Misc Going to Vegas - Page 4

**kysirsoze** · 07:11 PM

I'm going to Las Vegas in a couple weeks. Any good suggestions on stuff I should do? It's my first trip there and I want to do it right.

(Yes I'm aware this is begging for smartass remarks. Knock yourself out.)

P.S. Rep to legit suggestions

blazzin311 · 03-03-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

A word from the wise for you Vegas n00bs. Don't try to do and see everything in one trip. It is impossible. Also, other than a show or two, don't make concrete plans for anything. Just go with the flow. It will make your time there much more enjoyable.

My wife and I have been to Vegas 10 times and I have been 4 times prior to when I met her. We STILL have not done everything we want to do there.

Yea I think this may actually be the best vegas advice in this thread to be honest. I was in Vegas last summer for a week and a half or so and this is what I found to be true. We had all these things we had planned that we wanted to do in Vegas but once arriving there and seeing all it had to offer for our own eyes one thing became apparent. Plans just don't work well in that city. Definitely a go with the flow type of place I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillip

https://www.flamingolasvegas.com/Mak...=OGY0000319323

Follow that link, promo code PFSTL. You can get Flamingo standard rooms (nice, clean) for $35/night during the week or the new renovated GO rooms for a little more. The GO rooms are really sweet with a plasma screen TV and even a TV in the bathroom mirror that appears when you turn it on. The Flamingo is also in a prime location. It's next door to the Imperial Palace that someone mentioned earlier, but the Imperial Palace is pretty crusty.

Definitely go to the VooDoo lounge at the Rio. It's an outside rooftop club that overlooks the entire strip. It's the one thing I'd say you really don't want to miss.

Also, I'm not sure of your age, but most of the hotels now have "day clubs" at their swimming pools with music, dancing, and some that allow topless sunbathing. It's really fun, but leave time for a nap. We got exhausted by getting drunk during the day and then trying to go out at night with no nap in between. It can be hard to balance the day partying and night partying.

The part you refer to here in bold is no joke for sure. They call it "The City That Never Sleeps" for a reason. Only you really don't get to see or understand the reason until you're actually there. Then it begins to make sense as to why they call it that. Wild city that's for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dog

I'll be there right after you (arriving on the 17th). I have enough advice for pages of comments, so I'll pick just a few.

1. Harrah's shuttle - Harrah's owns 7 casinos in Vegas and runs a shuttle between them. It's a good way to get to the RIO and back should you go there.
(You'll need a Harrah's card)

2. Free shows - Several casinos have free shows and exhibits that you can see.

Bellagio Fountains - Outdoor
Caesar's Fountains - Indoor
Freemont Street Experience - Downtown
MGM Grand - Lion Habitat
RIO - Show in the sky (casino floor...err sky)
Mirage - Volcano eruption
Treasure Island - Sirens of TI

There are plenty more, but you get the idea

3. Poker - If you are a poker player, the Sahara offers a nice little tournament 3 times a day (11a, 7p, 11p) There are many great poker rooms, and many
much nicer than this...but when the cards hit the felt it is an issue of buy-in and tournament structure. This is a mid to deep stack tourney for about
$70 if I remember correctly.

4. Cirque du Soleil - You either love them or are disinterested. We love them. Add in the Beatles and 'LOVE' at the Mirage is a good bet. They have 7
permanent shows I think...I have seen 5 to date.

5. Freemont Street (downtown) - It's worth a look around at least once. I don't gamble much there, and only return when I am 'showing' it to someone
anymore. Prices are definitely cheaper.

6. Lodging and food - I can't really help you much here (although I see some suggested in the thread that seem good). I gamble too much at home and get
most of this comped when I go to Vegas. Don't be afraid to sign up for the various rewards cards and don't be afraid to ask for gimmes for signing up
(i.e. a free buffet). I remember being surprised at how much free stuff we got at Planet Hollywood just for signing up.

Well, thats enough!

Have a great time.

Great advice here too. When I was in Vegas last summer we stayed at Planet Hollywood on the middle of the strip. As you mention the freebies and comps you can get were well received by all. There were lots of them. Very nice hotel "planet hollywood" too. I would recommend staying there myself. Prime location, prime atmosphere, etc. Have a fun trip!

