• Slot clubs are great, and I would not play a nickel without my card, but coupons are still King to this Queen for instant casino value. These days, you don’t see as many funbooks as you used to, but there are still several goods ones out there. My favorite this month is the Sahara Book of Riches, which contains a $5 blackjack Ace plus a $10 bonus if you buy $40 in chips. You have to be a member of Club Sahara to pick one up and there is a limit of one every three months.
  
  
• Want good eats for little money in Las Vegas? Then follow the locals, many of whom will take you to Arizona Charlie’s for their 77¢ breakfasts—and you get to choose from seven different choices. This deal is available only from midnight to 7 AM, Monday through Friday. The rest of the time, I’d recommend the $2.49 steak/ham-and-eggs breakfast.
  
  
• Is your Vegas vacation bankroll thin? Some of the best entertainment deals are found not in the evening, but in the afternoon, when several casinos run the quality (albeit small) shows for the price of a couple of drinks. For example, Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Harrah’s is over an hour of laughter and magic in an intimate setting. Cost is only $10 per person and includes a drink. Better yet, sign up for Harrah’s Total Rewards (or just stop by the player’s club booth if you are already a member and have earned a few dollars), and receive a two-for-one coupon.
  
  
• In the evening, there is no shortage of free entertainment: Treasure Island Pirates, The Mirage Volcano, Dancing Waters at Bellagio, Rio’s Carnival in the Sky, The Fremont Street Experience… Check out the extensive list in the freebie tourist magazines. You can find them all over town—in taxis, at the bell desk, at car rental desks, or in your room.
  
  
• Gaming wise, it’s great to be “gold,” because many casinos offer a whole assortment of special deals for “mature” customers (considering that the minimum age is usually 55, I refuse to say “old”). For example, at Ellis Island (about three blocks from the Strip), 55+ customers receive a gaming packet that includes $1 off in the restaurant, buy $2 get $2 from the cashier, and a ticket good at the 2 PM and 5 PM $50 drawings. I’d go at 2 PM because the crowd is much lighter and you have a better chance to win.
  
  Warning: Everything in “Frugal Finds” is checked and rechecked with the casino marketing departments, not only for accuracy, but to make sure that the good deal will be around for a while. But that doesn’t stop a casino suit from making a quick decision, so a phone call to the casino may save you some wasted time and effort. l