7 Tips for Your First Time in Vegas

This post is for newbies to the gambling capital of the US. So, you’ve never been to Vegas. Maybe you’ve never even been to a casino. Well, this post is for you.

Here’s what I’ve learned from my countless gambling vacations in Las Vegas, NV. Learn from my mistakes and successes. Trust me, nothing is worse than spending all your money the first 48 hours in this town.

Some of these tips might seem like common sense, and some you would’ve never thought of before. Without further ado, keep reading below to learn seven useful tips for your first trip to Las Vegas.

1 – Look for Vacation Packages

Most mega-casinos on the Vegas Strip know their visitors are from out of town and looking for a deal. Most casinos have hotels attached to their property.

They leverage their advantage of being all-inclusive with their guests. Look around and see what casinos are offering the best deal for your visit.

You might find a good deal on a room that also offers deals in the casino’s restaurant(s) or spa. See what I’m getting at? Be flexible about when you’re going and you’re more likely to find a bargain!

2 – Set a Budget

Setting a gambling budget is the #1 tip I can give you. Before I leave for any casino trip, I sit down and look at my finances. What can I comfortably spend on gambling during this trip?

Once I have set that limit, I go to my local bank’s branch and withdraw the money. This is ALL the cash I allow myself to spend on gambling while on my trip.

Stick to your budget. Don’t convince yourself that it’s okay to go to the ATM on the casino floor. This is a significant first-timer faux pas.

When that money is gone, it’s gone. There are thousands of other things to do in Las Vegas. Go take part in those activities instead. Not only will you save your bank account from severe damage, but you’ll also get out of that losing headspace. Fresh air and a change of scenery will change your mood dramatically.

I sometimes set a per-day budget if I’m going to be in Vegas for more than a couple of days. I’d suggest this approach if this is your first-ever casino visit.

No one wants to have to let their significant other or mortgage holder know they blew it all. Don’t be that person.

3 – Don’t Use the Casino Floor ATMs

If you stick to tip #2, then this shouldn’t be a problem. But let’s say you don’t. That’s your business. But I implore you to treat the casino floor ATMs like a payday loan. Don’t use them.

These ATMs are not there for your convenience. They are placed in strategic locations throughout the floor to prey on players.

Humans don’t like to lose. The ATMs give you a false sense of hope. Maybe if you take out just a little bit more money, you can turn it around. It’s statistically close to impossible to turn around a losing streak.

The fees for withdrawing cash at these ATMs are outrageous. If you need to get money out, take a cab or rideshare to your bank’s branch. Vegas is a real city and will most likely have an ATM within your bank’s network.

Not only is this responsible, but it will get you out of the casino and give you a chance to decide if this is the best choice for you and your bank account.

4 – Do Not Rent a Car

My previous point brings me to something a lot of first-time visitors make the mistake of doing. There is no reason to rent a car in Vegas.

I have been to Vegas on my own, for tradeshows, even a family member’s wedding, and never needed a car. There’s almost no good reason to rent a car.

Vegas has ample taxis and rideshare companies. It’s a vast industry that employs a more significant percentage of Vegas residents than you would guess.

The Strip is mostly walkable, and most likely, you’re going to stay on the Strip. There’s also public transportation, cabs, and a lot of popular casinos are connected by walkways.

Oh, and you can order nearly anything from the concierge or front desk that you might’ve forgotten.

Renting a car is a waste of money if you only plan to stay in one area, and you most likely will be required to pay a lot of fees to park it.

5 – Always Tip

Vegas is a service town. Most of the Vegas population works in the service industry. This could be a doorman, dealer, housekeeper, or a front desk clerk.

I was told at a young age to always tip in Vegas. This approach has never steered me wrong. Here’s a quick list of what and how I tip:

• Valet or doorperson – $3 to $5
• Housekeeping or room service – $3 to $5
• Concierge – Depends on the magic they’re doing for you. A reservation? $5. Surprise party planned from the ground up? A lot more than that.
• Your dealer – It depends on how your luck is going. I usually tip them at least $5 or place a bet for them every couple of hours. You can’t place bets for dealers at poker tables, so tip accordingly. They’re paid a low wage, and tips are a big part of their take-home pay.
• Anyone who serves me food or a drink – This is trickier. I always start tipping at 20%. The better the service, the more I tip.
• Cocktail servers on the casino floor (free drinks) – $2 to $5
• Cab or ride share driver – At least 20% of your fare
• Hotel desk clerk – This is another tricky one. Old-timers tip at least $20 in hopes of a room upgrade. In my experience, I tend to tip out of appreciation, not because I want something. It’s your call on this one.

Here is a quick rule to live by in Vegas: If you don’t know if you should tip, just tip.

They’re making sure you have the night, day, or trip of your life. Thank them, tip them.

6 – Don’t Go Overboard on Free Drinks

One of the things the casinos in Las Vegas are famous for is the free drinks on the casino floor. This can be a pitfall for a lot of new Vegas visitors.

Here’s the deal, nothing in Vegas is there except for you to spend money. Once you can understand this logic, things are more fun.

The free drinks are only available if you’re gambling. If you’re gambling, you can drink until you can’t see straight. This is where you get into trouble.

I always use this analogy, but you wouldn’t buy a house or a car after you’ve had five margaritas, right? Money and booze don’t mix. Everyone knows this. I assume you’re an adult because you must be (by law) to gamble in Vegas.

Why would you gamble loaded?

Gambling is a financial transaction. It’s a fun one, but it’s still a business transaction. You wouldn’t spend significant amounts of money on other things whiledrunk, why would you gamble drunk?

Plus, somehow, Sin City has a way of amplifying hangovers. Trust me, I have experience.  Save your heavy drinking for dinner or one of the thousands of nightlife activities in this city of overindulgence.

7 – Ask the Dealer How to Play

This might be my favorite insider tip for new casino players in Vegas or almost any casino. If you see an empty table and don’t know how to play the game, sit down and ask the dealer to show you how to play.

This is a fantastic way to learn how to play a table game you have no experience with. A mentor of mine told me on a trip to Vegas to go to the floor when it’s not busy (usually a weekday between 2:00 AM and 7:00 AM) and just ask them how to play.

This is essentially a free gambling lesson. Make sure to tip accordingly (see tip #5). Ask questions because dealers are pros.

A Vegas casino dealer has been vetted by the casino management to understand the game well enough to deal that table’s game. They have to follow the ins and outs of a game and even be certified as dealers for said game.

This is better than learning from your drunk uncle at Thanksgiving 15 years ago.

Conclusion

I hope these tips are giving you some more confidence in your upcoming trip to Vegas. If you stick to these essential tips, you will be successful and have fun. After all, having fun is the #1 priority in Vegas, just as it’s the top priority in gambling. Good luck and have fun!