After the announcement that one of the two hotels at Lake Las Vegas will close later this year, this week came news that the area's lone casino will do the same. Casino MonteLago will shut down March 14, a direct result of the upcoming May closing of the neighboring Ritz-Carlton. MonteLago relies on customers from the Ritz, as well as from Loews Lake Las Vegas (which remains open), and the loss of the Ritz is cutting the casino customer base.

"VIVA ELVIS": Friday marked the official debut of the new Cirque du Soleil show "Viva Elvis" at Aria. Reviews have been mixed, but steadily improving as the show gets its legs. Tickets are $116-$200.

HOPPER: A distinctly smaller, but only slightly less hailed addition to the Las Vegas entertainment scene is the return of Jimmy Hopper, who's playing The Lounge at the Palms. Hopper was the most celebrated lounge performer in town when he played the Bellagio five years ago. His shows are 7 to 10 p.m. and they're free.

DICE MAN MOVETH: Andrew Dice Clay has moved from the Riviera to the LV Hilton, with an 11 p.m. show (one of the latest start times in town). Tickets are $27.50-$116.

SOME DIM SUM: The Paradise Caf[0xe9] at the LV Hilton is one of the few coffee shops in Las Vegas to offer a dim sum sampler. At $9.95, it's an unusual alternative to the typical coffee shop's $10.95 hamburger.

Q. Is it true the odds are much worse playing blackjack on machines than at the tables?

That used to be the case, because all of the machines paid even money on natural blackjacks, compared to 3-2 at the tables. These days, though, many table games pay 6-5 (and some even money), while more sophisticated machines are paying 3-2. The rule no longer necessarily applies.