How do you 'gamble' when you visit Las Vegas?

[SpaceMan5]

The last time the wife and I went to Vegas was shortly after 9/11. We contemplated on cancelling but went ahead with the trip. It was eerie and uncommonly quiet in the airports. Everyone was eyeballing each other for sure.
So to the point, we gambled a little bit in the evenings but mainly hung out at the pool, went to dinner and caught some shows.

Fast forward to today. I view gambling as strictly entertainment and fits into the same bucket as attending pro sporting events, concerts, going out to a really nice dinner. I don't have mindset of hitting it big but I just want to have a fun time with my wife and DD's. It is just a bonus if I walk away with $$ in my pocket. Really is just how ya define entertainment to me.

 

[disykat]

We stayed in downtown Vegas one night on a road trip last year. We wandered around a bit, went out to eat, and spent zero dollars on gambling. We also spent a night in South Lake Tahoe and there were big casinos nearby. We stayed in a lakeside lodge and again, zero dollars gambling. I've driven through Nevada many times and it just never occurs to us.

When we went specifically to the Vegas strip for a weekend years ago, we took $20 of nickels for the slots and came back with $40. I'd call that a win.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

DH plays blackjack. He’s one of those players that could sit down after dinner or a show, get on a roll, and next thing you know…it’s 7am.

I can’t stomach betting a lot, but like something that gives me a little more control than slots. So, I find a casino bar with video poker and bet just enough to keep the “complimentary” drinks flowing. I like Jacks or Better. I usually get chatty with the bartender, but DH will sometimes take a break from the table…especially if things go cold…and come join me.

The last couple of Vegas visits involved our kids in the mix, so there was little to no gambling. We toured the cool casinos and their spectacular sights/attractions, rode the various monorails and trams, took in some shows, enjoyed some nice dining, and took some side trips to things like Death Valley.

 

[fly girl]

I go in with a set amount for each day, and once that amount is done, I am done.

Typically, we walk and go to different casinos. However, if we are doing good at one particular casino, we stay put.

I have a specific rule for tables, but you aren't playing those so no need to go into.

For slots, I do love Dueces Wild Poker (.25cents, max bet) and various slot machines (the old $1 Wheel of Fortune and penny Sex and the City where I play $2 a pull machines are my favorite). Those I play and see how it is going. Most times I will put in an amount, play half of what I put in and see how I feel. Sometimes I quit, other times I keep playing. Of course, I have spent and lost thinking it was going to hit. And other times I doubled my money. That's why they call it gambling!

But as PP said, I go in knowing it is entertainment. I don't spend over my daily allowance. Like everyone, I love to win, but I also believe winning is breaking even. FREE ENTERTAINMENT!

 

[AustinTink]

We’ve been to Vegas a few times in the last 2 years. The last two trips I didn’t gamble at all. DH goes for work so I roam around by myself in the morning and afternoon.

This past trip I never even left the Venetian. It has everything I need right there. I did a spa day one day and a shopping day the next. Then together we did the pool, had nice dinners and saw shows/concerts.

I don’t like throwing money away on gambling. I’d rather indulge in good food and wine and some pampering.

My husband loves to play craps but it’s not my cup of tea.

 

[LoveDaisy]

Last time I was in Vegas I didn’t gamble. I went for a concert and enjoyed some restaurants. I have 2 casinos near me. We go regularly to eat, see a show, or shop (one has an outlet mall) but I can’t remember the last time I gambled at either, maybe 10 years ago I played a slot machine.

 

[CynBeth]

We have been a few times over the years and mostly go to the different attractions and to shop and eat but will play slots for a little bit in a few of the casinos. One time I played a $5 blackjack game and won $10 so played again and lost it.

 

[MsChristy12]

Do you spend all your allotted money in one casino?

Or visit Multiple casinos and spend less money in each?

We are visiting Las Vegas soon and play only the slot machines.

We also play slots only, too chicken to play at tables! We play at all different casinos, spend less money in each because we want to check out all the different machines/games. I usually put a $20 in, if I don't feel the vibe, I cash out and try different games.

