We love the new Lord of the Rings slot game -- and the special online features -- plus we can play it in Arizona!*

We’ve played it and we’re convinced:  the Lord of The Rings slot machine from WMS Gaming is the most fun game to hit the casino floor in ages.  With that in mind, we’re not surprised to have lots of people asking us where to play the Lord of the Rings slot game– or “LOTR” as fans of the saga call it — in Phoenix, Scottsdale and other places in Arizona.

We’ll tell you where to play Lord of the Rings but first we should give you some reasons as to why this game is so hot.

First, this is NOT your father’s (or your grandmother’s) slot machine.  If you’re an old school gamer – think Blazing 7’s or Triple Diamonds – this interactive video extravaganza is probably not for you.  There are bells and whistles galore featuring choices in bonus games, special Power Spins and randomly awarded “Wild” rounds. (Watch out for the Gollum wild when that creepy little dude comes flying across the screen seemingly out of nowhere.)  Couple all that with high-tech Bose speakers blasting out sound effects from speakers embedded into the high-backed gaming chairs and you’ve got one fun and crazy game.

In addition to the very cool game itself, credit WMS Gaming for coming up with an interactive feature that gives Lord of the Rings players the ability to earn bonuses by playing casual games on their home computers.

At the new PlayersLife.com website, visitors register to join and then use their website membership to play a series of entertaining games which can earn them special bonuses redeemable when playing the actual Lord of the Rings game at their favorite casinos.  The PlayersLife.com website also features a chat forum, news of the latest games plus a real-time ticker showing game wins at casinos across the country.

Here’s how it works:  Go to PlayersLife.com and sign up for an account.  (Be sure to use an easy-to-remember player name and password since you’ll need it when you play at the casino.)  Once you’re accepted, log on to the site and play games such as “Gandalf’s Rockets” to unlock new bonus rounds good on your next casino visit.  Once you’ve mastered the website game, head to your favorite casino, insert your player’s club card then log into the LOTR game.  (A notice will pop up on the screen and ask for your Player’s Life name and password.)  Play the game as you normally would but notice that when and if you get the bonus round, your newly-earned choice is there on the screen.  As an example, I played the rocket game at home and earned a special “Prancing Ponies” bonus which I used during actual play at Casino Arizona in Scottsdale.  (Right now I’m stuck on Middle Earth Mahjongg.)  Continue to play both at home and at your fav casino to progress through the game and earn more bonuses.

Here’s where to play Lord of the Rings slot game in Arizona — For a map of these Arizona casinos check out our Arizona Casino Guide & Map here

Casino Arizona Talking Stick — 101 & Indian Bend, Scottsdale

Casino Arizona at Salt River –  101 & McKellips, Scottsdale

Fort McDowell Casino and Radisson Hotel — Fountain Hills, North Scottsdale

Gila River Lone Butte Casino — Chandler

Harrah’s Ak-Chin — Maricopa

Cliff Castle Casino — Camp Verde

* Photo courtesy of WMS Gaming

A soaring rooftop canopy will provide plenty of shade for baseball fans at Scottsdale's newest spring training facility.*

Is it just us or did this new Scottsdale baseball stadium seem to just pop up practically over night?  We’re talking about the beautiful new Salt River Fields at Talking Stick — home to both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies for the spring training season.

The much-awaited 11,000-seat stadium is the Cactus League’s newest facility — the first to be built on Indian land — and, wow, is it a beauty.  Located just off the 101 freeway at the Indian Bend exit and part of Casino Arizona’s Talking Stick development, the $100 million project includes such features as 13 playing fields, a kid’s play area , designated autograph-seekers section, lots of food and beverage options plus $5 on-site parking for 3,000 cars.  A uniquely-designed shade structure reminiscent of a Native American ramada will provide relief from the hot Arizona sun while the stadium’s location allows for breath-taking views of the surrounding mountains, most notably the McDowell’s and Camelback Mountain.

The first game  — Diamondbacks vs. Rockies — is scheduled for February 26 at 1:10 pm and is a sell-out at this time.  Tickets for the remaining 30+ games range in price from $25 for an infield box seat to $8 for a spot on the lawn. Also available are “party deck” tickets priced at $19 each.  Tickets can be purchased at the stadium or by visiting Spring Training Tickets – Salt River.

Casino Player’s Tip:  Check out the “Big League Bucks” promotion happening at both Casino Arizona locations for a chance to win your share of $100,000.  You’ll find all the details here:  Casino Arizona promotions

* Photo courtesy of Salt River Fields.

