You don't have to charter a plane and book hotel rooms to give your friends a Vegas-style night out. A few games, the right setting and a lot of good food and drink can help you achieve that party spirit in your own home.

Take some cues from Food Network's It's a Surprise, which threw a Vegas party for NJ policeman Ken Blair. Start with the invitations to get everyone in the mood--send out announcements with three playing cards and a poker chip glued to the front of each. To create a party atmosphere, echo the casino and card theme throughout the room's d?r. Use red and black as your main colors (with hints of gold and silver to signify the big win), place oversize playing cards on the buffet table, and hang paper lanterns emblazoned with hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds.

At each place setting at the dining table, roll each napkin and wrap with a fake dollar bill and gold cord. Pack party favors in fake money bags--simply cut out a stencil of a dollar sign, then use spray paint to transfer the symbol onto plain muslin bags. Fill with candy or goodies and tie with gold cord.

Serve the food buffet-style to keep guests circulating. Clams casino are an obvious choice, along with simple pasta dishes that aren't too fussy to keep diners away from the roulette wheel. Make finger-food desserts as well, such as chocolate-dipped strawberries.

When your guests arrive, distribute packs of paper play money from a board game. Or you can photocopy the play money and put your own face on it. (Don't use real dollar bills for your design--it's a felony to copy money!)

Don't have a roulette wheel? Don't despair. If you want to go whole hog, you can rent slot machines and other gambling equipment from party suppliers (see It's a Surprise Source list). Otherwise, set up tables with card games such a poker, blackjack and baccarat, and let your friends take turns as the croupiers. Use a piece of green felt to sketch out the design of a craps table, lay it on a table, and let your guests toss the dice--either real or fuzzy. Add a disco ball and you'll feel just like you're on the Strip.