Upcoming Vegas Trip

Hello all,

Looking to take my first trip to Vegas in August. To give some background I am a 21 year old college student who mostly plays blackjack. I'll be going to Vegas with one friend. I will probably play green chip blackjack for 4-6 hours a day during my stay, which will probably be about 4 days. Can anyone suggest a casino to stay at that will be fun for someone my age, have decent BJ rules for $25 stakes, and be likely to give me decent comps at this rate of play. I have read a lot of the Wizard's reviews but with the wealth of knowledge on this forum I was wondering if anyone can make some suggestions. THANK YOU!

Will you be counting? The best games don't always have the best comps nor are the best games necessarily at "fun" casinos. Let's narrow it down. Would you like to stay on the strip and are you looking for shoe games or pitch games?

Some joints but not all will roll out the red carpet for that level of play.

For games info, I recommend the BJ survey right here at WoV. The Wizard did a great job on that one. It can be sorted by various criteria, such as house edge.

Seems like a lower end MGM casino would have the best rules and comps for a strip property at green chip level.

Fun is a relative term though, I'm still pretty young (32) and enjoy downtown more than the strip, even though I'm still probably on the lower end of their age demographic. Gold Spike can be a good time, although HE is around 0.65 on their game (the CSM or six deck shoe, not the 6:5 DD of course), and with free Guinness and fun dealers it is worth it to me.

Yup, use the Wizard BJ survey and it will help you find decent rules. I'm guessing if it's your first trip you will more than likely want to stay on the strip? How much in comps you receive is directly related to your average bet and how much time you put in. If you flat bet $25 for 5 hours a day, you can definitely get some comps but this won't be enough for a room from most high end strip properties.

Make sure to get a players card from the properties you want to be rated at and present it every time you sit down.

Quote: MidwestAP

Make sure to get a players card from the properties you want to be rated at and present it every time you sit down.

May I suggest that if its your first time in Vegas you will probably want to do some walkin' and gawkin' and that when you do you sign up for a card from each casino you enter, even if you decide not to play there. Those mailers can be strange and you never want to preclude yourself from getting some sort of weird deal that comes along.

Strip/Downtown blends a bit now but you make your choices. Include your sightseeing, meal choices, bar choices, etc. and see where you are likely to be most happy.

Getting away from the glitz and glamor is often wise but "Play Where You Stay" has an advantage for the most convenient room and meal comps. Make your room reservations directly with the hotel so you will be eligible for getting the room Comped. Avoid packages Flight and Room deals, since a host can't do anything for those pre-paid deals.

Not every casino will go solely by your "action". Quite a few will look at your Potential, meaning your age, and view you more favorably than the average green chip player.

In terms of the best rules, the strip is pretty generic in that the baseline rules are H17 DAS DA2, with LS being offered at quite a few places, but not as the norm. 6 and 8 decks are prevalent, but 2 decks are making a comeback. Downtown you will start to run into some games without DAS, especially 2 deckers.

If you want S17 that's not in the high limit room, the number of places is dwindling, but you can still find it at MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Mirage for $25 most of the time (may go up to $50 some times). Unfortunately, these are the higher-end places that won't comp you as much even with green chip play. Off hand I think those are the only 3 casinos left on the strip that have S17 available on the floor, but I could be wrong.

If you are counting, may I suggest you play unrated. At your stakes (which are the same as my stakes), the comps you receive don't balance the risk in getting your name burned. This is my opinion, and some will disagree.

If you aren't counting, I would suggest playing at Caesars/Harrahs properties, as they tend to be a bit looser with the comps, and will start sending you room offers for all of their properties on the strip for your future trips. MGM, in my experience, will only send you room offers for the places where you have actually gambled. This is fine if you stick to one property, but who wants to gamble in the same place for an entire Vegas trip?

If I do count I'll be spreading very conservatively, I want to have a good time and explore the city on my first trip. I prefer shoe games over pitch. I would really like a place with decent rules, will consult the blackjack survey for sure. Would also be nice to get my room and some meals covered, and get future offers. Thanks for all of the responses so far. I would like to see what the strip is like for sure, but would also like to check out some of the Downtown joints a little bit? Is downtown relatively safe? Is transportation easy? Thanks

While I don't know your budget, I like to use the bus for transportation vs taxi's. I buy a 24 hour pass for $7 and ride up and down the strip. "The Deuce" is the best option for strip travel; while the "Express" is preferred for getting downtown (limited stops on the strip). $7 gets you both. Bus stops are practically everywhere and the you never have to wait more than 15min (usually 5-10min).

Great news, thank you! As far as bankroll I have a little over $2000 budgeted for the trip. I will have to deduct my flight from New York from this, but hopefully I can get my room comped.

Quote: winmonkeyspit3

Great news, thank you! As far as bankroll I have a little over $2000 budgeted for the trip. I will have to deduct my flight from New York from this, but hopefully I can get my room comped.

