Vegas Vacation!

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Fat-Tailed Contagion
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Vegas Vacation!

Post by Fat-Tailed Contagion »

Hi fellow Bogleheads:

Any suggestions of sites to see and of course the best deals in the town of Las Vegas?

Areas of Interest: Sun, pools/hot tubs, nature, casinos although not into gambling, buffets/food, site seeing, etc.

Staying 3 nights during the week at SLS Hotel.

Thank you!

- Fat Tail
Last edited by Fat-Tailed Contagion on Thu Oct 16, 2014 1:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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playtothebeat
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by playtothebeat »

This depends entirely on what you like to do with your time on vacation (and in particular in Vegas). are you a gambler? do you golf? do you like the outdoors? etc

My Vegas vacation is always the same - sports book, blackjack tables, and the pool. I usually stay at the Wynn or Venetian.
camptalcott
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by camptalcott »

LOVE Vegas, love, love, love it.

Are you staying on the strip?

first check out groupon. You are probably already familiar with it from your home city. sign up for vega's alerts.
Also check out Vegas. com

One thing we like was the Indoor sky diving place. You put on this giant ballon suit and then step inside this contraption that has a giant fan which pretty much blows you up. LOL. It was a hoot. loved it.

Also check out the hotel "lounges". they have really good entertainment. A lot of them are free and sure they are headliners but my hubby and I saw a number of really great performers.

Lastly, I love checking out the casinos. First all of the ones on the strip have shopping concords with some really high end shops. now I'm not a big shopper but whew some of the stores are soo cool. Next the casinos themselves can be attraction.

the previous poster mentioned the Venetian. I love meandering through the Venetian.
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adamthesmythe
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by adamthesmythe »

I walk around, look at the spectacle, get a dinner at one of the more interesting restaurants, and don't gamble.

The Hoover Dam and several excellent Utah national parks are within easy driving distance.

If you do gamble I guess the boglehead way would be to put the minimum on red until your money runs out or you hit it big.

For deals- the only one I bother with is checking carefully the hotel websites- the prices will vary enormously depending on demand and some nights will be very reasonable.
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Marmot
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heading there tomorrow

Post by Marmot »

for the Jimmy Buffet concert. I like the strip as opposed to downtown. If it is your first time I think just walking and discovering will be enough to keep you busy.
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flyingaway
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by flyingaway »

I do not like gambling, but I like to play slots for fun, in the sense I care more about fun than winning or losing. IMO, going to Las Vegas not playing makes not much sense.
Naismith
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Naismith »

I agree that knowing more about your goals would help with the recommendations.

A few months ago I stayed at the Tropicana, on the south end of the strip, which has been totally redone in white tile, one of the least dark hotels around and good deals since they are getting back into things.

Unlike major cities or beach resorts, all of the casinos had free parking to encourage folks to stop in just for a bit--not that it is easy to find parking before the fountain show at Bellagio.

The Ethel M chocolate factory is more commercial than it used to be, but they still have the free Cactus Garden. This is a great orientation if you are going to spend time in the wildnerness areas nearby.

I love Red Rock Canyon--lovely hikes, and if your party doesn't include hikers, you can still drive around the ring road and have a good taste of things.

Hoover Dam is amazing. Much easier to get there now they have built the new bridge. And you can stop at one of the many quirky eateries in Boulder City. We love the Southwest Diner--yum pies.

There are some fast food options along the strip if you don't want every meal to be big. The NY-NY food court has good choices, and the creperie in Paris. And Cocos bakery cafe has a few locations (great breakfast).

Yes, I love walking around the Venetian and the Greek shopping mall across the street--forum shops?
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Doom&Gloom
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Doom&Gloom »

Nature: I strongly recommend both Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire. RR is a short drive; Valley of Fire is an hour or a little more IIRC. The Grand Canyon can be a day trip and well worth it if you've not been.
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Fat-Tailed Contagion
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Fat-Tailed Contagion »

FYI - I edited my Original Post to include more details.

