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Casinos or Places to Avoid

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by dthoulv, Mar 22, 2017.

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  1. dthoulv

    dthoulv Tourist

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    Hello VMB!

    I'm taking a trip this coming weekend and I'm planning on doing a casino crawl using the Las Vegas Advisor and American Casino Guide coupons to maximize matchplay and freeplay. I'll be arriving early Saturday morning and hopefully will be able to turn those coupons into some actual money!

    I had a couple of questions about maybe certain areas to avoid in Las Vegas. I've never personally been past Fremont Street (so North Vegas) and from the various forums and accounts that I read up on, they tend to embellish on how unsafe the whole area is.

    My question is : are there any casinos that are NOT worth redeeming my matchplay/freeplay offers just due to general ambiance, safety, or whatever reason you may have?

    Couple of details that may or may not influence your answers..

    1. I'm driving from California and will have a car with a California license plate (not sure if I'm being paranoid cause it seems to me that most locals dislike Californians)

    2. I'll be by myself and will probably stick out due to my ethnicity but don't anticipate it being a problem (Asian)

    Let me know what ya'll think and if this is a stupid question - Iet me know as well :blah: Thank you!!
     
  2. wernerw

    wernerw Low-Roller

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    I've done this gambling coupon whoring (excuse the wording) a couple of times already, mostly not alone though.

    Some of the casinos are ... well .... different. Smokey. Some would say a dump. But I did not feel unsafe anywhere. Maybe I am too naive, and yes I did not visit during the night, but I would.

    I am white, but I strongly believe that race does not make a difference here.

    I always felt that my rental car is safe here, too.

    Now if it is worth visiting I cannot answer. Would you drive a mile or two, stand in line to sign up for a 5$ matchplay, that has a 2.50$ value? I do, I like these coupon wh... trips. For you this aspect is easy to decide without knowing the casino. Look at the coupon and you know what theoretical value it has (in about).
     
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  3. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    Californians are the biggest visiting group in vegas so no worries there. Plenty if all races too so no issue there either. Just use common sense. If you see the place looks like its in a slummy part of town, then dont go.

    For me, the places I actually avoid are the super fancy ones like Encore. I am a super low roller and they simply have nothing there for me to afford. Just out priced me but i suppose that was the intent. Its fun to sign up for the cards and get a few bucks of free play. Keep in mind that many casinos are owned by just a few companies so sign up at one and the card will work at a bunch so you wont get free play at every one. Still fun to check them out.
     
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  4. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Many times when I've rented a car in LV it has California plates and I've never had any issues.

    You should have absolutely no problem! You will not stick out at all. Many casinos actually invite Asian customers.
     
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  5. lp670lambo

    lp670lambo Low-Roller

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    Vegas would collapse if it wasn't patronized by Asians. I don't foresee any trouble on your adventure.
     
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  6. The Rumor

    The Rumor VIP Whale

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    Instead of asking where to avoid you might also want to see what sort of plan you can come up with. Some of them may be worth crossing off of your list due to their location or puny comp.

    You may also want to ask what places with coupons are unique or have a good meal. Because when you've seen the first 15 locals casinos the next 15 aren't going to be that exciting.
     
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  7. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    Get a detailed map and work out a route that maximizes the dollar value of your matchplays vs. your expenditure of time. Some places sit alone, while others are more or less grouped. You want grouped. As previously mentioned, a matchplay is worth approximately half of its face value, so a $5 coupon is not worth using at a remote casino. GPS helps, but some casinos, such as Rampart, are confusing to get into for a first-timer. That can waste time.

    Vegas is one of the most tolerant places in America. On certain days, some casinos have nearly as many Asian patrons as Anglos. On our visit to South Point last month, we saw perhaps 25 orthodox Jewish couples- men in their typical suits but really clean looking and women dressed to the nines- on their way to a party of some kind. I have never felt afraid in a casino, but you'll meet some iffy characters while walking to some of them.
     
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  8. Craps_Player

    Craps_Player High-Roller

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    I think it's a really sad state of affairs when the OP even has to raise the issue of ethnicity. We clearly haven't moved forward as a human race. As for Vegas, I've never felt that unsafe and I've walked from downtown to the Rio through back streets! Common sense prevails as usual I guess. However, if you are driving, then factor in parking costs. The coupons aren't probably worth it for really out of town places in my opinion because time driving is time not spent soaking up Vegas! I'll be going to some casinos like Ellis Island next month, just because I've never been there. I'll stick to the main areas around Vegas however, but I do love walking around and seeing the inside of all casinos. It's a joy, no matter how grim or how ostentatious. I also like visiting other casinos because it's still a Vegas thing to do, and as I'm walking through and more curious than expecting to sit down and play, it actually costs me less!! Have a great time OP.
     
