Question of the Day - 11 June 2006

The FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup is the world's most representative team-sport event and has taken place every year since the first tournament in 1930, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1946, on account of World War II. The 2006 final tournament phase, featuring 32 national teams from six continents, is being staged in Germany and runs from June 9 to July 9. The hot favorite is 2002 (and '58, '62, '70, and '94) winner Brazil, with odds of 11/4 or +250, the last time we checked. Host nation Germany has odds of around 8/1, about the same as England, while the USA's pegged at 30/1, ahead of Mexico at 38/1. Rank outsiders at this stage include Switzerland (100/1), Ecuador (195/1), Tunisia (230/1), Saudi Arabia (750/1), and Trindad and Tobago (1000/1).

As far as viewing venues in Las Vegas are concerned, the list reads much like that of the QoD for 04/18/2006 regarding the FA Cup semi-final, with some notable additions.

• Crown & Anchor Pub, 1350 E. Tropicana Ave., 702/739-0281: Will be showing all the games, with no cover charge. Check out their Web site at www.crownandanchorlv.com/soccerschedule.html for a comprehensive schedule of all the matches and their (local) times.

• ESPN Zone, New York-New York, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702/933-3776: Will be opening early to be able to show the games live.

  Special World Cup hours of operation: June 9, 9 am June 10 to 19, 6 am June 20 to 23, 7 am June 24 to 27 and 30, 8 am July 1, 8 am

• McMullan's Irish Pub, 4650 W Tropicana Ave., 702/247-7000: Is open 24/7 and will showing all the games live. Bar and kitchen will be open throughout.

• Blondies Bar &dGrill, Desert Passage (Planet Hollywood),3665 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702/737-0444: Will be showing all the games that are live during their business hours (Sun.-Thurs. 11 am-1 am, Fri-Sat 11 am-2 am).

• Hofbrauhaus, 4510 Paradise Rd., 702/853-BEER (2337): Representing the host nation in Las Vegas, this Bavarian restaurant and beer hall will be showing live games at noon every day, with tape-delayed matches at 7 pm. Click here to visit their Web site for the full schedule.

As far as casinos are concerned, we called a number of major race and sports books, including the Station properties, Mandalay Bay, and Mirage, which all confirmed they'd be accepting wagers on the games and showing those that were live during their opening hours. (Mirage pointed out that the sports book is never "closed" as far as public access is concerned, so if a game is on outside of their operating hours, you're still welcome to sit down and watch it.) Other books, including the Las Vegas Hilton and the whole Harrah's group (i.e., Harrah's, Rio, Caesars Palace, Bally's, and Paris), will be operating with special hours, generally opening at 5 am and accepting wagers from 5:30 am during the contest.

The only casino we've come across that's hosting World Cup parties is Sam's Town. On Friday June 9 and Saturday June 10, Roxy's Lounge will broadcast three live matches, including Germany vs. Costa Rica (8:55 am Friday), England vs. Paraguay and Argentina vs. Ivory Coast (6 am and 11:55 am Saturday). In addition, Sam's Town Live! will host viewing parties for the Mexico games on June 11 (8:30 am), June 16 (11:55 am), and June 21 (6:55 am), which will include a stadium buffet and beer specials, half-time drawings, and remote radio broadcast with KISF La Nueva 103.5 FM.

A press release from the Las Vegas Hilton today confirmed that any wager placed on a World Cup event will entitle the bettor to a $5 coupon on the breakfast buffet. There will also be Budweiser beer specials and drawings for flights to Mexico and stays at the Hilton Los Cabos during the tournament.