The Vegas-wide Megabeat Progressive Poker Jackpot has hit again, this time with a prize pool of $914,474. With this progressive, anyone playing in a Total Rewards (the Caesars Entertainment family of casinos) poker room in Las Vegas gets a cut of the prize!

The jackpot hit at 7:08 a.m. on June 5, 2013. Two players were in a No-Limit Texas Hold’em game at Planet Hollywood, and one player’s great hand (four kings) lost to an even greater hand (four aces). It’s what’s known as a “bad beat” in poker circles, but it paid off big this time.

Where “cha” meets “ching.”

The player who “lost” (Robert, visiting from Germany) receives $182,952, the “winner” (Jungok from Dallas) gets $91,447 and 107 players in Total Rewards poker rooms across the city each get $5,982. For example, 36 players got paid at Rio Las Vegas, 29 at Bally’s, 16 at Flamingo and so on. Only in Vegas, baby!

Just a day earlier, we snapped a pic of a Megabeat tally board in the Bally’s poker room as the jackpot was climbing to its ultimate $914,474 total.

This blog only believes in premonitions as they relate to large amounts of free money.

Read more about another recent Megabeat Progressive Poker Jackpot win, and get in the game for your shot at some big bucks. You don’t even have to win to win.

You can merely play blackjack in other casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, or you can get to The Quad and be dealertained! The casino’s popular dealertainers, as the name implies, both deal cards and perform.

Today’s featured dealertiner is Chris, channeling Sting.

Box office, schmox office. We loved “Dune.”

Find The Quad’s new dealertainer pit near the casino’s Catalyst Bar, gaining some renown for its flairtenders (bartenders who also do flair).

Next up on The Strip: Dealerflairtainertenders. Hey, anything’s possible in Vegas!

This blog is a tremendous fan of free.

Now, the Flamingo is offering free slot tournaments on weekends, with prizes of even more free! Specifically, free slot play. One of our favorite forms of free, ever.

These slot machines won’t accept your money. Enjoy that feeling while it lasts!

Here’s the skinny. Or the low-down. Or the 411. Or whatever people call it.

Any new or existing Total Rewards loyalty club member can enter the slot tournaments. (It’s free to join Total Rewards, of course.) They’re held in the Margaritaville Casino at the Flamingo, Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

When you enter, you play a three minute session to determine your score. Yes, three minutes. Sort of like this blog’s love life.

There were easily 40 lost shakers of salt when we stopped by.

Tournament results are posted at 3:30 p.m. The top prize is $500 in Reel Rewards (free slot play), with a total of five players winning ($400 in Reel Rewards for second place, $300 for third, and so on).

Good luck, and remind us again why people travel to anywhere other than Las Vegas? We’ll wait.

Today’s featured dealertainer at The Quad is Scott as Garth Brooks.

Can our Garth Brooks sing? Yes. Can the real Garth Brooks deal blackjack? We have no idea, but let’s not get bogged down by “details” or “facts.”

Find out more about the dealertainers at The Quad.

This blog does not love commercials. We use our Tivo remote to blow by commercials on TV, and have clicked “Skip Ad” links since the very invention of the “Skip Ad” link.

But the ads in this blog post are different. They’re for Horseshoe casinos around the country, which is cool and all, but somewhat beside the point, because these videos actually transcend geography or a specific casino, even one with as sweet a history as Horseshoe. What are we talking about? Why, here’s one of the ads now.

Anyone who loves casino games recognizes this moment. It’s the moment of anticipation of a result, the outcome of your bet, whether it happens at a blackjack table, or craps table or slot machine.

Yes, that moment.

Funny you should mention slot machines (well, somebody mentioned slot machines), because there’s also an ad featuring (wait for it) slot machines.

Who hasn’t had those moments? And if they haven’t had them, what sad planet are they from?

And just when all the craps players were starting to grumble about how they feel left out of the fun (not that a craps player would ever grumble about anything, of course), another video appears, as if by magic.

People sometimes say to us, “Pulse of Vegas, you’re an award-winning blog, right?” “Yes,” we reply, humbly. They continue, “Why do you seem to love casinos so much?” We sit them down, and try to describe that feeling when the decision is about to happen, when fate is in charge. That moment of anticipation, when anything is possible.

At which point, they tend to look at us like our hammock doesn’t reach both trees.

But, now, we can show them these videos. And they’ll get it. And hopefully, they’ll join us at the craps table.

