As of July 1, Harrah's requirements for reaching Diamond level in a 24-hour period will go up almost 70 percent, from 1,800 credits ($9,000 coin-in for slots, $18,000 coin-in for video poker) to 3,000 credits ($15,000 coin-in for slots, $30,000 coin-in for video poker).

Each credit is $5 of playthrough for reel and video slots and $10 playthrough for video poker.

Credits can be obtained by playing slots at any of Harrah's six Las Vegas casinos that use Total Rewards, but be aware that the 24-hour period at one casino may differ from the 24-hour period at another.

Credits will be combined at the end of the 24 hours, but a running tally will not appear on your card; credits shown on the slot display refer to the individual casino. Visit a Total Rewards booth to find out how many total credits you have and how far away you are from Diamond. In some cases, if you're close and the 24-hour mark is looming (and you're nice), they'll speak to their manager about bumping you up to Diamond.

Those getting Diamond-in-a-Day will stay Diamond through March 2007.

Diamond-in-a-Day is also now reserved for players who are not currently Diamond. Current Diamond members will be unable to renew their status by doing Diamond-in-a-Day and can only renew by earning 10,000 credits ($50,000 coin-in for slots, $100,000 coin-in for video poker) by Dec. 31 that year.

Diamond members receive benefits including access to the Diamond Lounge, two free show tickets per month, discounts to gift shops, an annual slot tournament, and priority service at hotel check-in, cashier, valet, and restaurants.

Platinum-in-a-Day has also increased to 2,000 credits. Earning Platinum in a calendar year (or renewing) remains the same at 4,000 credits.

Posted by Poker Grub at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You've found the Sin City scuttlebutt. Here you'll see unofficial, off-the-record reports, obtained from fairly reliable insider information.

In other words: overheard in Las Vegas taxis.

Pssst... From the "Say It Isn't So" and "She's Gone" departments, just why did Hall & Oates cancel their June 24 appearance at the Lake Las Vegas resort (17 miles from the Strip)? And at the last minute, no less? Deadbeat Daryl and John were enjoying their stay in luxurious suites at the Ritz Carlton, one of only three hotels in Nevada awarded AAA's Five Diamond award (Bellagio and the Four Seasons being the others). And they were even able to command $49.95 and $89.95 ticket prices to their show.

But when faced with performing outdoors, well, their delicate sensibilities were too much and we hear they dropped out because of the extreme heat.

Lake Las Vegas said "I Can't Go For That" and is planning to sue.

Posted by Poker Grub at 7:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For last-minute clubbers jonesing to see some fireworks before July 4th, pop by the VooDoo Lounge tonight at Rio Las Vegas.

It's VooDoo Risin's 1st anniversary, and in addition to spectacular views of Las Vegas, the Red Bull Air Force (is that like the Diet Coke Army?) will have a skydiving exhibition at 11 p.m., with fireworks afterwards.

Cover charge is the usual $20.

For VIP table reservations, call (702) 777-6875.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been awhile since we've talked about Paris Hilton, but when we hear about another Mrs. Dolittle experience, we must share. What other socialite cares so much about animals to adopt them en masse? Paris Hilton is to animals as Angelina Jolie is to Ethiopian babies.

Well, now we hear that Hilton attempted to take her bevy of beasties aboard a plane from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. And was denied!

Denied!

She told BBC Radio 1, "They said it wasn't a traveling circus."

Hilton was in Vegas over the weekend for, well, does she really need an excuse? All she wanted to do was return home with her animals and talk about the clothes she wears.

So what's an heiress to do with a newly purchased monkey, tiger, and ferrets?

We'll let Hilton explain.

"I had to drive all the way home from Vegas in a limo with all these animals, there was like six. It was a lot!!!" (extra exclamation points ours).

We're taking donations for a sympathy card.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As quietly as Centex Destination Properties (owned by Centex Corp.) canceled their plans for the Westward Ho space (with what was to be the world's largest observation wheel), just as quietly they are already in construction on Las Vegas' first urban village.

Called, appropriately enough, Urban Village, the $1.8 billion project on South Las Vegas Blvd. and Pyle Ave. (six miles south of Mandalay Bay) will encompass 50 acres of hundreds of new lofts, condos, flats, condo-hotels, and brownstones. Over 2,900 residences will be accommodated with amenities expected from small neighborhood cities, including restaurants, stores, gardens, pools, outdoor grills, parks, trails, and fitness centers.

Recently, Urban Village has been overshadowed by construction beginning this week on MGM Mirage's Project CityCenter, a 66-acre, $7 billion project that will create 12,000 full-time jobs by the time it opens in 2009.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A bit late to the party (other casinos such as MGM Mirage have already been offering a similar program), but still a party nonetheless, Harrah's is now offering two sets of gift days, where players can use gift points to purchase gifts.

