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Is a gamble free trip possible?

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by hillwood24, Jun 3, 2014.

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  1. hillwood24

    hillwood24 High-Roller

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    After suffering three consecutive large (to me) gambling losses on my Vegas trips, I am considering a major gambling scale back on my trip in a few weeks.

    I like gambling, but I also really enjoy the shows, the bars, the shops, and just the general relaxing atmosphere of some of the Vegas resorts. I'm thinking this trip that I might divert my normal gambling funds to more entertainment related expenses such as more shows, nicer meals, and better bars.

    So, my question is: have any of you fellow degenerate gamblers gone to Vegas and either scaled back considerably or not gambled at all??
     
  2. Drambler

    Drambler High-Roller

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    There is absolutely no way I could go to Las Vegas and not gamble. I can say that with 100% certainty. If I had to not gamble or seriously scale it back I would just stay home and save money until I had enough to proceed with the usual degenerate fun.
     
  3. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    I've had a number of non-gambling trips. No problem once in a while hitting Vegas for a few days and not gambling. I'm sure my response would be different if I was a "degenerate gambler." For me the alt draw is golf. Shows aren't that important anymore, bars never were (as in we need X style of bar to make it a draw, for we certainly drink). We love the food scene and that's a motivation for our travel wherever we go.

    YMWV
     
  4. phade

    phade Keeping tabs on LV while not there...

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    Yes, but part of that has been evolving what I use Vegas for. I first went in 2005 - at which point ending up in a gutter barely alive, but with a smile in my face was close to being a goal. Gambling, drinking, and mixing it up at the clubs/bars were the tasks of the day.

    As time has gone on, and my current wife joined in, Vegas became more about relaxing a bit, a little gaming, a few shows, a nice meal or two, some exploring/shopping, and a bit of pool time. Usually a night or two we party it up like we were still in our 20's (early/mid 30s now), but in large, we go there to relax and unwind from the rigors of work and kids, like any other vacation.

    So, yes, I've scaled back, but it's probably more due to my interests given my tastes have changed.
     
  5. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I have done both. The first two times I went to Vegas, I didn't gamble a cent and had a great time. I have also done trips (usually with friends) where gambling is such a low priority that I just did not do much of it. There are plenty of fun things to do in and around vegas other than gamble
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  6. runningonthehub

    runningonthehub VIP Whale

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    I went five years, three trips per year without gambling in Las Vegas.
    I was not winning anything and I just got tired of losing. I have never viewed gambling as a fun thing.
    Today, gambling is not a part of the Las Vegas experience for me. I may play penny slots, but that's about it.
    I am truly not a "degenerate gambler".
     
  7. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    I could probably go to a bar and not drink, or go to an orgy and not screw, but could I go to Las Vegas and not gamble? No.
     
  8. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Absolutely the same here. We go to Vegas to gamble.
     
  9. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    I wouldn't go to Las Vegas to not gamble.

    We don't go to Las Vegas for the shows, dining or shopping: we go for the gambling, drinking, atmosphere and vibe.


    If you are saying "After suffering three consecutive large (to me) gambling losses" then maybe you should consider either gambling less, betting less per hand/spin and/or coming up with a smaller budget and sticking with it.

    The big thing here is: despite what you might read in trip reports and how people remember trips, almost everybody loses when they gamble. So whatever money you allocate for gambling in your trips to Las Vegas it has to be an amount that you would be comfortable with losing and what you think you will get a fair entertainment value out of. You still want to win and that should be your goal when gambling, but the reality is that Las Vegas wasn't built from people winning all the time or just the occasional big whale coming in and losing a big wad of cash.

    Gambling Less
    If there is a certain amount you have to bet, IE: no less than $5 per hand of VP, $3 per spin of slots or you just don't find blackjack exciting at all unless its $50 a hand. Then instead of trying to have enough money to cover all your betting all day long instead concentrate your play with smaller sessions. You might do that by relaxing and resting during the day and going to see a few attractions and then do an hour of gambling before dinner, taking a break afterwards for a drink or two and then doing maybe just another hour or two after dinner.

