Dos and donts around Vegas

[MU82]

Here's a valuable "don't" for you in Vegas:

Don't bet against the Panthers!

Keep Pounding, baby!!

[keefe]

keefe, was just driving back into vegas the other day coming down 15 past Nellis.  All in about 15 seconds four twin tail fighter jets (F-18s ?) take off to the north,  immediately go nearly vertical and bank hard left quickly pairing up and disappearing to the NW.  My thought was 'cool..... hope everything's okay'.

Again, thanks for carrying the sidearm brother.

Red Flag at its finest. The finest training environment in the world.

From what you wrote, and because it's Nellis, I am guessing you saw a four ship of Eagles go into a battle box. As cool as that launch was the real fun was going to unfold at +15 when those Eagles jumped whatever Red Force Aggressors were flying inbound. The most fun a man can have with his clothes on.

[jsglow]

Red Flag at its finest. The finest training environment in the world.

From what you wrote, and because it's Nellis, I am guessing you saw a four ship of Eagles go into a battle box. As cool as that launch was the real fun was going to unfold at +15 when those Eagles jumped whatever Red Force Aggressors were flying inbound. The most fun a man can have with his clothes on.

Gotcha.  And a 'battle' over Area 51 that some crazy thought was an alien.  The maneuver I got to witness right off the strip was impressive enough.  Man those things were nimble.   

[Benny B]

I've noticed that the Silver Legacy in Reno and Mystic Lake have them too.  Must be a casino thing.  Can't figure out why.

Unlawful carnage me in the goat ass.  Mystic Lake no longer has phones in the shiitter. Replaced with 4 god damn USB ports.   So I can charge my iPad - along with three buddies' iPads - but I can't call 911 if I blow a gasket. Or 900-something if I can't.

Mother fukking millenials.

[🏀]

Unlawful carnage me in the goat ass.  Mystic Lake no longer has phones in the shiitter. Replaced with 4 god damn USB ports.   So I can charge my iPad - along with three buddies' iPads - but I can't call 911 if I blow a gasket. Or 900-something if I can't.

Mother fukking millenials.

I'm sure your bathroom foursome appreciated it though.

[jsglow]

Final recommendation: don't be the angry guy at the casino. There's always someone who acts like he can't believe he's losing and gets real pissy. Anticipate losing (or at least go in knowing it's a good possibility). If you come away positive, all the sweeter.

Now that this thread has been revived.

+10 on the comment above.  So I'm standing in a quiet corner of the Golden Nugget last week just checking on chick's flight out on my phone and this Oriental guy goes ballistic at the high roller table not 10 feet from where I was standing.  Pit boss trying to calm him while calling up for a video replay, security standing discretely about 15 feet away over my shoulder.  I watch for a few seconds a wee bit rattled by the commotion, then walk over to the Charthouse bar where I know all the bartenders quite well and tell the story.  They all immediately know who this assclown is because he blows up like this every time he is in town.  Sure he gambles a ton and gives big money to the casino but what a pain.

Anyway, we got to talking about how a little kindness goes so very far in Vegas.  Chick and I are very small time gamers.  But we treat our waitstaff like gold even developing friendships outside the casino and benefit as a result.  I've seen guys hit the Jackpot Royal Flush and give their bartender $2.  I've seen many more play an hour, get a couple drinks, and leave nothing.  Stupid if you ask me.  There's 3 types in Vegas.  The anonymous, the one's who get negative reputations, and friends.  If you go frequently, work to get in camp three.     

[mu03eng]

Now that this thread has been revived.

+10 on the comment above.  So I'm standing in a quiet corner of the Golden Nugget last week just checking on chick's flight out on my phone and this Oriental guy goes ballistic at the high roller table not 10 feet from where I was standing.  Pit boss trying to calm him while calling up for a video replay, security standing discretely about 15 feet away over my shoulder.  I watch for a few seconds a wee bit rattled by the commotion, then walk over to the Charthouse bar where I know all the bartenders quite well and tell the story.  They all immediately know who this assclown is because he blows up like this every time he is in town.  Sure he gambles a ton and gives big money to the casino but what a pain.

Anyway, we got to talking about how a little kindness goes so very far in Vegas.  Chick and I are very small time gamers.  But we treat our waitstaff like gold even developing friendships outside the casino and benefit as a result.  I've seen guys hit the Jackpot Royal Flush and give their bartender $2.  I've seen many more play an hour, get a couple drinks, and leave nothing.  Stupid if you ask me.  There's 3 types in Vegas.  The anonymous, the one's who get negative reputations, and friends.  If you go frequently, work to get in camp three.     

