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New to Vegas? Here are some of our top tips, based on experience

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Multifarious5, Jul 12, 2019.

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  1. Multifarious5

    Multifarious5 VIP Whale

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    I am now enjoying a Vegas I never imagined possible...because I found VMB a few years ago, and I am still humbled by the vast knowledge and expertise I find here!

    The wealth of knowledge on this board usually rivals Vegas employee knowledge. Due to this, I thought it might help new Vegas lovers to have a down and dirty "my top tip" for a new Vegas visitor.

    It could be "don't plan too much" to "stay hydrated" to coin-in and comps, things that you've learned that you would have LOVED to have known on your first tip.

    OK, I'll start. One of my top tips, that I've seen bite even veteran Vegas lovers in the butt...be careful of TITOS. TITOS are the ticket the machine spits out when you have money in a machine, and you leave to go to another... TITO-ticket in ticket out.

    Whether cash or tito, Vegas slots have HUGE differences on cost. My tip is, try to avoid putting more than $100 in a machine. If you cash out with a TITO more than that? Cash it in, and stick to putting $100 or less in a machine.

    Why?

    Many of us have felt these two scenarios:
    1) You put money in a machine, you start spinning, then realize you're out of money WAY too quickly. It turns out, the machine is set to 25 cents a spin versus a penny, and you're playing 40 lines. The 40 cents a spin you thought you were playing was actually $10 a spin! I've personally done this, burning through $100 in under a minute and not knowing it till it dinged "insert more money". $100 cap (or $50, or $20) is a failsafe where you might lose some, but not your whole bankroll.

    Scenario two: You leave without collecting your TITO, and someone else grabs it. This happens more than you think. Even Vegas veterans have forgotten about a TITO then run back. Make sure you only have a small, set amount of money in a machine and avoid inserting huge chunks of money, or a big TITO. Don't play with hundreds in the machine, instead cash out big TITOS, and insert set amounts of cash into the machine.

    So those are my first tips to people new to Vegas. What tips do YOU have for a first time (or second) Vegas visitor?
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2019
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  2. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    Here are a few:
    1. If you're a table-game player, no need to wait in line at the 'Player's Club' to get a card...just sit down at your game-of-choice, buy in & when they ask you if you have a card, say "No, but I'd like one" & hand them your driver's license. You'll have your card in no time.
    2. "Players Rate" or "Casino Rate" - if you haven't yet started getting comps & offers yet for rooms, do your normal search for a room on Expedia, Trivago, whatever...but don't book...find the lowest 'all-in' price. Then, call the actual property, ask for the "Players Rate" or "Casino Rate" when inquiring about room cost...it will almost certainly be less than the lowest you found on your own.
    3. Learn these 3 words to say to your cabbie or Uber driver when arriving at McCarran: "No tunnel, please".
    4. Don't chase that last $10 or $20 when you're up $80 or $90. IF you've been playing awhile, just color-up and go. That "last $10"? It will more-often-than-not cost you $90 if you chase it.
    5. Periodically bet $1 (in front of your bet) for the dealer. Not only is it thoughtful, but it can benefit you in several ways (that I won't go into here). Figure on 5-to-8 such bets per hour, or once every 10 hands or so.
    6. Want good cocktail service while you're gambling? Tip $2-to-$5 on that first drink delivery & $1-to-$2 per drink thereafter.
    7. See an empty table with a minimum higher than you're comfortable with? Ask the dealer if you can play for less...he or she will check with the pit... often, they say yes!
    8. Buy your cigarettes before coming to Vegas...they're $15/pack at the tables!
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
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  3. kleland

    kleland Low-Roller

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    I know this to be true and yet every damn time I continue to chase that last 10 bucks to get to double my buy in only to walk away with only the last 10. LOL
     
