Four days, no nights in Las Vegas

Whew, just got back from Vegas - another wonderful four-days, no-nights trip.

Our flight was perfect except that the guy at the Jacksonville airport sent our luggage to Los Angeles by writing "LAX" instead of "LAS" on the tag.

Their computer was hiccupping, so he had to do it the old fashioned way.

As he was writing it out I smiled and reminded him to be sure to send it to Vegas. He joked that he was sending it in "that direction."

When we got to Vegas, my smile quickly faded. Luckily some efficient USAir folks intercepted our bag at McCarran before its LA connection took off.

I like to gamble, and Las Vegas is the center of that universe. The town is the Baskin-Robbins of gaming, selling a thousand flavors and sizes.

Thankfully, I need only a simple few: poker, blackjack and craps. I played all of them to varying extents this trip and, atypically, won at each.

For sheer fun and excitement, my favorite game is craps.

But on this trip I especially enjoyed poker because there's a new game in town. Well, the games aren't new but some equipment is.

Awhile back I wrote about a Charlotte company named PokerTec (Nasdaq PTEK). The casino at the Excalibur Hotel is field-testing their "PokerPro" tables. I made it my mission this trip to check out these tables.

Wow, I'm nuts about them. I've played poker in traditional poker rooms, but the Excalibur room experience was far, far better in my humble opinion.

These tables are a perfect blend of the best of online computer and live play. The software parts and the human parts mix seamlessly.

The games run with computer-like efficiency (go figure) without anybody having to be reminded to post blinds or act when it's their turn.

On the personal side, I know the name of everybody at my table and we talk, laugh and even do a little whining but never to the extent that it impedes the game's pace.

I made another wonderful discovery our second day there. I took an early-morning walk, and right down the street from the Venetian what to my wondering eyes should appear? Denny's!

I had a great breakfast, which included a much-needed grits injection, which we southerners need to properly function. Lordy I felt great!

I left Denny's with a spring in my step and walked down to Bill's. I found an empty craps table and had a few good rolls before it got crowded. I cashed out my winnings and headed for Bally's.

This trip was very good. Life is very good.

Otis Gardner's column appears here each Wednesday.