--You have a record of your expenditures for record-keeping and tax purposes (especially important if you travel for business) --You may get a better exchange rate when obtaining foreign currency when using your credit card. --Credit card companies can refund disputed charges and may offer extra guarantees, special deals or warranties. --Your liability in case of a stolen credit card is limited to $50

But, traveling these days is often a juggling act of luggage, boarding passes, identification cards, passports and a gauntlet of security measures. These identification acrobatics can leave one slightly addled and perhaps more at risk of being targeted by an enterprising pickpocket or purse snatcher.

And, even though your liability is limited, costs can quickly add up if multiple cards are involved. Factor in hassle and increased risk of identity theft, and it is apparent a few preemptive measures can save you from a boatload of heartache. Consider following tips as guidelines to traveling safely and affordably with your credit cards….

Plan Ahead:

Anytime you travel you should make photo copies of all of your credit cards airline tickets and documents, both front and back. You should leave these photocopies with a friend or family member. Be aware that if you make copies of your cards and documents to take with you, you may be giving thieves another opportunity to rip off your personal information. Consider blacking out details such as expiration dates, verification codes and social security numbers.

If you decide not to carry photocopies of your credit cards, be sure to have card cancellation numbers from backs of cards written down and stashed in your luggage.

Leave a Paper Trail:

Poker tournaments abound in Vegas, and guaranteed you'll find a poker tournament going on every day at one or another of these casino hotels. The most popular Las Vegas poker games are Texas Hold 'em, Seven Card Stud poker and Omaha poker. Whether you play small stakes or high stakes poker games, there is a poker table for you.

The cost to buy in usually ranges from about $40 up to $2000. A few years back I was attending a meeting and one of theme nights was "Poker Night". A Las Vegas dealer filled us in on what and how to play "Texas Hold 'em" and life has never been same. I discovered game of my dreams, We'll try to explain tips he gave us and give some ideas on best places to play. Don't be mislead, however it can be deadly on pocketbook, but bluffing and winning has never been more fun.

Some of our favorite places to play in Las Vegas are at major casinos, one of most luxurious rooms of course, is in one of most luxurious hotels, The Bellagio by name. Texas Hold 'em is a very popular game here as well as 7 Card Stud. Wednesday and Fridays are poker tournament days. There are at least 30 tables - so name your poison! Bellagio hosts World Poker Tour championship in April, this is my dream to play for $1,000,000 stakes in a World Championship.

Circus Circus is a good place for lower limit games and tournaments. It has been voted "Best Poker Room in Las Vegas". The Luxor offers daily Texas Hold 'em tournaments with low limit tables. If you look over crowd you may see me among players at The Luxor during week.