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  9. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    All valid questions for a novice (note that I didn't say first time) visitor.

    It all depends on how adventurous you are. I drive EVERYWHERE. Consider the route in Atlantic City between Caesars and Harrahs. Right through 3 or 4 housing projects, but there's no reason to stop, so I don't.

    Tip #1. Have a GPS with addresses of "points of reference" programmed in. I spent a day entering all of the casinos I frequent into my "travel GPS".

    There are areas that aren't particularly safe, but you shouldn't be in those areas anyway, so why worry?

    When in Las Vegas, I frequent the Strip, Downtown, and the Sam's Town area for gambling, with an occasional trip to Red Rock, Green Valley. I also make many trips to Chinatown.

    With regard to "standing out", IMHO you're being self conscious, and if you are, then hang around the Cal Club downtown or Lucky Dragon and you'll feel right at home.

    This from an Asian American gambler of over 40 years who travels to Las Vegas 10-12 times a year and almost always has a car. Oh, and BTW, many rental cars in LV have California plates.

    After a trip or two you'll figure it out.
     
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  10. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    I wish I could avoid the ride back to the airport! :cry: Worst part of all of my trips to Vegas!

    RICHARD
     
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  11. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    Since you asked, trying to be helpful here. If it were me, I'd jettison these two questions as I don't think they are relevant to your request for input on casino crawls and matchplay, etc. Vegas is a friendly place.

    There are already a lot of helpful answers here by more experienced folks than me on this subject and it appears you have some Vegas experience that may be beneficial on your quest.
    But planning ahead and grouping places geographically would be a good idea. A GPS is a must.
    Consider doing the local/off strip places during the day since you will be driving a lot and easier to find in daylight, lol!
    Save the strip/downtown for evenings where you can park and walk the casinos.

    With a few exceptions, Vegas is a fun, safe, place to explore. I would not explore unknown areas at night. As in any traveling, when traveling alone, exercise caution when exiting and entering your car, especially at night. Be aware of your surroundings, use valet or ask security for assistance if something doesn't feel right.

    Hoping you can turn those match plays into lots of real moolah!
    But most importantly, enjoy your time exploring Vegas!

    (Some of my favorite locals, when we used to explore were all the Stations, especially Sante Fe Station and GVR, Sam's Town, Orleans, Cannery).
     
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  12. dthoulv

    dthoulv Tourist

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    Hi everyone,

    It's been a week since I took my Vegas trip and I took everyone's advice into consideration. Won on all the matchplays I used except for one and got an excuse to visit casinos that I wouldn't normally consider part of my Vegas trip! I decided not to do a tour of the North Las Vegas casinos due to visiting a couple of locals casinos on Boulder Highway and realizing that I would rather spend my time somewhere I would find more enjoyable.

    I was welcomed (warmly enough) to all of the casinos and didn't have any negative experience due to race, age, or location and had a BLAST! Thanks again to everyone who took the time to respond and hope to maybe see ya'll in Vegas one day! :D
     
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  13. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    And yet, in the real world, it is worth noting regarding some of the sleazier casinos in town. Had Op stated "I'm a muscular, tall, Black Dude with a Mohawk". Most people would have said no one will mess with you there, or really anywhere. Sadly Asian's do get targeted a lot by thugs. So a very legitimate concern.

    My pic is in my avatar. When I walk into a rowdy place, I'm usually a stupid, yet fearless, sort. My wife, all 5' tall, 100 and nothing pounds of Japanese decent, not so much!
     
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  14. dtmk66

    dtmk66 Welcome to Las Vegas

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    If I could avoid the slot machines, my vegas trip would be awesome :kill:
     
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  15. in4mation808

    in4mation808 VMB VIP Expert Picture Taker

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    1. Very unlikely........tons of Californians drive to Vegas all the time. Even rental car plates are sometimes California plates...you'll even see Arizona plates, along with Washington, Oregon, Utah, etc. You'll be fine, no worries.

    2. Being Asian shouldn't be a problem. There's tons of every ethnicity in Vegas. Again, no worries.
     
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