**Dartgod** · 03-03-2010, 12:41 PM

Another bit of advice. If you are a blackjack player, beware of 6:5 blackjack. A natural blackjack should pay 3:2, but most strip casinos have migrated to this 6:5 bullshit. The only reason it's sticking around is because the morons that don't understand the difference play it.

You may have to look around, and the limits are generally higher ($10 or more), but you can find 3:2 tables.

Also, as others have mentioned, get a players card at every casino you visit and use it when gambling. My wife and I are very low rollers and we get free room offers in Vegas (mostly from Harrah's casinos). Most of the casinos are now owned by either Harrah's or MGM, so you only need one for all their properties. Here's a rundown for reference.

MGM owns:
MGM Grand
Mandalay Bay
Luxor
Excalibur
New York New York
Monte Carlo
City Center
Bellagio
Mirage
TI
Circus Circus

Harrah's owns:
Harrah's
Flamingo
Imperial Palace
O'Sheas
Bally's
Bill's Gambling Hall
Paris
Rio
Caesar's Palace
They also recently acquired Planet hollywood, but probably haven't converted to the Harrah's Rewards program.

kepp · 03-03-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farzin

The Venetian is awesome.

this

**Old Dog** · 03-03-2010, 01:00 PM

If you're looking to save a little coin, here's a site you might find helpful:
www.cheapovegas.com

**Old Dog** · 03-03-2010, 01:08 PM

Personally, I like downtown better, specifically El Cortez (a kicker is that they will pick you up and take you to the airport for nothing). Hell, I don't do anything but sleep in the room anyway. You can get a pass on the double decker bus for $7 a day to travel from downtown to the strip and back.

Jilly · 03-03-2010, 01:43 PM

So, you ready to let the dogs out?

**loochy** · 03-03-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jilly

So, you ready to let the dogs out?

**RockChalk** · 03-03-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzsaw

The Rio's got a really good buffet too.

Confirmed on that. Caesar's also has a pretty good buffet and all you can eat crab legs.

If you're going in a few weeks, then perhaps you'll be there during the first weekend of the NCAA tourney. I've been there 4 times solely for that first week and spent all weekend in various sportsbooks. It's complete craziness there and is an absolute blast during the 1st/2nd rounds. Nothing but games and degenerate gamblers

If you're going out next weekend (3/11-3/14) then you'll catch the conference tournament games. That's not bad either because there are quite a few games.

I usually like to hit up some of the older casinos on the strip (Bill's, O'Sheas) or even going downtown can be fun. You'll tend to find cheaper tables and a faster flow of drinks in these places, plus the crowd is typically younger or at least more fun to gamble with. Some of the rich/fancy casinos are full of stuff folks who think they are professional gamblers.

My advice, don't worry about room quality/location if you don't plan on sleeping much. A good central location on the strip is ideal if you plan to just gamble/do whatever on or around the strip. If you can swing a deal though, ARIA is pretty awesome. Stayed out there after it opened in December.

Most importantly, have fun and take money that you don't care about losing.

Monty · 03-03-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Another bit of advice. If you are a blackjack player, beware of 6:5 blackjack. A natural blackjack should pay 3:2, but most strip casinos have migrated to this 6:5 bullshit. The only reason it's sticking around is because the morons that don't understand the difference play it.

This. Double check the odds before you sit down. What I found interesting is that there were almost always tables in the same casino that offered both 6:5 and 3:2 tables. At the Station Casino, they were literally right next to each other. Even the dealer on the 3:2 table made some comments about the idiots sitting at the other table that weren't getting paid correctly.

**Dartgod** · 03-03-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monty

This. Double check the odds before you sit down. What I found interesting is that there were almost always tables in the same casino that offered both 6:5 and 3:2 tables. At the Station Casino, they were literally right next to each other. Even the dealer on the 3:2 table made some comments about the idiots sitting at the other table that weren't getting paid correctly.

Well, 6:5 is bigger than 3:2, right? RIGHT?

Jilly · 03-03-2010, 02:56 PM

I'm excited that if all goes well, I may be living just a 4-5 hour drive from Vegas in the near future.

Monty · 03-03-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Well, 6:5 is bigger than 3:2, right? RIGHT?

Yep, but that's only because 4 out of 3 people have problems with fractions.

Monty · 03-03-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jilly

I'm excited that if all goes well, I may be living just a 4-5 hour drive from Vegas in the near future.

oh..that's just not right....

