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Las Vegas


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So finally catching up on the world after my visit to Las Vegas.

There are many thinks to make you smile about America as it's so unique and the size size of everything, we could start with the gaming shop at the airport in Detriot...

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...but the winning picture has to simple be the fruit machines in the airport at Las Vegas, they are everywhere.

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If there is open floor space then it simply needs as many machines as possible.  Why in the baggage lounge would people be that desperate to play, I don't know - but they are again everywhere.

As an ex-addict who was actually in Las Vegas for non pleasure reasons and this was actually a bonus to be there with a little personal time this was going to be a real challenge.

I had planned on blowing no more then $50 a day that I had put away in savings to do - I think on average I blew less then that - but I needed a system.

The first challenge was understanding the machines - they were not as I expected. 

They were paper only, so they would take $1 - $100 bills or coupons.  The coupons were printed out when you pressed the "Cash Out" button.  The machines made a sound like MFME paying out as the coupon came out.

Every casino was the same and all had the coupon based system.  You could cash the coupon for cash or simply insert it into another machine.  I never tried doing a coupon from Casino A into a machine that was in Casino B.  I suspect it would not work.  A cashed out coupon looked like this.

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To cash out, you had to go to an ATM type machine like below.  You could also withdraw from these devices like an ATM as well.

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Oh and speaking of ATM machines, this was the first BITCOIN machine I've ever seen - it was in a Shell garage here...

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The machines were all digital one way or another with proably 90 - 95% of them having digital reels.  They simulated real machines with top glasses looking like the kind you could find in eBay, but they were just screens you were looking at.

In some cases you would have the pull handle on the right of the machine but it was an illusion harking back to old times, you could also press the "play" button for these as well.

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To show the screens and also an interesting mass failure, here is a casino where there was obviously a network failure of some kind.  When things go wrong, they really go wrong.  This looked like a network error, I am not sure I was meant to be in there - but I had to go and get a picture.

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This shows how dependant Las Vegas is now on linked machines.  We truely are in a digital age with them.

The machines in many cases were also 3D, or even 4D when you consider the ones that the seats vibrated when you played and if anything intersting happened it felt like you were sitting on a huge sound stage.  This is clearly not good for pensioners with loose bowels and all that vibrating.

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The 3D effect was due to the second layer of glass on reels that were digital - they would literally jump out at you as they were imposed on the closer screen.  It is a really neat effect and did get you hooked on machines as you actually enjoyed the feeling.

The key really is gameplay.  My tips are as follows.

  • Treat £1 for $1, it works out so much easier this way.
  • Play 1c machines only at no more then 80c a spin.
  • Limit yourself to spending no more then $40 on a machine, if in that time you win then literally press cash out and take the voucher.
  • Trade the vouchers for cash if anything more then $50 and then continue to play if you choose on other machines.  I really feel if I'd done well on a machine and put the > $50 in the machine, it always seemed dead and just drained the win.  If I put $ bills in, then it was much happier.  This could be total horseshit - but it's the way I felt.
  • Do not - absolutely do not - increase stake and prize to chase wins.  You can do fine on 1c only.

Finally here is just a couple of general pictures.

The biggest Space Invaders I have ever seen...

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A few generic snaps...

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looks amazing.  I am hoping to go next August for a week, stay on the strip and have a budget, my mate is taking $3500 Dollers, I will not take that much, poss around $1000 - $1500.

Did you play any table games Reg, I fancy a go at the Poker whilst I am there!!

Pete

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7 hours ago, pbb said:

looks amazing.  I am hoping to go next August for a week, stay on the strip and have a budget, my mate is taking $3500 Dollers, I will not take that much, poss around $1000 - $1500.

Did you play any table games Reg, I fancy a go at the Poker whilst I am there!!

Pete

Nope the tables were too expensive.  I had planned on buying in on a few to keep some chips but when the minimum stake was $5 that was a lot considering you could buy a box of novelty chips ( that were legitimately brought in Vegas ) for $20.

