Vegas Solo Trips (Do's/Don't advice)

Good afternoon.

Heading out March 26-30th (staying at Hard Rock) for NCAA Sweet 16 wknd. Just wanted to ask for some advice. After a few friends backed out, I decided to say to heck with it and keep my plans as is. I've been to Vegas around 25 times but NEVER SOLO. Just wanted to some advice to maximize the "solo" experience. I love gambling and love meeting new people so shyness is not a problem. I'm assuming I will do alot of Video Poker at bartops and watch a lot of games in the sportsbooks. Just wanna make sure I don't make too many mistakes on my first solo trip. Thanks so much and GO BUCKS!!!

 

Do walk across the street and have some beers at the Hofbrauhaus.

 

+1
With its Beer Hall style long tables it's impossible to not make new friends there.

 

Always wanted to make it there.. never did, then we got one here in Chicago so no reason to anymore! Agreed on that, especially if you get paddled!

 

If you're anything like me you'll need to pace yourself with respect to gambling. When I'm solo, I often gamble much more than when I'm with others and if I'm not careful I can go through my BR too quickly.

So, I always try to plan a few things that will eat up some time...long meals, a visit to a new-to-me property/restaurant/attraction, a show or maybe just try to sleep in one day and have a leisurely room service breakfast and then spend the rest of the morning drinking coffee and watching sports while slowly getting ready for the day. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 ought to help you.

If you like to gamble and aren't a complete introvert, you should have a great time on a solo trip. Enjoy.

 

This is sound advice! I went solo three times last year because I really enjoy it. There's no committee on decision making, you just do your thing. You do want to take your time as far as gambling. I second the long meals advice. I go to the Aria buffet each time and sit for about 2 t hours. Eat slow, really enjoy it, and try not to inhale the food. And if you win, I recommend taking a few hours to buy something for yourself. I bought a few pairs of Van's one solo trip - nothing extravagant,, but it's fun to see your winnings turn into something you'll have for years.

 

A majority of my trips have been solo. I also rent a car to go to various casinos outside of the strip and to Henderson. Don't forget to visit the former Las Vegas Hilton sports book.

 

If you're an extrovert then you will love being solo. If you're not then drink a few shots and you will love being solo.

 

Don't make a lot of concrete plans. Just go with the flow......IMHO that is the entire purpose of a solo trip.

Have fun!!!

 

Don't feel you have to eat at the bar. It may be more convenient during prime dining hours but off peak, they don't even suggest the bar over a table to you. I'm an introvert so I prefer a table over a bar. And don't feel like you have to limit yourself because you are on your own, whether it's dining or activities. There are more folks who are solo than you may think and you don't need to feel self conscious over it.

 

Carve and Mike O make good points; pace yourself gambling and don't make concrete plans.

One thing that should help you space out the VP/table sessions is the basketball games. If you're parked in a sports book chair then you won't be dumping your bank roll all over the place. Make some bets on the games and sit down and cheer them on. You will find it very easy to strike up conversation with people in a book. If you're at one that you don't get a vibe for then the good thing about being solo is you can cut bait and go to another one.

I love solo trips because I am able to do whatever I want, whenever I want. Most people in Vegas are in a happy mood because they're on vacation. In all my trips I have always found "friends" to chat with. Several times it has been in the sports books and other times it was my craps table mates and bartenders.

It is all what you make of it...go and have a great time!

 

Do go to Stage Door, Money Plays, and Double Down Saloon for a drink during the daytime. You will meet and strike up good conversations with the locals. Also, head out to Play it Again Sam's if you like Strip Bars; another locals hangout.
Watch out for the Hookers and Trick Rollers who will drug and rob you.

 

Jealous, I was looking forward to a solo trip then a friend texted me his flight, lol. Happy he is coming, was just wondering what the SOLO experience in Vegas would be like. Have fun! My only advise is to not get too drunk SOLO.

 

Break the piggy bank and get yourself a charming escort for the evening. Plenty of twenty-somethings that would fit right in with your Sweet Sixteen shenanigans. Make sure she wears cutoffs and a tank top with no bra. I'm thinking shapely Latina with long, dark hair. I'm thinking 21 year old UNLV student.

 

The best part of Vegas being soolo is you can see a lot more stuff.

Take a day and see how many off-strip locations you can visit. I usually make a goal for 10 casinos, spend about 1-2 hours in each.

For instance. In a month, I arrive 2 days before my friends come in and will be solo. I am hitting several casinos that will probably not be in the mix when my buddies arrive.

I will be hoping to hit the Boulder Highway casinos for the first time to check them out (Arizona Charlies, Sams town, Boulder Station), then I plan to hit Hooters, Hard Rock, Silver 7, Tuscany, Ellis Island, CirCus Circus, and The STRAT .

Being solo allows you to skip wasted time, and do a lot. I also recommend to have a car for a day or so.

 

Wow, thanks for all the advice. I definitely plan to hang in the sportsbooks/video poker bartops and poolside quite a bit. I like how someone said a little earlier Vegas solo is awesome because you can be SO SELFISH. Do what you want when you want. It is awesome that most people out there are in such a good mood that it is easy to strike up conversations/make friends. That is what I plan on doing (plus hoping to meet up with some VMB'ers too)!

I will definitely take into account the don't get too hammered advice as NO ONE WILL BE WATCHING MY BACK. I will indulge heavily, but not to the blackout point. That is a recipe for disaster in more ways than one.

Thanks again for all the pointers and yes I will look for a lovely lady to hang out with, but legally. No ladies of the night for me. Gotta keep my teaching license.

Cheers

 

If you're a table game player -- DO get up from a table that is bad. I find I tend to win more when I'm solo because i'm not bound to any particular table. With friends, it's sometimes tough to walk away from a bad table because you're there for the social aspect too.
The beauty of vegas is the selection of casinos and tables, don't get tied down to one or two!

and agree w/ others - make little to no plans, and be ready to change them when you want to change them.

 

DO - a bit more scheduling/planning in advance than normal.

As others have eluded to, going solo you will have a lot of free time on your hands. And with not much planned, there can be a tendency to just eat up all that time at the tables/machines. If you have a couple specific shows or restaurants or other activities to make it out for, and/or a planned time killer (watching games, spa, meetup, whatever) it will keep that downtime manageable. I love playing cash games of poker on solo trips, because the amount you'd put a risk sitting for one hour or 5+ is often very similar, especially if you are a fairly tight player.

On top of which, the beauty of a solo trip is answering to no one. Group trips everything is negotiated, and/or a few things where everyone splits up. Bask in the opportunity to knock a couple things off that bucket list that friends always veto, or research some stuff that may be fun that you don't think they would be into.

 

Agree with the last part!

Though strip clubs will not cause you to lose your license! (at least I hope not!) A lot of clubs have limos to pick you up with free cover (tip not included)

One tip I found out on this solo trip is you can skip the line a lot of places to eat (if there is one) and eat at the bar.

 

If you like a sports book I have always found the MGM Grand one to be best. Loads of seating, they are easy going about you just sitting there and you can people watch as its right by a main walkway.