Thank you all!

- Fat Tail
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Cal Aggie
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Cal Aggie »

FTC:

I have been to Vegas a few times and on several of those trips I did not gamble. Go online and do a search for things to do (and events during the time you will be there). You will find plenty of non-gaming things to do. Vegas markets the gambling, but there is a lot more to it (e.g., entertainment, dining, golf and other outdoor activities, state parks and points of interest, museums, etc.). Have fun!
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Frugal Disciple
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Frugal Disciple »

A lot of people will disagree, but I think that Freemont St. Downtown is worth visiting for a day. Especially if you're going for more than a couple of days. It is essentially "Old Vegas". There is a really neat canopy light show and a few interesting places to see. Also, if you're not into gambling because you are not familiar with the games, this is a good place to learn because the stakes are usually lower than on the strip and the dealers are pretty helpful to new players.

I guess it just depends on what you are looking for. Have fun!
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Yossarian
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Yossarian »

adamthesmythe wrote:If you do gamble I guess the boglehead way would be to put the minimum on red until your money runs out or you hit it big.
If there is a Boglehead way to gamble, it would be to play blackjack with perfect basic strategy, or craps with only pass/don't pass bets and maximum odds. Keep the expense ratio of your -EV gambling to a minimum.
adamthesmythe
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by adamthesmythe »

> A lot of people will disagree, but I think that Freemont St. Downtown is worth visiting for a day. Especially if you're going for more than a couple of days. It is essentially "Old Vegas". There is a really neat canopy light show and a few interesting places to see

Another vote for the downtown light show. Downtown seems a bit less processed than the strip. Both are fundamentally weird but you don't go to Vegas unless you are willing to enjoy weird.

> it would be to play blackjack with perfect basic strategy, or craps with only pass/don't pass bets and maximum odds.

The question is which game has the lowest house percentage. I'm not sure, maybe an expert can weigh in.

Of course the only question is how rapidly you are likely to lose your stake on average.
gloomydog
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by gloomydog »

Go to this restaurant for at least 1 meal, you will not regret it.

http://www.saipinchutima.com/
chaz
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by chaz »

Ride in a gondola at the Venetian.
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cfs
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by cfs »

Drive UNDER the posted speed limit.

Beware of the traffic traps. Not kidding, beware of the "Welcome to Las Vegas, and oh by the way, here is your traffic ticket."
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leonard
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by leonard »

Tackiest place I've ever been.
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mbres60
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by mbres60 »

Went this past July for the first time in about 38 years. Saw Jersey Boys and Donny and Marie. Loved both of the shows. Also went to a few buffets. Bought tickets for everything (including buffets) at the tix4less booth. 1/2 price is the way to go! (Jersey Boys was discounted but not 1/2 price). Of the three buffets we went to loved the Mirage (had prime rib)!
chaz
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by chaz »

leonard wrote:Tackiest place I've ever been.
But always good food, good shows and good hotels.
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ap985
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by ap985 »

I live in Las Vegas, would highly recommend the Caesars Palace buffet, it is pricy at around $50 for dinner but it has to be the best buffet on earth. Also downtown Vegas the mob museum is super cool if you are into history as well as the neon museum which has the neon signs of all the old casinos that have been torn down over the years.
Naismith
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Naismith »

I also thought Freemont St. was amazing and fun, but bring earplugs as the music was super-loud.

The other thing to keep in mind is that smoking is allowed in the casinos all over town. In the more modern casinos, the air filter systems are excellent and even people with pulmonary issues can walk by without discomfort. But in some older casinos, not so much.
lillypie
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by lillypie »

"The Steak House" at Circus Circus....you can thank me later!

Very Boglehead....no addition fees for Salad or potato ...everything comes with the Steak....and a damn good one too.
Atilla
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Atilla »

Op mentioned sight seeing. Red Rock Canyon.