    Betting Less
    On the other hand if you are the type that has to gamble all day, like you start your gambling at 10-11AM and like to play all the way until midnight-1AM, then look if you can play less per wager. Like if you are normally a $1 VP player betting $5 per hand try going to 25 cent video poker instead or if you usually play max bet on slots at $3-6 per spin try betting just one or two credits per line so you are playing at maybe only 25 to 60 cents per spin.

    A Budget
    With a budget you want to think about what you can afford to lose and what you would be comfortable with losing and then break it down how you think you will need the money on your trip... and then stick to it. If things go good then you got some money you can take home with you or roll in to other days, if things don't work out then thats it for that day and you have to either milk those last few dollars as much as you can (IE: playing super cheap) or just stop gambling for the day.
    And remember too: its your budget so you can set it up however you want. Like if you have a $5000 gambling budget for a 4 day trip you could break that up in to four days of $1250 each... or if you want to get a big day of gambling in there you might make the first day only $500, the second day $1000 the third day $2750 and the fourth day $750. By breaking it up like that you have a light day to start your trip and settle in, a second day with some decent gambling, a third day where you can go hard and then the fourth day you got some gambling money and can roll any leftover money from previous days in to it so it might be a really big day or might be an average day, but either way you got some money for it.
     
  10. MNVegasgal

    MNVegasgal Low-Roller

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    Simply stated.. I know I could NOT do it. I go to Vegas to gamble. The shows and nice dinners are for a diversion from gambling.. same with the spa and the pool.. breaks.
     
  11. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Jeff, why do you hate America? :confused2:
     
  12. mistermoe

    mistermoe Low-Roller

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    I'm not much of a gambler in the first place and don't gamble much when I do get to go. I like to relax and eat! I will throw a few bucks at the horses and play a little blackjack. I set a budget, I go to the table and play. If i win, great, if i lose my buy in, I'm done and it's ok. The key is sticking to the budget. I'm not able to take a large enough bank roll in the first place. Therefore, i'm able to relax, have a good time and come home refreshed and ready to go fishing!! I spend way more money on fishing than i do gambling!
     
  13. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    Possible yes, but who wants to.
     
  14. Julie888

    Julie888 VIP Whale

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    NO!!!!!!
     
  15. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    I only play for comps.
    I HAVE gone to Vegas and NOT gambled...but I PAID FOR EVERYTHING ELSE.
    Now, I just gamble enough to get what I want comped, and play games with less than 1% HE...
     
  16. waverunner

    waverunner ------VEGA$------

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    Nope. I bring the same bankroll each day. The key is money management. I also don't gamble in mornings/afternoons.
    I gamble for about 6 hours per night. I usually gamble at CET hotels and mix it up in different CET casinos, obviously that goes for MiLife, B, etc.

    The important thing is pacing yourself.

    For example: If your bankroll is $400 per night @ 5 nights, then it should be set in stone for 5 nights before you hit the casinos.
    If you're losing your daily bankroll at a quick pace, then just kick back for awhile, maybe get a bite to eat, cruise the strip, and then go back to the casino.

    If when your daily bankroll reaches zero after about 6 hours, then retire for the night (as far as gambling) and try again the next night.

    By having a set amount of your daily bankroll and using your bankroll wisely, you will never feel the need of "i wish i did that instead", or "why wasn't i more patient".

    Gambling can be an addiction. But if you have discipline, gambling and Vegas can be enjoyed on an equal basis.
     
  17. Smo

    Smo Mr. Las Vegas

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    Exactly what I was thinking!

    Every trip I make is almost always a loser. Recently I had 5 trips in a row where I won nothing and blew the whole BR; this did slow down the frequency of my trips for it takes awhile to build up another BR, after always losing. But I never thought of going there to just not gamble. It's not possible. :wink2:
     
  18. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    I could go to an orgy and not be able to screw.

    I wouldn't go to Vegas and not gamble. Plenty of other great resorts out there that have large bodies of water next them.
     
  19. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    We don't really gamble at all anyway, just a few $ in the penny slots in the evening. Missing that out would be very easy.
     
  20. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Ditto for me
     
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