The Easy Vegas thread

With the Wizard's permission, I'm starting this thread to report on the updates I do to my site, Easy Vegas.

The first update is that I just switched to the new name. It used to be VegasClick (and before that VegasReference), but now that we have dot-vegas domain names, I picked up easy.vegas, the first domain I'm truly happy with, nearly 20 years after I first launched the site.

I'm running a poll on the site for readers to choose which of the two logo designs they like better.

Other updates:

* Two new Vegas Strip maps

* New article: How much do dealers make?

* Cheapest buffets added to the Cheap Eats page

Great info.

I have never taken the bus from the airport, but will consider it next time.

A couple of constructive comments:

On your paragraph about the Airport Shuttle to the Strip, I would mention that this can take a long time, because the boothlings will always tell you the next shuttle is leaving in 5-10 minutes ( but can be 20 - 30 ), AND if you are the last drop-off, plan on another 25 - 30 minutes above and beyond the drive time to the Strip.

Also, on the CHEAPEST BUFFET's section:

- We usually do the CZR 24 hour Buffet pass once per trip.

- Late Dinner, then Breakfast, then snack or just skip lunch, then Early Dinner. So that's $ 20 or $ 15 per meal, depending. Unfortunately, all of the CZR buffets are just so-so. The 24 hour pass does NOT include the fancy buffet at Caesars.

- I think it is up to $ 60 now for weekdays, including tax.

airport shuttle is slow and for peons. Those arriving on it are not even permitted to use the Venitian's main entrance.

Quote: MichaelBluejay

* Cheapest buffets added to the Cheap Eats page

Good stuff here. For the tourist / strip visitor, the grocery stores should probably only be considered for someone with a car. Head northwest to the Smith's on Charleston and Rancho, that's where all the medical buildings are and the Goodman's live nearby and have been there on occasion. Far nicer than Sahara and Maryland. Wal-Mart is nearby for anything else.

For cheapest buffets, don't even consider the strip. Orleans or Palace Station are going to be cheaper, even with a round trip Uber / Lyft ride. Plus they have plenty of +99% (and even +100%) video poker and low limit 3-2 blackjack that can easily be a player advantage with points and or a small spread. Palms is a great price for breakfast and ok for lunch. Basic strategy for any buffet is always go at the end of breakfast or lunch. Some places use "buffet protection" where they close for a period before the price increase, have to check ahead. Westgate has become quite a bit more expensive recently, but one of the most liberal with discounts. For all-you-can-eat-and-drink, pretty sure Main Street Station is always king.

The one time my parents stayed on the strip my dad paid $5 for a coffee one morning. After that he went across the bridge and paid 60-cents at McDonald's with his senior discount. So I always suggest checking them out first. In-N-Out on the southside, under $6 for a double-double and Diet Coke. A lot of cheap / regular priced places (Subway, In-N-Out, Westgate, Gold Coast) are easy walks in the cooler months, just not very scenic and might get hit with a raw sewage smell.

Love the idea of just eating trash that you find. But room service left-overs means you might have to spend +$100 on a hotel room. Probably better to just go to the dumpsters and have a much better selection without having to pay anything. Or just eat more during a buffet visit and there will be no need to look for edible garbage.

In the past, casinos have been known to hand out free or discount buffet coupons outside of GA meetings.

If you get real desperate, the City of Las Vegas and the taxpayers of Clark county offer free room and board, as a last resort.

Quote: billryan

If you get real desperate, the City of Las Vegas and the taxpayers of Clark county offer free room and board, as a last resort.

breakfast is three in the morning;you need money on your card to eat commissary or face violence in the general mess. its not fun see the aforementioned obituary thread for some pretty gruesome details.

Quote: JohnnyQ

Great info. I have never taken the bus from the airport, but will consider it next time.

Glad you liked it! BTW, my strip maps are the only ones that show the buses from the airport.

Quote: JohnnyQ

On your paragraph about the Airport Shuttle to the Strip, I would mention that this can take a long time, because the boothlings will always tell you the next shuttle is leaving in 5-10 minutes ( but can be 20 - 30 ), AND if you are the last drop-off, plan on another 25 - 30 minutes above and beyond the drive time to the Strip.

Good point, thank you, I added that.

Quote: JohnnyQ

Also, on the CHEAPEST BUFFET's section: We usually do the CZR 24 hour Buffet pass once per trip.

Thank you, I'd meant to include that, but forgot. Great catch. I added it.

Quote: TomG

Good stuff here. For the tourist / strip visitor, the grocery stores should probably only be considered for someone with a car.

Bus ride is as short as 11 minutes and travel times for each bus are listed.

Quote: TomG

For cheapest buffets, don't even consider the strip. Orleans or Palace Station are going to be cheaper...

Okay, I added a column for near-strip buffets, good suggestion, thanks.

I like the article on what dealers get paid, especially the advice on tipping. What are your thoughts on tipping the cocktail waitress? Many here feel that $1 per drink is sufficient, yet that was the going rate 25 years ago and I feel cheap doing it.

Of course, as your dealer chart shows, it depends on where you are. One time I was at the Morongo casino near Palm Springs and tipped the waitress $1 for a water on her tray. (No booze on the casino floor there which allows 18 year olds to gamble.) She was so grateful that I wondered if anyone in that pace had ever given her a gratuity before.

Quote: Gialmere

What are your thoughts on tipping the cocktail waitress?

https://Easy.Vegas/vegas/tipping-guide

Quote: Gialmere

She was so grateful that I wondered if anyone in that pace had ever given her a gratuity before.

Once at the Western when I tried to tip a blackjack dealer, she didn't know what I was doing.