For the rest - just know that staying at the SLS puts you on the no-mans land of the north strip. It's grim up there and you will not want to walk to anything. It will be your car, cabs or the monorail to get to anything outside the SLS property. The surrounding neighborhood is not nice. Oh no, not nice at all.
rayout
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by rayout »

Worth checking out the pinball hall of fame: http://www.pinballmuseum.org/

All earnings are donated!
dwc13
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by dwc13 »

Anthony Curtis' Las Vegas Advisor http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/

For odds & strategies: Michael Shackleford's site is the one to check out http://wizardofodds.com/games/

Video Poker -- Read pay tables first and play at machine with better payouts; perfect play (use strategy cards)

Blackjack -- Basic strategy (easy, but the game is very fast-paced, so you'll cycle money quickly...)

Craps -- Pass Line or Don't Pass Line with odds. This is the best game in the casino IMO, because you win if someone else is throwing well and you can "sit out" rolls.

Pai Gao Poker -- Not as low a house advantage as the above, but a game where there are many pushes (if both hands are properly set) so you can play a long time and not win/lose much.

You're in Vegas to have a good time. Stay within your gaming budget, take in a show, enjoy a buffet (or 3),

Rio Seafood Buffet http://www.riolasvegas.com/restaurants/ ... EBp49h0w5s
Wynn Buffet http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants ... /TheBuffet
Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace http://www.caesarspalace.com/restaurant ... EBqj9h0w5s

See some of the free shows: http://www.vegas.com/attractions/free-a ... las-vegas/
Fountains of Bellagio https://www.bellagio.com/attractions/fo ... lagio.aspx
Volcano at Mirage http://www.mirage.com/attractions/volcano.aspx
leonard
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by leonard »

chaz wrote:
leonard wrote:Tackiest place I've ever been.
But always good food, good shows and good hotels.
Other than one great mexican restaurant - I can never return to Vegas, and it will be too soon.
Leonard | | Market Timing: Do you seriously think you can predict the future? What else do the voices tell you? | | If employees weren't taking jobs with bad 401k's, bad 401k's wouldn't exist.
dognose
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by dognose »

I love the Bogleheads, I really do. Best financial advice anywhere. But with all due respect, I don't think this is the best group to ask about ways to have fun in Vegas. After all, this is the gang that thinks a 10-year-old Honda Civic is a sexy car. Remember, what happens at Vanguard stays at Vanguard.
TexasPenny
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by TexasPenny »

If you like magic shows, the Penn & Teller show at the Rio is fantastic. Get seats as close as you can because they do not have a big video screen showing the act - it's just the two of them on stage.
gerrym51
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by gerrym51 »

cirque de soleil shows/ i've seen several all great
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Raymond
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Raymond »

Penn & Teller at the Rio - I was picked to go up on stage to inspect Teller's revolver and ammunition before he fired it at Penn, and vice versa :P

If you like militaria and shooting fully-automatic firearms, then consider Battlefield Vegas (personal experience, fun times, if that floats your boat.)

Or drive a bulldozer or excavator: Dig This: Heavy Equipment Playground (no personal experience, but great reviews on TripAdvisor).
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ubermax
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by ubermax »

Our son has lived and worked in Las Vegas for the past almost 16 years ; we had never been there until he went out and whereas in the beginning we did the typical tourist stuff now we depart the plane, shuttle to the rental car , and head to his home on a golf course .

We're not gamblers but here are a few thoughts based on our experience :

(1) Cocktails at Red Square in Mandalay Bay , the Appletini is especially good my wife reports.
(2) Hoover Dam
(3) Mt. Charleston , about 40 minutes from the Strip , is interesting - snow and skiing at the top during Vegas' cold season and log cabins with green metal roofs like
in Vermont , there's also a restaurant at the top where you can get a bite .
(4) Just walking the Strip and going in a few Casinos is fun .

I think the responses you've gotten have been fantastic , so much so that it has given us some ideas for our upcoming trip out there - I did ask our son about Lotus of Siam Thai restaurant that an earlier poster mentioned and he said it was the best "Thai Food in Town" .