Playing Super Hoot Loot at Wild Horse Pass Casino near Phoenix is, well, a hoot.

Lately, we’ve become enamored of penny and two-cent slots, especially those with bonus rounds and lots of those little twists and turns that make playing them a blast.  If you’re like us, when you first start playing a new game, you may have a winning spin and not even know why!  We think that  just adds to the fun of playing games for the first time.  It’s only if  we find a game we enjoy that we stick around for a while and learn what it actually takes to make the game pay.

We decided to take a scouting trip to Gila River’s Wild Horse Pass Casino with the idea of playing games we had never tried and ended up finding some really fun games we can pass on to you.  (Of course, the length of time our bankroll holds out — or if we actually win — tends to color whether we liked a game or not.)

In this and upcoming posts, we’ll be giving you info on our “Slot Hunt” faves along with any links showing the game “in action.”  Today we start with a colorful, bells-and-whistles-packed penny game from IGT.

Super Hoot Loot — This 5-reel, 40-line game features woodland creatures, wild symbols (the Super Hoot Loot logo and a 2x bonus owl symbol) plus a “free games” bonus round if you hit three “safe door” symbols.  The big twist — the Loot Line –  offers a multiplier that starts at 40x and goes up based on number of coins per line bet when all lines are covered.

Here’s how the Loot Line works:  During each spin, some of the symbols that appear on the screen will have a little owl logo in the corner.  Any symbols with the owl will drop down into a bonus line — the Loot Line — and if a winning combination appears,  the player receives a pay-out at the multiplier specified on the screen.  If you get the “free games” bonus, the 2x wise old owl wild symbol is automatically added to the Loot Line for an even bigger pay-out.  Here are a couple of links to videos showing the game in action or watch the video below:   Super Hoot Loot bonus round and Loot Line .

Have you played this game?  Do you like it?  Have any favorite games you want to recommend?  We’d love your comments!

Wild Horse Pass Casino near Phoenix and Scottsdale offers some of the newest games in a beautiful setting.

Most people planning to travel Arizona usually include a stay in the Valley of the Sun as part of their trip.  For those looking to play a little poker or try their luck at the slots, Phoenix, Scottsdale and the surrounding metro-area offer visitors not only great weather but also great gaming.  From the newest slot games to the best restaurants, our Phoenix-area casinos will surprise and delight casino gaming fans.

Here is a guide to the casinos in and around Phoenix and Scottsdale plus some recommendations on what to play, where to dine, which casino resorts offer golf and more — all in the beautiful state of Arizona.

Casino Arizona:  Offering two locations — both of which are just off the Loop 101 freeway — these Phoenix casinos are closest to the major tourist hotels and Scottsdale attractions.  Free limo service is available by calling 480-850-7790.

• Casino Arizona at Talking Stick: The Loop 101 freeway at the Indian Bend exit.

This is the newest casino resort in Scottsdale and the most convenient to the north Phoenix/Scottsdale mega-resorts such as the Fairmont Scottsdale, J.W. Marriott at Desert Ridge, The Westin Kierland or any of the posh resorts on Scottsdale Road north of Lincoln Drive.

Features: Opened in April of 2010, this casino features the newest and hottest slot games including Sex and the City, the new “community-gaming” fave, Beat the Field, the Wizard of Oz games and the newest variations on Monopoly®, Wheel of Fortune® and our personal favorite, GoldFish.   (Pay tables on video poker are awful so stick to the slots.)

Poker rules at this location with the casino offering the largest poker room in Arizona.  Lots of tourneys, promotions and games bring in a big local crowd as well as visitors attending high-profile events such as the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction and Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.

There is a high limit room for slots and table games.

Dining:  There’s really something for everyone here — from a quick-serve coffee shop to fine dining spots, Talking Sticking offers a great array of restaurant options.  The buffet is excellent as is the top-notch Orange Sky rooftop dining room with breath-taking views of the desert and surrounding mountains.  For something quick and tasty, try the sandwiches with house-made sweet potato chips at the Black Fig Bistro.

Resort:  497 luxurious hi-tech rooms and suites plus spa.

Golf: Talking Stick Golf Course

• Casino Arizona at Salt River: The Loop 101 freeway at the McKellips Road exit. Convenient to Tempe, the Loop 202 plus central and Old Town Scottsdale.

Features: More than 1,000 slot, Keno and video poker machines dot the gaming floor at this expansive casino.  It’s here that you can play the popular new Lord of the Rings slot machine in Phoenix.

