THE OPENING LINE

Monday, May 8, 2006 | 7:26 a.m.

NATALIE SHUFFLES HER DECK

When it comes to golf and the so-called "game within the game," it's all in the cards for Lake Las Vegas resident Natalie Gulbis.

Gulbis, one of the LPGA Tour's pin-up girls (and a pretty good player, too), is the focus of the new Game Within a Game golf card game (www.gwaggolf.com) in which players exchange trading-type cards with her picture on them based on the outcome of shots during a live round.

For instance, the player who makes a birdie receives a card worth +2 points that shows Gulbis fishing the ball out of the cup with a wide smile on her face. Each card also contains a quote from Gulbis related to the card's designation.

"One of the best parts of golf. Everyone loves making birdies!''

Conversely, a player who hits into a sand trap receives the "In The Sand" card and -1 point. And a piece of advice from Gulbis:

"Make sure that you hit two inches behind the ball and allow the sand to lift the ball out of the bunker."

"Or use a foot wedge when your opponent isn't looking."

Actually, that second little tip comes from the Bill Murray Pebble Beach Pro-Am home edition of the game, which always makes for a lovely parting gift.

There are 16 cards, one for most everything that can occur during a leisurely round of golf, with the possible exception of a -25 card for "Hitting Into the Slow Group Ahead."

The player with the most points on their cards at the end of the round buys the cocktails at the 19th hole. Or, if Charles Barkley and John Daly are playing, parts with keys to his Hummer.

In most cases, the photos of Gulbis go with the shot described on the card.

The double bogey card (-1) shows her with a grimace; the chip-in card (+3) shows her chipping in from the fringe.

But I have to question the photo selection on a couple of the cards.

The "Land on Cart Path" card (-1), for example, shows Gulbis in a miniskirt shorter than the Par 3s at the local muni. I thought landing on the path was a bad thing.

And the "In the Water" card (-1) has our girl in the water, posing seductively in a two-piece swimsuit. I know guys who would play the water holes like Jan Van de Velde at Carnoustie just to get their hands on that card.

Wouldn't a picture of Craig "The Walrus" Stadler in a Speedo have been a better choice for "In the Water?"

THIS WEEK'S BEST BET

Memphis Redbirds at Las Vegas 51s, 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, Cashman Field

It's Dollar Johnsonville Bratwurst Night at the old ball yard. Hit the cutoff man, hold the onions.

TICKETS: 474-4000 www.ticketmaster.com

ON THE WEB: www.lv51.com

ALSO WORTH A LOOK

Memphis Redbirds at Las Vegas 51s, 7:05 p.m., Thursday, Cashman Field

It's Budweiser Dollar Beer Night at the one day older ball yard. Somebody should introduce Wednesday's promotion to Thursday's. If it works in Milwaukee, it'll play here.

TICKETS: 474-4000 www.ticketmaster.com

ON THE WEB: www.lv51.com