Good Luck ! Enjoy !!!
Last edited by ubermax on Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Cal Aggie
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Cal Aggie »

dwc13 wrote:Anthony Curtis' Las Vegas Advisor http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/

For odds & strategies: Michael Shackleford's site is the one to check out http://wizardofodds.com/games/

Video Poker -- Read pay tables first and play at machine with better payouts; perfect play (use strategy cards)

Blackjack -- Basic strategy (easy, but the game is very fast-paced, so you'll cycle money quickly...)

Craps -- Pass Line or Don't Pass Line with odds. This is the best game in the casino IMO, because you win if someone else is throwing well and you can "sit out" rolls.

Pai Gao Poker -- Not as low a house advantage as the above, but a game where there are many pushes (if both hands are properly set) so you can play a long time and not win/lose much.

You're in Vegas to have a good time. Stay within your gaming budget, take in a show, enjoy a buffet (or 3),

Rio Seafood Buffet http://www.riolasvegas.com/restaurants/ ... EBp49h0w5s
Wynn Buffet http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants ... /TheBuffet
Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace http://www.caesarspalace.com/restaurant ... EBqj9h0w5s

See some of the free shows: http://www.vegas.com/attractions/free-a ... las-vegas/
Fountains of Bellagio https://www.bellagio.com/attractions/fo ... lagio.aspx
Volcano at Mirage http://www.mirage.com/attractions/volcano.aspx

dwc13:

All good suggestions, although I never play the don't pass line (with or without odds). In terms of the odds, it is a good strategy, but it is frowned upon by other players as being anti-player. Why not play the pass line with odds and align your interests with everyone else at the table -- and against the casino?
What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience? Adam Smith
coldaudio
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by coldaudio »

Have you been to the SLS yet? You may want to reconsider if it's a possibility.

It's very far away from everything. I was just there a month ago and wanted to see the redesign - it was an absolute ghost town, and I wasn't impressed with the work they did. It still felt like a lower-end "off-the-strip" hotel.

Also, it was a 30+ minute wait for a taxi - the guy working out front said the cabs just don't go up to that hotel very often. He recommended we take the tram, which we did.
tim1999
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by tim1999 »

I am a Vegas regular.

The SLS is too far away from the action. Stay on the strip, at least your first time in Vegas. You can find cheap rooms (especially midweek) at places like Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, Flamingo, etc. People have (sometimes unfairly) high standards/expectations for hotel rooms in Vegas. These rooms will be comparable to your local Holiday Inn/Marriott Courtyard, etc. and are perfectly acceptable.

See a Cirque de Soleil show. The comedy club at the Tropicana is usually pretty good and decently priced.

I am a gambler and could talk to you all day about the subject, but a good, simple way to test your luck with decent odds is at a European Roulette table. These can be found on the main floor at MGM Grand and the Mirage. House edge is 1.35% which is as low as it gets for Roulette. These tables have only one zero. If the ball lands on zero and you have placed an even-money bet (red/black, even/odd, high/low) you only lose half of your bet. Start with the outside even money bets, they are extremely simple to understand and fun to play. Only catch is that these tables have higher minimums, usually $25 or higher depending on how busy it is. The game moves slowly if the table is crowded. You will witness many interesting characters betting what may seem to you like large sums of money.

If you are drinking, DO NOT cheap out and try to drive around yourself. Take a cab or walk. Vegas is one of the easiest and worst places to get caught driving under the influence. Actually if you are staying at SLS, don't walk either. Drinks are expensive in Vegas if you aren't getting them for free while gambling. Buy a bottle of your favorite booze in one of the "ABC" convenience stores and drink before you go out for the night.

Unless you are in your 20s and female, don't bother with the nightclub scene, you will only walk away empty pocketed and frustrated, if you even get in.

The Nuclear Testing Museum is an interesting break from the action.

