Not only is greed good, it's the engine that keeps Las Vegas purring. We scoured the Strip and beyond to find the best places to double your money, make a killing, be a high roller ... and lose it all. So party like a pro—but don't say we didn't warn you

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No-limit hold 'em
Green Valley Ranch
2300 Paseo Verde Pkwy. Henderson, NV
702-617-7017

THE STAKES: From three to five dollars.
THE SKINNY: Kate Hudson, Scott Baio, and Macy Gray have been spotted here recently, but you don't have to be a celeb or a high roller to play. Says amateur player Kelly Marks, a.k.a. the Bug Man, "The dealers are the friendliest in town. It's like Cheers; everybody knows your name." Guests are given a pager that buzzes when their seat at the table is ready.
BEST FOR: Players who want to have a good time and don't mind blowing a little dough. Regulars at this off-Strip poker room consider it the softest game in town; in other words, a good place to fleece unsuspecting fish. It's also got the biggest bad-beat jackpot (the hand to beat is usually four tens, and it pays out $40,000).
BUT BEWARE: In this town, you might be the fish. Keep an eye out for—and steer clear of—poker heavies such as Phil Gordon and Mike Mizrachi, a.k.a. the Grinder.

Horse
Bobby's Room at the Bellagio
3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
702-693-7290

THE STAKES: Usually between $4,000 and $8,000.
THE SKINNY: The pros agree that Bobbys Room, an intimate two-table space decked out with plasmas and photos of poker greats, is the best place to play high-limit poker in Sin City. (Horse is an acronym that stands for hold 'em; Omaha; razz; seven-card stud high; seven-card stud high-low eight or better.)
BEST FOR: Really, really good players. This is where you'll find all the pros, including Phil Ivey, Jennifer Harman, Doyle Brunson, Patrik Antonius, Gus Han-sen, Sam Farha, and Eli Elezra.
BUT BEWARE: When we say really good, we mean it; professional poker players love to take your money, and they love to do it here. Casual players should not apply.

Tournament poker
The Rio
3700 W. Flamingo Rd. 702-777-7634

THE STAKES: A $10,000 buy-in.
THE SKINNY: The World Series of Poker Main Event has been won by a no-name player every year since 2001. Last year, former social worker (he retired after his win) and father of six Jerry Yang took home $8.25 million. Could you be next?
BEST FOR: Pros and pro wannabes—and the very lucky. Says poker pro Joe Tehan, "The Main Event at the WSOP is a great chance to score big. The thrill of getting deep in tournaments can't be matched in a cash game."
BUT BEWARE: Although you can't lose more than your buy-in, only about 10 percent of players will end the game "in the money"—which means the other 90 percent will be out $10,000.

Craps
Casino Royale and Hotel 3411 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
702-737-3500

THE STAKES: Three dollars and up.
THE SKINNY: Casino Royale is the only casino in Vegas to offer 100 times odds. For pass line bets* and even-money bets, the house has an edge of 1.41 percent—but the house has no edge on odds bets.
BEST FOR: Cheap-thrill seekers. Statistically, this is the best bet in town, but cheap drinks (dollar Michelobs) and low-limit tables are its main draw.
BUT BEWARE: Though the odds can't be beat, the locale (it's next to a Dennys) is a bit seedy, and the overall ambiance is somewhat sketchy: The bathrooms are prime coke-snorting territory, and the entrance is guarded by under-age youngsters toting forties.