This weekend, I’m heading to Vegas. Sin City, baby. Neon lights and desert sights. It’s been a few years since I went last and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s changed. One thing that I know is different is that the Stardust Hotel is no longer. One of the Vegas originals, it was imploded earlier this week, leaving only Stardust memories.

While I seek out other changes along The Strip, however, one constant is that where there is a potential jackpot to be had, there will always be people cheating their way to get it. This point was reinforced on a news segment on casino cheats the other night on CNBC’s The Big Idea With Donny Deutsch. In the news clip, they outlined some of the tactics thieves use to take money away from people at the slot machines. Luckily, once you know about it, it’s easy to stay on guard so it doesn’t happen to you.

One tactic, apparently, is to throw coins at the legs and backs of gamblers seated at the machines. When the gambler reaches over to pick up the coin, the thief sweeps in and grabs the unsuspecting person’s purse or chips.

They had hidden camera footage, and you could actually see these guys pelting people with coins. I guess when gamblers get in synch with the one-armed bandits, it takes a lot to shake them from their trace. But when the players finally noticed, I couldn’t believe they would be unguarded enough that they’d leave their valuables totally unprotected just to pick up one coin on the floor.

I may not be much of a gambler, but I know there’s at least one scam I won’t be falling for. Wish me luck at the casinos this weekend, and if anyone has any other advice for me while I’m in Vegas--things to look out for, places to visit, sights to see, where to get the best martini--I’d love to hear from you.