Page 17 – That Eric Alper

Does Timing Matter? Finding the Best Time to Play at a Casino

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

By Mitch Rice

“Las Vegas is a very strange place. It’s a place where the lights are always on, and the slot machines never sleep.” – Hunter S. Thompson. Today, players no longer need to travel to Las Vegas to enjoy slots, as thousands of titles are available online. Yet long before online casinos, a myth persisted about the best time to win, especially on slots. Some believe early mornings offer better chances, others swear by afternoons when most people are working. Let’s find out.

When is the Best Time to Play Games at a Casio?

It’s not unusual to have different beliefs as to what brings luck when playing casino games. Sometimes, Kiwi players may reserve slots for mornings and table games for the night. Some even go as far as assigning specific days as to when they’ll be most lucky, avoiding commonly-believed bad luck days, such as Friday the 13th.

However, those myths about the best time to play slots have been laid to rest with the advent of online casinos and RNGs. You can find audited and fair slots in New Zealand with the expert Kiwi-friendly casino guide. It won’t matter when you decide to play slots or any other game before you get your wins.

Per what we’ve observed at online casinos, the following are the times most people prefer playing certain games for better chances of winning.

Table games (Baccarat, blackjack, poker, and roulette) – Nighttime.
Slot games – Early hours of the morning.
Jackpot slots and Bingo games – Weekends.
All games – Monday mornings.
Live dealer games – Nighttime.

When brick-and-mortar casinos were still the only destination for gambling, these times and specific days might have been true. However, all that’s changed now with the advent of online casinos.

Does Timing Really Matter When Playing at an Online Casino?

At online casinos, the time you play a game does not matter. Whether it’s slots, table games, or even live dealer games, they all run on random number generators. These random number generators do not operate based on the time of day or specific days. They run on probability and can give wins at any time of the day.

Besides, the odds of the games at an online casino are fixed. When you see an RTP, it’ll tell you how much you’re expected to get back on average when you spend 100 coins. So, no matter the time you play, you can count on winning in the long run. Also, the online casino games are audited by external bodies, ensuring they’re fair and transparent.

No casino can manipulate its algorithm to pay more at certain times of the day. Any form of manipulation means the casino is ready to lose its license and go out of business.

When is the Best Time to Play Slot Machines?

“I go to casinos to relax — same reason people go to church.” – George Burns.

Back in the days of brick-and-mortar casinos, most people believed it was best to play slots when it was still “hot.” This meant playing when someone had just had a losing streak, as it was believed the slot was closer to “breaking” and giving wins. Hence, it was common to patronise casinos at night when people went to casinos to relax. For the same reason, it was also quite popular to play slots on weekends and holidays.

What About Playing at Brick-and-Mortar Casinos?

At brick-and-mortar casinos, the video slot machines also use random number generators. The table games are also based on probability, using cards and dice. The best time to use such casinos, then, would not be to boost your winnings but to socialise and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere. You must also consider the wait times and noise, which might be to your disadvantage.

Final Thoughts

There is no optimum time to play at a casino to boost your chances of winning. However, there are optimum times for socialisation and a vibrant atmosphere, if you’re using a brick-and-mortar casino. At an online casino, the experience is mostly player-focused with fewer distractions. Regardless of the time you choose to play, you’ll only get winnings when the random number generator determines so.

YELLOW SOUND LABEL Releases All-Star Studio Recording of ‘Winchell: The Musical’

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

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YELLOW SOUND LABEL Releases All-Star Studio Recording of ‘Winchell: The Musical’

Yellow Sound Label has released the premiere NYC studio recording of ‘Winchell: The Musical’, a long-lost theatrical work centered on the life of legendary gossip columnist Walter Winchell. Originally slated for a Broadway debut in 1991 before being derailed by a production scandal, the score finally arrives on streaming and digital formats. The project features music by Keith Levenson and lyrics by the legendary Martin Charnin alongside Levenson. This release serves a significant philanthropic purpose, with album proceeds benefiting the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, an organization that has supported Levenson in his personal battle with Parkinson’s disease.

The recording boasts an extraordinary crossover cast that bridges the worlds of Broadway and classic rock. Jason Robert Brown stars as the staccato-voiced media icon, joined by an eclectic ensemble including Roger Daltrey, Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Darlene Love, and Sally Struthers. From its vaudeville roots to its Jazz Age slang, the musical explores Winchell’s legacy as the man who transformed journalism into entertainment and practically invented modern celebrity culture. After more than thirty years in the shadows, this melodic and delightful score is out now, offering theater fans a rare opportunity to hear a piece of Broadway history while supporting a vital cause in medical research and patient care.

