up from our huge World Cup special issue which hit the streets just under a month ago, James has put together what
surely has to be our best magazine yet!
This issue surely does live up to World Gaming ‘s motto: “The Secrets of Winning”.
You hold in your hand a magazine which could make you thousands, if not millions, of dollars in your future betting. Our cover story “Top Secret: What the casinos don’t want you
to know” holds the key five secrets of no less than eight very different forms of betting that we all know and love, including baccarat and other casino games, football and other sports betting, and of course everyone’s game-of-the-moment, poker. These 40 secrets represent the fundamental starting point for smart gambling, and represent some of the fundamental knowledge of our contributors. Believe it or not the World Gaming team holds well over 200 years of winning gaming experience between them.
As if all that wasn’t enough, we have a host of other content for you: articles on baccarat, blackjack, craps and roulette. Outside the casino we tell you about mahjong and start our
series on backgammon, and we have plenty on sports including the dragon boat racing, an annual tradition in Macau. As usual poker gets a run with stories from PokerStars Macau and the Venetian poker room, and The Panda has been munching on bamboo shoots again. Finally we report on those hot Playboy bunnies frolicking at the Playboy 50th anniversary
party in Macau. Nothing like seeing a bunny frolic!
We’ve been working feverously on the new World Gaming website: www.wgm8.com.
We’d love you to go sign up there because soon we’ll be running giveaways and competitions, and some of them will only be for our earliest signed-up members. Go sign up and let the rewards come rolling in. You’ll see our website grow and improve over the coming months.
So sit back, relax, light up a cigar, pour that cognac, and turn the page. Enjoy!
Follow the dragon
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#4 May/Jun 2010
From the CEO
It’s here! That exciting time that rolls around every four years. The countries of the world put aside petty squabbles about nuclear arms, terrorism and global financial doom and the real battle begins! It’s the stuff little (and not-so-little) boys daydream about: The World Cup. The world’s most watched sporting event – even bigger than the Olympics. South Africa 2010 is just days away, and of course, there is plenty of money won and lost on the games. It’s a huge time for sports betting.
We’ve even held the release of this special issue back to the last possible minute to have the latest, most up-to-date information we can. Our huge World Cup liftout tells you everything you need to know about the month-long carnival of football we are all about to enjoy. Rip it out and carry it around with you during the World Cup for instant expert status amongst your peeps!
World Gaming has more exciting news: now the gaming content you really want to read about is not just in Macau, but we’ve expanded to The Philippines too. Starting this issue, World Gaming magazine will be found in all 30 poker rooms in The Philippines and selected casinos and newsstands throughout the archipelago. Don’t be surprised to find us popping up in other Asian cities as the year progresses.
The World Cup is undoubtedly the main dish in this issue’s feast of gaming, but our smorgasbord also includes other fare of casino games, poker and lifestyle. Our craps article continues from last issue, we have our usual Mahjong column from Jenn and Puyo, and for those that like to relax we tell you all about the tranquil Altira Spa and Tacos restaurant, a little gem just a stone’s throw from MGM. And there’s much, much more…
Want to find an article from a back issue of World Gaming? Hit us up on the web internets thingy! www.worldgamingmag.com was always a bit of a mouthful so now you can also find us with the more succinct www.wgm8.com. That’s a saving of 10 keystrokes! Just image what you can do with the extra time. Easy to remember: WGM followed by everyone’s luckiest number. Go there and sign up for free website membership, go on, do it! Good things happen to people who do.
And keep an eye out for our next issue, it’ll be out before you know it, in late June…
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
#3 Mar/Apr 2010
From the CEO
Welcome to the third issue of World Gaming, and thank you for all the wonderful feedback we received from our Chinese New Year special issue. World Gaming has quickly cemented itself as the magazine of record for the gaming industry in Macau. We are very honoured to be the major gaming media organisation in Macau, this magnificent city of ours, which is truly the centre of the Universe for those of us that love gaming. We bring you the content you really want to read about.
We’ve got yet another action packed magazine for you. We love to bring you action for a wide range of casinos games, sports betting and poker – but no-one can deny that the king of all games is the mighty baccarat – it represents nearly 90 percent of all betting in Macau casinos.
As every high stakes baccarat player knows, the thing that gives the game all its style, class and high drama is ‘the squeeze’. Knowing how to squeeze the cards sets the men apart from the boys. This issue’s major feature article is an in-depth look at the baccarat squeeze.
There’s no denying poker is the hot new game in town. Poker expert Jimmy King reviews the four poker room offerings in Macau and we also have a feature on the boom in poker in Asia generally. We also have a player profile on Chen Daoxing, affectionately known as Bobo, a Chinese home-grown poker player who has already tasted success in the poker big time.