A lucky player at Rio Las Vegas was just dealt four aces with a three on a $25 Super Double Double Bonus 5 play video poker machine.

Honestly, we have no idea what most of that means, but we do know it resulted in the following.

Mwah.

Thanks to the team in the Rio’s high limit salon for passing along the photo.

Note: Actually kissing a video poker machine is not recommended. At least not on the first date.

It’s a little thing called “swim-up blackjack at Caesars Palace.”

"Keeping you cool, even when the blackjack action gets hot!" We think you'd agree, this blog is perhaps the best copywriter ever.

We’ve decided we don’t visit Harrah’s Las Vegas enough. Why? Because there’s so much to love! Here are 15 things this blog is loving about Harrah’s right this very minute.

1. This Shirt

Who wouldn’t want to stroll down The Strip with a little Hugh Hefner vibe going on? Get this long-sleeve tee in the gift shop at Harrah’s.

Waxing not included.

2. Pool Season

It can never arrive too soon, or stay too long.

Insider tip: Go up the stairs on this end of the pool for some sweet rooftop tanning action.

3. Poolside Mimosas

Speaking of the pool, don’t miss the eye-opening mimosas at the pool’s bar. There’s a deal going on at the moment, but we can’t remember what it is, for obvious reasons.

Champagne glasses are for babies.

4. Cheap Keno

Looking for a great value in the casino? Check out the keno “Stimulus” deal below. You get to play 100 keno games for a nickel each, for a total of $5. “Catch-all” means you have to hit 100% of the numbers you select. Tough, but not impossible. And did we mention your total investment is $5?

Insider tip: You can buy-in for 1,000 keno games at once at Harrah’s. Do it as you’re heading back home, and check to see if you’ve won online at KenoUSA.com. Yay, technology.

See all the stimulus jokes we're not making? Maturity is this blog's calling card.

5. Brandi

What we meant to say is we’re loving Numb, where Brandi works as a bartender. Unlike many of its slushy drink bar competitors, Numb is a full bar, with a number of delicious signature cocktails.

Thanks for playing along, Brandi.

6. 500-Degree Plates

After trying Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, it’s going to be weird going back to a regular steakhouse. That’s because Ruth’s Chris serves its amazing meat on plates baked to 500 degrees. That means your steak is sizzling when it arrives, and that makes a great steak incredible.

"Would you like a side of aloe with that?"

7. The Purple Strap-On

Hey, that’s not our name for it! The Purple Strap-On is sold at everyone’s favorite place to party mid-Strip, Carnaval Court. You get the equivalent of 8-10 cocktails (see below for scale), which would normally cost $100 or more, for $40.

Bonus: You get to hang out with a Vegas legend, Brian Thomas. He formerly did a stint as Lucky the leprechaun at the now-closed O’Sheas casino, and was recently featured on “Counting Cars,” the reality show on the History channel.

Two of our favorite things in Las Vegas.

8. French Kiss Oysters

Oyster Bar at Harrah’s has some die-hard fans! Here’s a little tip: Before you visit, download the Oysterpedia app. You’ll need it to keep up with all the varieties of oysters at this popular Harrah’s hot spot. We used the free app to learn French Kiss oysters come from Neguac, New Brunswick, Canada and have a flavor profile that’s “high in salinity, with a sweet finish.”

French Kiss oysters, like many Las Vegas performers, have "deep cups." Hey, it says so in the app!

9. Jerry Lee Lewis

So, in an ensemble show like Million Dollar Quartet, you’re not supposed to play favorites. Everyone is equally awesome and contributes to the overall blah, blah, blah. Seriously, though, Martin Kaye, who plays Jerry Lee Lewis in the hotel’s new musical, steals the show and will blow you away with his unbelievable talent, musical and otherwise. We promise.

Martin Kaye, one of the many talented performers in "Million Dollar Quartet." Happy now?

10. The Dessert Station at Flavors Buffet

Flavors Buffet doesn’t get a lot of glory, but it’s dependably good, especially the desserts. When you think you’re done tasting everything, there’s another dozen or so offerings beyond that, and the temptations never seem to end. Our tip: Start your Flavors Buffet visit with dessert. Rules, schmules. It’s Vegas.

Tell the tarts at Harrah's we sent you.

11. This Bank of Slots

We love to play slots, but the machines below hold a special place in this blog’s heart.