THE BETHS Unveil Intimate New Single “Mother, Pray For Me” from ‘Straight Line Was A Lie’

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

0

The Beths have shared their third single and video, “Mother, Pray For Me,” a profoundly personal and stripped-down track that highlights the emotional core of their new album ‘Straight Line Was A Lie’. Moving away from the band’s signature power-pop energy, the song features Elizabeth Stokes alone with a finger-picked guitar and a subtle organ, delivering a wistful plea for connection and understanding. Stokes wrote the track as she grappled with her relationship with her mother, an Indonesian immigrant, and the complexities of faith, mortality, and family history. This vulnerable approach follows the punchy lead singles “No Joy” and “Everything is Burning,” showcasing the startling new depths of insight that define the band’s latest era.

Out now via ANTI- Records, ‘Straight Line Was A Lie’ arrived on August 29, 2025, as the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2022 breakout ‘Expert In A Dying Field’. The album’s creation marked a significant shift in process for the New Zealand quartet, born from a period where Stokes intentionally deconstructed her songwriting routines to achieve a more therapeutic and free-flowing creative output. Recorded with guitarist and longtime producer Jonathan Pearce, the record has been hailed as the band’s most poetic and sharply observant work to date. To celebrate the release, The Beths have announced a series of intimate album release shows across New Zealand and Australia, alongside a massive 2026 world tour that kicks off in North America this January.

RAFIQ BHATIA Evokes an Ephemeral Summer Night on “Clearing, Crickets”

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

0

RAFIQ BHATIA Evokes an Ephemeral Summer Night on “Clearing, Crickets”

Composer and guitarist Rafiq Bhatia has shared “Clearing, Crickets,” a four-minute sonic meditation that serves as a cornerstone of his new album ‘Environments’. The track immerses listeners in the thick humidity of an August night, utilizing chirps, skitters, and languid horns to create a texture that feels more like the Earth left to its own devices than a traditional composition. Drawing inspiration from the monolithic sculptures of Richard Serra and the dreamlike cinema of Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Bhatia meticulously builds a world where acoustic instruments mimic studio-engineered soundscapes. The single follows his recent work on the ‘Each Dream, a Melting Door’ collaborative EP, further pushing the boundaries of what modern ambient jazz can encompass.

Out now via ANTI- Records, ‘Environments’ features a trio of close collaborators, including Son Lux bandmate Ian Chang on percussion and trumpeter Riley Mulherkar. The album marks a significant evolution from the “science fiction” scale of his 2018 record ‘Breaking English’, leaning into a breath-driven, intentional approach to sound-shaping. A member of the Oscar-nominated trio Son Lux, Bhatia’s recent schedule has been prolific, from scoring Marvel Studios’ ‘Thunderbolts*’ to debuting site-specific arrangements at the Aspen Art Museum. By focusing on expressive gestures and “world-building” through sound, ‘Environments’ offers a deeply focused listening experience that captures the complexities of the natural world through a high-fidelity lens.

MADI DIAZ Embraces Stark Vulnerability on New Album ‘Fatal Optimist’

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

0

MADI DIAZ Embraces Stark Vulnerability on New Album ‘Fatal Optimist’

Grammy-nominated songwriter Madi Diaz has released her seventh studio album, ‘Fatal Optimist’, a project that strips away production layers to reveal the rawest emotional core of her career. Out now via ANTI- Records, the album was recorded with co-producer Gabe Wax at his Infinite Family Studio and marks the final chapter in a trilogy of heartache that began with 2021’s breakthrough ‘History of a Feeling’. Following the end of a long-term relationship, Diaz retreated to an island for a period of deep introspection, emerging with a collection of songs that find her alone in a room with her acoustic guitar. This minimalist approach allows her brutal lyrical observations and finely crafted melodies to take center stage, creating a hauntingly intimate listening experience that explores the risk and “weird faith” required to keep a heart open.