There’s always plenty of sports action in World Gaming and our resident football expert Rich Clow writes about EPL action over the decade just passed. We also have a story about the two Chinese girls that made the semi-finals of the Australian Open – what an achievement for China!
Our friends The Panda and The Tiger chip in with their usual columns. No column from The Dragon or The Stallion this issue but I’ve heard on the grapevine The Stallion has some huge news, and hopefully he can reveal that to you all next issue – it will be a major development for Macau that will put us even more firmly on the world stage!
Please be sure to visit www.worldgamingmag.com and join up there as very soon we’ll be announcing prizes and giveaways to our website members. Keep an eye out for the fourth issue of World Gaming, which will hit the streets of Macau in late April.
Follow the dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
From the Editor
It has been a crazy time here at World Gaming with only a very short break between this issue and our sensational Chinese New Year special issue. I hope everyone had an enjoyable, safe and prosperous break and I certainly hope you’re looking forward to making plenty of money this year on the tables.
We’re excited about some of the stories we have for you especially the beginners guide to ‘squeezing’ the cards at baccarat. I know that many of our readers will already be experts when it comes to the squeeze but it will be a great help to new players that are just learning the techniques to this wonderful game. For the more experienced baccarat player, why not check out the history of baccarat.
We will have a thorough look at sports betting and uncover where the best place is to have a bet, and we’ll also check out how the poker craze is hitting Macau and the greater Asian region.
There is plenty to look forward to in the next few months including the FIFA World Cup. World Gaming magazine will be giving you the heads up on ‘who’s hot’ and ‘who’s not’ in South Africa. Enjoy our Mar/Apr issue and I look forward to seeing you all again shortly.
James Potter
Editor In Chief
#2 Chinese New Year 2010
From the CEO
Welcome to the second issue of World Gaming, our Chinese New Year special for 2010. The response to our launch has been fantastic – I want to give a very big thank you to all our readers, magazine subscribers and website members.
Our launch party at The VIEW at The Sands was a huge success and you can read The Dragon’s report on the party in this issue, and you can check out video from the night on our website www.worldgamingmag.com.
We’ve got an action-packed magazine for you to help celebrate the new year.
Our cover story is all about The Year of the Tiger and we’ll take you through your gaming luck for the next year – whether you are a Tiger or not.
We also have a feature on Macau ten years on from the handover – how time haspassed so fast!
World Gaming is also your source for lots of sport action. With the 17 days of the Winter Olympics almost exactly matching the Chinese New Year festival period we have a special feature on the race for gold in Vancouver. We have our usual World Football column and on the gaming front you’ll read columns featuring baccarat, blackjack, mahjong, roulette, sic-bo and slots. We review the inaugural Poker King tournament, preview the next Macau Poker Cup and have our regular poker lesson.
Of course our friends The Panda, The Dragon and The Tiger are at it again, and this issue they are joined by a new friend. He is our resident party animal, The Stallion. The
Stallion will report on all the clubs, bars, parties and nightlife that Macau has to offer, and this issue it is the turn of the Lion’s Bar at MGM. The Panda and The Dragon report on the sumptuous special Chinese New Year food on offer at The Sands and The Tiger celebrates the start of The Year of the Tiger with a foray into high rolling slots at The Plaza casino in Cotai.
Please be sure to visit www.worldgamingmag.com and join up there as very soon we’ll be announcing prizes and giveaways to our website members. Keep an eye out for the third issue of World Gaming, which will hit the streets of Macau on March 1.
Andrew W Scott
CEO
From the Editor
I would like to wish everyone a happy, safe and prosperous new year. The Year of the Tiger should be a good one for all and we certainly intend to make it a memorable one here at World Gaming.
We’re excited about the great response we had from our first issue and look forward to producing a great range of insightful and relevant articles for our readers. We had a fantastic launch party at The VIEW and I would personally like to thank all those involved for making it such a memorable night. Check out a few of the hot party pictures in this issue and for even more great party shots and videos visit www.worldgamingmag.com.
There is plenty of great reading in this special New Year issue including a review of some of the hair-raising events at the Winter Olympics in Canada and an introduction to the game of Sic Bo. The Panda and The Dragon have been on the prowl again in Macau and reveal what the chefs have been cooking up for Chinese New Year at the Sands.
Once again happy new year to all and make sure you grab a copy of the March/April issue of World Gaming that will be hitting the streets on March 1.
James Potter
Editor-in-Chief
#1 Jan/Feb 2010
From the CEO
Welcome to the first issue of World Gaming magazine, the magazine for people who love to bet. Our purpose is to inform and entertain the betting public.
Our home base is Macau, so of course you’ll find plenty in the magazine about casino games like baccarat, blackjack and roulette. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg – our magazine is like a buffet of betting, with a little bit of everything.
