7 Helpful Tips for First-Time Las Vegas Visitors

I was eight years old the first time I played a card game.

My family huddled around our dining room table as my dad taught my siblings and me the basic rules of Hold’em and blackjack.

I was hooked after two hands.

Since then, I dreamt of gracing the capital of the gambling world—

Las Vegas, Nevada.

After cutting my teeth at my local tables, I knew I was going to finish our trip in the black…

Spoiler alert—

I didn’t.

To make sure you don’t make the same mistakes I did, here are seven tips for navigating your first gambling trip to Vegas.

1 ‒ Don’t Rush to a Table

You’re going to be tempted to plop down at the first open table you see in Vegas.

I felt the itch immediately after deboarding our plane to see rows of slot machines beckoning, begging me to toss in a new $20 bill. The temptations don’t stop at the airport either.

We stayed at the MGM Grand, and I rewarded myself for the restraint I demonstrated at the airport by leaving my bags with the bellhop and sitting down at the first blackjack table I happened upon.

Fast forward 20 minutes, and I’d burned through 10% of the money I was comfortable losing on the trip. Instead of repeating my mistakes, allow yourself to be a tourist, and do some casino hopping first.

Before you move about the city, consider grabbing a nice meal and checking out your room.

Unless you feel like donating money to the casinos, it’s vital to recharge and take a breath after your flight. Once you sit down to gamble, it’s hard to stand up, especially if you start winning.

2 ‒ Gamble Where It’s Comfortable

It took me most of our first day to find my casino of choice. It’s a must to walk through Caesars and The Venetian, but other casinos are worth seeing, too. Not only will you experience the different atmosphere each casino offers, but you’ll be able to find your gambling den of choice.

I was priced out of the famous casinos I grew up hearing about and seeing on TV. Sure, it’s disappointing not to be able to throw down a wad of cash like a high roller, but it’s essential to feel calm and collected while gambling.

My friends and I found our comfort zone at New York-New York. Even if you don’t cash out your 401k in preparation for Vegas, the casino offers gamblers the opportunity to play blackjack for $5 a hand, which is somewhat of a rarity on the Strip.

If you can’t find a casino that works for you on the Strip, don’t forget to head downtown and visit Old Vegas. Casinos like the Golden Nugget, Binion’s, and El Cortez are all local favorites.

But if you’re feeling like experiencing a bit of old school Vegas, be sure to check out the Golden Gate. It’s the oldest casino in the city.

3 ‒ Beware of the Free Drinks

Before I left for Vegas, my dad warned me about the table service each casino offered.

Being a naive young adult at the time, I assumed that was reserved for serious spenders. Admittedly, I spent a nice chunk of change on the first round of drinks on our first day in Vegas before realizing you can drink for free if you’re sitting at a table.

I’m sure that sounds appealing, but you’ll be surprised how quickly the time passes at a blackjack table and how easily one drink turns into five.

Casinos don’t want you winning money from them, so they’ll pretty much use any advantage they can. It’s fun to drink while you gamble. If you take advantage of the table service, your casino of choice could easily take advantage of your wallet. Make sure to mix in a few glasses of water.

4 ‒ See the Sights

For most, the primary draw of Vegas is gambling.

But there’s more to the town than blackjack and craps, and one of my biggest regrets is how much time I spent playing blackjack. Of the 72 hours I spent in Sin City, 40 of them were spent at a table. Instead of gambling your vacation away, jump up from the table a few times and see what the city actually offers.

There are a plethora of shows to attend.

But if you’re trying to save money for the tables, walk down the Strip or go see the free water show at the Bellagio.

My buddies and I fixed plans for visiting a comedy club to gamble more, and it’s one of my biggest regrets from the trip.

Shows don’t have to break the bank either; several comedy clubs offer admission for less than $20.

5 ‒ Get Your Rest

Speaking of regrets, I know for a fact that I cost myself money refusing to sleep.

It’s true when folks say you lose track of time in Vegas, as casinos are designed to block natural light to keep patrons gambling. Our second night in Vegas, I stayed awake until 4 a.m. playing blackjack, slept for four hours, ate a quick breakfast, and ran back to the tables.

You aren’t at your best on next to no sleep. On our flight home, the fatigue set in, and I realized I only slept for a total of 12 hours over three days. There may be time to sleep when you’re dead but don’t set yourself up for failure at the tables. Take some time to rest up, gorge on one of the many buffets, and make sure you’re at your sharpest to fly home with some money in your back pocket.

6 ‒ Talk to Other Players Your Table

I find this practice applies to any casino, but it’s especially true in Vegas. Most of the people you’ll be gambling with are tourists like you, and they could have some exciting stories to tell. Conversing with your tablemates will help build camaraderie and establish that everyone is there to help each other win money.

There’s no better feeling than scoring a big table win and getting to know the folks sitting next to you amplifies the excitement.

My best stretch in Vegas came after sitting down at a table and striking up a conversation with a couple sitting next to me. I learned that they lived a few blocks away from my childhood home, and their son attended the same college as me.

A simple introduction quickly turned into hours of conversation. During that time, I gained valuable advice about Vegas from the couple, who vacationed there every year.

Also, don’t forget about the most important person at the table—

The dealer.

A great tactic, especially if you’re new to a game, is to inform the dealer of your inexperience. Some dealers will be more amicable than others, but there’s no shame in asking for advice.

7 ‒ Take an Uber

Vegas is deceptive.

The casinos are massive and appear like they are within a quick walk of each other.

This is not the case.

My party stayed at the MGM Grand on the southernmost part of the Strip. We made the rookie mistake of trying to walk along the Strip during our first day. Within 30 minutes, the desert heat beat us down, forcing us to turn around and change clothes.

Uber and Lyft exist for this reason, and we rarely had to wait more than five minutes for a ride. If you choose to stay towards the south end of the Strip, there’s also a tram that offers free rides between the MGM Grand, the Luxor, and the Excalibur.

If you go to Vegas during a cooler time of the year and feel like walking, just make sure to pack some water and wear comfortable shoes.

Conclusion

Above everything else, it’s important to remind yourself that you’re in Vegas to have fun.

I lived like a miser for months to assure myself I’d have the best time I could have. The heaters at casinos are fun, of course, but when the eventual losing streak hits, remind yourself that you’re there to decompress.

If a couple of bad hands turn into a cold streak, get up from the table. Don’t keep throwing money down, expecting your luck to turn around. Get up and go see what Sin City has to offer. I’ve been on many vacations in my life, but none hold a candle to my first 72 hours in Vegas. The city is a nonstop thrill ride with attractions that will appeal to gamblers and non-gamblers alike.