The album’s release was preceded by the quietly anthemic single “Ambivalence,” which dissects the unsettling feeling of being caught in romantic indecision. It follows the lead track “Feel Something,” an urgent acoustic number exploring the desperate need for connection. Since the record’s debut, Diaz has taken these songs on the road, including a major North American fall tour and high-profile festival appearances. Looking ahead, she is set to bring the ‘Fatal Optimist’ tour to the UK and Europe in early 2026, starting with dates in London, Paris, and Berlin. By leaning into the starkness of her own isolation, Diaz has created a body of work that celebrates inner wholeness and the resilience found in being a “fatal optimist.”

Madi Diaz 2026 European Tour Dates:

Jan 19 – Toronto, ON @ The Drake Underground
Feb 4 – Edinburgh, UK @ Cabaret Voltaire
Feb 5 – Manchester, UK @ The Deaf Institute
Feb 7 – Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade
Feb 9 – Bristol, UK @ Exchange
Feb 10 – Brighton, UK @ Green Door Store
Feb 11 – London, UK @ Oslo Hackney
Feb 14 – Paris, FR @ Les Etoiles
Feb 18 – Berlin, DE @ Mikropol
Feb 19 – Cologne, DE @ Blue Shell

CURTIS HARDING Commands the Groove with New Single “The Power” from ‘Departures & Arrivals’

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

0

CURTIS HARDING Commands the Groove with New Single “The Power” from ‘Departures & Arrivals’

Visionary soul artist Curtis Harding has released his latest single, “The Power,” a vibrant disco anthem that pairs shimmering strings with an infectious, roller-disco-ready groove. The track serves as a high-energy preview of his expansive new album, ‘Departures & Arrivals: Adventures of Captain Curt’, which is out now. Conceptually framed as a soul-stirring space opera, the project follows the journey of Captain Curt as he navigates distant galaxies in a quest to find his way home. Harding explains that while the song fits this celestial narrative, it also serves as a timely reminder for people to reclaim their joy and live life fully, even amidst political and social turbulence.

Self-produced at Adrian Quesada’s Electric Deluxe Recorders in Austin, ‘Departures & Arrivals’ marks a confident return to the director’s chair for Harding. The album moves fluidly between moody space-funk, baroque-pop, and psychedelic rock, all anchored by his signature captivating vocals. This latest body of work follows his acclaimed 2021 release, ‘If Words Were Flowers’, and emphasizes the importance of the journey itself when one feels adrift. By handling the production personally, Harding has created a sonic world that is both uncompromising and deeply human, featuring live full-band recordings that capture the raw essence of his “slop ‘n’ soul” style.

NEKO CASE Shares Poignant Single “Winchester Mansion of Sound” from New Album ‘Neon Grey Midnight Green’

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

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NEKO CASE Shares Poignant Single “Winchester Mansion of Sound” from New Album ‘Neon Grey Midnight Green’

Grammy-nominated songwriter Neko Case has unveiled her latest single, “Winchester Mansion of Sound,” a sprawling piano epic that serves as a central pillar of her new album ‘Neon Grey Midnight Green’. The track is a heartfelt tribute to her late friend and psychobilly pioneer Dexter Romweber of the Flat Duo Jets, written two years before his 2024 passing. Musically, Case draws on the melancholic depth of Robbie Basho and the bittersweet rhythm of nursery rhymes to capture a sense of “all-consuming love.” The song arrived alongside a visualizer and follows the lead single “Wreck,” providing a glimpse into an album that explores human nature, the natural world, and the volatile beauty of connection.

Out now via ANTI- Records, ‘Neon Grey Midnight Green’ marks Case’s first studio album in seven years. The record is a significant milestone for the artist as her first entirely self-produced effort, recorded live with a full band at her Vermont studio, Carnassial Sound. Case, who identifies as gender fluid, has expressed immense pride in the self-produced nature of the project, emphasizing her vision and creative control. The album’s release follows a prolific year for Case, which saw her memoir, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You, hit the New York Times best sellers list in January. As she prepares to embark on a massive 2026 North American tour starting January 8 in Montreal, Case continues to cement her legacy as one of music’s most evocative and uncompromising storytellers.

