Las Vegas is a destination that millions of people all around the world dream of visiting at least once in their lifetime. Sin City, in the middle of the Nevada desert, is a giant glowing beacon of adult fun and entertainment. More than forty million people went on a trip to Vegas last year, and that number will likely be the same or even higher this year. When there’s a wedding or a bachelor party booked, there’s always an outside chance that Vegas will be the destination. Even when there isn’t, the vast array of entertainment on offer makes it an appealing place to go at any time of year.
If you’ve never been to Vegas before, it can all be a little bit overwhelming. It’s bright, bashful, and very noisy. It’s also deceptively large. People think there’s nothing more to see in Vegas but the strip – which is wrong – but even the strip is four miles long. Every inch of it is occupied by a hotel, a casino, a bar, or another venue that wants your money, and if you say yes to everything, you’ll be out of cash before the end of your first night. That’s why it’s a good idea to set yourself a few basic rules before you get on the plane. We’ve condensed a few of those rules into a simple set of do’s and don’ts to help you out!
Do: Practice Gambling Before You Go
We don’t just mean poker and other card games. If you’re not already good at card games, don’t even bother playing- you’ll lose heavily. Vegas casinos are full of expert card sharks who are ready and waiting to separate fools from their money. We mean roulette and slots. Learning roulette etiquette should only take you an hour or so, but you might find slots a little trickier. We suggest trying mobile slots websites to get a feel for how they work. You might think mobile slots are basic, but if so, allow us to ask you this? Do you know what an RTP rate is? Do you know the difference between respins and free spins? Do more paylines mean a greater chance of winning, or just higher volatility? If you don’t know, then a few hours playing mobile slots on website like Late Casino will help to ease you in, and give you an idea of how all the features work. You might even win some money for your trip!
Don’t: Buy Drinks In The Casinos
When you’re comfortable with gambling, you’re ready to enter a casino. While you’re there, don’t even think about buying a drink. A simple bottle of beer might set you back $20 or more. Even if you can afford it, it’s still not good economic sense to spend so much on a drink when you can get it for free! If you position yourself at a slots cabinet or a table, you’ll find that you’ll eventually be offered drinks for free. The venues want you to stay in there and keep playing, and so they’re happy to keep you hydrated so long as you’re putting money in. You might even get some free food, too. The high prices for drinks are almost a punishment for Vegas rookies!
Do: Bring Clothes For Any Occasion
Common sense tells you that Vegas must be baking hot, because it’s in the middle of an American desert. Sometimes it is, but not all the time. The weather in and around Las Vegas can get a little crazy, and when flash storms strike, they can even cause localized flooding. Summer days can be baking hot while the sun is up, and then windswept and stormy at night. In winter, the difference between the temperature during night and day can vary by over 30 degrees. Don’t get caught wanting for an outfit. Bring hot weather clothes, bring warm-weather clothes, and bring waterproofs!
Don’t: Use The ATMs
We’ll make an exception here for the casinos. The ATM machines in casinos often don’t charge you. The ATMs everywhere else should be brought up on criminal charges for robbery. We’ve seen prices as high as $50 just to withdraw your own money, which is obscene. Everyone in Vegas is out to make a buck, and that includes whoever installed the ATMs! If you’re planning on paying in cash, bring cash into Vegas with you. Failing that, pay by card wherever you can, and go into a casino to withdraw money if you get caught short.
Do: Use Uber (and share it)
What we just said about everyone in Vegas being out to make a buck unfortunately applies to taxi drivers, too. If they get the impression you don’t know your way around Sin City, they’ll frequently take you from where you are to where you want to go as slowly as possible, using the longest route. If you use an Uber or Lyft driver instead of a taxi hailed from the street, this can’t happen to you. You also have the option of splitting your Uber or Lyft ride with another passenger. As Vegas is full of tourists who are likely heading in broadly the same direction as you, this can make travel much cheaper than it would otherwise be. You could always walk – but as we said earlier, walking will probably take you longer than you think it might!
Don’t: Pay Full Price For Shows
If you walk up to the entrance to a show in Vegas and pay the price on the poster, you’re being taken for a fool. A quick check online before you set off will probably reveal discounts or voucher codes which will make the transaction much easier if you do it online. Even if you don’t do that, you’ll find that there are booths on the Boulevard which offer half-price tickets for many of the shows – and the tickets are valid. Many of the venues work hand in hand, so you can get discounts for shows by dining at a certain restaurant, or playing at a certain casino. Even the hotel you’re staying at might have access to exclusive deals! A little research can save you literally hundreds of dollars.
More than anything else, don’t forget you’re in a crazy city. It can get a little seedy if you wander too far away from the strip. It’s expensive, it’s lewd, and it’s not for the faint of heart. Las Vegas is an adult playground, and ‘play’ is the operative word. Go with an open mind and a determination to enjoy yourself – that’s how you’ll get the best out of it.