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  4. kleland

    kleland Low-Roller

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    But to this list I would add bring comfortable shoes. NOT NEW shoes. Especially for the women, do not bring those super cute shoes with the heels that you have only worn to try them on. You will find your feet hating you! Make sure you have worn them around the house enough to get them broke in. Also, don't get a pedicure the day before especially if they use the cheese grater on your feet. It leaves your feet very soft and heel cracks occur more particularly with all the walking. My sister found this out the hard way. Bring chapstick/lipbalm. You will need it. Also, if you come from a place that is usually humid, your sinuses will get dried out, so some nasal spray is not a bad idea. Dry sinuses can be very uncomfortable and you may find nosebleeds happening. The nasal spray helps with this.
     
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  5. flyguyfl

    flyguyfl MIA

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    Let me add. Bring twice the cash you think you will need.
     
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  6. deansrobinson

    deansrobinson VIP Whale

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    This is America! We don't thrive off of need...we thrive off of want. So bring sufficient funds - one way or the other - to cover the inevitable "Hey! We should do that!". The term 'budget' means something completely different in Vegas than it does in Durham, NC.

    Although it's wall to wall resorts on the strip, bear in mind that there is an actual distance to be traveled. And with that distance you should factor in your mobility and fitness level. Serious. It's hot in Vegas, and if you're there in summer, you're gonna get a pretty good workout trekking up and down the pavement (assuming you don't uber all over the place). Sunscreen and water are pretty much mandatory.

    It's overwhelming on your first trip. But remember, you don't have to do it all in one day. Vegas ain't goin' anywhere, so you can always come back. We do.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2019
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  7. Sdebruyne

    Sdebruyne Low-Roller

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    Always:
    -Book hotel directly and check rates often. If booked through a 3rd party you can’t cancel and rebook at a lower rate.
    -Sign up for players club card before you start gambling. Every little bit counts.
    -Set a budget for gambling and stick too it. There’s plenty of things to do when funds are getting low. You will be glad you stayed within budget when you get home.
     
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  8. tallsamoan

    tallsamoan Low-Roller

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    Tip for first timers....besides bringing more dough then you plan to spend: Location, location, location!

    Don't book your hotel based on looking at a map and say "hey, MGM Grand is only a couple o' hotels away from Ceasars, we'll walk over in a jiffy"
    Virgins, stay centre strip!!!
     
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  9. oldbrewzer

    oldbrewzer High-Roller

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    I am not affiliated with them whatsoever, so I hope it is ok to throw this out there. Order the American Casino Guide and/or Las Vegas Advisor booklet on-line in advance of your trip. Great info on gambling and dozens of coupons that can save you money during your trip. We purchase them every year.
     
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  10. Glenn357M

    Glenn357M High-Roller

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    Set limits on how much you don't care about losing per day and stick to it. You will be proud of yourself. Stay where you want, gamble where you want, and worry about comps later. By the time you earn the comps you expect you have already paid for them in most cases with your loses. Don't change the time on your watch. You may end up ahead or behind the meal time rush hours. If you have a choice and are only staying for a few days plan your stay from Sunday thru Wed evening or Thurs morning. All the same stuff happens on those days there are just fewer people here.
     
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  11. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Don't step over a dollar to pick up a dime. This runs across the board, from transportation to quality of hotel to location of hotel to food to fun.
     
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  12. WelshBlonde

    WelshBlonde Wishing I was in Vegas

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    Learn VP and skip the slots....
     
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  13. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    So much more relaxing if you're not under pressure to chase comps.
     
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  14. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    Never mix the grape and the grain.

    Don't chase wins.

    Forget about comps.

    Don't take mouthy shit from Estonian bartenders.

    At the poker table, resist the urge to slap the guy who always says "I knew what you had." No you didn't, you're a fucking liar. You have no idea what I had. I was bluffing with 4, deuce, unsuited. You knew that?

    If the action at any table game is bad, leave. Don't chase down a win.

    Always Place the 6 and 8.

    That cute college age girl is not into you.

