Here are a few specials for those who like to play the games as well as collect the chips and tokens. These are from the current LVA and CBJN issues:

For the real high-rollers, Stratosphere has adopted the Binion's strategy on setting personal game limits. Whatever you bet after a new shuffle (up to $25,000) becomes your max bet while you're playing there.

If you are a whale, Venetian will rebate 20% of your losses of $1 million or more! Other casinos are reportedly not happy with the competition.

For the lower limit slot players, Stratosphere has a deal for new slot-club members. Whatever you lose (up to $125) in the first 30 minutes of slot play will be reimbursed at 110%! You must play within 24 hours of joining.

Sunset Station has one table of 'digital blackjack' which has normal 21 rules except you can hit or double after splitting aces.

Sam's Town poker room has $100,000 in its hold-'em jackpot that it has to give away in July by various methods.

Reserve pays 4X slot club points Saturday and Sunday and 5X on Monday. You need a coupon from the LV Review Journal for this promo. Any of you locals have one you can send me?

Nevada Palace doubles the Royal Flush payouts and pays you 2:1 (rather than 1.5:1) for naturals ON YOUR BIRTHDAY. Only works for bets up to $5 on the blackjack payouts. Worth about $10 an hour at 21 and much more for a good VP player.

Mahoneys Silver Nugget has a coupon in Las Vegas Advisor that gives you up to 100 coin bonuses when you hit any 4-of-a-kind on video poker. This is worth the price of a subscription! Only good in July and you have to redeem the coupon before you start play.

The Plaza (downtown) has a jackpot bonus giving you $1000 extra if you hit two or more Jackposts of $1200 or more in 24 hours. Good July only.

If you decide to go out to Lake Las Vegas to check out the new casino, be aware that it's no longer open 24 hours. Plan to visit between 4 pm and 2 am if you want to play. Lack of customers, apparently, until some new hotels are built in the area. It's a long way from the Strip. Even quite a way beyond the Reserve.

If you still don't have a room, and are on a budget, the Las Vegas Club (downtown) is mentioned with a $25 a day rate ON WEEKENDS! $18 a day weekdays. Closer to the convention hotel, Klondike has $29 rates weekdays if you can find the place. Barbary Coast is $39.

Cheapest price for a beer at a brewpub is Ellis Island with $2.25 for a 22 oz glass. Price at Holy Cow is $4, but note: during Doozy Hour (6-7 and 12-1 am), the casino pays an 80-coin bonus for any natural 4-of-a-kind at VP. This works out to a 103.6% expected return (for perfect play, Gene) or about $22 an hour at their 10/7 double bonus machines (hidden in the 2 GameMaker machines on the west side of the bar).