First, I think the term oriental is a bit dated Glow, not sayin' just sayin'

Second, I couldn't agree more with the kindness aspect and not just in Vegas, but when gambling generally. I'm not a degenerate gambler(though it might sound like it) but via various friend groups or weekend golf outings I end up at casino's at least a 6 or 7 times a year(once or twice might be Vegas). I play either craps or blackjack and tipping your dealers, especially when you win goes a long way toward making things more fun and getting good intel. The results won't change but I will wager for my dealer, especially if they are interesting and they really appreciate the effort. It helps spark conversation and can really get a table to be a lot of fun. Trading war stories, insight, and jokes makes for a fun experience and since I'm probably breaking even at best in the long run I'm really there for the entertainment. Also, the dealers have a lot of influence on drink service and on crazy busy nights, being cozy with dealers has gotten drinks a heckuva lot faster it would normally.

My experience anyway

[jsglow]

First, I think the term oriental is a bit dated Glow, not sayin' just sayin'

Perhaps.  Maybe Asian better?  Truth is I didn't know if he was Chinese or Japanese.

[jsglow]

Second, I couldn't agree more with the kindness aspect and not just in Vegas, but when gambling generally. I'm not a degenerate gambler(though it might sound like it) but via various friend groups or weekend golf outings I end up at casino's at least a 6 or 7 times a year(once or twice might be Vegas). I play either craps or blackjack and tipping your dealers, especially when you win goes a long way toward making things more fun and getting good intel. The results won't change but I will wager for my dealer, especially if they are interesting and they really appreciate the effort. It helps spark conversation and can really get a table to be a lot of fun. Trading war stories, insight, and jokes makes for a fun experience and since I'm probably breaking even at best in the long run I'm really there for the entertainment. Also, the dealers have a lot of influence on drink service and on crazy busy nights, being cozy with dealers has gotten drinks a heckuva lot faster it would normally.

My experience anyway

So this past week, chick hit her first Royal ever and appropriately tipped our regular bartender who happens to be a true friend.  For the rest of the weekend I couldn't buy a pair of Jacks and while my usual tip of folding money was in the glass, we both got a big laugh out of me tossing in an actual quarter into the bottom with the clinking sound echoing around the bar.  As our friend said 'Win some, lose some'.  All good.

[mu03eng]

Perhaps.  Maybe Asian better?  Truth is I didn't know if he was Chinese or Japanese.

Asian is the uniform default whether they are Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Thai, etc. Don't make the rules, just live by them

[martyconlonontherun]

I am not a gambler at all since I'm cheap at heart and also still paying off student loans. Is there a good way to gamble and keep it affordable?
How much do you regular set aside for gambling?  Maybe I'm doing it wrong but I would think my burn rate would be a min of $40 an hour playing at the tables? Add in 10 hours of gambling over the course of the weekend, and it would adds up. I just don't see the fun of dropping $500 over the course of a weekend.

Part of me thinks the regulars do a lot better than me but then again the house always wins.

[Coleman]

Now that this thread has been revived.

+10 on the comment above.  So I'm standing in a quiet corner of the Golden Nugget last week just checking on chick's flight out on my phone and this Oriental guy goes ballistic at the high roller table not 10 feet from where I was standing.  Pit boss trying to calm him while calling up for a video replay, security standing discretely about 15 feet away over my shoulder.  I watch for a few seconds a wee bit rattled by the commotion, then walk over to the Charthouse bar where I know all the bartenders quite well and tell the story.  They all immediately know who this assclown is because he blows up like this every time he is in town.  Sure he gambles a ton and gives big money to the casino but what a pain.

Anyway, we got to talking about how a little kindness goes so very far in Vegas.  Chick and I are very small time gamers.  But we treat our waitstaff like gold even developing friendships outside the casino and benefit as a result.  I've seen guys hit the Jackpot Royal Flush and give their bartender $2.  I've seen many more play an hour, get a couple drinks, and leave nothing.  Stupid if you ask me.  There's 3 types in Vegas.  The anonymous, the one's who get negative reputations, and friends.  If you go frequently, work to get in camp three.     

lol "Oriental" ?

[Coleman]

Perhaps.  Maybe Asian better?  Truth is I didn't know if he was Chinese or Japanese.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYOzUHnPJvU

[Coleman]

I am not a gambler at all since I'm cheap at heart and also still paying off student loans. Is there a good way to gamble and keep it affordable?
How much do you regular set aside for gambling?  Maybe I'm doing it wrong but I would think my burn rate would be a min of $40 an hour playing at the tables? Add in 10 hours of gambling over the course of the weekend, and it would adds up. I just don't see the fun of dropping $500 over the course of a weekend.

