Poker’s top competitors will be determined in July

While it might seem as though the latest World Series of Poker champion was crowned only yesterday (actually, it was in November), the time has already come to look for the next champ.

The 46th World Series of Poker began last week at the Rio in Las Vegas, where 68 “bracelet events” will be contested over the next month.

The main event begins July 5 and runs through July 14, when the “November Nine” final-table players will be decided.

This year’s payout structure drops the first-place guarantee to $8 million from $10 million in favor of guaranteeing prize money for 1,000 places.

Last year 695 players were paid. Viewing of all tournaments is open to the public.

Colossus crushes: New to this year’s WSOP was the Colossus. The tournament’s $565 buy-in, the lowest in 35 years for an open event, created the biggest live-poker field in history with 22,374 entries.

New pool: The Stratosphere’s 25th-floor Radius Rooftop Pool and Wet Lounge has finally opened (it’s been closed since 2011). It’s accessible to nonhotel guests — $15 men, $10 women — and you can get half off those prices by joining the “Take Back Vegas” club, which also gets you other deals at the Strat. There’s a happy hour daily from 5 to 8 p.m., with $3-$4 beers and $5 call drinks.

Free rock: The Fremont Street Experience “Rock of Vegas” summer concert series landed some big names this year. Playing June 13 are Martha Davis and the Motels, the Tubes and the Smithereens. On June 27 it’s Smash Mouth and Toad the Wet Sprocket. Other performers playing on downtown’s outdoor stages on Saturdays this summer include the Spin Doctors, Blue Oyster Cult and Kansas. All concerts are free.

Question: Where is the downtown parklet located?

Answer: Las Vegas’ first “parklet” has debuted at Sixth Street and Carson. It’s an 8-by-20-foot area with planters and shrubbery that’s made out of a parking space and is intended to substitute for a park. They apparently exist in other big cities and cost $20,000-$60,000 apiece to create.

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