Midsummer is prime time for lodging deals in Las Vegas. Despite bargain-rate casinos closing in the past year (Westward Ho, Lady Luck, Klondike, Bourbon Street, and Boardwalk), the deals are as good as ever. A survey last month turned up 39 casinos with rooms for $50 or less. Least expensive were Arizona Charlie's Boulder, El Cortez, Gold Spike, Four Queens, Palace Station, Plaza, Sam's Town, and Wild Wild West, all of which came in under $30.

Here are casinos that quoted $40 or less: Arizona Charlie's Decatur, Binion's, Boulder Station, Circus Circus, California, Excalibur, Fiesta Henderson, Fiesta Rancho, Fitzgeralds, Flamingo, Fremont, Gold Coast, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget, Hooters, Imperial Palace, Main Street Station, Nevada Palace, New Frontier, Orleans, Riviera, Sahara, Silverton, South Coast, Stardust, Stratosphere, Terrible's, Tropicana, Tuscany, Vegas Club, and Western. Though rates change quickly, they function as a guide to deals this summer.

Q. Is there a live Web cam at the Hard Rock pool? How do you access it?

A. Yes, the Hard Rock pool cam, www.hardrockhotel.com, lets you scope poolside happenings at all hours.

For information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and deals, see www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.