What is your best advice for someone who doesn't have that much money, but wants to have the most of the free drinks in Vegas?
Vikki
(Oregon)
First off, understand that there's no such thing as a truly "free" drink in Las Vegas. The casinos provide drinks at no charge, true, but only to gamblers. If you're not playing, the complimentary-drink well is dry for you. So what you really want to know is how to maximize the flow of booze to you while minimizing your contribution to the casino. Here are three ways to help with that:
Choose the right game
You're looking for a game that strikes a balance between the slowness with which it can drain your wallet and the frequency it is visited by waitresses. For example, you could play for hours on $20 at the nickel slots, but you may never see a waitress. Roulette is a slow-paced game and a small budget can be made to last a long time, but drink service usually isn't as snappy as at the blackjack tables.
Give roulette a try, but if the drinks aren't coming fast enough, move over to blackjack or craps.
Know how to play smart
Unless luck is on your side you're going to lose money gambling, but your goal is to play in such a way as to minimize the house advantage so that your budget is drained as slowly as possible. By memorizing a few basic "how-to" methods you'll avoid making mistakes that needlessly cost you cash. Start by taking a look at our Gambling section for the bare essentials of the most popular casino games.
Slow the pace
Make the game move slower for you by betting the minimum, sitting out the occasional hand and taking bathroom breaks from time to time. When you do that, either have a friend watch your chips or tell the dealer and ask if you can leave your seat for a minute. Craps is a fast-paced game, but you can actually play it very slowly. By making a minimum bet on the Pass Line, and no other wagers, you can play a long time. You almost certainly won't win anything playing like that, but you'll be able to keep your average cost per drink at a nice level.
February 16, 2010, 3:17 pm
Hi,
We're looking at renting a suite out at the Signature, MGM. Is it in a good location? NOt really into gambling, but would love to see the sights and colours of Vegas. Oh, there might be a group of us…about 12 adults!
Any other suggestions (apart from MGM?)
Thanks
January 31, 2010, 12:41 pm
Our official position on bringing kids to Las Vegas is simple: Don't. Vegas revolves around the very-adult trinity of sex, money and booze. It's just not a great spot for a family vacation.
That said, if you do bring the teens to town, the Stratosphere, Circus Circus and Excalibur tend to have more families than most other major hotels.
Here's a link to another article that may be useful: What can a 19-year-old girl do?
January 31, 2010, 11:04 am
planning r first trip to vegas and r bring 3 teens… I have heard mixed messages where to stay ?????
January 30, 2010, 4:34 pm
Maggi, do you perhaps mean the Luxor?
January 30, 2010, 4:10 pm
Going to Vegas for the first time in Oct 2010 for my friends 60 birthday – 8 off us going and staying in the Lomax. Heard really mixed reports about it – also been told doesn't matter where your staying as your never in your Hotel but I do like my comforts.
Any comments on the Lomax!!
January 22, 2010, 5:12 am
Thankyou for your response Bob….
January 21, 2010, 8:28 am
im am bringin me hubby back 2 vegas 4 his 40th this will be our 4th time der over d last 20yrs and my god it just keeps sogettin better,make sure u bring the most cofy shoes u have cos by 'll be waklin alot ,anyone i tell this 2 laughs untill dey go,grand canyon is 2 die 4 ,der's a show 2 everyone no matter wat u taste is ,d hellicopter ride at night is only fab,my way 2 decribe vegas is u'll be like a child in disneyland,value 4 money isn't d word ,
January 17, 2010, 3:31 pm
Ref (Joanne (Derry))
We stayed at the MGM on our first visit when my wife, son and I went for my 50th. You will not regret your choice of hotel.
Take good walking shoes!!. You will not be short of places to visit or things to do, 8 days was not long enough for us.
Bob
January 14, 2010, 2:39 pm
visiting Vegas again this year staying at The Mirage central to everything,great shopping.We have seen LOVE twice,donny and marie is another great show.Visit BIllsgambling Hall and see big Elvis great show.
January 5, 2010, 7:32 am
I have surprised my husband for his 40th to go to Vegas in late Feb….My sis is also coming whats good for my sis and I to do(we like to party)while my husband is playing his long awaited poker tournaments…..we are staying @ MGM Grand is this a good choice or not???