Can you tell what makes them special?

Why do we love them, despite the fact we’ve never played them? Because they’re aspirational! See, on these machines, you have a choice to make your “coins” worth $100 or $500. And it’s two coins a spin. That means if you see someone playing them, they could be betting $1,000 per spin. Hey, in Vegas, it’s go big or go home!

They don't call them "high limit" slots for nothing.

12. Craps With Fresh Air and Sunlight

Hey, we love a casino with a little smoke for atmosphere as much as the next blog, but at Harrah’s Las Vegas, the craps table is close to a wide open door (facing Carnaval Court and The Quad), so you get fresh air and real sunlight.

The ideal mix of inside and out.

13. IcePan

This one’s never leaving our list of things we love at Harrah’s, ever. Made from scratch, this low-cal, no-additives ice cream can alter your state of being and magically transport you to your happy place.

The Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream is made from both actual strawberries and actual cheesecake.

14. KGB Burgers

It seems like KGB: Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers adds new menu items almost hourly, which makes it worthy of frequent visits. Below, some kind of heavenly concoction of sauteed mushrooms and Swiss cheese and a fabulous set of buns.

Watch for monthly specials that pair burgers and KGB's signature shakes.

15. This

Stop by the Higuchi Gallery shop at Harrah’s for this monster. Hey, we did say “go big or go home,” right?

That oughta hold you.

We feel like we’re just getting started! Now, stop daydreaming and get back to work. Or, alternatively, “Come to Las Vegas. The official opposite of work.^{” TM}

You may have seen it happen before, but you may not have known there’s a name for it!

Casino card game dealers have a very specific procedure they follow related to shuffling the cards. To begin the shuffling process, cards are spread out on the table and moved around randomly.

This step in the shuffling process is called “washing” the cards. It’s also known as “scrambling.”

There are few things in life that can't be improved by washing and scrambling them.

Once the cards are “washed,” they’re squared up and are then “riffle shuffled,” often multiple times, before play begins.

Now you know.

Can lightning strike twice? In Las Vegas, hell, yeah, it can.

Two lucky players became instant millionaires playing video slots at Paris Las Vegas in recent days.

One player hit it big on a Wheel of Fortune machine, to the tune of $1.7 million (on March 26, 2013). A second player snagged a $1.4 million jackpot on a Grease slot machine (on March 27).

Chills = multiplying.

Paris Las Vegas is part of the Caesars Entertainment family of casinos, and now the company’s keeping a running tally of its millionaires. The latest winners bring the total to 705 millionaires made in Caesars Entertainment casinos since 1987.

Find out more on the official Millionaire Maker site.

It’s called the Mega Beat Progressive Poker Jackpot, and it hit at Planet Hollywood on Mar. 9, 2013, resulting in thousands in cash for a winner who lost (but won, anyway), a winner (who won, then won even more) and hundreds of other players in poker rooms across Las Vegas.

Perhaps we should explain.

The Mega Beat Progressive Poker Jackpot is paid when a great poker hand loses to an even better one. (In poker, a “bad beat” is when a player with a strong hand loses, anyway.)

Mega Beat may very well end up being this blog's DJ name someday.

The Mega Beat jackpot is a progressive, so the jackpot grows larger over time. Think Cialis, but with money.

When it hit at Planet Hollywood, the prize pool totaled $672,420. The player with the “losing” hand (Alex Adams) was awarded 20% of that jackpot (a cool $136,675), the player with the hand that won (Scott Rosen) received 10% ($69,401), and the remaining 70% was divided among all the players at all the participating Caesars Entertainment poker rooms.

That’s right. When the Mega Beat jackpot hits, every player at every table gets a cut of the cash. At the time this jackpot hit (6:58 p.m. on Mar. 9), there were 238 players, so they each received $2,159. Just for being in the right place at the right time.

As the jackpot increases, it's easier to win. Just ask your dealer for details. The OTHER kind of dealer. What is the matter with you?

So, what hand did Alex Adams have when he lucked out and lost? He had four queens. (Hint: That’s a really, really good hand.) He lost to a heart straight flush to the queen.

Thanks to the Mega Beat Progressive Poker Jackpot, even when you lose you can win.

After the jackpot hits, it’s reset to $200,000. Video displays (see below) in all the participating poker rooms keep players up-to-date about the ever-growing jackpot, and shows real-time payouts, should the jackpot hit, as players come and go. Yay, technology.

