The next morning at 5 a.m., a few minutes before he has to catch a ride to the airport, The Raccoon bursts into the room. He throws his clothes in his suitcase and complains about the donkeys he was playing against and about how unlucky he was “on fifth street,” the nickname for the last community card you’re dealt in Texas Hold ’em, also called “the river.”

“I hate the river!” The Raccoon says before dashing out. I bury my face in my pillow. How can you hate the river here, I wonder. The river is what gives Tunica its beat. A beat you can happy-dance to.

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tunica if you go
to try your own hand at poker or any of the other casino games in tunica, you’ll need to fly into memphis, which is approximately 40 minutes north of tunica. (technically, the casinos are in robinsonville, but all the signs, literature, and maps say tunica, so don’t get confused.) the tunica cab & shuttle (888-527-7272) is available from the airport, but you’re better off renting a car and driving yourself so you can casino-hop.

all nine casinos can be found at the following website, where you can make reservations online or get contact numbers: www.tunicamiss.org/casinos.asp.
river bend links (888-539-9990) and cottonwoods golf course (800-946-4946, ext. 6078) are available for those seeking tee times. for entertainment and child care, check out kids quest near the grand casino (662-357-6060).

for more information on tunica, you can contact the convention and visitors bureau at (888) 488-6422.