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Hello All - Vegas Virgin - going in a month....

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself!' started by TomKop87, Jul 13, 2015.

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  1. TomKop87

    TomKop87 Newbie

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    Hi guys, I'm Tom.

    Never been to Vegas, always wanted to. It will come at the end of of a 12 day trip to the USA (four nights in Chicago, then four in San Fran, then four in Vegas - BOOM).

    In fact I've never been to the USA before at all, I'm 28 and single and now's the time for it. We land in Chicago on August 9th.

    I'm hoping to have about $5000 dollars spending money for the whole trip - hotels and flights are all paid for, so it's just for food and drink and blackjack really. Got plans to see Chicago from the cocktail bar at the top of John Hancock buliding, got reservations at Bavettes, got Alcatraz booked but really I'm most excited about Vegas. I want to see Penn and Teller, I want to go to one of the shooting ranges (I'm thinking Battlefield Vegas?) I want to go see another show (TBC), and to do the Grand Canyon in a chopper.

    I'm going with one friend from school, who is a bit scared of flying, so I'm trying hard to persuade him that the chopper is worth it.

    Hope to arrive in Vegas with $3000 of my $5000 still intact.

    We're staying at Planet Hollywood - midweek, check in Monday, check out Friday and fly home (back to the UK) overnight.

    I'm counting the days till we fly to Chicago now. I wanted to say hello - chat, get some advice and all that goes with it.

    Don't be shy guys, let me know your thoughts.
     
  2. Hobofrank

    Hobofrank Prime Minister of Idiocracy

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    Def battlefield, never been to P&T but keep meaning to
    your friend will get on a plane but not a helo?, huh?
     
  3. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

    Joined:
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    Welcome aboard, I'm sure you're going to have an amazing time in Vegas.

    Advice, pace yourself on the daily gambling budget. Alcohol+gambling+excitement often equals busted too soon.

    Also, drink a lot of water while in Vegas, trust me on this. You will be sweating but its so dry you won't know it. For reals.
     
  4. sybgal

    sybgal VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Welcome Tom! Sounds like a wonderful 1st trip to the US. Hope you enjoy each city - so much to see & do at each stop. Hopefully you have a healthy bankroll to truly enjoy your virgin LV days. When you check in at PH....you should receive a coupon book. It may have one for a discount to certain 2nd level shows. Also, keep in mind that Tix4Tonite usually has Penn & Teller tickets available for that same night. You may want to google for discounts on the fees of Tix4Tonite.....helps defray those costs.

    PH is a perfect hotel/casino for guys your age....... Good luck & enjoy!!
     
  5. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    Hi, Tom. Bard here.

    Sounds pretty well planned. Second the advice about staying hydrated, which means lots of water in and not too much alcohol, especially when you're gambling. Also, in Vegas, real men use hand lotion- and Chapstick.

    P&T is corny but still fun. Get as close to the stage as you can.

    Hope you are practicing your Blackjack strategy and/or counting technique.
     
  6. TomKop87

    TomKop87 Newbie

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    Basic strategy yes - got an app for trying to practice counting, not sure I can keep up at higher speeds, especially after a few beers (and I will be having a few drinks, I'm there for a holiday, not necessarily to pull an MIT on the joint). If I was going to play tens of thousands of hands then I might focus on it a little more, but in reality as long as I stick to basic strategy over the time I'm there I should minimise my losses, and capitalise on any good cards. In any rate casinos in England seem to have much more favourable rules for the player (Blackjack pays 2:1, everywhere, no double zeros on roulette wheels), so perhaps I'll get into it when I get back, I doubt the local casino in Reading could spot me counting haha!

    Frank - I know and agree about the helicopter - I mean we're flying across an ocean, and then bouncing around the continent before we even get to Vegas, but hey ho - it's his life. I'm hoping if I just buy the tickets and surprise him the night before with a few beers, then the 'Fuck it, it's Vegas' attitude will prevail and he'll come along!
     
  7. reen1962

    reen1962 Low-Roller

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    Hi Tom,

    I've been to Penn and Teller and I second the advice to try to get as close to the stage as possible. They do a lot of audience participation and who knows, ya might just get up on stage. I did!

    If you get a chance, buy a bus ticket, the express, and plan a trip to downtown - The Fremont Experience. The light show is amazing and low gamble minimums will help your spending money balance.

    Welcome to the board. We will be in Sin City in just a little over a week and are so excited. The best part is you never get over the excitement. We started going to Vegas over 25 years ago and we still are like little kids waiting for Christmas! Have a great trip.
     
    It's Been Too Long 'Ol Friend! :-)
  8. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    Oh, you're from Reading. I spent an idyllic summer taking classes not far from there at Bulmershe many years ago. Cycled all over the place on free days. Saw 5 RSC productions and some lesser entertainment. Learned to enjoy a good bitter.

    You are correct that there is a good chance you will not be able to keep your count and disguise what you're doing. The first couple times I did it, they had my number right away. And concentrating hard enough to keep a count in a fast game does make the game less enjoyable, which is a consideration when one is vacationing.

    As reen1962 said, at P&T you may well be asked to join in the act if you sit close. My wife was chosen for the fishbowl trick. Teller autographed the bowl for us afterwards.
     
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