Six guys, one book, wads of cash and plenty of rugby. This is the Las Vegas Sevens.



It starts with head-to-head betting, but it soon becomes evident these guys sitting next to me know nothing about the sport they are putting their money on.



"I'll put $35 on Brazil," says one man, effectively throwing his money in the trash.



The thing is, when Brazil and Australia play in football, and for Americans, that means soccer, Brazil would be the favourite.



When they're playing rugby sevens, there's only ever one winner, and it isn't the South Americans.



"Yeah, I'll put $20 on Brazil too, dude," says another, thinking his friend must know something.



He doesn't.



I lean to the guy next to me. "Australia are gonna win this by at least 40. Don't bet on Brazil."



Fourteen minutes later, my newly rich American neighbour thanks me after Australia's 45-0 win, and the betting takes a turn to rugby roulette.



"OK, what number scores the first try? Odds or evens?"



Only in Las Vegas, right?

This is the USA Sevens tournament at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium, a 30 minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip.



More than 75,000 people pack into this stadium over the three days of competition, showing uncommon passion in a sport that barely rates a mention in the United States.



American rugby fans dominate the crowd, but there are huge pockets of fans for other nations.



Fijian and Samoan American communities flood the ground, travelling from throughout the country to cheer on their home nations.

Jack Megaw ADOPTED HOME: Despite rugby's unfamiliarity to America, Las Vegas has embraced its place on the international sevens circuit.

Kenyan fans take up nearly an entire section of Sam Boyd Stadium, creating an atmosphere more like an African football match then an American rugby tournament.



The Americans can be spotted wearing the stars and stripes, Captain America outfits or simply American flag flavoured underwear.



At least two people were wearing that revealing outfit. If there is one thing Americans do well, it's entertainment, and the Las Vegas Sevens is no different.



In New Zealand there is a reliance on the on-field action to provide all of the entertainment crowds crave.



Americans have known for a long time that the on-field action can only capture your attention for so long, and that they need to keep you entertained in the dull moments.

Kiss cam makes an appearance each day in Vegas, as does the United States Air Force when jet fighters fly overhead to launch the day two action.



After a US servicewomen had belted out the Star Spangled Banner, the sight of two fighter jets came up on the big screen. The goose bumps arrive as the crowd rise in unison, fireworks following as the jet fighters fly low over the stadium.



There are on-field competitions, T-shirt giveaways, and the stadium MC gets his boogie on in the crowd, taking his shirt off to the disapproval of anyone with eyes.



They even have Cirque du Soleil - Zarkana perform a 15 minute routine between matches which wows the crowd as much as the sevens itself.



The actual sevens is pretty good, too.

Some of the best moments are reserved for the home side, obviously, and boy do they turn it on. The United States make the semifinals, chants of USA go up as they beat Canada in the final match of day two, setting up a clash against the mighty New Zealand Sevens team.

Jack Megaw USA, USA: The United States on their way to a noisily-celebrated victory over Canada in the Las Vegas Sevens.

Of course, New Zealand eased past the USA come semifinal time, but the home side had already captured the imagination of their home fans.

Performances like this mean the crowd could exceed 80,000 come 2016, and who knows where it will go from there.



Away from the sevens there is always plenty to do, and you need look no further than the Las Vegas Strip. Cirque du Soleil - Zarkana is better on the stage at Aria then it is at the stadium.



One of eight Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, there are several high-flying moments during Zarkana when your heart tries to force its way through your throat, be it when a man trips while skipping on the Wheel of Death, or when the grip slips between two men in a large trapeze act.



The debate about whether those slips were on purpose or not rages into the night, such is the quality of the performance.



After the show we head to a delightful pizza place downstairs called Five50 Pizza, where melt-in-your-mouth meatballs and traditional Italian pizza are must-haves from the menu.



If you're lucky enough to have Aaron as your waiter, he'll also convince you to try some of his rarest beers or wines



The chalk board surrounding the restaurant itself is filled with quirky quotes that relate to the food and beverages on offer, and Aaron reliably informs me the woman who does the chalk board writing is a fellow Kiwi.



At least he thinks she's a Kiwi. Her accent is the same as mine.

Just walking the strip is an activity in itself, soaking up the lights and the architecture, enjoying a variety of talented street artists and the general positive vibe the strip emits.

Richard Brian BRIGHT LIGHTS: The Las Vegas Strip, home to some of America's biggest and brashest tourist magnets.

If you want a better view of the strip, the largest ferris wheel in the world is in operation at The Linq, a newly refurbished hotel owned by Caesars Entertainment.

A 30 minute round trip takes you more than 160m above Las Vegas, with every LED light shining from the strip below clearly visible from the 20 square metre passenger cabins.

It's better to take the trip at night when the lights are shining bright, bringing Las Vegas to life.

Gambling was once the main reason to travel to Las Vegas, but tourism has now taken over as the main earner in the city.

Entertainment is what the hotels and resorts are trying to provide their customers, hence the huge number of shows and activities on offer.

All the entertainment can make a man hungry, and luckily some of the finest dining in the United States is on offer in Vegas.

One of the best places to dine on the strip is Scarpetta at The Cosmopolitan, with views overlooking the Bellagio Fountains.

Be warned, though. If you dine at Scarpetta, award-winning chef Scott Conant's Italian food will have you weighed down by the time you decide to leave.

It may sound unadventurous, but the spaghetti is a must have, as are the steaks. I have a prime New York strip of beef, and boy does it hit the spot.

The biggest secret of Las Vegas, however, is that the strip is no longer the "it" place for the locals.

Downtown was once a no go zone due to crime and violence, but now it's the place to be for Las Vegas locals.

A short drive from the strip, Downtown has a collection of delicious local restaurants and some of the best shopping in town.

The hardest part about exploring Las Vegas is actually leaving your hotel.

We stayed at The Delano, a newly refurbished hotel which is part of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Inside the hotel is luxury, with my king room featuring two bathrooms, two rooms and views of the Luxor pyramid and the rest of the Strip.

There are three televisions in my room, including one in the bathroom which means I can continue watching my morning television while jumping in the shower.

GETTING THERE

Air New Zealand, Qantas and Virgin Australia all operate flights from Auckland to Las Vegas, with stop overs in Australia, Los Angeles or San Francisco. Adult economy fares cost between $2000 and $2500 depending on the carrier.

STAYING THERE

The Delano King Suite, which includes a private bedroom with king bed, spacious spa-style bath and a separate living room, starts at around NZ$950 for a four-night stay. Transfer from the airport to The Delano by taxi costs around US$35.

BEING THERE

Cirque du Soleil – Zarkana, tickets from NZ$115 -cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/zarkana/default.aspx.

Scarpetta, main meals from NZ$25, entrees from $21 - cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/taste/restaurant-collection/scarpetta.aspx.

Five50 Pizza - aria.com/dining/restaurants/five50-pizza-bar.

The High Roller, daytime tickets from NZ$33, night tickets from $46 - caesars.com/linq/high-roller.html.

The writer travelled as a guest of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority.