A change is in the works for the Tropicana on the south Strip. Pinnacle Entertainment—which owns casinos in Reno, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana, and Argentina — is acquiring Aztar Corp., owners of the Tropicana casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, for $2.1 billion. Pinnacle's plans include razing the Las Vegas Tropicana and developing a new megaresort, which will take two years to plan and five years to complete.

SIRENS SEEN: "Sirens of TI" (pirate show) in front of Treasure Island will begin its summer schedule April 3. The nightly free show will be at 7, 8:30, 10, and 11:30 p.m., weather permitting. While many feel this second incarnation of the show is diminished from the long-running original, it's still one of Las Vegas' best free spectacles.

Q. March Madness is like the Super Bowl in Las Vegas sports books. Are there any particularly good places or parties to hit?

A. The college basketball championship is second in interest and betting volume to the Super Bowl. However, because it's contested over three weeks, it doesn't have the same one-day impact. There's no "best place." Find the sports book or bar most convenient and arrive early to nab a seat.

For information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons, and deals, see www.LasVegasAdvis or.com.

Reach Anthony Curtis at (unknown address).