Two accounts are better than one:

When traveling with other family members, even spouses, bring different credit cards that are on separate accounts. When a card is lost or stolen and must be cancelled, all cards on account are cancelled as well. Having at least two cards from separate accounts will prevent situation from leaving you stranded.

Keep it light:

Carry only personal information absolutely necessary for vacation, such as a passport or driver's license. The less personal information you have, better off you will be if your purse or wallet is stolen. When traveling by air, always keep copies of important documents in a separate part of your luggage, such as a carry-on bag.

Keep cards on your person. Most travel stores carry small bags that you can keep cards, cash, and other items you will need to access while out and about. Consider a money belt or security wallet.

Look out for fees:

When traveling abroad and using a credit card, watch out for conversion fee that many banks levy to convert charges in foreign currencies to dollars, generally 1% of purchase amount. Some banks charge a fee and some don’t so, if you have several cards, it's worth checking with issuers to see which one has best deal. Even with conversion charge, many times ATM machines will have best possible exchange rates and lowest fees.

With proper planning, credit cards are a convenient, secure and cost-effective means of payment when traveling. Just keep these tips in mind, and next time you’re balancing on one foot at security gate, you’ll be glad you did.

Copyright © 2004 Luggage 'n' Travel Accessories http://www.luggage-n-travel-accessories.com

Gail Corwin is a successful author and happy traveler. Please visit http://www.luggage-n-travel-accessories.com, your source for luggage and travel accessories, travel related information, timely articles and tips.

If you think you need poker lessons and you probably do, a good place to go is Excalibur, you can't beat cost of their lessons. Free!

In meantime here are a few things to know about Texas Hold 'em (I'm not sure if I mentioned - this game is also sometimes called "Let 'em ride".

A hand begins when one or more players to left of dealer post a "blind" bets. A blind bet is same as an ante in other games.

Each player gets 2 cards dealt face down, after you get these two cards, you can make a bet or fold. My dealer suggests if they're not high cards - fold 'em! Betting starts to left of big blind, and continues around table. To continue playing you must call a 2 unit bet.

The dealer deals three cards, these cards are community cards and each player matches up these cards with their "hole" cards. Another round of betting takes place, all bets are in increments of 2 at this point. 2 more cards are dealt face up, after each card betting once again, after 4th card is dealt, betting is in 4 increments. Then a fifth card is dealt and followed by a final round of bets, all bets now in increments of 4. These cards combined with your 2 make up a 5 card hand, you can use hole cards or not in figuring your best 5 card hand! Bluffing is big in this game, since no one knows who may have best cards in hole, sometimes biggest bluffer and best "poker face" wins. At any time, when there is only one player remaining, pot is awarded to that player, and this is where all bluffing comes in, that player does not need to show his cards. (so you'll never know!) If more players stay in, at end of play all hole cards are shown and each player makes up best possible 5 card hand, you may use both, one or none of your hole cards to make up your hand. As in other poker games, same hierarchy of winning hands counts, from a straight flush, 4 of a kind, full house all way down to one pair or just high card.

These are bare rudiments of game, I think tip to be gained here is "if those hole cards aren't high - get out". For additional texas hold'em poker tips and strategies go to http://www/lasvegas-wow.com

Enjoy poker rooms and big poker revival taking place, it's fun! This article may be used on any website or blog, please make sure to keep my information intact.