The biggest gambling event in the universe, the World Series of Poker, begins this weekend at the Rio in Las Vegas, and runs through to the $10,000-buy-in, no-limit Texas hold 'em championship event on July 3. The public is welcome to watch the action in any of several Rio convention rooms where play will take place; however, the finals will not be held until November (when it will air on television).

This year there will be eight $10,000-buy-in events (up from only two last year) and the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, which begins June 25. There will also be concurrent tournaments with much-lower buy-ins ($150-$300) at downtown's Binion's and Golden Nugget.

Bigger Shrimp: Though the price of the great shrimp cocktail at downtown's Golden Gate casino has been raised from 99¢ to $1.99, the quality of the shrimp has gone up as well. The bigger shrimp are still served in a cocktail glass with no fillers, and you can still get the 99¢ price if you show a Golden Gate players club card; the club is free to join.

RV Park Closes: The RV park at the Silver Nugget in North Las Vegas has closed. One of the city's longest-operating, the park's expansive lot was purchased by the City of Las Vegas; no plans for it have been disclosed.

SEXY SKY SHOW: The Rio's Masquerade Village show is back after an almost two-month hiatus with a new name, "Show in the Sky," and a reportedly racier presentation. Performances are Thursdays through Sundays on the hour from 7 p.m. to midnight, and you can still purchase tickets ($12.95) to ride in one of the floats.

Q. Cher or Bette?

A. Tough call, because preferences will dictate, but here goes. Both are entertainment icons. Both are in tremendous voice and look great. Both have spectacle-style shows and perform their most famous songs. And ticket prices are the same—$112.65 to $276.65. But for that big price, at least out of the gate, the better bet is Bette.

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