Vegas - some tips for a novice gambler please

Hello All

The daught has had her heart set on a trip to Vegas since she turned 21 in December, so I am incorporating it into our SoCal trip in April.

I don't want to come across as a total newb but that's what I am really, I've never set foot in a casino. And the closest I come to gambling is playing texas hold em on my ipod and a once a year flutter on the National

From what I've read, I'll probably stick to slots - although bit disappointed that these seem to be card play rather than coins. I think the daught may be more adventurous, but I will want her to get the most "play time" for the budget I'll set her (probably around $200) rather than lose it quickly if the bets go up. We'll just be having one "casino evening".

So a couple of specific questions, but open to all guidance.
1. I like the idea of loading a card with a budgeted amount that we can afford to lose, but don't want an ongoing line of credit - is that possible?
2. Any favourite casinos? We are staying at the Aria, and I am expecting it to be quiet (after spring break and easter, mid week and the hotel rates are down). I don't like super busy, hence the timing, but it would be weird if it was too quiet.We also don't like smoke, although I realise it may be hard to avoid.
3. Is it really easy to tell tables with low limits? I'd hate for the daught to get in a game and lose all her money in one game. I am assuming the "serious" players are accommodated in private rooms, but expect some regulars may make a decent return playing at the tables with newbs.
4. I'm tempted to stay with the "chance games" as opposed to those needing some skill (along with luck!). Is that a good tactic? What games would you recommend?
5. We have a $50 a day resort credit against food, drinks etc charged to the room (but not the resort fee). I think we might use this for breakfast, but are there better breakfast buffets at the surrounding hotels (e.g. Bellagio).

All suggestions gratefully received.

Regards
R3dV

My only tip would be...don't. You can't beat the house.

But that aside, the only thing I would add is take a watch and work out where the exits are as neither are advertised once in the cosy world of the casino.

Have a great time. Sounds like you have a plan.

[Darren Wheeler]

Play the 1c machines and you'll have a hard job to lose a lot and you still get the experience.

[Neil]

Being very similar to yourself when I first went to Vegas, we stuck to the slots and the VERY easy table game of Casino War (that is luck not skill!).

The tables are very clearly marked what the min gamble is, so you shouldn't have an issue there, and it is always cheaper to play during the day. We started out just sticking to the $5 tables and set ourselves a limit that we stuck to (even on the $5 table I won over $400, so you don't have to gamble big to win!).

Most casinos have lessons during the day also, so ask about them to get some idea, and the hosts will always point you in the right direction. Just stand and watch for a while, that's what we did until we understood enough to play and had the courage.

Most of the Casinos are very similar, especially the ones in the big hotels, so just find somewhere close and comfortable and settle in, remember drinks are free so just ask for whatever you want and just tip the waitress a few $ when she brings it to you.

Neil

well all i can say is have fun!! and as someone else said take a watch.

[Darren Wheeler]

No doubt our very own Las Vegas expert, Uncle Scrooge will be along with his choice tips.

Mrs DA would recommend the the Wizard of Oz slot machines, however they're hard to find and even harder to find an unoccupied machine. They were definitely in the M resort (outside Vegas) and I think they were in either the Flamingo or Bill's.

Another option is the Wheel of Fortune ones. Avoid the Sex and the City ones.

Before you put in any money, make sure you check the minimum bet you need to put in per spin as the same of type of slot machine might be either 1 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 25 cent, 50 cent or more minimum bet for one line per spin.

The minimum bet is marked on the machine or if there is a group of them, on the big sign above them.

So if you're playing 1 dollar per line and you play the maximum lines of 20 lines, you'll be putting in 20 dollars a spin!

.... if you're playing 1 dollar per line and you play the maximum lines of 20 lines, you'll be putting in 20 dollars a spin!

Eek! Round about 5c sounds right for me then.

Thanks guys for some great tips. PJH, I have no illusions that I will come out with any of my stake remaining, let alone win anything, I'm one of the unluckiest people I know .

I will have my mobile/cell as my watch, never wear one, but it sounds like setting an alarm or two might be a plan - I could see you might not notice time slipping away cocooned in the casino. Watching and lessons sounds like good ideas too.

Neil, do they comp drinks to all players, even tightwads like me, playing for dimes

Regards
R3dV

[Neil]

Neil, do they comp drinks to all players, even tightwads like me, playing for dimes

Yes, you will see the waitresses wondering around, they will usually just come and ask if you want a drink.

We had a great night playing the 1c machines, started with $1 had a few drinks (free of course) and ended up with $160 by the end of the night. All from the same 'lucky' machine, which the next night took all of it back and some more , typical Vegas.

