Summertime in Las Vegas traditionally means low room rates and the summer of 2014 is no different. A survey conducted last week turned up 52 hotel-casinos with rates of $50 and below, one fewer than last year’s total.

Rooms with prices of $20 and below were found at Golden Gate, Palace Station, Circus Circus, The Quad, Fiesta Rancho, Texas Station, Riviera and El Cortez, while Bally’s, Boulder Station, Excalibur, the D, Flamingo, Four Queens, Harrah’s, Hooters, LVH, Luxor, Monte Carlo, Plaza, Sam’s Town and Stratosphere were among 28 with rates of $30 or less.

Rates change quickly and these are base prices that may be subject to any combination of taxes, booking charges and resort fees, but they’re an excellent place to start if you’re trying to track down great room deals over the next couple of months.

High-enders: The summer brings good deals at the elite resorts, too. The following represent the best prices found at the upscale casinos: Palms $50, Tropicana $50, Hard Rock $51, Mirage $60, Palms Place $62, Mandalay Bay $64, Vdara $79, Caesars Palace $82, MGM Grand Signature $84, Aria $95, THEhotel $96, Cosmopolitan $101, Nobu $149.

Buffet twofer: The Silverton, on I-15 just south of the Strip, is offering 2-for-1 dinner buffets on Wednesdays and Thursdays in July. Must be a member of the players club, which is free to join.

NBA Summer: The NBA Summer League will be back in Las Vegas in July, with 24 teams and some of the best players in the NBA participating. Games will be played July 11-21 at the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion, with daily passes available for $25.

QUESTION: Who is the favorite to win the World Cup?

ANSWER: Heading into the quarterfinals, Brazil is the favorite at 2-1, followed by Argentina at 4-1 and Germany at 5.5-1. The long shot is Costa Rica at 750-1.

For more information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and good deals, go to www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.