Big fans of any Vegas act should give thought to getting tickets well in advance, as many shows sell out, or by the time you arrive you're left with whatever seats haven't been booked in advance.

It's worth noting that some resorts give preference to guests holding reservations at that resort. So if you make reservations at a place with a big showroom, ask about such consideration.

Beware of buying show tickets over the Internet. One of the Mirage salespeople noted that people have been showing up with discounted Siegfried & Roy tickets, only to be turned away because they are counterfeit. The National Fraud Information Center has cited online auctions as the No. 1 type of Internet Fraud Watch complaint.

To scout out entertainment for the period you plan to visit, get a copy of the monthly newsletter Las Vegas Advisor. Each issue has a three-month calendar of special events and entertainment.

For subscription ($50 per year) or current single-issue ($5) orders, call 1-800-244-2224; Web site www.lasvegasadvisor.com

Better Yet the Las Vegas Convention & Tourist Authority site at www.lasvegas24hours.com also has a good show calendar. This is linked to our page also.