I don't like Fremont Street. Just feels kinda trashy, and the casinos are all packed tightly and seem smokier than the ones on the strip with bigger spaces.

Some of the Caesars-affiliated casinos sell 24-hour buffet passes for like $40-$50 that you can get breakfast/lunch/dinner out of.

The Gondola rides are a nice way to impress a significant other, though expensive for what it is. Otherwise, skip it.

Wax museum at Venetian can be interesting.

There are places off of the strip where you can shoot machine guns, drive bulldozers and backhoes, drive racecars, etc.
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Doom&Gloom
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Doom&Gloom »

ubermax wrote:I think the responses you've gotten have been fantastic , so much so that it has given us some ideas for our upcoming trip out there - I did ask our son about Lotus of Siam Thai restaurant that an earlier poster mentioned and he said it was the best "Thai Food in Town" .
Huge understatement. Lotus of Siam is arguably the best Thai restaurant in the US. Reservations are recommended for dinner. I never go to LV without having at least one meal there. Check out the menu on their website if you are at all interested in Thai food.
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serbeer
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by serbeer »

Best show in town is Le Reve (The Dream) in the Wynn hotel. Beats O Show easily, and I've just seen both so I can compare. Coinsidently, it is also not as expensive as O Show at this time. With O Show, you'd want to sit closer to the stage, with Le Reve closer to the top (but in both cases not to close to either one).

Most impressive canyon to go to on a tour is Grand Canyon, though you can have a lot of fan with much faster/cheaper tour of Red Rock canyon in one of the tiny convertable cars tour one company offers(cannot remember company's name, look it up).

Canyons and shows were the highlight of my recent trips to Vegas, I spent no time in casinos, and only 50% of the time on the strip itself, though exploring the strip hotels can be a lot of fun too.

Enjoy.
dwc13
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by dwc13 »

Raymond wrote:Penn & Teller at the Rio - I was picked to go up on stage to inspect Teller's revolver and ammunition before he fired it at Penn, and vice versa :P
Before the start of the show I attended, the audience was allowed (invited) to inspect several of the props Penn & Teller would be using during the show. That made it even more confounding as to how the tricks were done using those props. Those guys are very entertaining and really, really good.
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JupiterJones
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by JupiterJones »

My first recommendation would be to subscribe to the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter (already mentioned above). Good tips and info, and the coupon book they give out each year is the best around. As in "pays for the subscription" good.

Second, as mentioned, Lotus of Siam is a must-visit if you are even remotely interested in Thai food. Order from the menu--avoid the buffet.

Third, a gambling budget is a must. Educate yourself about what you're playing and have fun.

I tend to focus more on "cost per hour" than "house edge". A low house edge isn't necessarily a bargain if it comes with a large minimum bet or if the pace of betting is too high. Conversely, a higher house edge isn't necessarily bad if you can get in with a low minimum and there are fewer bets-per-hour.

And, of course, you have to actually enjoy gambling. The real Boglehead way to gamble isn't to merely be a cheapskate. It's to ensure that the entertainment you derive from playing is worth the cost of playing. It's about deriving value from the experience. Low house edges and costs-per-hour can help, but only to a point. Any game is a bad game if you don't feel like the losses were worth it.
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JupiterJones
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by JupiterJones »

Oh, and here are a few of my favorite Vegas things that are less universal. That is, while I'd recommend Lotus of Siam to just about anyone, these require an appreciation of kitsch that, admittedly, not everyone shares with me:

Battista's Hole-in-the-Wall. Not the best Italian food by any stretch of the imagination. But it's cheap, and the throwback atmosphere (it's been there for ages) is quintessentially Vegas. There might even be a wandering accordion player on the night you go...

Fireside Lounge. Another Vegas time-warp. With the exception of putting up flat-screens about a decade ago, they haven't changed a thing since the early '70s, and that includes the cocktail waitresses' long black dresses. The diner in front (the Peppermill) is good for cheap and plentiful eats.

