Newbie question about carry a purse around Vegas

Hi all,

I'm not sure if this has been answered before or not. If so, please let me know what thread. Anyway, do most ladies carry a purse while visting Vegas or do you put your cash in your pockets? I read somewhere that you shouldn't carry your purse around. I know I'll get the best info and tips here.

Thanks

 

Hmm, that's a tough one. How cute is the purse, and does it match the shoes you'll be wearing?

I've seen both approaches. My guess is that how much alcohol you have and how aware of your surroundings you are, are more important than purse vs pockets, but I'll let the ladies have the final say on this.

 

Pockets are too easy to pick. I have carried a purse for years... just be sure it has a strap and don't lay it down between the computers. Keep it in your lap or over your shoulder with the opening in front of your body. I put my money in an inside zipper pocket. Also I carry a lot of stuff in my purse that I need... peanut butter cheese crackers in case I am running low on blood sugar and need to stay on the machine a little longer. A book is always in there... if I run into a bad streak of luck... I will read the book for a couple of minutes and try again. And of course my money, casino cards and i.d. for that big hand pay I hope to win. Good luck!!

 

A friend of mine had her wallet lifted from her purse just last week during the library convention. You have to take some precautions - I for one always bring a cross body bag, and always keep it zippered shut. That way I don't have to worry about having to put it down when I need both hands for something, and it minimizes the risk of someone reaching inside.

Vegas is one place where I definitely value function over fashion when it comes to purses.

 

Much like the casinos, there are lots of people in Vegas whose full-time job is to separate people from their valuables. Unlike the casinos, they don't have a license to do it, but they're VERY effective at it! My wife and daughters carry purses when in town, but keep them very, very close and zippered closed... NOT the ones with a single snap where a hand can access.

 

I carry a cross body bag. When I'm playing at a slot, it stays across my body. Always with money in zippered inside compartment and zippered across the top. Although I do tend to carry a bit of cash in my pocket so I don't have to keep reaching into the purse. I've never had a problem.

 

When I go to Vegas with either my mom or female friends, and they insist on having a purse, I always tell them if they must carry it on their shoulder, do so on the side I am walking alongside them on. That way, its less likely someone will come between us to try anything funny.

 

Thank you all for the advice. I have a cross body one that I will be sure to pack.

 

Purse with shoulder strap during the day. None at night.
During the day we are usually out and about casino hopping.
During the night we are usually back at home base and no need to lug the purse around.
The purse is always kept on my wife's lap. She never puts it down when playing.
She does have a Vegas specific purse which is very small so she only carries the necessities.

 

Thank you. I will bring a small one with me also and not let it out my sight.

 

My wife always takes a purse to Las Vegas and uses it when there (or to be exact she brings 3-4 purses).

But Las Vegas is a city of money and where there is money there is crime, so a few precautions should be observed:

- If your purse zips or snaps shuts or can be closed in some way you should keep it closed
- If out and about if you can wear your purse cross body and keep it in front of you that's best. If you wear it on your side or u nder arm you should keep your hand or arm over or make sure it is closed
- If going in to a big crowd or standing amongst one (IE: watching Bellagio fountains) you should keep your purse in front of you
- Escalators and elevators are spots frequented by pickpockets because you are typically stationary and less likely to jostle them as they try to reach in to your purse
- When sitting anywhere (restaurant, slots, tables, bar, etc) never hang your purse over the back of the chair
- When playing slots don't put your purse between the machines, it should be on your lap or if long enough of a strap wear it cross body while sitting down and keep it in front of you

 

Too bad there aren't nice looking women's jackets or vests with interior pockets. This would be great in cooler weather. By vests, I don't mean those ones that look like fisher men's jackets.

 

Why not they work really well holding all my flies and such?

If you really like to carry a purse check into a Travel Purse. Make sure it has non-cutable strap and sides and RFID protection against scanning your credit cards.

http://www.travelsmith.com/luggage-bags/handbags-totes?cm_mmc=SEM+NonBrand-_-Luggage+Bags-_-Google-_-keyword%3Dsecurity+travel+purse&OVMTC=Exact&SourceCode=GCRSS003&OVKEY=security+travel+purse&device=c&url_id=63041417&creative=23830936149&gclid=CjkKEQjwodmdBRDm_ZLhorWm68UBEiQAKhO3_fViRLBklZCY9N4iCTe4KTHu38jSPnMJ3xfv9hUu2I_w_wcB&adpos=1t2&site=&redirect=y#w=*&af=cat2:luggagebags_handbagstotes%20cat1:luggagebags%20pagetyperoducts

TomTWI

 

Yes, I carry mine everywhere. Always zipped and carried close. Yes, I usually carry a fairly large bag.

 

Definitely a purse. I normally cary a gigantic purse, but when I travel sometimes I downsize to a crossbody, I always feel comfortable carrying that.. just keep it close to you, and you should be fine.. also if you win a large sum of money, just go to the bank and deposit it. But I'd never really felt unsafe having one with me. Besides I like to have water with me at all times, and some makeup stuff.

This is my crossbody, found mine at TJ Maxx for $29!
http://www.zappos.com/kipling-alvar-shoulder-cross-body-travel-bag-true-blue

 

I love this bag! It's super cute- the pink one is fun!! I'll have to look out for it onsale...


OP - I carry a small crossbody (mines a Kate Spade/black) and have every trip. Make sure it's sturdy. It's just big enough for slim wallet, lip gloss, cellphone. I as a habit now carry it slightly in front of my body. I wear it from beginning to end of our trip... at machines... playing craps... all table games... while eating... on the plane... I just never take it off.

This only happened once - but last summer we were crossing in a crowded area on LV Blvd a young tall girl crossed coming towards me, she slipped her arm under my strap and continued to walk, my purse never moved, I felt a tug on my shoulder... For me it was just a simple reminder... she was good enough that when my bagged tugged she slipped out - kept walking - it all happened really fast.

 

I always carry a "scaled down" version of what is normally in my purse, i.e. the money I need that day or evening, I take out my credit cards and leave them in the safe, take my ID and one debit card and leave the others in the safe. Of course I still have 10 lbs of the usual other crap in there. Don't hang your purse on the back of your seat; keep it in your lap. If you hang it on your seat, expect Security to stop by and tell you to put it in your lap. Be aware and keep a hand on it when walking around not just casually slung over your shoulder without a care. This applies anywhere, not just Vegas.

 

Usually just a small cross body purse with a zippered closure. I always wear it in front of me.

 

Guess I am one of the few people that still uses a fanny pack.
I always feel safe with it and don't have to worry about putting my purse down or keeping it on my lap--so the fanny pack really works for me

 

Time to bring back the fanny pack.

Sadly, they are generally more secure, just not attractive.

Carol113, I wrote this just as you were posting. You have fewer worries about theft than the rest of us.