December 14, 2009, 3:43 pm
Hello all;Ive been to vegas 12 times(since 04)stayed at a lot of casinos.Stratosphere, great value,top of strip need a rental car.Sahara ,same thing.Monte carlo should be rated a 3 star not even close to the 4 star its rated,gaming floor simular to a mortuary.Tropicana,Id maybe stay again if they gave it to me for free.I really like Texas Station(3 times),great value,staff,nice rooms,clean.Its off the strip (10-15 mins),but I always have a rental car.You should too,Cars are well priced,trust me you wont regret it,It keeps you off the strip,out of the casino(if you want)Drive through Red rock canyon,bass pro shops and other great casinos off the strip.I would never go without a car again!!!!!!Believe it or not,Terribles,is also a good place to stay (2 blocks off strip to the east)locals play here.If you stay downtown, do your research,there are some CRAPPY properties.Golden Nugget was nice.(gr8 pool)Anybody whos into guns has to go to the Gun Store .Think of a gun,they probably have it,and you can shoot it.Dont and mean Dont,let people on the street talk you into something(shows,grand canyon etc.)NOTHING in vegas is free (except the views)Get show tix or tours from a proper source (ask your casino rep)There is soooooooooooooooo much to do in vegas get out there and explore it.Going to REd rock dec 20-jan 2 Sure it will be great, cant wait.
November 19, 2009, 1:03 pm
going to be vegas in early Dec. this our first trip. we staying at the circus,circus. we don't gamble big stakes just slots. we are looking forward to looking at the strip and down town sights. any transit to give us a lift from one end to the other end of the vegas strip?
November 10, 2009, 10:24 am
hey everyone……me and my boyfriend are staying at The Venetian in March next year for his 30th….we love eating out every night when on holiday….any tips….i love chinese and he loves steak!!
October 27, 2009, 4:25 pm
Heather: Don't worry about staying at the Stratosphere, we have stayed there and loved it. Clean rooms, good fun atmosphere, didn't see any kids when we were there in September. We always hire a car so we drive to other casino's so cannot comment on the area.
October 15, 2009, 10:58 am
Hi,I am surpising my husband for his 50th Birthday and staying at the Hollywood Planet for 3nights. I also have tickets to the Price is Right. What other shows would you recommend?
October 12, 2009, 9:32 am
i am leaving for vegas on sat the 17th, staying at ballys for 7 days…we don't gamble but i am sure we will try. wondering if there is lots to do there for 7 days…
October 11, 2009, 11:44 am
Natalie, if seeing Cher (or any other major shows, like Bette Midler) is a "must do" for your trip, I'd recommend buying tickets in advance. There's no drawback to early purchase and you'll start the trip sure you have seats.
Here's a link for discount purchasing. Select "Concerts" from the dropdown menu of categories and you'll find Cher and several other good choices.
October 11, 2009, 11:27 am
We are coming to Vegas in November to see Cher. Is it better to buy tickets online or wait to get them when we arrive? If online, which site can I trust?
September 28, 2009, 9:21 am
I am coming to Vegas in December on my own staying at the Imperial Palace anything or anywhere I should avoid
September 10, 2009, 1:19 pm
hi, hubbie and myself are coming to vegas in december,my boys are great monster truck fans,can anyone tell me if there is anywhere i can buy monster jam merchandise from to bring bach home to them.?
September 2, 2009, 10:02 am
hi, we are coming out i 2 weeks, staying at wynn/encore, want to do a grand canyo tour, but there are so many to choose from,whats your advice? dont want to be stuck on a coach? should we book in uk or there?
August 23, 2009, 12:20 pm
The Trump is a great place, but, in a Las Vegas rarity, there's not a casino that's part of the property. If you and your wife aren't particularly into the gaming, that might not be a problem at all and may be one of the reasons you're getting a good deal on the price.
August 23, 2009, 12:16 pm
Looking at staying at Trump with wife for a few days. We are not big gamblers, is this a good location? The price quoted is equal to a 3 star location.
August 5, 2009, 8:05 pm
The Strat is at the very end of the Strip and far from most of the other casinos and not in a very good area. For the money I stay at Ballys. Great location and not real expensive. Good luck
June 25, 2009, 9:38 am
I like the Stratosphere for a sightseeing visit every so often — the observation deck at night has a great view of the Vegas lights — but I usually don't recommend staying there for most people. It's saddled with a bad location, stuck somewhere between the Strip and Downtown, but not walkable from either, and is one of the location favored by families. If you're taking the family that might not be an issue, but many visitors don't particularly enjoy a hotel with lots of children around.
June 25, 2009, 9:22 am
we are coming to Las Vegas in November and staying in the Stratosphere is it a good choice?