Wait, what's a gift point?

Gift points are solely set up to redeem for gifts. They have no cash value and they expire at the end of the year. Think of it as a little something extra in your slot stocking from Harrah's.

Every time you earn a base/bonus reward credit at a Harrah's property in Las Vegas, you also earn a gift point. It's a roughly 1:1 ratio, but occasionally you'll receive extra gift points.

The best thing about the program is that gift points have been retroactively accumulating in all players' accounts since Jan. 1 this year.

All Total Rewards players have already and will continue to accumulate gift points by playing at any of Harrah's six casinos in Las Vegas that use Total Rewards (Bally's, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah's, Paris, Rio).

Gift points won't be shown online or on the slot display; to find out how many gift points you have, visit a Total Rewards booth in Vegas.

Gifts offered include iPod Nanos, jewelry, golf clubs, kitchen ware, binoculars, luggage, watches, pool tables, TVs, exercise equipment, cameras, camcorders, and even a grand piano (7,006,100 gift points required, which means over $35 million of coin-in).

Gift dates are Nov. 13-19 at Harrah's Las Vegas and Dec. 11-17 at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, and all gifts will be shipped in time for Christmas delivery. Even the grand piano.

For more information, call 1-866-WRAPUP1 or visit www.greatgiftwrapup.com.

All gift points expire Dec. 16.

Posted by Poker Grub at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

The Venetian is offering a special $149 (weekday) and $199 (weekend) summer rate on their luxury suites.

If you book before July 4th, you'll also get:

• A complimentary upgrade to the exclusive Venezia tower
  
• $25 in slot credits or table match play
  
• 2 for 1 Watermelon Crush specialty drinks at Wolfgang Puck's
  poolside oasis, Riva

To make a reservation, click here or call (866) 403-8046 and mention code GRED63D.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At a whopping 5 million reviews from 20 million monthly visitors to the site, TripAdvisor has culled together a series of 25 travel guides containing information on where to eat, sleep, and play.

Each free guide is a short printable PDF file providing the aspiring traveler advice and tips to make traveling less stressful and more fun.

Twenty-five summer destinations were chosen as the world's "hottest," according to TripAdvisor's 20 million visitors. Coming in number one is Las Vegas. Not that we're biased or nothin'.

The eight-page Las Vegas guide can be found at this link.

Each time you download a guide, you'll also be entered into a drawing to win a trip worth $5,000. A trip will be awarded every week for 10 weeks, with a final grand prize taking the winner to Rome and the Amalfi Coast of Italy.

TripAdvisor's top 25 worldwide summer destinations include:

• Las Vegas
  
• London
  
• Orlando
  
• Paris
  
• San Francisco
  
• Chicago
  
• New York City
  
• Rome
  
• Washington D.C.
  
• Boston
  
• Dominican Republic
  
• San Diego
  
• Cape Cod & Islands
  
• Vancouver
  
• Sydney
  
• Hong Kong
  
• Philadelphia
  
• Dublin
  
• Miami
  
• Playa del Carmen
  
• Amalfi Coast
  
• Maui
  
• Cabo San Lucus
  
• Charleston
  
• Phuket

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With today's beginning of the World Series of Poker 2006, 4kingpoker.com has a tongue-in-cheek article about a mysterious crop circle that popped up in England.

Seems a Wiltshire farmer awoke one morning to discover a 150-foot crop circle bearing the image of an alien playing hold'em.

The article does not mention whether the alien is a disciple of David Sklansky or Gus Hansen, or if he was playing at a full table or heads-up.

From the picture and lack of sunglasses, I can't tell if he/she/it's passive or aggressive, but I'd be wary of any raises for the sake of humankind.

Posted by Poker Grub at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you're like me, you base your Las Vegas hotel decision on what the pool action is like. Well, that and the buffet.

Casino floors are a dime a dozen and the hotel rooms all blend together. Besides, what do you need a fancy room for, other than sleeping?

But oh the pool! Some have European (a.k.a. topless) sections (Mandalay, MGM, Caesars), some have frozen towels (Caesars), and some have pool cams where your thong can be the star of the Internet (Hard Rock).

A new site called www.vegashotelpools.com will give you all the information about Vegas pools you'll ever need to know, complete with photos (such as the above one of Hard Rock), reviews, and user ratings.

Now if they could only give information about how to get comped cabanas.

Posted by Poker Grub at 5:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Who said RFID was only for casino chips?

Already in use at casinos such as Wynn, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips enable exact tracking of casino chips. After a good run in blackjack, just plunk your chips down on the scanner at the cashier, and the reader will know exactly how much you're cashing out. Eventually Wynn will use this technology at the gaming tables, where pit bosses will be able to calculate exactly how much and how often you bet per hour.

