Las Vegas

[Pat Jackson]

Warriors,

I'm toying with the idea of heading over to Vegas next year for the World Series Of Poker. I don't think I'd be able to afford to go for the full 50ish days, but probably closer to 3 weeks.

I have a couple of questions and I was hoping any of you that are from Vegas or have been there could help me out.

1. What is the cost of living per day? For example, a decent hotel room somewhere close to the strip plus meals.

2. Cost of the nightlife. Is everywhere very expensive in terms of drinks, entry, etc.

3. Given that I'd still be running my business from my laptop, would I need to obtain a working visa?

4. Anything else you can think of that might be of interest.

I'm really not sure whether I will actually go or not as I have no idea about how much something like this would cost so I'd be very interested to hear from you guys.

Thanks in advance.

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Pat Jackson

Warriors,

I'm toying with the idea of heading over to Vegas next year for the World Series Of Poker. I don't think I'd be able to afford to go for the full 50ish days, but probably closer to 3 weeks.

I have a couple of questions and I was hoping any of you that are from Vegas or have been there could help me out.

1. What is the cost of living per day? For example, a decent hotel room somewhere close to the strip plus meals.

2. Cost of the nightlife. Is everywhere very expensive in terms of drinks, entry, etc.

3. Given that I'd still be running my business from my laptop, would I need to obtain a working visa?

4. Anything else you can think of that might be of interest.

I'm really not sure whether I will actually go or not as I have no idea about how much something like this would cost so I'd be very interested to hear from you guys.

Thanks in advance.

First, the LV economy is really hurting, so things are cheaper than they've been in a while.

1. For a hotel, you are probably better off staying on Strip. Depending on different factors, you can expect to pay $40 a night and up.

However, there are some decent weekly "extended stay" apartments with small kitchenettes for about $200 per week, bring your own sheets/towels. This includes utilities, cable, etc. You need to check for internet. At one of these places, you can hit a grocery store and should be able to eat well on a budget of $10 per day or so...

2. Nitelife prices can vary greatly...The more popular clubs in town may charge $8-10 for a beer...There's also plenty of alternatives that are much cheaper...

3. I have no idea, but if you don't tell, I won't.

4. Your first time to Las Vegas you can spend a couple of days just walking around and seeing the sites, which doesn't cost a thing. There's no other place like LV. Prices on most things vary greatly, you can pay $40 for a small breakfast at an upper-scale casino, or $3.95 for a NY steak, eggs, toast and hash browns at an off strip casino for the "grave yard specials" (late night)

If you just want a drink or two, it's actually a lot cheaper to sit at the bar in a casino and play a little video poker, you'll get your drinks comped (free) and get better service. Just be sure you tip. Also, learn some video poker basics to greatly reduce the house edge. There's plenty of tips online...With just a little study, you can get to almost "even" game...When you factor in the price of drinks, you're even better.

If you want to be more social, blackjack can be fun, as the players are all on "one side" against the dealer. Learning BJ basic strategy can also give you a nearly even game., and it doesn't take much effort to greatly improve your odds.

Just watch out for some low stakes games, there's a new trend to pay blackjacks 6:5 instead of the traditional 3:2, making these tables a sucker bet.


If you play for a while and have lost, don't be afraid to ask the pit boss for a "comp", short for "complimentary", they are likely to give you a free buffet or something. Don't play for comps, but may as well ask for them when you can.

This guy is very good for gambling strategies, stick to blackjack and video poker, and maybe poker, if you have the skills:
http://wizardofodds.com/

[Michael Motley]

and...dont forget extra money for hookers.

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

and...dont forget extra money for hookers.

Classy as usual.

[Michael Motley]

hey, i didnt legalize hookers in vegas...blame the lack of class on your city's leaders.

[glchandler]

hey, i didnt legalize hookers in vegas...blame the lack of class on your city's leaders.

I second the "classy as usual" statement.

Do a little research. Prostitution is not legal either in Las Vegas nor Clark County.

[Michael Motley]

i'd like to say i care enough to find out if prostitution is legal in vegas, but as i make this statement purely because i now it gets kurts undies in a bunch...i'd be lying.

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

i'd like to say i care enough to find out if prostitution is legal in vegas, but as i make this statement purely because i now it gets kurts undies in a bunch...i'd be lying.

And you're willing to hijack someone's legit thread asking for legit info due to your own obsessive/compulsive desire about hookers and my undies. You just could't help yourself...Try therapy.

