WHEW!!!! Okay, enough said about the heat. As everyone now knows, poker has resurfaced as THE table game in casinos, thanks to TV coverage and the recently concluded World Series of Poker where the winner walked away with more than $7 million.

Since its inception, Binion's Horseshoe downtown was the site of this annual major event until the property and the tournament were purchased by Harrah's which moved it to the Rio, although the final table was played at Binion's this year for the last time. But Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel, as it is now called, is now owned and operated by MTR Gaming Group, Inc. and it is not willing to step out of the poker spotlight.

This past week, it announced that it will introduce a new international tournament, Binion's Poker Classic, next fall. The casino is hoping it will re-establish Downtown Las Vegas as the poker center of the world. Specific details of the tournament, such as the number of events and entries, buy-ins and cash prizes will be announced by August 1.

I'm happy to hear that, as the WSOP, and Binion's were one of, if not the biggest attractions downtown and as downtown continues to struggle, it would be a shame to see them lose their ace in the hole completely.

Speaking of poker, I had a chance to visit the poker room at Bellagio the other day and I must say, I was a little more than impressed. Talk about elegance and style. How about a a Murano hand-blown glass chandelier hanging overhead marble flooring? Or artwork depicting the action of past Bellagio tournaments and previous World Poker Tour events? I'm told that celebrity painter Leroy Neiman has been commissioned to create a painting representing the current high stakes poker greats battling it out around the green felt tables.

Like several poker rooms today, this one, which happens to occupy 7,000 square feet, is smoke-free and features 40 tables, as well as "Bobby's Room," the new two-table high-limit room named in honor of 1978 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Champion and Mirage Resorts President and CEO Bobby Baldwin. Bobby, by the way, once again participated in this year's WSOP, but was knocked out in the early going.

Before I leave Bobby's Room, let me tell you that it will host a variety of high action games and will require players to buy-in for a minimum of $20,000. You heard me right -- 20 grand!

And listen to this. Bellagio's poker room offers guests 24-hour tableside dining, complimentary beverage service, safe deposit boxes, a full-service cashier cage with five windows and an overhead state-of-the-art music system. There also are eight 32" television monitors and 11 42" plasma screens throughout the room to watch sports. A gambler's dream.

LAKESIDE LUXURY

If you're looking for a great way to beat the heat, head on out to Lake Las Vegas where you can enjoy a sumptuous meal with friends, or impress your Significant Other on your own private gondola. Your full three-course gourmet meal includes a complimentary bottle of champagne. Picture great food, good booze, cool breezes and the sounds of Lake Las Vegas' Jazz on the Lake. Not a bad way to spend a night.

It all happens Saturday evenings through September. For more info visit www.gondola.com or call 877-4-GONDOLA to make your reservations. I know, when you count the letters and the numbers, it comes out to 11, when we all know phone numbers have to total 10 with an area code. I don't know how they do it, but the 11-count works, so don't be afraid to dial.

POOLSIDE RHYTHMS

These next two items will be of more interest to locals, but if you're a tourist, you can still enjoy them. The City of Henderson Parks and Rec Dept. is hosting a poolside concert by the Caribbean band, Island Tyme, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, at Whitney Ranch Activity Pool, 1575 Galleria Dr. in Henderson. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors, and includes the performance and access to the pool.

If you're not familiar with them, and I'm not, Island Tyme is a Caribbean-influenced band that performs a mix of reggae, rhythm and blues, jazz and smooth Calypso. The band has performed extensively throughout southern Nevada, covering songs by Harry Belafonte, Peter Tosh, Maxi Priest and more. For more info about the Poolside Rhythms concert series, call 702-267-4055.

On Aug. 6, also part of the Poolside Rhythms concert series, the Marty Warburton Band will perform at 7 p.m. at the Black Mountain Aquatic Complex, 599 Greenway Rd. in Henderson. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and includes admission to the pool.

The Marty Warburton Band is a family group that has performed bluegrass music for more than 25 years. The band's banjo, guitars, bass and soaring harmony vocals have earned them a number of honors, including the Nevada State Governor's Folk Arts Award. Their CD, Headin' Home, is available on Pinecastle Records. Tickets can be purchased at www.cityofhenderson.com/parks. For more info, call 702-267-4055.

Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip.

If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.