Frankie's Tiki Room. Perfect for when you've had enough of the Strip and just want to sit down with a Mai Tai and play some video poker while listing to hula and surf music. Off the beaten path, so you'll need a cab. Unless you've rented a car, in which case you'll still probably need a cab. :-)
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dwc13
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by dwc13 »

Cal Aggie wrote:
dwc13:

All good suggestions, although I never play the don't pass line (with or without odds). In terms of the odds, it is a good strategy, but it is frowned upon by other players as being anti-player. Why not play the pass line with odds and align your interests with everyone else at the table -- and against the casino?
I am rarely a Don't bettor -- though I will make an occasional Lay bet. However, once in a while someone does something that warrants a Don't bet -- like crowd in next to me and throw a pile of bills down onto the table after I have the dice and am about to throw. IMO, that requires me to bet against the dice when it's that person's turn to throw. :mrgreen:

I don't mind players who are Don't bettors. It is their money, they can do with it as they see fit.
tim1999
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by tim1999 »

JupiterJones wrote: Battista's Hole-in-the-Wall. Not the best Italian food by any stretch of the imagination. But it's cheap, and the throwback atmosphere (it's been there for ages) is quintessentially Vegas. There might even be a wandering accordion player on the night you go...
I second this recommendation. It's like going back 30 years just a couple of hundred feet off the strip. If you ride the monorail up and down the strip you will see their big sign numerous times and think "what the heck is the story about that place?". Good value for the money as far as the strip and immediate surrounding areas go. No better food than the best Italian restaurant in podunkville, but I found no faults. If you are driving you can usually get a parking spot, cab fare is not bad since it's back off of the strip.
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Kenkat
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Kenkat »

Some of the memorable things I have seen in Las Vegas - and that don't cost an arm and leg:

Bellagio Fountain show (every half hour/15 minutes) - just awesome
Bellagio Conservatory and Gardens (inside)
Forum Shoppes at Caesar's Palace
Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian - have an early-evening drink in St. Mark's Square - you will forget you are inside
Paris Casino

You will need to grab a cab down to the main part of the strip as you are pretty far up at the far end.
absolutFinance
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Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by absolutFinance »

Doom&Gloom wrote:
ubermax wrote:I think the responses you've gotten have been fantastic , so much so that it has given us some ideas for our upcoming trip out there - I did ask our son about Lotus of Siam Thai restaurant that an earlier poster mentioned and he said it was the best "Thai Food in Town" .
Huge understatement. Lotus of Siam is arguably the best Thai restaurant in the US. Reservations are recommended for dinner. I never go to LV without having at least one meal there. Check out the menu on their website if you are at all interested in Thai food.
this is the truth - always a highlight for my vegas trips
trasmuss
Posts: 235
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:10 am

Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by trasmuss »

We enjoyed Red Rock Canyon but if you can spend a little more time I recommend the Valley of Fire State Park. They have the petroglyphs, beautiful scenery, etc. There was a bonus that I wasn't expecting. The 1966 move "The Professionals" with Lee Marvin etc. was filmed there and there was part of the original hacienda remaining. I had remembered the movie and it was great. We stayed at the Casino Royal for about $75 per night and it was excellent. The room was perfect. Just be sure if you are driving to get directions to the free parking ramp (it is behind the motel but hard to find). The motel is right on the strip. We went in February and the weather was great. We both really enjoyed the trip even though neither one of us gamble.
motodoc42
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Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:31 pm
Location: Tennessee

Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by motodoc42 »

We are to attend a wedding in San Diego in February and I was considering flying to Vegas for a day or two and then driving to California for the wedding, then drive back to Vegas to return back home. The Grand Canyon and Death Valley are some of the things we'd like to see while in the area. Thoughts and ideas would be appreciated. Also comment on the weather that time of year.
Motodoc42
BC_Doc
Posts: 196
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:11 pm
Location: Western Canada

Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by BC_Doc »

