Lots of small trips or a few BIG trips?

Over the past few years I've been drawn into more regular degeneracy due to some good gambling results and the fact that my crack-whore like Canadian friends from Lethbridge twitch like Lindsay Lohan in rehab if they go 30 days without a Vegas trip.

Now that the "worm has turned" on the winning streak, and post-recession work demands and family commitments have ramped up, I find myself questioning the veracity of my 10-trips-a-year strategy.

Much like my son during a game of Stratego, I have decided to flip the board and take a gander at where my opponents pieces are lined up. Or in this case, take another look at my low-play, high-number of trips approach.

From a time-frame perspective, I am now limited to an absolute max of 5 trips per year. Being a realist, and prefering to budget conservatively, I like to assume all Vegas funds budgeted will be lost in a given year.

Give the additional impact of ever-decreasing comps and ever-increasing flight prices and annoyance, I'm leaning towards less trips.

I am curious, what would others do?

Given the following options for spending $10,000 per year allocated for Vegas, which would you choose?

#1 5 Trips per year. $2,000 budget per trip.

#2 2 Trips per year. $5,000 budget per trip.

#3 1 Trip per year. $10,000 budget. 5 nights at Bellagio, $2,000/night gambling budget.

#4 1 Trip per year. $10,000 budget. 3 nights at Bellagio, $3,000/night gambling budget, room upgrade to a Penthouse.

 

I would rather go twice for 6 nights each trip than four times at 3 nights each... even though its the same total number of nights I like to go and get it out of my system, whereas those short trips feel like they are practically over by the time they just start going.

 

Yeah I am sort of debating a November/December trip this year vs. just waiting til May and doing another HUGE blowout for Gaggles b-day. I guess if I won on the first trip the second could always be a blowout despite having 2 trips, right?

Degen Logic 101!

Still I don't really enjoy the non-pool weather trips as much. And I want to be free to step up to $5 and $10 play for a bit if I want. The 3-dayer allows this for me.

I kind of liked that 4-nighter last trip. 5 nights is too long for me.

The thing I like about a 3-nighter is I can both upgrade to a super nice room AND go with a larger daily bankroll.

 

If I could do a 2-week, or even a 3-week trip, that'd be the "one trip a year". But if the choice is between one 5-6-7 day trip, or a bunch of 3-day trips, that's easy. Of course, I don't mind flying so I can live with killing a bunch of vacation time in the air, the "hassles" on the ground.

BTW: Found a couple from Lethbridge over Easter that really liked their first? Vegas trip. As in, bring-the-kids-some-time really liked it. Wanted-to-come-back-next-weekend really liked it. Should hook your friends up with them and get them off your back. :evillaugh

 

While I voted for 5 trips, it would depend a lot on the non gaming expenses. $300 out of a 2k budget isn't bad, but if the flight is 500-600, that is a bigger difference.


I do know that 2 is difficult for me. If I had a casinos close to me that might be different as I could just drive to one for a few hours every month or 2. 6 months between trips is just too long for me now. My ideal has been around 3-4 months between trips. Gives me a little time for the previous trip to wear off and then still get excited a month out for my next one.

 

We couldn't handle a long trip. A four night trip is plenty.
Going 5 times a year wouldn't really be cost effective between the price of airline tickets and boarding fee for the pets.
Plus, if I went to Vegas 5 times, you can bet family will wonder why I don't fly to visit them which will end up costing me even more money in airline tickets and boarding.

Yeah, twice a year is just about perfect for recouping, building back the gambling funds and not pissing off family.

 

Coming from UK, I do 2 trips a year - each for 5 or 6 nights. I actually would prefer doing more smaller trips as I find 6 nights too long, but given the cost of flights (I'm v tall so fly business class) and flight time, it's not possible.

 

I have found 3x a year is my sweet spot. two 4 nighters and my annual labor day weekend 5 nighter. The labor day weekend is lots of pool and drinking, where as the 4 dayers are more gambling and traditional Vegas experience.

I do agree that going during non pool weather is a bit of a let down. I was there two years ago in Feb for V-day and we had fun, real nice weather, upper 60s to 70s, that I could deal with.

Last year I visited in Dec. and saw 40s! It really put a damper on getting around, practically drizzled three days straight. It was a real bummer!

As long as I can find reasonable flights (under 360) from Ohio, I am in for 3x a year!

 

Yeah I was thinking about that too...

Sure I would love to go 5 times a year, but each trip costs us a total of about $600-800 in airfare and about $500 to cover pets and other pre-trip expenses.

So not even talking about gambling budget each trip is already costing us about $1200+ not to mention just getting the time off work (I am self employed, but I still have clients to answer to).

 

The flights have started to wear on me with more work flights and higher prices. Sick of flying so much.

