If you're in Houston and decide on the spur of the moment to try to get tickets to a game, you can call Ticket Stop, 5925 Kirby Dr. #D (tel. 713/526-8889), a private ticket agency. They charge extra for the tickets, so it's best to buy direct or in advance if possible.

Baseball -- Houston Astros fans enjoy the indoor/outdoor downtown stadium, Minute Maid Field. Its retractable roof is open mostly in the early part of the season before the weather gets too hot. With a little planning, tickets aren't hard to come by; call tel. 877/9-ASTROS, or visit their website.

Basketball -- The Houston Rockets and Comets play at the new Toyota Center. It's downtown at 1510 Polk St., just south of the convention center and baseball park. Both the men's and the women's teams are popular, and tickets must be purchased well in advance (tel. 713/627-3865 or 713/627-9622).

Football -- The Houston Texans play host to opponents at high-tech Reliant Stadium. It's located off South Main, not far from the Medical Center. For information and/or tickets, call tel. 832/667-2000, or check out their website.

Golf Tournaments -- The Shell Houston Open is held in late March or early April. For information and tickets, call tel. 281/454-7000 or go to the tournament website.

Rodeo -- Houstonians go all out "Western" for a couple of weeks in early March, when the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is held. Billed as the largest of all rodeos, it includes the usual events such as bull riding and calf roping as well as performances by famous country artists. It is now held in Reliant Stadium. Call tel. 832/667-1000, or go to their website for more information. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at tel. 713/629-3700.