We have a regular football column focusing on the English Premier League, a poker lesson from a professional poker player, articles on world sports such as golf and tennis, all the latest racing action from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and around the world, and restaurant reviews from our world class restaurant critic, The Panda.
We also have a regular Mahjong column jointly written by two Mahjong pros (from Hong Kong and Japan), and our high-roller lifestyle column written by The Dragon, which gives you a peek into how the rich and famous live. Every issue we’ll profile a professional poker player in the Asia region, and to top it all off we have an incredibly useful directory in the back of the magazine.
On top of all these regular columns, we’ll also have feature articles on what’s currently hot in the world of gaming.
I’m proud of the team of Chinese and Western contributors we’ve built up for World Gaming. We’re lucky to have James Potter as our Editor-in-Chief. James is one of the region’s most experienced sports, gaming and poker journalists. Besides our strong team of staff writers, you’ll see special guest writers too.
With the team of quality writers we have, I know that World Gaming will quickly cement itself as the premier magazine for betting information in the Asia region, and I hope you’ll eagerly await each issue. We hope you have as much fun reading it as we did putting it together!
Andrew W Scott
CEO
From the Editor-in-Chief
Dear Readers,
Welcome to World Gaming Magazine. Our mission is to bring the exciting world of gaming to all of our readers and ensure that we keep you up to date with what is happening in Macau and all over the world. Our experienced team will also bring you valuable insights into gaming, sports, poker and the high flying lifestyle that will see you enjoy yourself on and off the tables.
We have a huge magazine this issue, and in the feature article I explain why Macau sits alone at the top of world gaming. We will also have a look at the awesome ability of China’s basketball champion Yao Ming and why Hong Kong Racing is leading the way when it comes to the sport of kings.
You will also enjoy all of our regular gaming segments that should help you clean up on the tables, and our good friends The Dragon, The Panda and The Tiger have all been busy out and about in the gaming world.
Happy 2010 to all our readers — and I look forward to wishing you all a prosperous New Year in our next Special Issue, out just prior to the Chinese New Year festivities.
James Potter
Editor-in-Chief
#0 Nov 2009 (pre-launch)
From the CEO
Welcome to the first issue of World Gaming magazine, the magazine for people who love to bet. Our purpose is to educate, inform and entertain the punting public.
Our home base is Macau, so of course you’ll find plenty in the magazine about casino games. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg – every month our magazine will have so much more. We have a regular football column focusing on the English Premier League, a poker lesson from a professional poker player, restaurant reviews from a world class restaurant critic, articles on world sports such as golf and tennis, and all the latest racing action from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and other racing around the world.
We also have a regular Mahjong column jointly written by two Mahjong pros (one from Japan and the other from Hong Kong), a regular BlackJack column, and a high roller lifestyle column giving you a peek into the how the rich and famous live. Every month we’ll profile a professional poker player in the Asia region, provide other articles on casino games, and to top it all off we have an incredibly useful directory in the back of the magazine.
As if all those regular columns weren’t enough, every month we’ll also have feature articles on what’s currently hot in the world of gaming. This month’s main feature is on Macau versus Vegas and why Macau clearly has taken over as the number one gambling centre of the world.
I’m proud of the team of contributors we’ve already built up for World Gaming. We’re lucky to have James Potter as our Editor-in-chief. James is one of the region’s most experienced and accomplished sports, gaming and poker journalists. Damien Oborne is contributing for our international sports columns. Damien is a talented journalist and sports statistician with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of world sport. Jenn Barr from Japan and Kelvin Ng from Hong Kong write our Mahjong column, and yours truly the BlackJack column. Besides a strong team of staff writers, you’ll see special guest writers pop up from month to month.
With the team of quality writers we have, I know that World Gaming will quickly cement itself as the premier magazine for betting information in the Asia region, and I hope you’ll eagerly await its release each month. We hope you have as much fun reading it as we did putting it together!
Andrew W Scott
CEO
From the Editor-in-Chief
I would like to welcome everyone to the first edition of World Gaming Magazine. Here at World Gaming Magazine we look forward to bringing you the best information when it comes to gaming, sport and poker every month. Our aim is to make the magazine interesting as well as informative. There are some lifestyles elements to the magazine that I hope will also entertain and help our readership. I am excited about the excellent contributors we have here at World Gaming and am confident that we have hand selected the very best international gamblers and experts to give you the edge that you need to win and enjoy yourself in the process.
Our website www.worldgamingmag.com is also an excellent place to go for information on all things gaming, sport and poker. The web site will showcase all of our regular articles as well as extra information, sign ups and competitions that will help entertain everybody that is interested in the world of gaming. Good bye and good luck.
James Potter
Editor-in-Chief