Casino City's Friday Five: 2017's last edition

This is it: The last Friday Five before 2018 hits. It's been a long, difficult year, filled with trials and tribulations of all kinds, both within the gaming world and without. But we're leaving on a light note here by celebrating Las Vegas accomplishments, the first WSOP China champ and a fabulous new book from a poker pro.

So take it easy this weekend. We'll see you on the other side.

5. 'Advanced Concepts in No-Limit Hold'em' a boon for serious players
Casino City's own Clare Fitzgerald has reviewed Hunter Cichy's advanced poker book, Advanced Concepts in No-Limit Hold'em: A Modern Approach to Poker Analysis. Cichy takes a look at pot odds, implied odds, pot equity and a few other concepts that require the dreaded math, which may enthrall some and bore others to tears. The book's strength lies in its expert organization, making it easy to engage with sometimes-difficult material.

4. Las Vegas named World's Leading Meetings and Conference Destination
Las Vegas is good at a lot of things: Food, gaming, entertainment, innovation. Add to the list that it's been named the World's Leading Meetings and Conference Destination for 2017, per the World Travel Awards. This marks the fifth consecutive year the destination has received the much-deserved title.

2016 saw Vegas host a record-breaking 42.9 million visitors, 6.3 million of whom were there for business purposes. Over 22,000 meetings take place there annually.

Las #Vegas has been named the World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination for 2017 by the @WTravelAwards. This marks the 5th consecutive year to be recognized in this category. https://t.co/anoaGX7pH0 #VegasMeansBusiness pic.twitter.com/tLppSb2kHy
— LVCVA (@LVCVA) December 28, 2017

3. Place bets on the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure winner at BetStars
The seven PokerStars Caribbean Adventure qualifiers will soon battle it out during the $10,300 Main Event at the Bahamas in January. But who will win? BetStars is offering you the chance to decide by placing your own wager.

The 2018 PCA will feature 31 events at Atlantis at Paradise Island Resort and Casino. Additionally, participants can look forward to a $50,000 freeroll on the tournament's final day, a $50,000 player appreciation draw, and a high hand promotion that will see players win up to $4,000 just for having a "high hand."

2. First ever WSOP China comes to an end
Day seven of the inaugural WSOP China saw Zhou Yun Peng take down a field of six talented players in just three hours. For this feat, he received about $367,000 in prize money, the Champions Cup and Asia's first WSOP gold bracelet.

Tencent, proprietor of the popular QQ messaging platform and sponsor of this tournament, says it plans to host more tournaments in China in the coming months.

Zhou Yun Peng wins WSOP China Main Event and more than $367,000.https://t.co/DoQRnSBabt pic.twitter.com/QJW3aVNzEd
— WSOP (@WSOP) December 22, 2017

1. Yggdrasil to move into bingo
This popular provider of online slots is planning something big in the new year: bingo. Yggdrasil will enter the multi-player bingo world for the very first time with the introduction of its mobile-first product, which will feature a secure chat function and a reactions feature, allowing players ease of communication. (Crucial for a game as social as bingo!)

Mini versions of the Yggdrasil slots you know and love will be included with the interface.