by Helena Whyte

Created on: October 12, 2010

I would rather see a show than gamble in Las Vegas. I will not gamble until casinos designate a gaming area that is not smoking. Even if I find an isolated slot machine, a chain smoker will sit next to me in a matter of minutes. If the noise and bright lights aren't enough to disorient the tourist and give him a headache, just add the haze and smell of cigarettes to the mix and the vacation instantly becomes loathsome and unbreatheable. The only place I gamble in Las Vegas is at the air port where I put my loose change in the slot machine. The air port is smoke free and if I win, I'll be taking my winnings home with me.

Even though you hear of someone winning the jack pot, there are more losers in Las Vegas than winners. Just look at the homeless at any grocery store near Las Vegas Boulevard! I've watched players lose thousands at the black jack table while standing in line to get into the theater where I'll have more minutes of enjoyment and comedy than playing time at the craps table, roulette wheel, or black jack table.

If show times don't work on your schedule, I Max theaters can be found at the Luxor and Caesar's Palace.

At least the entertainment in Las Vegas is smoke free and high quality. So spend a few hours with Jay Leno, Donny and Marie, or the Second City Improv. Sometimes the show even comes with dinner such as Tony and Tina's Wedding or the King Arthur's Tournament of Kings. I know that Las Vegas is known for its magic acts, but I prefer variety shows such as the Legends In Concert or Splash. Legends is a high energy music venue where the impersonators are so good that you can't tell them apart from the real stars. The Legends let you still be entertained by all the Beatles and Elvis Presley just as they were. That's better than touching the wax likenesses at Madame Tussaud's. I will always purchase tickets for an ice show particularly when it is over a hundred degrees in the shade. You might even be able to snag half price show tickets for the Legends in Concert or Jubilee at the Ticket 2Nite or Tix4Tonite the day of the performance. Half price tickets are a sure winner over putting another dollar in the slot machine in the hopes of winning a new car!

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