With football season comes "Monday Night Football" parties in Las Vegas. This year, at least two casinos — Sam's Town and Suncoast — are hosting parties where you get your first hot dog and beer free. In fact, at Sam's Town you get a choice between the hot dog and a hamburger, and the attendants load 'em up with tomatoes, lettuce, onions and jalapenos. The party begins an hour before game time. Other good venues for the Monday-night game include South Point, Orleans, Gold Coast, Sunset Station, Green Valley Ranch and Binion's. On Sundays, the Las Vegas Hilton sponsors "NFL Central," with big screens in the showroom and the sports book, along with $1 hot dogs and $2 beers. Another party runs for the Sunday-night game in the club Wasted Space at the Hard Rock. All of these parties, and others around town, are free to enter.

CLUB CONVERTS: Talk about an upscale sports bar. The former 40/40 megaclub at Palazzo has been converted into the Sportbook Bar & Grill. Despite being taken over by casino management only two weeks ago, the bar is already up and running.

DANCERS IN THE PIT: In what may be the most unlikely development of the season, downtown's Golden Gate has positioned two go-go dancers on podiums in the middle of its blackjack pit. It's a strange sight, but if you're there on a weekend for the legendary 99¢ shrimp cocktail, it's an entertainment value-added.

MATCHPLAY MATS: The $5 matchplay coupons are back on the paper mats in the Ellis Island Cafe. Tear off the coupon, write your name and players club number where designated, then show your card at the table. The $10-to-$5 pay provision when you win is another good bonus at what remains one of the best dining plays in Las Vegas.

Q. Where are Donnie & Marie and what's the cost of the show?

A. Donnie & Marie opened last week at the Flamingo; tickets are $85 to $250.

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