Part of me thinks the regulars do a lot better than me but then again the house always wins.

In Vegas, sports books are a fun way to wager a small amount and get several hours of enjoyment. When I was at the Mandalay Bay for a work conference, I hit the sports book, put $20 on the Blackhawks, watched the game on the big screen with some other Chicagoans, got a free drink and walked away a winner. And that was a solid 2+ hours of fun, watching a team I like and winning a little bit too.

I then started betting on black at roulette ($10 bets), and won 5 in a row. Before you knew it, I was up $60.

Penny slots are another way to try to stretch your gambling dollar, although that can still go fast, and slots have bad odds.

I don't know enough about craps, but I think there are small wagers you can make when you aren't shooting the dice, and take turns between watching and gambling. Craps has good odds too.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Perhaps.  Maybe Asian better?  Truth is I didn't know if he was Chinese or Japanese.

is his ethnicity even relevant to the story?
(not ragging on you just saying)

[mu03eng]

In Vegas, sports books are a fun way to wager a small amount and get several hours of enjoyment. When I was at the Mandalay Bay for a work conference, I hit the sports book, put $20 on the Blackhawks, watched the game on the big screen with some other Chicagoans, got a free drink and walked away a winner. And that was a solid 2+ hours of fun, watching a team I like and winning a little bit too.

I then started betting on black at roulette ($10 bets), and won 5 in a row. Before you knew it, I was up $60.

Penny slots are another way to try to stretch your gambling dollar, although that can still go fast, and slots have bad odds.

I don't know enough about craps, but I think there are small wagers you can make when you aren't shooting the dice, and take turns between watching and gambling. Craps has good odds too.

If you don't know what you are doing you can end up with a lot of money on the table. You can bet the come line with insurance and keep your bets manageable and as long as you are at a hot table some money and lots of fun are to be had. If the table is mediocre then doing some other betting ups the fun (hard ways, across the board, etc) but definitely can put a fair amount of money at risk to lose in one roll. Craps is ultimately great because of the action, but that's what the casino is gambling on so to speak, the action distracts you from all the ways you can lose money

[JWags85]

I don't know enough about craps, but I think there are small wagers you can make when you aren't shooting the dice, and take turns between watching and gambling. Craps has good odds too.

If you're patient, you can stretch your money in craps, time wise.  Playing the pass line with odds gives you good odds against the house, you're participating with the table, and not laying out a ton.  People you seeing losing mountains quickly in craps are the ones make many wagers once the point is determined.

[mu03eng]

I am not a gambler at all since I'm cheap at heart and also still paying off student loans. Is there a good way to gamble and keep it affordable?
How much do you regular set aside for gambling?  Maybe I'm doing it wrong but I would think my burn rate would be a min of $40 an hour playing at the tables? Add in 10 hours of gambling over the course of the weekend, and it would adds up. I just don't see the fun of dropping $500 over the course of a weekend.

Part of me thinks the regulars do a lot better than me but then again the house always wins.

Coleman's right, sports books are a good way to be entertained for several hours without too much risk.

I like blackjack for treading water with a group of friends, especially if the drink service is on top of their game. Find a $5 table, the dealer will help you play correctly(especially if you bet their tips) go with a couple of friends, talk to some strangers and have some drinks. Unless they bring in the closer or it's a dead table you should be able to tread water for a couple of hours, have some free drinks, make some new friends and be out no more than a $100

No matter what you choose to do, my advice is to find a game where people don't seem too serious and it's fairly full...should get some good socialization out of it if nothing else.

[mu03eng]

If you're patient, you can stretch your money in craps, time wise.  Playing the pass line with odds gives you good odds against the house, you're participating with the table, and not laying out a ton.  People you seeing losing mountains quickly in craps are the ones make many wagers once the point is determined.

I agree with this analysis

[warriorchick]

I am not a gambler at all since I'm cheap at heart and also still paying off student loans. Is there a good way to gamble and keep it affordable?
How much do you regular set aside for gambling?  Maybe I'm doing it wrong but I would think my burn rate would be a min of $40 an hour playing at the tables? Add in 10 hours of gambling over the course of the weekend, and it would adds up. I just don't see the fun of dropping $500 over the course of a weekend.

Part of me thinks the regulars do a lot better than me but then again the house always wins.