I was told that out of town at Fremont Street, in the ‘old area’ they did have some $1 tables.  This would be in a casino potentially such as the Golden Nugget.

Budgets were tight as I reckon food and just living was about 20% more then what I expected, I actually came back with about $30 by the time I arrived at the airport.

One top tip, don’t stay on the strip.  I stayed at Holiday Inn on Koval Lane.  The strip is only 10 minutes slow walk including waiting for road crossings from room to standing in Bally’s casino.  They also provide buses from the Holiday Inn to various places around Vegas, all free. The rooms are actually suites with bathroom, toilet, walk in wardrobe,  bedroom, kitchen and lounge.  When talking to others who didn’t get that location they were paying many $100’s more per night in the main casinos.  That really saved a chunk of money and the restaurant on-site was very well priced along with a mini-supermarket downstairs.

They also had an ATM downstairs.  Why is this good - well it offered cash at a standard fee price rather then the 80% extra you would be charged anywhere on the strip.

Finally if you are going remember to complete your ESTA online.  This is your entry requirement and once approved, keep checking it.  They can be known to change status so always worth checking.  They don’t do boarding cards now, they have a terminal when you get off the plane pre-immigration that you complete.  It then gives a print out with your photo and fingerprints that you take with your passport to customs.  Do not lie on this - as customs have already checked your case ( all trips I had my case opened by TSA - they leave a note ) and they will know if your bringing stuff you should not be and this might cause a problem.

That was rather a long answer to the poker question, but useful info I think if you’ve not been there before.

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I love Vegas, years ago I dared not to go but now as an ex addict, I've no issue. 

Will be my 3rd time in 4 years, when I go in October. Already planning going again in 2019 with people who haven't been before and hopefully God willing having my 50th birthday celebration in 2020 as a lads only trip, although may not be around my actual birthday. 

My tip for money saving would be have your alcohol drinks from the North End of the strip at Hurrahs and casinos around them not at the Luxor, MGM Grand end. Or in the old town (freemont Street) which is an essential visit Imo, particularly if you like the James Bond films that were shot there. Of course if you are gambling even tiny stakes, drinks are free from the waitresses who circulate the casino floors. I say free but if you choose to tip them a dollar a drink they'll be back around much quicker. We normally give them $5 per three drinks. Not bad for 3 spirits with a mixer. Definitely still a lot cheaper than the bar. 

I only play Slots, but my mates play blackjack and poker etc, everyone is super friendly and helpful at the tables in general, so no need to be nervous. Again you'll probably find the older casinos like Hurrahs will offer lower stakes but they are still massive casinos compared to what we have over here. 

I have to say though when you go to Vegas, it's a long way to go and perhaps a once in a lifetime holiday, so takes as much as you can afford to spend and lose. But be disciplined we leave our hotel with our daily gambling stake and no cards. We normally gamble only of an evening. It's so vast that if you gamble away from your hotel it's a fair walk back to your room to be going back to get cards or more money, so any urges to gamble more don't involve a quick trip back and give time to think do I really want to do this. 

Edited by wearecity
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Sounds a blast, i will go down freemont street as to me thats the the original Las Vegas!!!

I also would like to visit the neon museum which I think houses all the old signage from yesteryear. Oh and a visit to see Chumlee at the old silver and gold pawn shop from the Pawn Stars series.

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Freemont Street is a definite must and has you'll get to see the El Cortez, I believe the oldest casino resort still standing. The old railway station building with naturally a casino in them, also worth a visit.

The Silver and Gold pawn shop, is ok, very small compared to what it looks like on the TV, but again people are friendly and you can get pictures/videos in and outside,  without it being an issue or paying.

The couple of times I've been, we've got the monorail up to near The Stratrosphere, which has stunning views, then got a cab to the pawn shop, then walked down to Freemont Street.

Another casino worth visiting for nostalgia is Circus Circus, where if you like bond films, you can still see the structures for the old circus. Also the side games are still present, included the water balloons, where Tiffany Case, wins the toy in Diamonds are Forever and Q plays the slots.

Edited by wearecity
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