Never gambled in Vegas... Advice?

Don't worry about your gestures, the dealers will be more than happy to help you and the other players will understand, they too were once BJ newbies. Enjoy yourself and good luck.

 

Machines that are set up like that, then yes, max betting is important. Many "video slots" are not like this though. Max betting $4/spin on a non-progressive penny video slot is generally a bad idea unless you like setting money on fire.

Also stephy, if you learn Jacks or Better strategy, you can play Bonus poker too with the same strategy. Bonus poker is usually the better paying game on the Strip anyway.

 

Just a few more words of advice for when you play blackjack:
Purchase, (or create your own) 'basic strategy card'. Casinos allow you to have these on the table. Just place it next to your chip stack.
Whenever you're in doubt about the proper play for a hand, glance down and find your answer.

The 'proper' gestures are pretty easy to remember:
If it's a game dealt out of a shoe or a machine, all player cards will be dealt face-up. Never touch the cards at these tables.
When you want to hit, just tap or scratch the felt between you and your cards. When you want to stand, wave your palm over your cards. When doubling or splitting, place a matching bet next to your original bet. (Never place chips on top of your original bet!). If your double hand is two 5s, you will be asked, "One card?". Say yes, or hold out your index finger to indicate one card.

If it's a 'pitch game' (dealt out of the dealer's hand), you will handle your own cards. They will be dealt face-down. Use one hand only. Don't bend the cards. If you want to hit, lightly scratch or tap the felt in front of you with your cards. When you're standing, tuck a corner of your cards under your bet, again, without touching your chips. When doubling or splitting, (or when you get a blackjack), lay your cards on the table, face-up, in front of your chips, and place a matching bet next to original bet. Then play the hand(s) exactly as you would with a shoe game.
Simple rule-to-remember: If the card is face-up, never touch it. Use hand signals.

 

I will give a different thought than most of the rest of the replies:

I am a craps player primarily, but sometimes when the tables are cold I will need to kill some time and preserve my bankroll.

I would play roulette. since you are looking for a strategy to "make it last and possibly come out on top", I think roulette gives you the best possibility.

So many people are recommending blackjack. Good luck finding even a $10 table in Vegas. At $15 a hand or higher, the $200 can disappear pretty quickly.

With Roulette, you can almost always find $10 tables, sometime $5. Lets assume a $10 table. Pick 5 numbers and put $1 on each. Then pick five more "corners" and put $1 on each. You now have a 53% chance of winning $8 (plus you get your $1 bet back) so this is almost a push. You also have 1 in 7 chance of winning $35 (plus you get your $1 bet back)

If it is a full table, each spin of the wheel can take a minute or more. This gives you a chance for some drinks and some conversation....with Blackjack things are moving much too quickly (except during the shuffles).

I have done this and - even on my unlucky days - I can play for an hour or more and still have some of my stake. And with a little bit of luck, I have doubled my money or better. Very rarely does this drain my bankroll in less than an hour.

 

Take advantage of the Free money the casinos will give you to gamble. I would do the $100 slot deal at the Cosmo. You might lose $100 but you will get to lose it twice and will still have $100 left over. If you are going downtown get an American Casino Guide. That will stretch your Gambling budget.

 

Ah ha, that's it....when I'm losing I get my ass handed to me wonder if I'd know enough to quit if it was my head?!

 

Best advice ever

best advice on gambling - don't gamble
enjoy vegas it has a lot to see and do
advice i never listened to and regretted it - don't gamble
what i do every trip is gamble and then complain about how much i lost or what a short playing time i had.
after you have eaten at all the buffets,had fine dinning, seen shows and sites and have time on your hands - don't gamble - ya right!! - don't listen to me - gamble and enjoy thats why we go to vegas - you could be that lucky one.