Also I am def a room guy so less nights facilitates better room. Also like playing higher level bets. Better comps from less trips.

A good point is made above. We have a nice brand new casino 5 min from home for that interim "fix".

 

Yes.


Right now I am at 1x a year.

I am finding 1x a year is not enough. I will probably switch to 2x or 3x a year.

 

I think my conclusion is a compromise.

Two $7,500 budget 3-nighter trips per year. One in June, one in December. This allows me to allocate a $2,000/night gambling budget which is ample enough and leaves $1,500 for decent flight, hotel, dining.

When combined with comps, I should be able to do everything I want at a price point I am comfortable with.

Now the only question is IF I win, do I ADD a trip, or add to the next trip budget???? Hmmm?

Tough One. Would prob be best to stick to a level of play and save the winnings in the good ole Vegas fund for that time when losses exceed expectations.

 

It took me a while to find what I like, for me, 3 7 night trips per year. I'll go down to 6, but can't stand it less then that, as Im not a fan of flying or paying so much for a flight and not getting time to relax. My budget stays about the same for all 3 trips.

I tend to budget 2 of the trips and then sort of aim for the budget for the 3rd to come from remains of the other two. For me, I'm not a big room person, so comp works for me at the mid roller joints I hit anyway.

 

We go twice a year as we're limited to only a week or so at a time of dumping kids with grandparents. Flight is 12 hours from the uk but not too bad as husband works for an airline so flights are cheap and upgrade chances are very, very good.

Less than 4 nights doesn't work due to jet lag (8 hr time diff), more than 8 nights and my liver starts to cry.

 

I go as many times a year as I can comfortably afford. Vegas is a luxury, so if I have a lot of unexpected expenses in a year I may only go once. If I have a little extra cash laying around, I may go many more. I'm happy with whatever, but the key for me is to make sure I have enough money to enjoy it. If I have a set daily budget in my mind, I won't go unless I know I have enough to meet that budget. Vegas can be a horrific experience if you have less money than you're used to. I've done that once (Vegas on a budget) and it just wasn't for me. I need action, all day every day. If I win during a trip, I'll usually buy something nice and go again sooner than expected.

I'll add, the longest I've ever been in Vegas was 8 days, and it was way way too long. I almost died (not really, but I felt like death)...I drank too much, I ran out of money the last couple days and I spent more than I should have. It was miserable. My most common trip length has always been 5 days, which was recently moved to 4, and not finally is down to 3. I've found 3 days/4 nights is my sweet spot. I can make it that long without the fear of alcohol poisoning, and it always leaves me wanting more. Vegas is a great great place, but it's easy to overload and get too much of a good thing.

 

Three days is all I can take in Vegas. So every month or two I need that Vegas fix. I did two days a few times. It is great when I won big but if I need to grind back my stake two days is not enough. I need that extra day. If I stay too long I would get bored and Vegas will lose its appeal. I don't want that.

 

For me, 12 trips a year, at 3 nights each keeps my jitters at bay. 2 nights, not enough, 4 nights, too long. My budget tends to run about $500 per trip though.... Depending upon if I see a show or not.

 

I"m at an average of $1000 each trip. For 12 trips a year.

2day trips on all of them.

Some weekends, no gambling so I dont even spend more than $500. Some weekends I do. So it all averages out to about $1000 per trip.

That I can live with. We drive to Vegas so only cost there is gas back and forth.

 

Vegas Trips

1989 - 1 Trip
2006 - 4 Trips
2007 - 3 Trips
2008 - 2 Trips
2009 - 2 Trips
2010 - 3 Trips
2011 - 1 Trip
2012 - 1 Trip scheduled for NYE

My longest trip was 8 days which was too long. 5 to 6 days used to be the norm. But lately it's been 3 to 4 days per visit.
My shortest trip was a solo trip in May 2010. I landed around 10:30am on the 26th and flew out around 4:00pm on the 28th.

Bankroll - I take the same amount with me for every trip no matter how many days or if it's for 1 person or 2.
I've only gone over that rule 2X. Vegas isn't my only gaming destination.

 

Year 2012, solo me trips

I have been going to Vegas on 3 nights trips. I only have to fly for one hour.
Burbank airport is nice and easy to get on the plane. No hassells.

I have already been to Vegas on Feb. April, May, and June.

My next two trips are in Sept. and Dec. I am also thinking of planning for
Nov.
In Oct. I am going on a cruise for Halloween.

Since flying is cheap for me and I always look for specials.... it is affordable for me. I only pay $119. RT. on Southwest from Burbank,Ca.

It is fun going often because there are always new activities in Vegas.
I have lots of fun in Vegas.
I don't want to live there because I have lots of fun staying at the hotels. Lucy