Lake Tahoe - Places and Poker - High Stakes

Lake Tahoe

The best thing about the World Series of Poker Circuit is that it's brought big-time tournament poker back to one of the most beautiful places on earth, Lake Tahoe, Nevada. If you ever get a chance to go there -- for poker, or skiing, or just being -- run, don't walk. You won't regret a minute.

The altitude can be a headache. Literally. And it can wear you out when you're walking or running. Kill your sleep. And make your eyes more bloodshot than even a long night of partying can explain away. But that's altitude, bud. The price you pay for paradise.

CASINOS

All five of Lake Tahoe's casinos are tucked into a little corner of the lake called Stateline. The best of the bunch are Harveys and Harrah's -- basically one big hotel on two sides of the street, connected by an underground corridor, both owned by Harrah's. They closed the poker room at Harrah's and shifted the whole operation to Harveys where, I'm here to tell you, it's alive and doing fine. When the tournament circus comes to town, the action never stops.

One thing: If you're a chip collector, watch out. Both joints are sick with commemorative chips. Bet you can't snack just one.

RESTAURANTS

For a town the size of Stateline you wouldn't expect there to be much in the way of great restaurants, but there are at least two that'll blow your mind.

First there's the Edgewood Golf Course and Restaurant. How does a golf course end up with a world class restaurant? Beats the hell out of me, but this one's got one. With a menu that stretches from ostrich medallions to elk chops, and a jaw-dropping view of the lake from every table, the Edgewood brings it, baby. Most stylish martini glass in town, too.

With no view to speak of, but some outstanding Northern Italian cuisine and the best wine cellar in three area codes, Café Fiore is the perfect romantic hideaway for you and that lady you want to impress, or impress all over again. But they only have seven tables, so -- word to the wise -- book in advance.

BARS/NIGHTCLUBS

Can't mention Tahoe without mentioning Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina buried in the heart of Harveys. If you're a betty with a sporting spirit (or you've had one too many Waboritas) you might want to donate your bra to the massive collection hanging behind the bar. They say that when Sammy's in town, he'll show his support by signing what the bra left behind.

Fake Mexican silliness aside, there's really only one place to party in Tahoe, and that's Altitude, the nightclub at Harrah's. All the best eye candy makes the scene here, topped off by cage dancers, catwalk dancers and the odd wet t-shirt contest. They also have frequent costume parties, and you never know who you'll see... or be.

For some down-market fun, wander next door from Harrah's to Bill's Casino. Bill's is working class and proud of it, but it's got a laid back little blues joint called William's Back Door Blues Club, where you can gear down and watch the locals get their party on. One thing's for sure: No one you came with will find you there.

DON'T JUST SIT THERE

There's more to LT than poker, you know, and if you don't get off the gamble for at least a little while you'll be shortchanging your LT experience to a tragic degree. So don't just sit there, check out...

Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe is tucked down in a mountain valley with tall pine trees and breathtaking lake views to help you leave all the crap behind. Check out the ashaitsu barefoot massage. After all, shouldn't you have a lady walk all over you at least once in your life?

Zephyr Cove Beach is where the locals go to work on their tans and beach volleyball game. Make an afternoon of it and watch the local Kerry Walshes and Misty Mays refine their spikes and digs.

The Fallen Leaf Lake bike trail gives you an okay workout (perfect for beginner bikers) with sick views of Fallen Leaf Lake and Mt. Tallac. It's a flat ride, but if you work up a sweat, the lake's right there for swimming.

Angora Lake is an easy hike off Fallen Leaf Lake Road, and once you get there you can watch sick locals make a 75-foot cliff jump or, if you've got the stones, give it a go yourself.

TEN OTHER WAYS TO KILL THE DAY IN TAHOE

• Water ski or rent a waverunner
• Go four-wheeling at Crater Lake
• Go to Secret Beach and find out what the secret is
• Go tubing on the Truckee River in Tahoe City
• Hit a barbecue party in Tahoe Keys
• Check out Lake Tahoe's only island at Emerald Bay
• Ski Heavenly
• Play laser tag at Heavenly Village
• Down a Scorpion Bowl at the Tiki Bar
• Go skydiving

It's not much of a drive from SF to LT. No more than three hours and change will put you on top of the world in one of the most beautiful gambling resorts there is. Just be careful going there in winter. After all, Lake Tahoe's not far from Donner Pass, and we all know how that party ended.