As I promised Mr. Detroit last month that we would leave the cover on the craps table this month. In lieu of lifting the cover, let me tell you about the awesome side of my seemingly 'seedy world', as one of my reader's called it.

I love Las Vegas! It's been my adopted hometown since the mid-sixties, as I told you all before. I've watched it grow up before my very eyes from a few downtown and strip casinos, catering to the die-hard gambler, to today's mega-casinos with something for everyone. There is no place on earth today that offers the vacationer, family's included, what Las Vegas offers in ambiance, entertainment, fine or off the cuff dining and top-notch hotel accommodations. Can you imagine us who work here, being on a perpetual vacation?

My niece and her girlfriend, from New England, Connecticut to be exact, where the most successful gambling casino in the world, Indian operated, does business, by passed their own state casino to vacation in Las Vegas. These two are not in the minority. While the proceeds from gambling is our state's main source of revenue, according to our latest statistics, vacationing non-gamblers make up the largest part of our fluctuating population. I hadn't been warned that Debbie and Mary Beth, who, if I remember rightly was her maid of honor at her wedding, would be in Las Vegas vacationing sans husbands.

They were assigned to keep their respective Connecticut forts running smoothly and to keep the kids fed, happy and out of trouble. I hadn't seen either one of them since the wedding of my niece Lisa, Debbie's sister, mmphh years ago.

These two lovely ladies popped their presence on me at work, around one fifteen in the afternoon. In the middle of payoffs, I happened to look up to see the two of them off to one side of the table and staring at me. At first they looked familiar but then after so many years of catering to the public over the craps table, every one looks familiar. A few dice rolls later I looked up again at the staring ladies. This time I did a double take and recognized our family continence! I stopped the game and stepped out to receive my dutiful uncle kudos -- hugs, kisses, and a re-introduction to Mary Beth. I asked them to stick around 'til my break but, instead, they promised to be back at 8:00 when I got off to go by the house and visit with the family, then come back downtown to see our famous light show in downtown Las Vegas. Heck it doesn't start getting dark here 'til nine o'clock any way. Well, a couple of hours later they came back to et me know that they were going to the Circus-Circus, a show they couldn't possibly miss, as it is the closest thing to circus' of old, which brings back childhood memories to a lot of people who visit its unique performances. They would see me the next day, which was OK by me since the Laker's were in an NBA playoff that night. We agreed we would call each other around nine the next morning.

Now, as I saw her off I got to thinking, "O.K. we'll get together for breakfast, maybe I'll suggest a place or two to visit, show off my new car in the process, while we drive to the Dam and back."

I called their room the next morning and Debbie let me know that they had made plans to tour the city first and sample the ambience the luxury hotels had to offer them -- free; take advantage of the breakfasts and afternoon brunches they were offered -- free; take in the outside shows, like Treasure Island, the hotels offered -- free. She would call me back around five, if it were all right, she asked. I told her to enjoy, knock your socks off, I said. I assured her that we loved her and that she could do no wrong. If and when we do get to spend some time it will be precious, I reminded her.

So, here I am to tell you to watch out, be cautious of what you ask for, as it may be granted you. It was wonderful seeing and being with my niece and her friend. My family and I met that at the Circus Circus, brought them to the house and showed 'em around. Then, except for my wife who can't take the heat of the city or hoofing it from one massive place to another, we headed out towards Caesar's Palace first so that the girls, my daughters included, could shop at the Forum Shops, As we walked from one shop to the other, my niece spotted the roulette table.

She quickly got her money out to try her "lucky" numbers. My girls, Diana, and Julie, waited in an inconspicuous spot away from the casino. It took a while, about 20 minutes, for them to be separated from their cash; it looked to me that they had put up quite a fight. After that we drove over to the Mirage to see the dolphins. Valet parking, which is always somewhat full all over the city, as unavailable, so we self parked. I was a long walk to the dolphin's tank, which had closed at seven; it was eight o'clock by my watch. We continued on walking to the white tiger habitat -- no white tiger n it. Ah! But we were in time for the volcano at the fountain, which goes off every 15 minutes. From there it was off to the Treasure Island for a pirate battle show starting at eight thirty. When we got there, we found out that the seven o'clock show had been canceled because of the wind, and the outlook for eight thirty show didn't look good either. It got canceled too. The Venetian, across the street, was our next stop, because Mary Beth wanted to take a gondola ride. After a lot more walking, we saw a sign declaring, "All today's rides sold out. You may purchase tickets here for tomorrow."

After all of that, we did manage to catch our city's famous light show Downtown, which, as always, is a Las Vegas treat. Then it was back to the Circus Circus for our goodbyes. All in all, it was a fantastic night for all of us. I loved it!

So you see dear readers, it's not all about the gambling. With some good common sense, you can enjoy a great vacation in any city that features gambling by working your way around the vice. Come, wave to me at my craps table and go on to enjoy the side benefits that gaming can offer you.

Until next time, when the cover comes off the table again, we will discuss your questions on 'buying bets', 'blanket craps' and, perhaps, 'loaded dice'.

TRIVIA:
The world is a gambling table, so arranged that all who enter the casino must play and all must lose more or less heavily in the long run, though they win occasionally by the way. (Samuel Butler, "Lord, What is Man?" Note-Books, 1912)

EDITOR'S NOTE:
I myself frequent Las Vegas, not for the gambling but for its ambiance. There's no place like it in the world. It's a giant playpen! Contact him on site; http://www.4pointspress.com or direct your email to the Editor.