Are you planning midweek or weekend? Green action at some of the smaller properties should get comped during midweek, but your budget COULD get blown out early at $25 play, especially if the flight gets upwards of $500. This could leave you stranded for the weekend. As others have stated, high end properties won't comp your rooms at that level, mid-level during midweek (maybe), and low-level should get you anytime.

You should probably consider playing at large hotel/casinos that aren't connected if you're wanting to be comped this trip. Think TI, Tropicana, Riviera and even LVH or Hooters. Circus Circus might also comp you, but that's a dump and out of the way, so I don't recommend it. TI and Tropicana may not get you the weekend though.

Yes, with a limited budget, plus a desire to do some first time sight seeing, I would definitely focus on M-Th rooms. I'd forget about circus circus or hooters though. TI has been doing well recently.
You might want to visit fewer properties if you are on a tight budget, so perhaps select your playing and your gawking separately.
Most players like to aim high their first trip but I think you should limit yourself to lower level and mid level properties wherein a room comp is likely for your 25.00 action. Be sure to limit your sight seeing, gawking and travel time a bit. With rooms and meals all comped, you should be happy enough that while you leave Vegas you may know you've not seen the high end spots you've atleast seen the places that will be asking you back.

I am doing an internship this Summer which ends on August 11th, and I have to be back to school by the 19th for Fall RA training. This leaves a window where I will be able to take your advice and go during the week. I will take your advice and look into properties like Treasure Island, Tropicana and maybe even Ceaser's Palace, though I have heard a lot of negativity around Harrah's properties lately. I think it would be nice to stay on the strip for my first trip, though I want to take the bus that someone mentioned to at least check out El Cortez and Four Queens. I would hope that I can get a direct flight out of New York or Boston for 300-400, especially since I have flexibility in dates. That would leave me with about 1800 which I would hope could get me through 4 days at the $25 level, although I suppose you never know how the cards will be.

Quote: winmonkeyspit3

I will take your advice and look into properties like Treasure Island, Tropicana and maybe even Ceaser's Palace, though I have heard a lot of negativity around Harrah's properties lately. I think it would be nice to stay on the strip for my first trip, though I want to take the bus that someone mentioned to at least check out El Cortez and Four Queens.

Caesars Palace is a very nice place. I stayed in an Augustus Tower room last year and it was exquisite. However, those rooms are very expensive and seem to be saved for high rollers (which $25 is not high roller status there) or Diamond or Seven Star players. I can't speak for the Forum Rooms, but from what I've read, they are nice, but not "strip nice." I'd recommend playing there (though watch for 6:5 tables; they are RAMPANT there and sometimes at high minimums) but don't expect to get a room THIS time.

HOWEVER, as it's been mentioned, if you plan on gambling a lot over the course of your lifetime, and want more versatility for traveling, Caesars and Total Rewards is a great program. They are stingy on comps on site, but you'll get future room offers, potentially for Caesars in the future, but for sure at least Imperial Palace.

Quote: winmonkeyspit3

That would leave me with about 1800 which I would hope could get me through 4 days at the $25 level, although I suppose you never know how the cards will be.

It is recommended for a 4 hour session that you have 40 bets to weather MOST storms. At the $25 level, that's $1000. You may want to consider playing $25 at the place you stay, and $15 mins anywhere else. It doesn't take a lot of play at a TR casino (includes Planet Hollywood, Paris, Bally's, Flamingo, Harrah's, Imperial Palace, Caesars Palace and Rio in Vegas) to get future room offers from them. Be sure to give your email to get the best offers.

Quote: winmonkeyspit3

I would hope that I can get a direct flight out of New York or Boston for 300-400, especially since I have flexibility in dates.

When you start looking for the flights leave both date fields blank
and you will likely find that the fares are lower than if you enter a date parameter

Quote: Tiltpoul

HOWEVER, as it's been mentioned, if you plan on gambling a lot over the course of your lifetime, and want more versatility for traveling, Caesars and Total Rewards is a great program. They are stingy on comps on site, but you'll get future room offers, potentially for Caesars in the future, but for sure at least Imperial Palace.

It doesn't take a lot of play at a TR casino (includes Planet Hollywood, Paris, Bally's, Flamingo, Harrah's, Imperial Palace, Caesars Palace and Rio in Vegas) to get future room offers from them. Be sure to give your email to get the best offers.

Winmonkeyspit3 - We just got back from my daughters 21st celebration last week. We got a good deal on the front end at Planet Hollywood Westgate Towers (although they are undergoing a name change to Elara, I think). The rooms were about $105 a night....but AWESOME! Picture two connected hotel rooms but one side is a full kitchen with regular size fridge, big granite table, giant leather sectional, floor to ceiling glass (the shades are motorized and the projector uses the whole wall for the TV - unless you want to look at one of the other 4 TV's in the suite). The other side is a king size bed with chaise lounge, deep jacuzzi tub and oversized bathroom. And laundry facilities in suite.


