[MicroBob]

I've mentioned it before but I'll repeat since it's being discussed again and there are always people who don't get the message and think they'll be just fine with shuttles and cabs or whatever.

If you are flying in then you almost definitely will want to rent a car.
I think the cost of a shuttle to and from the Memphis airport to the casinos is going to run you more than the car does.
And getting from the Horseshoe to the Grand and back is kind of a pain if you don't have your own car. The shuttles can be inconsistent and don't run 24 hours. There have been stories of guys 'stuck' in a tournament that was running late and the shuttled were no longer operating when they wanted to get back. So they had to catch a ride with a dealer getting off-shift or something like that.
There are not going to be any cabs sitting around waiting for you. You will just be stuck.

Yes, it can REALLY be annoying to not have a car there.

Horseshoe and Gold Strike are practically attached like they are just one big casino. So if you only care about those 2 places then you're fine.
But the Grand is not walking distance from anything...especially the Horseshoe.
Incredibly, they really aren't easy walking distance from their OWN HOTELS!! Especially if it's cold outside.
Speaking of which...you guys coming in from Minnesota shouldn't just pack swimsuits and shorts when you come to the south as I have seen happen. It gets cold in Mississippi too. As in snow and below-freezing temps are not uncommon at all.
You aren't going to Miami. You're only a few hours south of St. Louis.

you might have weather good enough for golfing. Everything might be great. But you might also run into actual winterish weather.

Back to the car-rental thing:
And then there's the aspect that there is absolutely NOTHING else around those casinos. If you want to go up to Memphis to experience Beale Street or find a strip-club or something then you are going to want to have a rental.
Trying to get a cab will take awhile and will also be expensive.

So if you're going just do yourself a favor and get a rental.

Tunica is indeed the place to be for poker players in January. All the tournaments and big rooms packed with rockin tables.
but plan ahead. On that note...book your room NOW.
It gets pretty crazy even trying to get a room.