Nevada's recently hit Megabucks jackpot was the second-largest in the system's history, but it left a lot of questions in the minds of players who monitor Megabucks closely.

Specifically, how did the total climb from $19 million to more than $30 million in a week? In reality, the jump took place in a day, when International Game Technology decided to retire its Penny Megabucks system and combine the two jackpots. Adding the money from the penny game to the dollar progressive resulted in an instant jump to $31 million, which grew to $33,000,563 before it was hit at Terrible's Rail City in Sparks, Nev. (The record remains the $39.7 million bonanza hit at Excalibur six years ago.)

ECAN BUFFET: Las Vegas' newest buffet is Cannery Row at Eastside Cannery. After opening with an all-you-can-eat buffet hybrid, ECan has switched to a traditional smorgy with low pricing: $8.99 for lunch and $11.99 for dinner (except for the $17.99 Wednesday seafood night).

BELLAGIO SUMMER: The new summer display at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens features cold-air balloons, a 42-foot-high Ferris wheel, an aviary and displays of the Stars and Stripes. It's open all day, every day.

NEW LEAD: It will be a Madison-for-Mo- naco trade at Vegas' Peepshow skin revue. Holly Madison, formerly of the TV show "The Girls Next Door," will take over in June for Kelly Monaco as the lead in the Planet Hollywood show. It figures to be an interesting transition — Madison had a less-than-stellar turn on "Dancing With the Stars," while Monaco is a "DWTS" winner.

Q. Is there any rule that dictates whether a player's cards in blackjack are dealt face down or up?

A. No, individual casinos decide. The rule of thumb is that single decks are dealt down, four decks or more are dealt up, and double decks are dealt both ways.

Find out about Las Vegas shows, buffets and deals at www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.