BEN QUAD Embraces Growth and Optimism with Sophomore LP ‘Wisher’

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

0

BEN QUAD Embraces Growth and Optimism with Sophomore LP ‘Wisher’

Oklahoma post-emo outfit Ben Quad has officially entered a more hopeful chapter with the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album, Wisher, out now via Pure Noise Records. A significant evolution from the existential dread of their 2022 debut, the album captures the band leaning into bright synths, pop-infused melodies, and a more expansive sound. Recorded in the peaceful countryside of New Jersey with producer Jon Markson (The Story So Far, Drug Church), the 10-track collection features high-energy standouts like “It’s Just A Title” and “Painless.” Guitarist Edgar Viveros notes that the project allowed the band to break away from strict Midwest emo structures, resulting in a record that feels like a defiant response to their earlier work—replacing uncertainty with a deliberate gaze toward a better future.

Following the album’s successful November 14 release, Ben Quad spent the remainder of 2025 dominating the road, including a massive autumn run supporting labelmates Koyo and Arm’s Length. The momentum shows no signs of slowing down, as the band has already announced a sprawling 2026 world tour. Kicking off in February across the UK and Europe with Arm’s Length, the “Wisher North American Headline Tour” will follow in March, featuring special guests Riley!, Aren’t We Amphibians, and Footballhead. From its tongue-in-cheek “suffering from success” music videos to its emotionally resonant lyrics, Wisher has solidified Ben Quad as one of the most exciting and optimistic voices in the modern punk landscape.

AITIS BAND Explores the Surreal Side of Adolescent Obsession in “He’s Great”

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

0

Aitis Band has unveiled their latest single, “He’s Great,” a playful yet eerie track that dissects the intensity of an adolescent crush through a lens of deadpan humor. Accompanying the release is a music video directed by experimental animator Exyl Space, filmed during a residency at the Oxbow Artist Residency, which depicts a feverish, flashlight-lit gathering in the woods. The song serves as a standout preview of the trio’s fourth full-length album, Aitis Band – IV, out now, via Ernest Jenning Record Co. Produced by longtime collaborator Nate Kinsella (Birthmark, Joan of Arc), the album continues the band’s signature fusion of haunted-house atmospherics, ’80s-night synth-pop, and theatrical noise.

The road to IV was paved by the equally cinematic lead single “Screenplay,” paired with a blood-drenched, horror-inspired short film by director Jennifer Reeder. Formed in 2019 by former Joan of Arc members Bobby Burg and Melina Ausikaitis alongside visual artist Ray Borchers, Aitis Band has built a reputation for shifting fluidly between tender ballads and chaotic anthems. Throughout 2025, the band expanded their cult following by joining Black Moth Super Rainbow for high-profile shows at (Le) Poisson Rouge in NYC and The Sinclair in Boston, as well as celebrating their album release with a headline performance at Pianos in NYC. With IV, the group solidifies their place in the art-rock underground, reporting on the absurd and the terrifying with their unique blend of “art school” sensibilities and club culture grit.

MIGUEL Redefines His Legacy with the Radical and Immersive ‘CAOS’

Music

Eric Alper

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Dec 21, 2025

0

MIGUEL Redefines His Legacy with the Radical and Immersive ‘CAOS’

Grammy-winning visionary Miguel has officially entered his most transformative era with the release of his fifth studio album, ‘CAOS’, out now. His first full-length offering in eight years, the 12-track project is a fearless exploration of personal destruction and rebirth, blending alternative R&B with industrial grit and grunge-rock textures. Produced alongside collaborators like Ray Brady and featuring a legendary appearance by George Clinton, ‘CAOS’ rejects industry conventions by featuring original Spanish-language tracks like “El Pleito” and the deeply intimate “Angel’s Song,” a ballad dedicated to his son. From the raw, existential monologue of the title track to the viral momentum of the “Sure Thing” revival, the album solidifies Miguel’s status as a cultural provocateur who bends sonic violence into universal art.

The rollout for ‘CAOS’ has extended far beyond the music, anchored by Miguel’s creative incubator and brand platform, S1C.LA. Through this ecosystem, he has bypassed traditional release structures, dropping music directly to fans and offering exclusive, signed vinyl editions. This era of artistic equity has also moved into academia, where Miguel currently serves as the 2025-2026 Scholar-in-Residence at NYU’s Steinhardt School, leading a “CAOS Curriculum” that challenges students to safeguard their creative futures. Following the album’s massive critical success, Miguel announced an extensive 41-date global tour with special guest Jean Dawson, set to kick off in February 2026. While he has hinted at a second “better” album already completed and currently caught in label negotiations, ‘CAOS’ remains the definitive statement of his evolution—a dark, atmospheric masterpiece that proves true influence is measured in impact, not time.