RFID also has other applications, including prepaid tags for your car windshield to get you through tollbooths quickly (and perhaps also to determine how fast you're speeding when clocking in from booth to booth). Some are even implanting RFID chips into animals and themselves for identification purposes.

And now, RFID will be used to monitor liquor usage. Or rather, liquor waste.

It's estimated $7 billion is lost nationally from bartenders overpouring, undercharging, or just giving free drinks.

And in a land of free drinks, the RFID liquor monitor will be used in four bars at Treasure Island.

The RFID chip and battery will be part of the liquor spout. The motion of pouring a drink will activate the device and transmit information in real-time to a wireless antenna up to 100 feet away. Its accuracy is within 1/10 of an ounce.

In addition to checking how much and what time liquor is poured, the chip will track inventory, letting the casino know when bottles are empty or near-empty, while also providing specific brand and bottle size information.

The system by Beverage Tracker costs up to $20,000 to install and implement, but Treasure Island expects to save $90,000 per year from wasted liquor.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The last Sunday of every month, Fiesta Rancho (owned by Station Casinos) holds a $50 no-limit hold'em tournament with no fee, making it the only regular tournament to return 100 percent to the player. (Imperial Palace is the other casino that holds semi-regular tournaments; their next is a $500 buy-in tonight through Sunday.)

Fiesta's tourney is also a guaranteed $5,000 prize pool, with first place receiving $3,000. Even if 10 people show up, Fiesta will put up the difference.

All players in the Sunday tournament will also receive a free t-shirt and, the time we played, a coupon for $5 off the next tournament.

The catch is a low starting chipstack and rapidly rising blinds, designed to end the tournament in a couple hours.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thirty years ago, Bingo Palace (now Palace Station) started it all. Now, nine casinos later, Station is still going strong and is still catering to and rewarding locals.

To celebrate, the Daily Jumbo Jackpot is back beginning tomorrow and running through July 9. That's an odd 17 days, and not the natural 30, but Station always has reasons for doing what they do.

The regular Jumbo Jackpot, which begins at $100,000 and must hit by $150,000, is still in effect. The lucky slot player wins the Jumbo, with every other currently playing slot player winning $50 in free slotplay. That's every other player across all nine casinos (Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Santa Fe Station, Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock, Fiesta Rancho, and Fiesta Henderson).

With the Daily Jumbo, up to $25,000 is up for grabs to the lucky winner (resetting to $15,000 and must hit by $25,000), with everyone else receiving $25 in free slotplay.

(By the way, has anyone noticed The Borgata in Atlantic City has started a similar progressive, called Powerprize Jackpot? Shame, shame, Boyd Gaming for ripping off Station Casinos thinking they wouldn't notice all the way on the right coast. I have my eye on you, Boyd!)

Better than the random jumbo jackpots, Station is also giving away up to $500 in free slotplay to every player, now through June 23. Just insert your card and see how much you won. This is for current as well as new players. I received $10, which I played on the penny slot Betting Zoo, hit the Mr. Cashman bonus, and cashed out $15, which I spent on beer and tube socks.

Not as interesting is a souvenir Boarding Pass card that you can also pick up, boasting their 30th anniversary. Sure, it looks nice, but what will it get on eBay?

Posted by Poker Grub at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Census Bureau released data on the fastest growing cities around the country from July 1, 2004 to July 1, 2005. Cities with a population greater than 100,000 people were rated.

Two years ago, two Las Vegas cities were neck and neck: North Las Vegas was second and Henderson was third. Last year, North Las Vegas bumped down to three and Henderson moved down to 11th.

Now, the Census Bureau reports Henderson has dropped to 20th.

North Las Vegas, however, recaptured its title as the second-fastest growing city in the nation, assisted strongly by booming Aliante (pictured above) and Centennial Parkway.

Las Vegas itself was 19th last year and dropped to 42nd this year.

Taking the top spot is Elk Grove, California, so big they even have their own website.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight, poker professional Phil Gordon (pictured above left) appears on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (with Bonnie Hunt and Buckcherry).

But if you want to see him live, you have a chance this weekend when Gordon teaches a one-day poker seminar in Las Vegas as part of his Expert Insight company.

Topics include pot odds, tells, bluffs, and other insights into the game that he used to propel him to win two World Poker Tour tournaments.

In addition, Andy Bloch (from Bringing Down the House, pictured above right) will reveal secrets to being a successful blackjack player.

I applied to teach strategies for playing penny slots, but they never responded.

Cost is $199 (or $149 for just poker or just blackjack), which includes a q&a with both afterwards. Register online at Expert Insight.

