Let's be honest, there are very few reasons to visit Vegas if you're not gambling. Sure, the shows are very cool, the restaurants are outstanding and the shopping is fantastic, but all those things can be found in just about major city in the world. The lure of Vegas is based on the turn of cards and the roll of dice. That's what makes it different from London or New York or Los Angeles. But you don't have to be an inveterate wagerer to have fun here. The best thing to determine before even beginning your trip is the size of your bankroll. How much are you going to gamble? Whether it's $20 or $20,000, figure it out while you're still at home instead of while waiting in line at the ATM on the gaming floor of The Wynn.

Also know this: You'll gamble more money than you think you will. Of all things learned in Las Vegas, and shown to be true time and time again, this is pretty close to be indisputable. If you set your bankroll at $400 in theory, figure you'll end up burning through $500 in reality. That's just how it goes. Doesn't really matter how high or low you set your hypothetical limit. I know people who set their bankroll at $40 and end up spending $60. I also know guys who've claimed to have a budge of $1,000 bucks for a long weekend and wind up blowing that the first day, then gone through another $600 before getting to the airport for the flight home.

The key is to be realistic with your budgeting, then tack on a little extra. If a $1,200 loss would hurt you, don't go to Vegas figuring on having a $1,000 bankroll. Also remember that the trip is is a marathon, not a sprint. If you've got a $500 bankroll and you're down $250 after the first hour at the blackjack table, guess what you're doing for the next couple of days? Watching terrible daytime TV in the hotel room and waiting for the next free show at the Bellagio fountains.

Gambling is entertainment. You're paying to have fun and to play the games. Think of the whole experience at the tables as just one part of an entire trip full of good times. Much of the thrill comes in wagering money on the game, but you're really there to crack jokes with your buddies while the casino life whirls around you. The last thing you want to do is lose so much that you end up bummed out for much of the trip, moaning about how much you're down and putting a wet blanket on the whole experience. Budget your bankroll, sit down when you have the cash to lose, and make the fun last.