Travelled to LV once for a medical conference. Found the city smelled like old urine and cigarettes. As an ER doc, I get enough of that at work. Not my kind of town.
Naismith
Posts: 530
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 2:58 pm

Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Naismith »

motodoc42 wrote:We are to attend a wedding in San Diego in February and I was considering flying to Vegas for a day or two and then driving to California for the wedding, then drive back to Vegas to return back home. The Grand Canyon and Death Valley are some of the things we'd like to see while in the area. Thoughts and ideas would be appreciated. Also comment on the weather that time of year.
Motodoc42
We have done this before, and found that it can be a moneysaver since car rentals & flights were so much cheaper in Las Vegas. Okay, we only went to Death Valley and San Diego, not the other way to the Grand Canyon.

One tip is to have a Tony Hillerman novel audiobook http://www.harpercollins.com/search-res ... -hillerman playing as you drive along. There really are some miles to cover, and his prose helps get you in tune with the surroundings.
Atilla
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Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:44 pm

Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by Atilla »

Vegas veteran recommendations:

Have a cocktail at dusk at the Mandarin Bar at the Mandarin Oriental. Swank live lounge music, top shelf complimentary bar snax, and a view to die for. The bar is on the 23rd floor with 2-storey floor to ceiling windows facing the strip. Getting into the place the first time is like finding James Bond's secret hideout.

In a similar vein...Hyde Bellagio. It's a club that opens early; in the late afternoon thru evening it's a great place for a casual cocktail. Big huge openings and a patio overlook the lake and fountains. Cocktail waitresses wear super short tight black dresses - total Vegas.

$1 ice cold Michelobs at Casino Royale with a fun round of afternoon gambling with the people of Wal Mart at the big circular Wheel of Fortune machine just off the gift shop. With a good crowd the banter is fun and you don't have to blow through a bunch of money if gambling is not super important. Ice cold $1 Michelobs - say no more.

Lunch outside at the PBR Rock Bar. Sit up on the rail and watch the menagerie of daytime Vegas sidewalk traffic while enjoying a huge salad and pitcher of beer.

Penn & Teller - best show I have seen. I think there is a free shuttle to the Rio from mid strip if you don't want to pay for a cab.

Downtown on Freemont - take the double decker bus to get there. It's fun and cheap. Then have dinner at Binion's Ranch, the steak house taking up the top floor of the casino. Red leather booth seating with a view of the Freemont Street canopy below in surroundings straight out of 1960. Finding the small scary elevator to get up there is part of the fun.

Big Elvis' free show - I believe he's at Harrah's. Always a fun, appreciative audience. Mid-afternoon show. And free.

The roller coaster at NYNY. A ride with a view.

Bellagio Conservatory - walk through if you're there. It's nice.
denovo
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Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2013 1:04 pm

Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by denovo »

Yossarian wrote:
adamthesmythe wrote:If you do gamble I guess the boglehead way would be to put the minimum on red until your money runs out or you hit it big.
If there is a Boglehead way to gamble, it would be to play blackjack with perfect basic strategy, or craps with only pass/don't pass bets and maximum odds. Keep the expense ratio of your -EV gambling to a minimum.

Poker is the best bh bet because you aren't playing against the house.
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln
dwc13
Posts: 165
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:51 pm

Re: Vegas Vacation!

Post by dwc13 »

denovo wrote:

Poker is the best bh bet because you aren't playing against the house.

I disagree. First, the house will gets its cut (typically 1% to 10%) in the form of a rake for providing the table & dealer.

If you're playing poker at a casino, you're playing against everyone at the table (except the house-provided dealer), which is potentially worse than going up against the house -- especially if an opponent is really good (mathematics, bluffing, reading others). At most other table games, you're playing only against the house and house play/payouts are based upon established rules. Also, you could have more at stake than you might prefer, especially at a no-limit table. Even worse, you don't have the option to "sit out" a hand, like you do at other table games (assuming you're not the only player). Finally, if someone raises, you have to match or you're out, even if you have a weak hand. Not many other table games have this requirement.
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