 

[Sykes]

I enjoy gambling some while I'm there and play a mix of table games (blackjack, ultimate texas hold'em, craps) as well as slots. My usual rule is to try to focus gambling within the rewards program where I stay, so if I'm staying at Bellagio I'll try to do most of my gambling for that trip at MGM properties. Concentrating my play like that helps improve the marketing offers that I'll get for my next trip. That rule has been slightly more annoying lately because we've taken to staying at the Wynn because it is head-and-sholders above just about any other hotel on the Strip and they don't have any partners to give our stay a bit of variety, but it's worth it. We live close enough that we do multiple short 2-3 night trips each year, popping down when there's an interesting concert or similar other event. I might change my strategy a bit if I was doing longer visits less often.

 

[Micca]

Going to Vegas for the first time in decades in a few months. We aren't big gamblers, mostly just slots. Seeing a concert, shopping, buffets, etc.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Mainly roulette at the resort I am staying in. Although I have started playing 21.

You can mitigate your potential losses, but you have to remember: at the end of the day, the house ALWAYS wins.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Craps. Pass line and backed with full odds. Sometimes place the 6 & 8.

 

[Dan Murphy]

When I visit Vegas, I love to keep things fun and light. I usually start with the slot machines. They’re easy to play, and it’s a nice way to get into the groove. Plus, the lights and sounds make it super exciting.

Welcome to the dis, Mo.

 

[texaslover]

I plan out my allotted money so I have some for each day. Best case, hit some good wins Day 1 and play on them the rest of the time. Worst case, spend my budget for one day quickly and have to do other things while travel mates are gambling . I've broken into my next day money several times when everyone else wanted to gamble in the evening and I'd already used my stash. I just bet less and hoped for the best and I've always broken even or made a litte (or a lot) to keep going. I like to visit many casinos to sightsee as well so I try to spread it out.

 

[slo]

The last time the wife and I went to Vegas was shortly after 9/11. We contemplated on cancelling but went ahead with the trip. It was eerie and uncommonly quiet in the airports. Everyone was eyeballing each other for sure.
So to the point, we gambled a little bit in the evenings but mainly hung out at the pool, went to dinner and caught some shows.

Fast forward to today. I view gambling as strictly entertainment and fits into the same bucket as attending pro sporting events, concerts, going out to a really nice dinner. I don't have mindset of hitting it big but I just want to have a fun time with my wife and DD's. It is just a bonus if I walk away with $$ in my pocket. Really is just how ya define entertainment to me.

This is 100% something my DH says too
Because he has this casual mindset, he actually does really well at casinos - he’s just having fun.

Me though….I’m a sore loser with gambling, so I just watch him.

To answer the OP’s question….we bounce around to different casinos - we don’t spend the gambling money all in one place.

The one thing that I do like to play is live Keno - I enjoyed sitting in the Keno lounge at The Harrahs in Vegas. I got a few cocktails while sitting there - it was relaxing and fun

Have a great time on your upcoming trip.

 

[Karin1984]

Before I went to Vegas I had never stepped foot in a casino. As I had no idea what I was doing I asked one of the ladies at the cashier (this was at the Mirage), how do you play a slot machine, is there a manual, a video, something to look up how this works? And she said "no, but with slot machines, it is just about pressing a button. A monkey can do it and win just as much as you would. There are no strategies."

 

[Dan Murphy]

it is just about pressing a button. A monkey can do it and win just as much as you would. There are no strategies."

 

[hertamaniac]

We used to do the lesser known and much smaller casinos on the strip doing dealer blackjack and staff craps. Table mins were so small, and the free booze made it an experience worth having.

Now my favorite machines are the hybrid of a no-dealer/staff and video for betting, but with "real" wheels for roulette and oversized dice for craps (in a pop-up shaker bubble). I have zero interaction with any staff and get the sense that the system is played out in terms of odds as it's table equivalent.

I was just on a cruise a few weeks ago and played the roulette version for hours (not at one sitting). My losses/winnings ebbed and flowed, but passed the time with other cruisers having a blast.

 

[goofyernmost]

I gamble in a very much losing manner. It's part of my identity.

 

[china mom]

I am too chap to gamble but can enjoy the atmosphere, the hotels, and the shows.