1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

What is the biggest first timer mistake

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by tstidm1, Oct 20, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. tstidm1

    tstidm1 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2011
    Messages:
    48
    Location:
    Baltimore, MD
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Thinking about doing a first time trip to Vegas early next year. What are the biggest mistakes first timers make in planning the trip? Doing this with a limited budget (not Cheap), so I want to make it fun while being somewhat smart.
     
  2. blackjacknut

    blackjacknut VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2008
    Messages:
    3,410
    Location:
    Northeast Ohio
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    56
    1. Not packing comfortable shoes
    2. Thinking that "hey that doesn't look too far, let's walk there".
    3. Booking flight too early and not waiting on the deals/sales. wait 6-8 weeks
    out.
    4. Booking hotel/flight together, this works sometimes but check if you book
    separately what the cost is, you may save some money.
    5. Call the hotel to see if they can offer a lower rate than online.
     
  3. Reed

    Reed High-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    Messages:
    580
    Location:
    IL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    13
    Don't plan too much stuff. It is impossible to take in everything Vegas has to offer on one trip.
     
  4. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 1999
    Messages:
    44,195
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    Our first trip we stayed at Circus Circus (too far north), let them put us in a manor room (settle for no less than the tower), tried to walk to Mirage (MUCH farther than it looks) and we paid rack rate for the room. It was the greatest trip ever, even though we did everything "wrong".

    I'd agree that you walk much more than you think you will. And you need to keep in mind how far away things are before you decide to hike it. Drink water so you stay hydrated and just know that even if you pick the wrong hotel, eat at the wrong restaurants and do all the wrong things, you will still have a fun trip. It's Vegas!! :)
     
  5. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2010
    Messages:
    10,096
    Location:
    At the tables
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    planning way too much to do in a short amount of time.
     
  6. ttom

    ttom Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2010
    Messages:
    461
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    Don't blow your load in the first hour.
     
  7. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2009
    Messages:
    14,199
    Location:
    Boston
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Over planning activities and under planning your bankroll.
     
  8. Iceicecool

    Iceicecool Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2011
    Messages:
    472
    Location:
    San Diego
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    When someone walks up to you on the Strip and they ask you if you want free show tickets or a free dinner, run!
     
  9. Kcitsme

    Kcitsme Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2002
    Messages:
    211
    Location:
    South Florida
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    91
    1. Over packing.
    2. Not sticking to a daily budget.
    3. Not going outside of your hotel.
    4. Dressing for comfort.

    Make a list and pack what is necessary and remember to pack what is important (boarding pass, ID, cash, credit card, meds, etc.)
    Comfortable shoes for walking are important. Some of these casinos are extremely large and you will be doing a lot of walking just to go into or out of them. Walking the strip can be torcher if you try it in heels.
    Depending on the time of year you travel, bring outerware for your comfort. If you chill easily, even in the summer, bring a light weight sweater or sweatshirt for the casinos.
    Vegas can be overwhelming. There is so much to see and do. Some things cost money, while others are just there for the enjoyment. People watching is very amusing. There are many sites you can see in various hotels or along the strip that are free. Take the time to enjoy some of them. Plan which ones you wish to see on this trip. There are so many, you may have to take several trips to see them all. It is not a race to see how many things you can see or do, it is vacation to relax and enjoy. Be flexible.
    Gambling. I have seen some people who get off the plane and don't seem to make it past the first slot machines they see. When they get to a hotel, they sit at a machine or table and don't move. Many have returned from Vegas without seeing anything but the casino and the room at the place they are staying. Some have had to call home to have money wired after only one day. Think about how miserable your trip would be if you where in Vegas for 5 days but had no funds after the first day. Your friends might joke about it at first but they would soon resent you hanging around them sighing and looking for handouts! The machines and tables are there 24/7 so relax. Walk away and find some other form of entertainment until your luck turns around.
    Be aware of you surroundings. Don't put your purse down between the slot machines while you gamble. I have seen some men use a large rubber band around their wallet so that it won't slip out or be taken out of their pocket easily. Make sure you do not leave your jewlery, cash or credit cards laying around in your hotel room. Although most service people are honest, it only takes one and your vacation is marred.
    Vegas is all about choices. The first step is reading this board and the next will be enjoying the rewards!
     
  10. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2009
    Messages:
    5,820
    Location:
    Burnaby, BC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    I would say:

    Not realizing how big everything really is. On the same token as how far things really are apart, even just going in to some of the big mega resorts and walking around their casinos and shopping areas can really add on to the mileage walked each day.