The jackpot is more now. In fact, it's more now. And now. (Repeat.)

Poker rooms taking part in this progressive jackpot, aside from Planet Hollywood, of course, are Harrah’s Las Vegas, The Quad, Flamingo Las Vegas, Bally’s Las Vegas, Caesars Palace and Rio Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is always full of surprises, but winning $136,675 for a losing poker hand has to take the cake.

Oh, all right, we made up the heel-clicking part, but the other part is completely true.

Gordon, a lucky player at the Margaritaville Casino inside Flamingo Las Vegas, won a whopping $1,452,799.89 playing a “Wizard of Oz” progressive slot on March 9, 2013.

We forced the folks at the casino to send us a photo of the winning machine so we can spoon with it every night.

Not much is known about the winning video slot machine player, although it doesn’t take a CSI sleuth to conclude he was, as it’s known in casino parlance, “pretty flipping happy.”

We also know Gordon was playing on the “Oz” machine for about 15 minutes before the wizard granted his wish.

Trivia: $1.5 million will purchase 44,024 of those Margaritaville margaritas in the keepsake blender cup (see below). Not that anyone other than this blog would spend their slot jackpot this way, but we’re just saying.

Not your everyday brain freeze.

Get lucky at Flamingo Las Vegas. (You know what we mean.)

If you’ve seen these words in a Las Vegas casino, you know what we mean.

This just happened in the casino at Caesars Palace.

This makes us want to lick a slot machine. (Not recommended.)

“Hand pay,” of course, refers to slot jackpots in a range where printing the amount on one of those ticket in-ticket out deals just won’t cut it. A “hand pay” jackpot requires a slot attendant to pay it by hand. In massive mounds of cold, hard cash.

Which this blog then, typically, spends on two other happy words: Frosty cocktails.

Tips are the grease that lubricate the gears of Las Vegas.

Seasoned gamblers know “toking,” or tipping, is a great way to not only thank dealers for their stellar service, but they also ensure a dealer will watch your back (and your bets) during your play so you’ll get the most from your visit to the tables.

No matter what you call them, tips can make you very popular in Las Vegas.

While we’ve heard the term “tokes” for tips for some time, we never actually thought about why that term might be used.

Apparently, “tokes” is short for “tokens of appreciation.”

Of course, given that’s the case, “toking” someone isn’t exactly proper grammar (better than “tokening,” however), but proper grammar isn’t what lubricates the gears. Tokes are. So, toke generously when you’re in Vegas. And everywhere else, come to think of it. Read our Tips on Tipping in Las Vegas.

Now, you know.

Wandering through the casino at Caesars Palace recently, we were surprised and borderline giddy to see European roulette is now being offered in the iconic casino.

That’s right, European roulette. Which means Caesars Palace is one of the few casinos on The Strip that offers topless roulette! Which would be even more awesome if we weren’t just making it up. Well, the topless part, anyway.

Looks funky. Feels so good.

What’s European roulette, you ask? Well, primarily, European roulette means that instead of a zero and double-zero on the table, there’s just zero. Why does this matter? Because having just one zero lowers the house edge, and that’s always a good thing.

In American roulette, with zero and double-zero, roulette’s house edge is 5.26%. Having just a zero lowers the house advantage to 2.7%. This difference in percentages is music to a roulette player’s ears.

Other casinos on The Strip may have European-style roulette, but they tend to keep the tables tucked away in their high roller salons. Caesars Palace has European roulette in both its high roller area and on its main casino floor.

European roulette also offers some additional bets you don’t see in American roulette. These are “call bets,” and you should probably ask your dealer what they mean, because we pretty much have no clue. They’re in a foreign language, after all.

We are a blog, not a linguist.

From what we can gather, call bets in European roulette cover different number combinations. On the table we visited, the call bets are called “0-Spiel,” “Voisins,” “Orphelins” and “Tiers.” The “Voisins” bet is our favorite, because while we don’t know what it means, it does have “sin” in it, and Las Vegas is Sin City, so we’re kind of biased.

We looked it up. "Voisins" means "neighbors." That certainly clears things up.

Because these European-style call bets cover a variety of numbers, the betting increments and payouts vary. So, again, inquire with your dealer.

Have fun, and always make the most of your gambling allowance by knowing the odds. The house ultimately has the advantage, but a game like European roulette can get you a step closer to cashing out a winner.