I'm officially jealous......Vegas would be a perfect weekend destination. As of now, we're stuck with Winstar and Choctaw casinos just across the border in Oklahoma.

**loochy** · 03-03-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monty

oh..that's just not right....

I'm officially jealous......Vegas would be a perfect weekend destination. As of now, we're stuck with Winstar and Choctaw casinos just across the border in Oklahoma.

..and they suuuck. Well, at least Winsta does. It's just a big tent and they don't have blackjack, baccarat, craps, or roulette. They don't give free alcohol. It r teh suxor after being to vegas.

I've never been to Choctaw, but I assume it's suckage is greater than or equal to Winstar.

Monty · 03-03-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

..and they suuuck. Well, at least Winsta does. It's just a big tent and they don't have blackjack, baccarat, craps, or roulette. They don't give free alcohol. It r teh suxor after being to vegas.

I've never been to Choctaw, but I assume it's suckage is greater than or equal to Winstar.

?? Winstar has BJ, but that's it. Yes, there is no roulette, craps, baccarat and that does suck. I don't get the big tent thing. They opened a section on the north side that is actually pretty nice compared to the old section. They do serve alcohol now, but you have to pay for it. We only go when we really really really want to gamble. My biggest complaint with the OK casinos is that damned ante they charge.

And yes, these places totally suck compared to Vegas.......

03-02-2010, 06:46 PM
kysirsoze SNAP THE ****ING BALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $86946	Going to Vegas I'm going to Las Vegas in a couple weeks. Any good suggestions on stuff I should do? It's my first trip there and I want to do it right. (Yes I'm aware this is begging for smartass remarks. Knock yourself out.) P.S. Rep to legit suggestions Last edited by kysirsoze; 03-02-2010 at 07:11 PM..
Posts: 11,972

03-03-2010, 12:41 PM	#47
Dartgod Wasted away again... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: in Margaritaville Casino cash: $3620000	Another bit of advice. If you are a blackjack player, beware of 6:5 blackjack. A natural blackjack should pay 3:2, but most strip casinos have migrated to this 6:5 bullshit. The only reason it's sticking around is because the morons that don't understand the difference play it. You may have to look around, and the limits are generally higher ($10 or more), but you can find 3:2 tables. Also, as others have mentioned, get a players card at every casino you visit and use it when gambling. My wife and I are very low rollers and we get free room offers in Vegas (mostly from Harrah's casinos). Most of the casinos are now owned by either Harrah's or MGM, so you only need one for all their properties. Here's a rundown for reference. MGM owns: MGM Grand Mandalay Bay Luxor Excalibur New York New York Monte Carlo City Center Bellagio Mirage TI Circus Circus Harrah's owns: Harrah's Flamingo Imperial Palace O'Sheas Bally's Bill's Gambling Hall Paris Rio Caesar's Palace They also recently acquired Planet hollywood, but probably haven't converted to the Harrah's Rewards program. __________________ If you shed a tear for me, please make it a tear of joy. -Joe Tracy (Nzoner) . .
Posts: 52,211

03-03-2010, 01:00 PM	#49
Old Dog Supporter Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Central Kansas Casino cash: $2470201	If you're looking to save a little coin, here's a site you might find helpful: www.cheapovegas.com
Posts: 10,769

03-03-2010, 01:08 PM	#50
Old Dog Supporter Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Central Kansas Casino cash: $2470201	Personally, I like downtown better, specifically El Cortez (a kicker is that they will pick you up and take you to the airport for nothing). Hell, I don't do anything but sleep in the room anyway. You can get a pass on the double decker bus for $7 a day to travel from downtown to the strip and back.
Posts: 10,769

03-03-2010, 01:43 PM	#51
Jilly MVP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lee's Summit Casino cash: $9984925	So, you ready to let the dogs out? __________________ "In most of our human relationships, we spend much of our time reassuring one another that our costumes of identity are on straight." — Ram Dass
Posts: 8,462

03-03-2010, 02:56 PM	#56
Jilly MVP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lee's Summit Casino cash: $9984925	I'm excited that if all goes well, I may be living just a 4-5 hour drive from Vegas in the near future. __________________ "In most of our human relationships, we spend much of our time reassuring one another that our costumes of identity are on straight." — Ram Dass
Posts: 8,462