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     Chinese New Year has a long rich tradition in Las Vegas, and the Year of the Dragon is no exception. The annual celebration is marked by traditional Lion Dances, extravagant décor, unique entertainment, and special culinary offerings, so come celebrate Las Vegas-style.

     For those drawn to the spectacle and pageantry of the traditional Lion Dances, check out the Wynn Las Vegas where the Dragon and Lion Dance ceremony takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27, The Venetian on Monday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m., and at the Gold Coast two Lion Dances on Feb 1 at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Caesars Entertainment Lion Dances will be on January 27 at 5 p.m. at Harrah's Las Vegas, 6:15 p.m. at Imperial Palace Las Vegas, 7 p.m. at Flamingo Las Vegas and 10 p.m. at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. On January 28 at noon at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, 1 p.m. at Paris Las Vegas, 2 p.m. at Bally's Las Vegas and 5 p.m. at Caesars Palace.

     All across the city, resorts transform their properties with extravagant displays and elaborate décor. The Palazzo will display a 128-foot fire breathing dragon. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will feature over 22,000 colorful flowers and two 25 foot dragons. Wynn Las Vegas' atriums will feature over 8,000 red and yellow chrysanthemums, silk dragons, and golden dragon sculptures measuring eight feet tall.

     Cultural entertainment offerings abound throughout the Year of the Dragon celebration. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace welcomes Mandopop star Wakin Chau in concert and the Fremont Street Experience will host a nightly festival with Chinese food, arts and crafts, and cultural presentations on the 3^rd Street Stage.  Fantasy Stars in concert will be at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Jan. 28 for the celebration, welcoming Daniel Chan, Aska Yang, Alec Su and Wilber Pan.

     Several world-class restaurants will offer special menus and festive culinary creations to honor the Chinese New Year. Luxor's new Asian bistro Rice And Company will offer a traditional prix fixe menu and The Palazzo's Zine Noodles Dim Sum and China Poblano at The Cosmopolitan will offer celebratory cuisines and festive cocktails as well.

     Join the celebration and welcome the Year of the Dragon in Vegas!

With its own lingo and surprisingly competitive nature, Bingo is more than just counting to 75 and yelling out nicknames for your favorite numbers (Quack Quack - 2 ducks - #22). Bingo is an over-the-top experience in Vegas with some of the most technologically advanced and expansive game rooms in the country. Whether you prefer an intimate setting like Terrible's Hotel and Casino's 160-seat room or a larger venue where you and your friends can gather like the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino's 780-seat Bingo Center, Vegas has something for all bingo lovers.

THE BASICS:

• A dauber is a marker used to cross off the numbers that have been called out. Be sure to bring your own dauber or purchase one for around $2.00 in a vending machine near the bingo hall. We suggest arriving early so you can hit up the bingo bar for complimentary cocktails before the action begins.
• Money Ball isn't just a baseball movie starring Brad Pitt, it's a number drawn before the bingo game that will double a player's winnings if bingo is hit on that number.
• Cash Ball is a progressive jackpot that pays off with a bingo on the called number (if the number is drawn before the session begins).
• Bonanza is a progressive coverall jackpot that is usually played as the 13th game of the session. Forty-five numbers are drawn before the session, and players mark them on separate cards and set aside. There is an additional fee to play this game, usually $1. The countdown begins at 48 numbers or fewer and goes up one number per week to 52 numbers or until won. The amount of the jackpot is determined by card sales for that game.
• Coverall is when you cover all 24 numbers on one bingo card.
• Hardway is bingo in a straight line without the use of the free space.

Now that you know basic bingo etiquette, let's talk about where you can play.  

Arizona Charlie's Decatur and Boulder are open 24 hours a day with games happening every odd hour. For all you early birds, Eastside Cannery offers free pastries during its 8 a.m. session. For those who hit snooze, Palace Station, Sam's Town Hotel, Santa Fe Station, Suncoast Hotel, Sunset Station and Texas Station offer complimentary doughnuts during their 9 a.m. session. Fiesta Rancho and Fiesta Henderson hotels offer 12 regular games with a progressive jumbo bingo game at the beginning of each session. For those looking to bring friends or make friends, Boulder Station  has a 600-seat hall that is sure to house your party. We can't forget to mention that Red Rock Resort, Riviera Hotel, South Point Hotel, Vegas Club and many others offer complimentary cocktails during bingo sessions.

Who would have thought that bingo could be so much fun?