    Don't over plan. Most first timers will show up with a list of all the free stuff to see and do, the shows they want to see, what restaurants they will dine at, what attractions they will visit... basically having a full schedule of how each day will go, and then end up not even coming close to sticking with it. And not seeing everything is OK because it gives you a reason to come back :)

    If you want to get some supplies for the hotel room, things like water, alcohol, snacks and such, there are stores all up and down The Strip where you can buy the stuff a lot cheaper than at the hotel gift shop so after you arrive you might want to hit the casino for an hour to get it out of your system and then walk to the nearest ABC, CVS or Walgreens to bring a bunch of stuff back to the room.

    Choosing what hotel to stay at. On one hand it is Las Vegas so its really hard to go wrong, but some people really just try to find the cheapest place to stay at and then just don't realize how far things can be and they end up blowing all their savings on cab fare because the hotel they picked is so out of the way. For a first timer to Las Vegas I really think they should try to get a hotel thats right in the main part of The Strip.

    The free drinks in the casino aren't really free. Yes the casinos serve free alcohol, so long as you are gambling. But sometimes it can take a while for the waitress to show up and take your order (in some cases she may never show up in your area) and then it can sometimes take even longer to bring you your drink. It doesn't sense, but everybody does it at least once, to keep pumping $20 bills in to a slot machine just so you can wait for the waitress to come back with your free drink. And they serve drinks slow-ish so that you can get a few in you, but not get so hammered that you are passing out. If you want a drink and are going to go for a big brand beer (IE: "Bud") and you don't want to wait for the cocktail waitress you can usually buy those 710ml cans in the casino gift shop for a couple of bucks.

    And gambling: mainly not being realistic with their gambling budget or their expectations. Like if you only have $50 a day to gamble with then even if you stick with penny slots you shouldn't be expecting to play all day long... or maybe blackjack does have a less than 1% house edge but that doesn't mean if you only have $200 that you can sit down and play $25 per hand and expect to get 6-8 hours worth of play from your money.
     
  11. thenuke1

    thenuke1 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2010
    Messages:
    964
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    Over planning can kill your trip.

    like others said take good shoes.

    dont forget the coupons ! vegas4locals.com goes a long way
     
  12. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,420
    Location:
    Colorado Springs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    This one.

    And playing more than you intend because you think you're going to get something for it (like a tier level)
     
  13. tstidm1

    tstidm1 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2011
    Messages:
    48
    Location:
    Baltimore, MD
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Would that work for those who don't have any plan with any player cards? I don't play enough at other places where I have status with MGM, Caesars or Boyds.
     
  14. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,420
    Location:
    Colorado Springs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    It's never going to hurt. They will never charge you more.
     
  15. hetzmr

    hetzmr Tourist

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Messages:
    80
    Location:
    Oshkosh WI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    Good suggestions but I've been told by hosts if you book the flight and room together a host can't comp the room on checkout. You've made the deal with third party and they can't undo that.
     
  16. fingersfreddy

    fingersfreddy Tourist

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2011
    Messages:
    39
    Location:
    Toronto
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    9
    Not booking a last day room for a red eye flight....meaning, if you have a late flight at say 10pm (red eye), and you have your room until that day at noon....you have to wait around for 10 hours for your flight....smart thing to do is get a cheap room for those hours at harrahs, ballys,...etc...so you can sleep....you'll want to.

    having to lug bags around when you're dead tired is a nightmare.
     
  17. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,420
    Location:
    Colorado Springs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    Or talk to your hotel about late checkout. There may be a fee, but it's usually reasonable. I paid a fee two trips ago and they told me 'check out whenever you want.' Then I got the fee comped off by my host.
     
  18. AlwaysVegas

    AlwaysVegas Now it's mostly Reno.

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2011
    Messages:
    313
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    65
    Wondering what those guys slapping cards are handing out and deciding to grab one.
     
  19. GoingBroke777

    GoingBroke777 Tourist

    Joined:
    May 24, 2012
    Messages:
    63
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    haha we did this, but our flight was at 6 am the next morning. did not want to pay a Friday night rate. so we stayed up from when we checked out Friday morning 11am untill out flight at 6am Saturday morning. good times.....but we left our bags with bell hope whole time and had no problems.
     
  20. BKCallaway83

    BKCallaway83 Tourist

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2012
    Messages:
    215
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Never blow your bankroll the first night you get there when you're hammered. Done that too many times and it sucks not being able to gamble the rest of the weekend.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.