Is the ACG 2012 a smart purchase for a first-time Vegas trip?

I was entertaining idea of purchasing one for a 4 day trip I have planned. is it a good resource to have in tow?

 

The value really depends on where you are staying. If you exclusively on the strip (which makes sense for a first time trip) then the value of it is much lower than when you are staying downtown or visiting off-strip properties.

The ACG does have a lot of information on game rules and strategy as well as information on hotels and dining, so I'd say that alone is worth the price of the guide even if you don't use the coupons.

I don't think you can go wrong with purchasing it.

garrman

 

I agree with garrman. It used to be better, but it still isn't a bad deal overall. Since many of the FP coupons are for first timers only, you would probably get a good use from it.

 

I agree the price of the ACG is low enough that you don't have to use too many coupons to get your money's worth. That being said, you cannot plan your vacation around using coupons and there is so much you will want to see and do that I doubt you will use it as much as you will on later trips. there are plenty of free offers in local magazines and advertized meal deals everywhiere including here in the forum. I didn't use it for the first couple of trips and then bought both the ACG and LVA's Book of Values. Both were better then and many of the 2 for 1 deals dropped their 50% off for one coupons which diminished their value to me since I am usually solo. I do just well now without all the chasing around.

Fortunately, it is only about $12 so either way, it won't make a big difference. I'd hold off.

Jimbo338

 

Well, just ordered one for a Memorial week trip to vegas from Amazon for 15 bucks including shipping. Thanks for the input.

 

The 3X coupon for the The Palms is worth hundreds alone.

This is a must purchase, many locals purchase over 20 books a year.

 

I got my first copy last year just to check it out. I figured worst case it would be a good read on the plane. I used enough of the coupons to make it worth the $12. Plus I spent about $8 less on magazines.

 

I realize you already bought it, so just giving a little advice.

Don't plan your trip around the coupons for your first time. Many of the coupons are for casinos that are far off the beaten path if you don't have a car. You may end up spending more on transportation or time to get to the place than you get back from the coupon.

I still think it is a good purchase only because at most you are putting $15 at risk. Use ~2-3 coupons and you paid for it, use 5 and you are a winner. The easiest way to get something out of it would be to head downtown for an afternoon/day. There are quite a few little coupons down there that would easily pay for the book and more.


Just don't regret never using it on your first trip. Plenty to do out there. There are many worse things to spend $15 on in Vegas.

 

The $25 matchplay for new signups at the Golden Gate nearly pays for the book, plus you have various other downtown coupons in the book.

Don't leave home without this book.

 

What is the optimal low variance way to use the 3x points coupon in your opinion? I have already used it once this year, is there a limit on how many times you can use it? If not, it would make sense to buy a new book every time you plan to play at the Palms.

 

In the Las Vegas Advisors Book of Values, or whatever they call it now, the coupons are perforated and easier to remove than the coupons in the already larger ACG. Although many places do not care technically they are supposed to be taken out of the book and presented at time of use. One little trick that I learned from a post here in the forum is to take a single edge razor blade and cut from the binding out almost to the edge of the page between coupons, or, at least between the ones yu think you will be using. This way the pages stay in tact and together but they can easily be taken out and just ripped from the binding quickly and without tearing the other coupons.

Jimbo338

 

That Palms 3X points coupon can only be used ONCE per year, and it's tracked in their computer system.

 

Just got mine yesterday. Yes, for $15 it certainly is worth it. I don't think the book is nearly as good as in years past, but I already can see we will get more than our $15 worth. There are some coupons for places to eat, we maybe wouldn't go to without the discounts, but will use for sure, like El Cortez. That will pay for the book by itself, plus some match play, and a few other things. I am not sorry we purchased it.

Nita

 

I was afraid this was probably true. They would get raped otherwise.

 

I was just in town last weekend and brought the coupons for the Freemont St. casinos since I never made it there my last trip.

I stayed at the Nugget and was going to have dinner at Vic and Anthony's steakhouse at the bar since I was solo. Well, I walked in and the place was packed at 9:00 so I walked down to Golden Gate and used the $25 match play coupon. I won my first and only bet, tossed the dealer a red chip and cashed out with a nice $45 profit! Half my dinner was paid for because the place was full, I run good!

Vic and Anthony's is my new favorite Vegas steakhouse btw. Great food and atmosphere along with very friendly bartenders made for a great experience for me. I liked it so much I dined there two nights in a row!

 

Jimbo, according to the book I just got they don't say anything anymore about tearing them out at the time. They do have an ID card you need to carry. It is much better than carrying the dumb book around with you everywhere and most of the dinner 2 fers are good for 50% for singles. As for tearing the coupons out, I wish I had known the razorblade secret last night when I started tearing out the ones I think we will likely use. o

 

thanks,

We are looking at a couple of options and will spend time on Fremont St for sure. We love to use those match play ones (0r hubby does) and he will do the same, walk away after a win and tossing a chip to the dealer. I use the slot free play in a simalar way. We might try eating at the Flame. We used to love the place in those olden days.

We are also wondering about the 50% off show ticket at the Golden Nugget?

 

The razor blade trick is "recycled" from an old post here so I cannot take credit. Thanks for the reminder about the ID card, you are correct. I haven't bought either book for the last 2 years. Last time I checked the only 2fer that allowed 50% off was Gold Coast and the routine of getting a voucher after standing in line for 15 minutes, then the line for the voucher and then back to the buffet line, just wasn't worth the savings of $6 or so....at least to me. The coupons that I would use have not justified the price of the book for me lately, but for many it is a great deal. The lists are posted on their websites so folks can check and know exactly what they will save and then make their choice.

Jimbo338

 

I got mine and didn't use anything from it in 6 days. I remeber reading on the board it was cheapest from walmart.com