I always found lots of "cheaper" tables and slots at the Excalibur hotel.

R3dv - my first time in vegas a few years ago was filled with the worry that I'd not have enough money or know what i'm doing! I soon found that as long as you check the bet amount you will have lots of fun with far less risk!

I tended to gamble in different casinos every day and I'd take a set amount of money out with me, this prevented me having the lure of going back up to my hotel room to get more money! Part of the fun will be playing in different casinos with different atmospheres!

Your daughter will have a fantastic time!

Luke

The Aria is great for getting complimentary drinks but they have been quite clever with their 1c machines by making you bet a minimum of 30 or 40 lines a go, which means 30c or 40c a spin on most of the machines.

Another shout for The Wizard of Oz machines, there are a bank of 4 in the Aria (near reception), we also like the Monopoly games although the Aria have changed most of these over to Big Bucks machines which we didn't win a bean on. Other low cost machines include Lobstermania (funny bonus game) Cashman machines and my favourite Outback Jack - which we won $1000 off a 60c bet last time we were there.

The Buffet at the Wynn is still in my opinion the best although the Bellagio is still very good and a lot closer to you. While at the Wynn sign up for their Red Card, you'll get $10 free slot play and depending on how much you spend, a free buffet.

I'm not aware of any cards you can just load up with a specific amount of money. All machines are now cash (bills) in and payment is by voucher that can be changed at ATM's or the cashier.

As I said the drinks service is great especially at the Aria, The Cosmopolitan and the Wynn but they ply you with drinks for a reason... last week we had to many Cosmos at the Cosmo and lost a fair few more $100's than we'd intended too.

All the best, have a great holiday.

I would definitely recommend taking a lesson in playing craps at the casino. The one I took, we played with funny money for an hour as they taught us how to play and it was great fun. Then the casino opened a table with a lower minimum so that we could all play for real without having to put a ton of money in. I generally find that by just playing the pass line and some odds occasionally, I usually stay about even in winnings, so I get to play for a long time.
Although the slots seem cheaper I feel like I play for a lot shorter amount of time, and lose money faster. (Just my two cents)
Table minimums are listed on a plaque on the table, they are usually color coded so that you can easily see if you are sitting at table with a high minimum or a low one. Generally, the pricier the hotel the higher the minimums will be, also the weekends tend to have higher minimums than the weekdays. I like to play at Paris as they are sort of the middle of the road, they have plenty of tables, minimums are reasonable and the cocktail service is very quick.
Also when you first arrive sign up for the players cards at the casino, the two main ones are Harrahs (Caesars, Paris, Ballys, Harrahs are all under this one) and MGM (Bellagio, MGM, The Mirage, Treasure Island) You will either put your card in the slot machine as you play or hand it to the dealer if you are playing a table game. This allows the casino to track your play and maybe offer you comps based on how much you have played. When you sign up they may have special offers like a certain amount of free slot play or a small free gift.

I am off to Vegas for the first time next month too. Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated.

[Neil]

Oh, another vote for The Wynn buffet, especially the Sunday brunch, pay extra for the champers!

I'm afraid that smoke is a fact of life in the casinos in Vegas ( ).Save for most of the poker rooms you'll be assaulted by it everywhere on the casino floor (although some casinos deal with it better than others).
My favourite casinos are the Wynn, The Venetian and PH (the vibe is quite young in PH mainly I think because of the Pleasure Pit).
Craps is still a complete mystery to me though (but where we won the most money last time LOL )

Freemont St is worth a trip if you have time as it feels totally different (even tackier than the Strip and they also have the light show).
The first time I went to vegas I thought I'd hate it. Suffice to say I'm off next month for my second trip in four months (and my fifth in four years ).

I'd also consider myself a casino novice, but the first time I went to Vegas I taught myself Blackjack (or 21) using the IFE on the Virgin plane - we'd only play on the low stakes tables and it was great fun. everyone at the tables was really friendly, and at the minimum tables most people are beginners or there just for fun like you are.

Enjoy!

These books might help from amazon search

But given I can just about manage the one armed bandit (2p a go) thats going to be my contribtion !

This is turning into a great thread!!! Notepad out, notes taken!

Thanks all,

Luke

We stayed at NYNY and the Wheel of Fortune machines were our favourites. As said, sign up for the players club.

Most I won was about $10-15, lost about the same I guess so came out evens. We did see someone win $11K on a slot machine though while we were there, so it can be done!

I'm pleased to say that I have been to Vegas several times and only gambled once in the MGM while wife and son were looking at the lions. As it happens I doubled my money.