The seminar takes place June 24 at the Village Square Stadium 18 movie theaters, 9400 W. Sahara Ave.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the poker seminar from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and blackjack seminar from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Posted by Poker Grub at 7:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef celebrates its 6th year anniversary with a slashing... of prices, that is.

For the rest of the summer and through Sept. 3, tickets to see the fishies are only $6 after 6 p.m. (last admission is at 10 p.m.).

Regular admission is $15.95 for adults, children 5-12 are $10.95, and children under 5 are free.

If you're driving, park at the southern most entrance to Mandalay. That'll save you a mile of walking through the casino.

Get engulfed with this 90,000 square-foot, 1.6 million gallon aquarium containing over 2,000 sea creatures including poker players, sea turtles, piranha, brilliantly colored exotic fish, and rare golden crocodiles that lay golden eggs (kidding about that last part, but bring your Easter basket just in case). Oh yeah, there are also more than 200 sharks than you want to shake a stick at.

That stick would be the audio wand each visitor receives, which gives a personal walking tour through the aquarium at your own speed. Each exhibit contains a number, which can be keyed into the wand to hear pre-recorded audio about the fishies.

Don't forget to stop by the touch pool, where you'll get to feel up manta rays, baby sharks, and horseshoe crabs. Just don't take it too far: employees are off-limits.

As you dive deeper and deeper into the aquarium, the final exhibit puts you at the bottom of a sunken ship, with sharks swimming all around you… above, around, and even beneath your feet. All separated by glass, thankfully.

Even after six years, I still enjoy taking a break from the 115-degree heat (forecasted for this weekend) and popping into the tranquility of the Shark Reef.

Posted by Poker Grub at 6:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Gentlemen's club Treasures (2801 Westwood Dr., off South Highland) is now offering a happy hour that's happier than most. Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., well drinks and domestic beers are free. Through 8 p.m., call and premium drinks are 2-for-1.

Between 4 and 8, there's also no cover charge. And, lapdance specials are offered for $1.

On top of that, there's a free buffet bar.

Not to be outdone, fellow off-strip club Seamless (4740 S. Arville, across from The Orleans) is giving away free t-shirts on Wednesdays just for stopping in. On Sundays-Tuesdays, the t-shirts can be had with the purchase of a lapdance. One t-shirt per customer per night.

If you're having trouble deciding, just think what the dancers can do with your free t-shirt.

Posted by Poker Grub at 4:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A little-known benefit to being a Diamond member at Harrah's six Las Vegas properties (Bally's, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah's, Paris, Rio) is that you get two free show tickets every month.

Shows to choose from include:

Clint Holmes (Harrah's, regularly $59.95 per ticket)
George Wallace (Flamingo, regularly $54.95/$59.95)
Jubilee (Bally's, regularly $65/$77/$82) (pictured above)
Erocktica (Rio, regularly $49.95)
Bareback (Harrah's, regularly $49.95)

Your two tickets must be for the same show.

Go to the Total Rewards booth, show your Diamond card and photo I.D., and ask for your two free monthly tickets. They'll fill out a voucher, which you can take to the show box office to exchange for tickets.

This voucher must be redeemed within 7 days.

Platinum members can receive 2-for-1 tickets to the same above shows.

Posted by Poker Grub at 3:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight beginning at 10:30 p.m., Strip Las Vegas magazine celebrates the publication of their July issue with a Dancers Night Out party at JET Nightclub at Mirage.

Taking over hosting duties is Penthouse Pet of the Year runner-up and Strip Las Vegas' July cover girl Cassia Riley.

Also in attendance will be Pet of the Year Jamie Lynn (pictured above, censored) and Pets Charlie Laine and Melissa Jacobs.

The Pets as well as the SLV girls (pictured below) will be roaming throughout the club, testing your faithfulness to your girlfriends.

(Note to editor: LasVegasVegas needs some parties like these.)

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Through Sept. 7, The Orleans has a special room rate of $49 per night on Sundays through Thursdays.

To book, call 1-800-675-3267 and mention promo code EDE0613 or book online.

In addition to the room, you'll also receive a funbook (valued at $250), a free buffet for two, and a free game of bowling for two.

A free shuttle will pick up and drop passengers from The Orleans, the Barbary Coast (next to Flamingo) on the Strip, and Gold Coast (across from Rio). The shuttle runs every 20-30 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to midnight.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thinking about becoming a teacher? Thinking about moving to Las Vegas?

Faced with almost 1,000 teaching vacancies this fall, the Clark County School District is offering an additional $3,000 per year plus a $2,000 signing bonus to all first-year teachers.

First-year teachers will now start at $33,000. Five years ago, rookie teachers began at $26,000.

Clark County has been having a difficult time keepi