They may not do much about comping you this trip but our experience is like everyone else's - pay now and they make it up later. If you've got anyone coming with you you could split the room cost. Couch in other side makes a queen pullout. We could see the Eiffel tower from the window and the tops of the Bellagio fountain at night. The table minimums were $10-$15 depending on the game, and the walk to the room wasn't much different than we'd experienced at MGM with their never-ending hallways upstairs. It was totally worth the money.


We got the shaft from MGM Grand since we hadn't been to Vegas in a while...their loss. This is where we're going to stay from now on.

You should play at the Palace Station and sign up for their players card. Call in advance. I think they'll take care of you. I got some severely discounted room offers + food for low-medium level play there.

Just read the review on the Palace Station, and it looks very nice though you can only take a bus to/from the strip every hour and a halfunfortunately. Their rooms are very cheap but they charge a hefty resort fee which kind of spoils things.

Quote: winmonkeyspit3

Just read the review on the Palace Station, and it looks very nice though you can only take a bus to/from the strip every hour and a halfunfortunately. Their rooms are very cheap but they charge a hefty resort fee which kind of spoils things.

I stayed at the Palace Station the very first time I went to Vegas. I don't recommend it if you're looking for the traditional Vegas experience. Nice place if you're local/senior and want to play bingo, I suppose.

I think the Tropicana, Imperial Palace, Bill's, maybe TI would be better experiences for a low price (although IP's location is the only thing it has going for it)

I would pretty much agree with Poster Llew on this distinction. The various Station casinos are bargains but they are most suitable for the locals to which they are aimed and not quite a Vegas First Timer's place. However this particular first timer is a serious gambler and is on a tight budget so its not entirely out of the question. I would suggest Tropicana, the TI, Bills (particularly for the somewhat rowdy beer swilling crowd) and everybody's favorite dump, the IP comes in at an appropriate last place.

Don't play for a room comp, just get a cheap room somewhere on the strip like Harrahs. I also suggest not playing at Palace station because it is not a very fun casino, the dealers are mean there and it does not have a good atmosphere. I suggest just finding a game you like, having fun and try to score a food comp.

Sorry for the late reply to this. I wrote the Palace Station review, and I would not recommend it for a first trip to Vegas. The casino is dirty and depressing. (But the rooms, games, and food options are good).

I would also set my gambling sights lower. With a $2000 bankroll including expenses, there is no way in heck you should be playing green chip black jack 4-6 hours a day. You could be bust in one session. If you insist on the best rules, you can usually find a $10-$15 shoe game with S17, LS, and RSA at MGM Grand on the Strip. Otherwise, I would stay away from the $25 tables.

You will probably not get comped on your first trip. The comps will come with future offers. Your goal should be to have as little outlay as possible. I would take a look at the mid-range Strip properties like Harrah's/Bally's/Flamingo/Bill's/Tropicana, downtown, and some nice off-strip properties like Tuscany, Terrible's or Gold Coast.

The lower end Harrah's properties will rate you as a $10-$15 player and if you play a long time, you will get free offers down the road for their properties. The location is very good and you can walk or take the monorail or the bus if you are staying at one of their strip properties.

One other good option is to book a really nice hotel (like the Encore) and just have a good time walking around and doing a tiny bit of gambling. It is the way things are going out here these days; people spend more on non-gaming stuff. Use your trip money to get tickets to shows like O, KA, Le Reve, etc... maybe go to a fancy night club if you like it and spend an hour our two each day playing a $5 or $10 game. Comps are so low here it isn't even worth playing if you are expecting to get something. 8 straight hours at $25 a hand at Aria got me a $30 breakfast comp. (Pai Gow Tiles) so just enjoy the "free" drinks and have a good time.

Looks like I have a good, narrowed down list of options now. I will begin pricing rooms as the consensus seems to be that room comps do not come easy on a first trip. If I get some food comps and take advantage of deals I have no problem paying for cheap weekday rooms. Will keep everyone posted as I learn more and I will be sure to write a lengthy review of my experiences and impressions when I return in August as a "Thank you" to those who gave me advice.

Quote: winmonkeyspit3

Looks like I have a good, narrowed down list of options now. I will begin pricing rooms as the consensus seems to be that room comps do not come easy on a first trip. If I get some food comps and take advantage of deals I have no problem paying for cheap weekday rooms. Will keep everyone posted as I learn more and I will be sure to write a lengthy review of my experiences and impressions when I return in August as a "Thank you" to those who gave me advice.

Even though most of us agree getting a room comped will be difficult on your first trip, if you're playing at a casino not owned by MGM, Caesars, Wynn or Venetian, you should still ask a host about your play. Find a hotel that will suit you, do the majority of your play there, and the worst they will do is say no. Always have any food or charges billed to your room so your host can see your expenses. You might be surprised by what you get. They may even lower your rate if they don't comp you.