You really need to get banned...You are nothing but a disruption, and your comments on this very thread prove your motivation is to be a disruption and nothing more.

Sorry Pat, but there's no child-proof lock on Warrior threads...

[Michael Motley]

you would think a guy that lives in a place with hot and cold running hookers would be more relaxed.

[glchandler]

To add to the pleasantries around the Vegas area---there are many many attractions other than the gambling.

From the dam up to Mt Charleston and quite a few points east and west the desert provides quite a few reasons to click the camera shutter.

But, than again, you might find some of the landscape reminescent of your local outback!

[Pat Jackson]

Originally Posted by Kurt

Sorry Pat, but there's no child-proof lock on Warrior threads...

haha, that's okay. It's all in good fun.

Thanks for the detailed response. If I go, it'll be to play in WSOP, not just to watch, so my main priority is probably to be at a decent hotel close to the Rio where I'd still be safe being by myself. I'll probably play in the Main Event and probably a few of the smaller events. I doubt I'll spend much time playing Blackjack.

Those prices sound pretty good. I've also read heaps of stories about people tipping $20-$50 to get their rooms upgraded?

This whole tipping thing is completely new to me. You don't see any of that in Australia.

Would I have to book very far in advance? Does it get extra busy during the WSOP?

If I were to go, would I best suited to just sticking to the strip in terms of safety? (This is something new to me as well. I can go to basically anywhere in Melbourne at any time and feel safe)

[Kurt]

Thanks for the detailed response. If I go, it'll be to play in WSOP, not just to watch, so my main priority is probably to be at a decent hotel close to the Rio where I'd still be safe being by myself. I'll probably play in the Main Event and probably a few of the smaller events. I doubt I'll spend much time playing Blackjack.

The Rio is off the Strip by about 3/4 a mile...Walking distance casinos: rio, Palms, Gold Coast (cheapest)

Those prices sound pretty good. I've also read heaps of stories about people tipping $20-$50 to get their rooms upgraded?

You know, the "$20 trick" actually started on my own old Las Vegas forum back in 1996. It was the first report I ever sold online. It's a gamble, but a good one and still works, but not always. Depends on the casino, desk clerk, if they have rooms available, who is watching, etc.

This whole tipping thing is completely new to me. You don't see any of that in Australia.

Get used to it, LV is all about tipping. LOL

Would I have to book very far in advance?

Probably not...But I suggest you book a room ASAP, assuming you can cancel without penalty. Then keep checking room rates and if/when you find a better deal, book it.

Does it get extra busy during the WSOP?

Nope. The Rio will be busy during the WSOP, but not LV. LV has about 150,000 hotel rooms. THE WSOP will take about 2000 rooms, max.

If I were to go, would I best suited to just sticking to the strip in terms of safety? (This is something new to me as well. I can go to basically anywhere in Melbourne at any time and feel safe)

I thought you Aussies were tough guys?

Seriously, the crime in the US is over-rated. I drove a cab in LV (and other towns) and have never been robbed. Niether have any of my friends, and cab driving is the most dangerous job in the US for robbery/murder. Your biggest concern is not getting run over by a car on the Strip...And I'm not joking.

You need to look out for pick pockets. Also, if you cash out a bunch of chips. Muggers here are smart, they only rob people they know have cash.

To be safe, take a cab (tip a couple of $$$)

Get a little cheap velcro wallet. Put in some business cards and $20 in singles. Carry this in your main "wallet pocket". In the rare event you do get mugged, give them this decoy wallet.

The closest Strip casinos to the RIO:
***** Wynn/Encore, Venetian, Bellagio
**** Mirage, Cesar's Palace
*** Bally's, Treasure Island,
** Harrah's, Flamingo
* Imperial Palace (Kind of a dump, but cheap with a great location and a good place to try the $20 Trick), Barbary Coast

Check the websites of the above resorts, they are all next to each other on the Strip. Make a RSVP now, making sure you can cancel, then check back every couple of weeks trying to get a better price. Room rates in LV are very liquid.

Again, there's a few decent "extended stay" hotel/apartments about a mile + away from the Rio for about $200 a week.

[Pat Jackson]

Originally Posted by Kurt

thought you Aussies were tough guys?

I'm not worried about a physical confrontation, more so how widely accepted it is to own a gun in America. I don't know anyone who owns a gun nor have I ever seen anyone with one other than a police officer.

Thanks for all the info. If I do decide to go I'll no doubt be back in here.