The UNLV International Gaming Institute will feature an astrophysicist and a gaming professor in the inaugural lecture of its new "Excellence in Gaming" lecture series for gaming executives on Sept. 16, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the Marjorie Barrick Museum Auditorium.

Dr. Olaf Vancura, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and Jim Kilby, the Boyd Distinguished Faculty Chair in UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, will give lectures titled "Managing the House Advantage" and "Table Games Hold -- Myths and Realities."

Vancura will present unique and startling insights into how mathematicians, as well as card counters, are legally "beating the house." Vancura, who teaches casino gambling at Tufts University has published two books on the subject, "Smart Casino Gambling" and "Knock-out Blackjack." His perspective from the player's side of the table helps expose casino vulnerabilities.

Kilby is generally regarded as the premier expert on table games hold (table games win percentage). He is a 25-year veteran of the casino industry and has been a member of the UNLV faculty since 1986. His presentation on table games hold will challenge casino executives who rely on hold as a primary decision maker for game performance.

For registration information, call 895-1827.