Chicago Sun-Times: CASINO NEWS & NOTES

New blackjack tables and the new Dragon Bonus Bet on baccarat are among the table games enhancements Harrah's East Chicago has made as part of its $27 million renovation. The blackjack tables, with five spots instead of the traditional seven, soon will include 21 + 3, which adds a Three Card Poker side bet onto blackjack. At baccarat, $10 and $15 tables are always open, and have the Dragon Bonus that pays off according to the margin of your win. For example, if you win by nine with a non-natural, the side bet pays 3-1. For other table games, the Party Pit, with live entertainment daily, is coming soon. The pit will feature Caribbean Stud, Let It Ride, blackjack, Spanish 21, pai-gow poker and Three Card Poker.

Each Thursday in April, the winner of Harrah's East Chicago's weekly poker tournament will receive a seat in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Pre-registration for the April tournaments will be available starting Monday for a $340 entry fee. Call (800) HARRAHS.

*Wednesdays in March are Tube Mania Days at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Ind. Get one entry for every 250 points earned on your Prime Rewards Card during the week before each drawing and get one free entry each Wednesday by swiping your card through the reader at the club booth, starting at 7 a.m. Then on Wednesday, Blue Chip will give away $1,000 each hour from 2 to 5 p.m., and give a 42-inch plasma television at 6 p.m. Call (888) 879-7711.

For Blue Chip slot players, it's tournament time on March 22. Registration for the Reel Fun Tournament starts at 3 p.m. in the pavilion on the day of the tournament. There is a $60 entry fee. Then at 6 p.m., players compete for $7,920 in prizes on Triple Diamond machines on the lower level of the casino.

Blackjack players get their chance at a guaranteed prize pool of $20,000 on March 29 with the Aces & Faces blackjack tournament. Registration begins Monday for cash at the casino cage, or by credit card by calling VIP services at (888) 879-7711, ext. 3650. Tournament play begins at 5:30 p.m. March 29 on the third level of the casino.