A friendly rivalry, Las Vegas style

This story is not about a feud. It's just to show you how the big boys play in Las Vegas.

Carey Hart -- the "Inked" star, motocross racer and Pink ex -- sent about 40 big guys to the Palms on Friday to hold signs advertising his new tattoo shop at the rival Hard Rock Hotel.

Palms owner George Maloof recounts with a grin:

"I'm having dinner with my mom, and I get a call" from a Palms insider asking, "What should we do?"

Maloof thought marchers were protesting. Then he saw their "Now Open" signs for Hart's Hard Rock shop.

Maloof walked outside, shook hands and gave out water, he says.

"I hope you're getting paid a lot," he said, although he thought: Why isn't the guy who is paying them to walk "like a slave" walking with them for their six-hour shift?

The background story: Recently, Hart moved his tattoo shop out of the Palms (where his TV show "Inked" was set) and into the Hard Rock, where he runs the rock club Wasted Space.

Former Hart partner John Huntington now runs the tattoo space at the Palms, rebranded as Huntington Ink.

Hart tells me he sent marchers to the Palms for an ad campaign in conjunction with Supercross events.

"I'm glad that George had fun with it," Hart e-mails. "I don't remember any water. But I do remember him, John (Huntington) and six security guards! ... Regardless, I think George is a good guy."

PLAYMATE: NO MORE NUDITY

Ida Ljungqvist was a bundle of nerves and joy while accepting her new title, Playmate of the Year, on Saturday night in a Palms ballroom lined with posters of her naked this-and-those.

Offstage, she admits it was hard, getting naked.

"I come from a fantastic family. If someone asked you to take your clothes off, what would you do?" she says. "My mother didn't speak to me for a month.

"As for being naked, I'm done with that."

MALOOF'S PLAYMATES

During Ida's Playboy party, Maloof was surrounded by Playmates he used to date.

I asked him how many exes were in the room (a lovely question for anyone to field). He declined to answer.

Like I said online, Maloof had the best onstage joke. It concerned his girlfriend: "Hi Kelly -- for now, you're the one for me." She laughed.

Offstage, he said he's been to the Playboy Mansion 30 or 40 times, mostly for work. He doesn't do the Grotto. And?

"I've never been in the hot tub. I'm not a hot tub guy. I've never been in the hot tub here" in the Palms, either.

So just to recap, we've got a Playmate who won't strip anymore, and a potential replacement for Hugh Hefner who won't step into a hot tub. These are confusing times.

BEER, BEER GIRLS, BEER

Today is Cinco de Mayo. To celebrate, Wilmer Valderrama walks the red carpet at 10 p.m. at Lavo at Palazzo.

And mariachi bands play Dos Caminos in the Palazzo and spots in Fiesta Rancho and Aliante Station.

Usually, I don't list bar and eatery specials. But today I want to give a shout to places recognizing the recession on a big night. For starters:

Combo admission is $20 for all three Palms spots, Moon, ghostbar and Playboy Club.

Two-for-one coupons are in today's Review-Journal for entrees at Palace Station, Red Rock and Santa Fe.

It's two-for-one margaritas and $2 tacos at Hard Rock's Pink Taco.

At Las Vegas Hilton's Tempo Lounge: $1 margaritas.

Two-for-one drinks fly at the cantina at Fiesta Rancho; and at Rockhouse bar and club.

Shots fetch $5 during a "michieve-ious photo" contest at T&T at Luxor.

For $15: 45-ounce margaritas at Guadalajara at Boulder Station.

Two-for-one Patron shots flow at Palace Station and Via Brasil Steakhouse; and $5 Patron shots at Green Valley Ranch's The Pond.

And oh, hey, drunkies -- don't drink and drive. Both a DUI and a casket cost more than a cab ride or a hotel.

OVERHEARD

"I've gotta go sit down." -- Hugh Hefner, 83, not feeling well at Ida's red carpet.

E-mail me at delfman@reviewjournal.com or blog post at reviewjournal.com/elfman.