I am not a big gambler either.  I am too cheap.  I think of the other stuff I could have done with that money and it puts me in a foul mood.

Here is the key to getting the most out of your gambling dollar.  First of all, stay out of the big strip casinos.  The payouts are usually worse and the minimums are high, especially on the weekend.  Go there for the clubs or the restaurants, but not for the gambling.

Go to a place downtown or slightly off the strip (Golden Nugget, The Grand, Orleans, Hooters) and sit down at a bar that has quarter video poker machines.  Put in $20 or $40.  A bartender will come up to you right away and get your drink order - no waiting for the cocktail waitress to come around.  After he gives you the drink and says "good luck" (the signal that he is comping you), immediately put a $5 bill into the tip glass, with the denomination clearly visible to him, and tip another buck every time he gets you a new one. You will never have an empty glass the entire time you are there.  Sometimes they will ask you to play "max credits" , which on a quarter machine is $1.25 per hand.  But they don't always, and even if they do, you only have to do it while they are paying attention.  Otherwise, $20 lasts a long time at a quarter per hand.

The downside is that if you do hit a big jackpot, the payout is lower.  The royal flush glow mentions that I won only paid me $62.50. But it's the first RF I have ever gotten in a decade and a half of playing video poker.  Most of the time I count my winnings this way:  "Well, I lost $20, but the bartender gave me 4 drinks that the snooty bartender at the Mirage would have charge me $7.50 apiece for, so really, I am up $10."

[StillAWarrior]

If you're patient, you can stretch your money in craps, time wise.  Playing the pass line with odds gives you good odds against the house, you're participating with the table, and not laying out a ton.  People you seeing losing mountains quickly in craps are the ones make many wagers once the point is determined.

I've been playing craps longer than I can remember -- we had a small table at home -- and it's a great game.  It's not terribly difficult to learn the basic betting practices that will minimize the house's advantage (i.e., as JWags said, playing pass/come with odds - I typically stick with up to three numbers at a time).  The most difficult thing, honestly, is being disciplined enough to steer clear of the stupid bets.  Playing craps "properly" is kind of mechanical...but the same can be said of other table games.  It is math, after all. 

One simple craps tip:  if the one of the dealers or the stick are suggesting a bet...there's a reason for that.  You won't hear them encouraging people to bet the pass/come with odds.

[Benny B]

As Eng alluded above, it doesn't really matter what you play... if you play smart and keep it under control, even $50 can last you several hours.  All too often, people get caught up in the excitement (which is what the casinos try to get you to do)... whether you're playing a penny slot and decide to double your bet and play 21 lines instead of 9 or you're sitting at the blackjack table and up your bet from the minimum because everyone else has big stacks of chips in front of them (and you want to get in on that), you can go broke in a hurry. 

Generally speaking, slot machines pay out anywhere from 85-105% of what they take in with averages in the low to mid 90s, so simple math would dictate you'll last a lot longer at the machines with smaller payouts on the top line (e.g. like Chick and Glow play at the bar).  If you're going for longevity at the table games, play at a full table... better yet, find the table with the most gray hair.

And never back a loss with a big bet more than once.  I sat at a quarter table last night playing the minimum, and the guy next to me lost $3,000 in a span of five minutes.  He started out playing two or three chips, lost a few hands in a row, and then started betting twice as much every new hand in an attempt to win his money back.  It was painful to watch - I've never seen someone play a McKinley at a quarter table (let alone double it and lose) - this guy was a seasoned player and he got his posterior handed to him because he couldn't keep it under control through a bad deck.  Whereas I sat at that table for three hours and walked away breaking even.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I love craps. Last time I was in Vegas on two separate occasions when I was rolling I hit 5 out of the 6 points, doubling up on some and getting a lot of them hard way. I don't bet anything besides the pass line and odds so I didn't even make a killing from my own throws. But one lady gave me a $100 chip cause I won her so much and another guy gave me $50.

[rocket surgeon]

most of the main, big name casinos are really raising the minimums on all the tables, even earlier in the day.  one used to be able to find $5 min from 5-6 a.m. until 2-3-4 pm depending on the time of the year and what's going on(super bowl, march madness, big conventions, spring break, etc.  some of the smaller casinos along the strip and downtown will have $2-3 tables. 

have they started to charge for valet parking yet?  i was last there in march and that was the talk

[jsglow]

is his ethnicity even relevant to the story?
(not ragging on you just saying)

Actually, yes it was because it was his ethnicity and specific location that immediately allowed the staff to know exactly who I was talking about.  Let's not make this more than it is, mkay?