Downtown casinos may be in store for a double dose of growth, as both Binion's and the Golden Nugget have announced plans to up their room counts. Binion's says it will more than double its room total by adding 400 next year. The news was bigger, though, from the Golden Nugget, where owners Landry's Restaurants announced ambitious plans to expand the hotel-casino to the tune of $150 million. A new 500-room hotel tower will anchor the project scheduled to open in 2009. Since taking over the Nugget in 2005, Landry's has invested $170 million in renovations, to upgrade the casino, add a new buffet, a rebuilt pool area, and add several restaurants. A nightclub, sushi bar and convention area will open Dec. 1.

VIC'S OPENS: Trader Vic's has opened at Planet Hollywood. One of the country's best-known Polynesian eateries, Vic's Las Vegas features an outdoor dining area overlooking the Strip. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight daily.

NEW BOOK: A new sports book has opened at Sam's Town, featuring additional space and big-screen TVs. It's a good place to watch the games, except for Monday nights, when you'll do better to watch in the casino's arena — everyone there gets a free hot dog and draft beer just for walking through the door.

WSOP '08: The dates have been announced for the 39th World Series of Poker, which will again be staged at the Rio. The monumental poker meet will be May 30 through July 17.

Q. Is it true that something went wrong with a stunt at the Palms involving Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Airlines?

A. Yes. To promote the airline's new San Francisco/Las Vegas service, Branson was to rappel down the face of one of the Palms' towers. However, the stunt was changed to a harnessed free fall, and Sir Richard apparently bounced off the wall a couple of times. Branson was shaken up, but walked away.

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