Why are the colors red and black associated with gambling? You've got your red diamonds/hearts and black spades/clubs on cards; red and black roulette wheels/squares; and aren't pai gow tiles black with red dots? Perhaps these colors are the palette of risk-taking?

On my last visit to Vegas, I was in a slightly altered state one evening when I walked down the Strip and into Imperial Palace to watch the "dealertainers." Surrounded by dealers in costume, impersonating pop stars, I got to wondering about Las Vegas in 50 years. Anyone there care to speculate about what the future of the city and gambling games -- blackjack, perhaps -- might be?

I'll be in Las Vegas in about four days, so I know it's unlikely you'll have an answer for this by then, if you answer it, BUT, here it is: The Luxor has been touting its table reservation program where you and friends can reserve a blackjack table all for yourselves if you meet certain minimums ($300 cash in and $15 per bet, I believe). Since it's always more fun, I think, to play with friends at the same table, do you know of any other casinos who offer this table reservation option, or might be considering it?

Is there any player advantage for doubling down on a blackjack in an even-money or 6-5 game rather than taking the sure payoff?

Are keno machine odds the same as in live keno games? If not, why?

I just read an article in a poker magazine regarding an incident that took place at the 2006 WSOP Main Event. Apparently, during a "coloring-up" phase, a player was mistakenly given an extra $2,000,000 in chips! The Harrah's employee that made this mistake was terminated. However, the article does not say who the player was that received this "gift" and whether or not he or she finished in the money. Can you provide any further details?

I belong to a few video poker email lists. Over the past few months, according to them, it seems the "better" video poker games are becoming extinct (or close to it). Are VP players unwelcome at the Strip casinos? If so, what do you suggest? (BTW, I am a Seven Stars player with Harrah's properties and do not particularly feel "wanted" by them. I am looking for the best place for $5 players.)

If a dealer makes a mistake and accidently pays you off on a losing wager or fails to pick up a losing wager, should you point it out to him? Will the casino act against you in any way? Is there a law against it?

My broker just told me that the Nevada teacher's union wants to increase the gambling tax by 3%. He said that if it happens, casino stocks will tumble. How likely is this tax to happen? And if it does, will it have as dramatic an impact on my gambling stocks as my broker says?

Why do casinos move slot machines and VP machines constantly?