    Tall thin women, immaculately dressed, are men.

    Always hit the buffets just after changeover.

    The Forum Shops and the shops at Planet Hollywood really are 4 miles long.

    When going from Pallazzo to Venetian, use the waterfall as a waypoint.

    All of the really good arguments between couples are in Spanish.

    In the summer time, it is hotter than you can possibly imagine.

    If you are new to cannabis, take one gummy and wait an hour to see what happens. It will take at least that long to digest and get to your brain. You can usually (usually, I said) get away with taking a hit or two on a doob anywhere on the Strip. Just use your head.

    If you are a rookie, let someone who is more experienced take you to a strip club. You will get fleeced otherwise.

    Don't overdo it the first day.

    Tip everyone who does the slightest thing for you. If you sneeze and the lady cleaning the slots area says Gesundheit, give her a dollar.

    If you plan to attend a show, plan to arrive for your middle of the row seats just as the lights are going down, sit in your seat for approximately 30 seconds, then get up to buy your entire crew two rounds of drinks. Time your return with said drinks for the middle of a song or act. About 10 minutes before intermission, 2 or 3 of you need to pee and pee right now. Return to your seats about 5 minutes after intermission.

    Remember to bring sun block. I paid $18 for a bottle of sunscreen at the CVS in TI last trip.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2019
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  15. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    Wait...WHAT?!?!?
    You're saying it's not possible?!?
    ;)
     
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  16. flyguyfl

    flyguyfl MIA

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    Only if she is into father/grandfather types.

    Even then the more mature ladies can teach you and thing or two.
     
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  17. Ten_On_The_End

    Ten_On_The_End VIP Whale

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    Do not buy a frozen drink in a two foot tall plastic souvenir glass. You'll look like a first time tourist.

    Remember to eat regularly even if it's only a slice of pizza.

    Don't get drunk and act like an asshole at the table. Drunks are OK, assholes not OK.

    If you win big at something, tip.

    If one of your colleagues is "over-served" take care of them. It can turn out real bad if you leave them floundering on their own. They may not remember but you can remember it for them.

    Do not relieve yourself publicly in the landscaping. It's low class.

    Treat dancers like human beings and not objects.

    Do not get into a personal car with a hooker. Ever.
     
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  18. Retrobabble

    Retrobabble CVF #37500: Director of Fun

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    Good thread, @Multifarious5! I hear you on this one. I was the twit who missed the sneaky casino inserting a $1 multi-line machine between the penny machine of the same. I bet a dollar bet, 1 cent and 100 lines, and couldn’t figure out why I only had one spin. Yee-oww. :mad:

    I bring eye drops. Between the ac and the arid desert, drinking and late nights, my eyes thank me.

    Also ladies, bring purse slippers if you absolutely can’t walk one more step in your impossibly high heels. It’s a looonnng walk between nightclubs, restaurants, etc. There can be all sorts of things to step on: glass slivers from dropped beverages, and whatever various debris that others track in. The recent trend of pets is not my favorite, if you know what I mean.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2019
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  19. tex55

    tex55 High-Roller

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    1. Stay hydrated.
    2. Tip your dealer, even if you are losing.
    3. Tip your waitress for every drink. If you want to see her a lot, tip her a minimum of $2.
    4. Those young women at the VP bar late at night aren't really attracted to you; they are hookers.
    5. Pace yourself; if on the first day, you feel tired, go to bed. Vegas will still be there tomorrow.
    6. Eat three times a day, even if you don't want to. It helps with the alcohol consumption.
    7. Tell the taxi driver "no tunnel".
    8. Stay hydrated.
     
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  20. Kisby

    Kisby High-Roller

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    Plan activities other than gambling. See a show, eat at an exciting restaurant, watch the Bellagio fountains, walk the strip, relax at the spa, hit the pool...

    There's no city with more to do than Las Vegas, above and beyond the gaming!
     
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