The entertaining Vegas-style variety show – “Showstoppers Live” – is a high-energy musical tribute show with an ever-changing cast of performers.

High-end steakhouse “Cholla” offers pricey but excellent food, a great wine list, and is open until midnight on weekends.  The more casual Willow Room is open 24/7 for burgers, breakfast and big fat deli sandwiches.

The Piano Bar is a relaxing spot for a glass of wine and some good music.

• Lone Butte Casino: Loop 202 at the Kyrene Road exit. Close to Chandler and the I-10 freeway. Good location if you are staying along the I-10 freeway.

Features: Another of Arizona’s newest casinos, Lone Butte offers 850 slot machines, live blackjack, casino bingo and poker. Games include Fortune Pai Gow Poker® Progressive, Let It Ride Three-Card Bonus® and Three-Card Poker® plus slots such as the popular eBay and Star Trek machines.  High limit room with slots and tables.

Dining:  The high-end Verona Chophouse restaurant features aged beef plus the adjacent cozy wine bar has a good list of bottles and by-the-glass choices.  For those wanting something a little more casual, try the yummy Cafe 24/7 with its pretty little courtyard dining area.

Cascades Lounge is hopping with live entertainment nightly.  You’ll also find the “Lucky Break” talent competition taking place here on Wednesday and Thursday nights January through June.

• Wild Horse Pass Casino: I-10 freeway at Wild Horse Pass Boulevard exit and just a couple of miles from the Lone Butte casino.

Features:   Yet another sleek addition to the Phoenix gaming scene!   This new casino (opened in November of 2009) features more than 100,000 square feet of gaming, six dining outlets including Don Shula’s American Steakhouse plus a 10-story, 241-room luxury resort.  Home to 875 slot machines, live poker, blackjack, keno and a 1500 seat high-stakes bingo room, Wild Horse Pass brings all the excitement of Vegas to our town.

Dining:  The aforementioned Shula’s steakhouse brings big beefy plates to the table while fun, casual spots like Ling & Louie’s are on board for lighter appetites.  A food court offers even more options for diners.

Resort:  242 luxury rooms make up the new 10-story hotel tower.  Beautiful views of the San Tan Mountains plus a fitness club and outdoor spa are just two of the draws for visitors.

Good to know:  The Wild Horse Pass is next door to popular attraction, Rawhide Western Town, with its famous steakhouse and Wild West shows.  There are also lots of special holiday events such as the big Fourth of July fireworks show making Wild Horse Pass the perfect spot to stay when heading to Rawhide.

Golf: Whirlwind Golf Course is on property.

• Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino: It’s a drive out to the town of Maricopa (about 40 minutes from Sky Harbor airport, exit Queen Creek Road off the I-10 freeway) but it is definitely  worth it if you are a Harrah’s Total Rewards Club member wanting to get credit for your play or enjoy a free hotel stay.

Features: New slot games – think the popular Wizard of Oz, Beat the Field and more — plus lots of Super Times Pay video poker machines bring Phoenix players out this way.  A small poker room with lots of regulars plus a separate bingo hall are also available.

Dining:  The Range Steakhouse – a Harrah’s favorite – offers prime rib, lamb chops plus good seafood options like the sea scallops in chive butter.  The ice cream sundae with hot fudge and berries is a must for dessert.  The casino recently re-did their buffet and good reviews are coming in for the “cooking station”-style of serving and the new gelato bar.

Good to know:  Since you’ve made the trek to Maricopa, be sure to stop at Arena Sports Bar (in town) for some of the best Buffalo wings in Arizona.

• Fort McDowell Casino: Located about 20 minutes from Scottsdale near the town of Fountain Hills, this casino is most convenient for those staying in north Phoenix or Scottsdale. The drive is worth it simply for the spectacular scenery you’ll see driving out on Shea Boulevard to the Beeline Highway and on to the casino.  (You can even make a stop to see the world’s tallest vertical fountain for which the town is Fountain Hills is named.)

Features: New slots like Star Trek, Wizard of Oz, Sex and the City and Indiana Jones plus lots of video poker machines including a popular $.25 progressive. Pay tables on video poker are some of the best in the state.  A poker room offers tons of special events and jackpots plus “early bird” and weekend events.

Dining:  Inside the casino you’ll find lots of casual café-style options plus a buffet known for its weekend crab legs special.  At the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort (adjacent to the casino) is the Ahnala Mesquite Room, a fine dining spot featuring local ingredients and gourmet dining. (The shrimp or fish tacos with watermelon salsa are outstanding.)

Golf: Wee-Ko-Pa Golf Course