I put $5 in a machine and after 15 minutes play winning and loosing I got $10 back. At that point I decided to quit while I was ahead and we went and had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.

Miopyk

[Scrooge]

No doubt our very own Las Vegas expert, Uncle Scrooge will be along with his choice tips.

Sorry, I was busy at work, but here goes.

The Buffet at the Wynn is still in my opinion the best although the Bellagio is still very good and a lot closer to you. While at the Wynn sign up for their Red Card, you'll get $10 free slot play and depending on how much you spend, a free buffet.

Oh, another vote for The Wynn buffet, especially the Sunday brunch, pay extra for the champers!

Buffets first.

The Wynn has been replaced, it's now the buffet at the Cosmopolitan that is pretty widely regarded as the best in town, they have done a wonderful job with it, I would recommend it to anyone.

From what I've read, I'll probably stick to slots - although bit disappointed that these seem to be card play rather than coins.

No such thing, what you are seeing is people putting their players club card into the reader so their play can be tracked and they can earn free stuff.

On this point and as was pointed out before, if your going to play, no matter the amount, get a club card from the casino you are playing at, it can only help.

As far as table games go, stick to regular blackjack to start with, explain to the dealer that it is your first time playing and ask what signal they need to see, a dealer does not take voice signals, everything they do is for the camera, so in many ways it is actually better to let them know up front that you are new rather than trying to act like you know what you are doing.

Also, if you look in most of the gift shops they will sell a cheat sheet card you can use at the tables, these give the best statistical odds for each situation.

A simple rule of thumb, when a dealer has 7 or more showing hit to 17. If they are showing 6 or less stay on anything over 12. Also, always split aces and eights, no matter what, never split fours, fives or tens.

Also, a very important tip. The vast majority of employees in Las Vegas work for minimum wage plus tips, if the dealer is helpful, win or lose, try and throw them a tip, actually a really good way to learn a game is to as I said, explain that you are new, ask how the game works, then ask how you tip them, a dealer cannot tell you about tipping unless you ask, but by asking you have the dealer on your side, they will try and advise you when you try to do something silly.

I don't play slots so I really can't tell you which to play, though Mrs Scrooge likes the Star Wars machines.

I play a game called Multi Strike poker, it is a video poker game, I enjoy it, but it is a very streaky game, meaning your either going to win, or lose pretty quickly.

Most importantly of all, find a game you enjoy, be it a table game or a machine, have fun.

Some hugely helpful replies, thanks everybody, and particularly to those who have given really detailed replies. And I'm also reassured that most people I'm likely to come across are likely to be novices too! I thought I'd stick out like a sore thumb.

I've always avoided Vegas like the plague, but I'm really looking forward to it now.

Thanks again all
Regards
R3dV

Hi there,

Like you, I'm not a gambler - I would prefer to stick with my current vices and not add another!

But if like me, you are more interested in cheap alcohol - one tip I would add is that you will find that almost every bar (inside and outside casinos) has a screen set down in the table/at the bar which lets you play electronic blackjack / all sorts of games I've never heard of.

Although I don't want to gamble, I find that feeding in a dollar at a time to these machines and playing the world's slowest games of blackjack tends to get you free drinks for the bartender for the duration (don't forget to tip them a buck after each drink, more for anything more complex than a lager).

That's the thing that always stuns me about Vegas - the amount of gambling opportunities. Every bar, the airport departure lounge, even supermarkets and petrol stations - they are all bristling with screens and slot machines; it's an absolutely bizarre sight.

One last thing, as I'm not sure it's been mentioned; don't pay for a show up front (unless you are desperate to see a given show on a particular night) - just walk to the half-price ticket booth on the strip and pick up a ticket for a performance that evening. They might have sold of the really popular ones if you get there late, but they aways have a good range, and it is literally half-price.

Cheers and enjoy :-)

Drew

About seeing shows in Vegas. I generally pick the one show I really want to see and book it in advance. Yes you will pay more than at the discount booth, but is assures you a seat in a good section (sometimes the half price tickets are for obstructed view seats and you miss some of the action). Then if I have time and am so inclined I will wait in line for the half price tickets, however waiting in line for a long time is not something that I generally enjoy doing on vacation. So if the line is short I inquire about show availability, but if it is long I think there are way better ways to spend my time.

Just my two cents.

I have seen LOVE, Mystere, La Reve, Ka, and The Lion King,and would recommend any/all of them.

With Love, The more expensive seats is at the front where the action is right above your head and you have to keep looking up all the time. We went for the cheaper balcony seats and I feel it was better as you could see more of the show, ableit you are slightly further away.