Las Vegas Casinos

Bellagio MID-STRIP - the fancy-pants casino in town. Its just a tiny bit intimidating for some and sophisticated and grown-up for others. It does get points for the high ceilings and the grid layout, which makes navigating this place less of a chaotic experience.

New York, New York SOUTH STRIP - the N.Y. theming here has been toned down to a more generic look, which means that this massive gaming place now doesnt have as much of a fun factor to offset its too hectic, crowded, and distracting atmosphere.

Wynn Las Vegas NORTH STRIP - a large but simple layout and the overall classy gestalt are pluses, but on the minus side, table limits are expensive and its not all that exciting either. No matter; the machines (tight as they may be) run from nickels on up, so park yourself in the most comfortable slot seats in town and save the tables for Downtown.

Luxor Las Vegas SOUTH STRIP - the tallest casino ceiling on the Strip makes for a low-claustrophobia gambling situation, though I cant forgive them for de-Egyptifying it and making gambling here way less fun.

MGM Grand SOUTH STRIP - the biggest of the big: 171,500 square feet (15,933 sq. m) of gaming spaceis divided into four areas in an attempt to reduce it to a manageable size. It doesn't help (getting lost here is a badge of honor). But big doesnt mean impersonal, and some of the friendliest poker tables are found here.

The Mirage MID-STRIP - the old-school tortuous layout makes navigating here a little difficult (as do the crowds), but the vibe is good and the Asian-sleek decor is almost relaxing.

Paris Las Vegas MID-STRIP - one of the few casinos thats still reveling in its theme (a fact I applaud): Its set beneath a ceiling painted like an April day in Paris and is partly under the feet of the hotels Eiffel Tower re-creation. The 83,000-square-foot (7,710-sq.-m) gaming area is ringed by Disney-esque European facades.

Caesars Palace MID-STRIP - its a great big rambling mess of a casino (getting lost is a Vegas rite of passage), but despite the sprawl this is still an oh-so-Vegas place to gamble, with glitzy chandeliers, toga-clad waitresses, and ginormous "Roman" statues. Weekend nights bring the Pussycat Dolls Pit, where go-go girls gyrate above burlesque-clad dealer girls at pink-coloured tables with very high limits.

Binions Horseshoe DOWNTOWN - the former home of the World Series of Poker (now moved to the Rio), Binions is still the place serious gamblers go about their business, which isnt to say its not fun, but rather a particular kind of fun. Thanks to the newest in a long string of owners, the place looks a little less dingy. Lower table limits and good craps odds are big attractions.

Circus Circus NORTH STRIP - surely the most gimmick-laden casino in town, where the main action is covered by a Big Top in which various highflying circus performers do their thing virtually around the clock. Obviously, this is meant as a way to entertain the kids - many of whom pass through the area, making it exceedingly noisy and crowded - while adults spend their college tuition funds.