Vegas, Baby, Vegas. 10K in Sin City?!
There may or may not be a rumor going around that 10K is heading to Sin City soon! So, you got a Vegas trip planned? Maybe you’re heading there for a gambling getaway to bet on the Super Bowl, maybe March Madness, Bachelor/Bachelorette Party, or maybe even just a weekend getaway. Regardless of what you’re going there for, we have all the tips and tricks on how to survive Vegas. Gambling, strippers, The Strip, more gambling… we got you. Trust me, if you go into Vegas without a plan, you’re going to be overwhelmed and broke SOB by the end of the weekend. Cheers to the perfect Sin City weekend and here are some things you must know.
Plan the Trip
When picking a return flight, don’t be cheap. I’ve done it and there’s nothing worse than taking a 1:35 am red-eye flight out after a weekend bender of drinking and gambling. Take the late afternoon flight out because you’ll be so exhausted, you’ll want to be back home. Lastly, remember, now that flights aren’t serving drinks due to COVID, be sure to make a run to Total Wine and stock up on the mini bottles. Pack your toiletry bag full of those, buy an OJ in the airport, and make yourself a stiff Screwdriver before rolling into Vegas.
Now that the flight is booked, you got to find a place to crash. Remember, this is Las Vegas. You’re only going to be in your room to sleep and/or make drinks. If you’re going for a bachelor party or guys/girls trip, it’s worth it to get an Airbnb to avoid Vegas hotel security, bringing extra people to your room, all that bullshit, etc. However, if you’re going to gamble or just going for fun, find a hotel. You’re an elevator ride from the casino and sportsbooks, plus you’re steps away from all of the action.If this is your first time going, stay somewhere on the Vegas Strip. It’s more expensive but well worth it for your first time. If you’ve already been, give Old Vegas (Fremont) a try. Far better people-watching, cheaper, and a more relaxed and laid back crowd. If you’re willing to spend the money, stay at the Cosmopolitan, the Bellagio, or MGM Grand. Those three casinos are all located on the strip and also have three of the best casino/sportsbooks, in my correct opinion.
Entertainment
Vegas is broken down into primarily 3 categories: Entertainment, Gambling, and Eating/Drinking. Guy or girl, single or taken, it doesn’t matter. This is Vegas. As for entertainment, most think of Strip Clubs. Sadly, a lot of young guys get sucked into the snake pit of strip clubs when they go down to Vegas. As someone who has been to Vegas several times and someone who has been to strip clubs, I just cannot condone this action UNLESS it is a bachelor or bachelorette party. It isn’t just the fact that I’m a married man, but there are boobs pretty much everywhere in Las Vegas. In a place like Vegas, where you’re already spending a shit load of money, paying a premium for boobs ain’t it.There is a reason they call it Sin City. Honestly, there is actually too much to do, which is great because you’ll just have a reason to come back. Pool parties are basically college all over again, so who wouldn’t want to relive their days getting shitfaced and playing beer pong in the pool? Fremont is people-watching central and there’s a badass zipline if you’re into that kinda thing. Topgolf is always great for some content. If you don’t feel like betting any of your own money, go hang around a craps table and cheer on the group. Shit, just walk the strip and stop to see the Bellagio Fountains.
All of these things can lead to an unforgettable time. Everyone in Vegas is there to have a good time, so be social and make friends. If you’re at a table, chat with the people around you. The stories you’ll hear in Vegas from random people is almost worth the price of admission. Don’t be afraid to venture out and hang with a new crowd. Like I said before, everyone is there to have a good time and maybe they’ll even bring you some good luck. My favorite story of a friendship comes from a tweet I saw last year. These two below are legends. Be like them.
Gambling
#1 piece of advice. Bring cash. If you’re running to the ATM every hour, you’re fucked because you’ll have no idea how much you’re up to/down. When gambling in Vegas, do yourself one simple favor. Set yourself a gambling budget, which is easier said than done. Whether it’s $100 or $1,000, keep that limit and once it’s gone, go get into trouble elsewhere in Sin City. Whether it’s Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Slots, or throwing down some money on a few sporting events, please remember one thing: The House Always Wins.
The longer you are sitting down at a table, the greater chance you have to lose money. As the old saying goes, “Know when to Hold’em, know when to fold’em.” This applies in gambling. If you’re on a heater at Blackjack table, great. But when shit starts going south like the dealer runs out a 6-card 21, you need to grab your chips and move to the next table. Self control is key. My personal favorite besides sports gambling is the Roulette table. It draws a crowd, every spin of the wheel is exciting as fuck, and you can milk your money for a long time. Where at the Blackjack table, your budget can be gone in 30 minutes, sometimes less. To me, there’s really nothing better than throwing your money on some sporting events, finding a big ass couch and watching your bets unfold on the massive TV displays in the sportsbooks… did I mention getting free drinks as well?Yes. Drinks are FREE when you’re gambling. I’m not talking about shitty hard liquor like Karkov, we are talking Ketel One, always remember to tip because the servers will come back more frequently. With free drinks and in Vegas, it’s easy to forget about your budget but stay strong. Lastly, even if you don’t plan on gambling much, signing up for a Player’s Club membership is a great way to get free shit down the line. Discounts on shows, restaurants, hotels, you name it. Swipe that fucking thing everywhere you go. If you’re gambling, you swipe it even more because the more you play, the more free shit you earn, and trust me, it does add up quicker than you think.
Food/Drinking
Who doesn’t love food and booze? The issue is that a lot of people forget to eat when in Vegas, then before you know it, you’re fucked up and down $400 in the middle of the Aria sportsbook wondering how you got there. When you wake up, go get breakfast. My favorite spot is Cabo Wabo, located pretty much right across from the Bellagio Fountains. If you don’t mind dropping $40-$50 on a meal, you could take the buffet route as well. I don’t care if it’s the Subway or the Taco Bell (coolest Taco Bell ever) just make sure you eat somewhere. If you’re looking for a good spot to eat and watch the big games, hit up Blondie’s Sports Bar & Grill right on the strip by Planet Hollywood. Don’t forget to try and find Secret Pizza. I obviously can’t tell you where it is, because it’s a secret.
As for booze, remember, they serve free drinks while you’re gambling. Make the most of that because when you lose $100 on the tables, you can justify it by reminding yourself that you had seven vodka red bulls also. When you arrive in Vegas, find a shitty run-down liquor store off the strip. Some are within walking distance, which is perfect. Round up your crew, go buy a couple of bottles of booze, and go back to your hotel room to make some drinks. One of my favorite parts about Vegas is that you can walk the strip and drink on the streets. Carrying an open container is legal, so abuse that privilege.
Welcome to Las Vegas
If you haven’t been to Las Vegas, start planning the trip now. If you have been, fuck it, start planning to go back. There is always a reason to go and you can find new things to do each time you go back. Switch it up, eat at a different sports bar, stay at a different hotel, place bets at different casinos. Take our advice and roll with the punches. This isn’t the movie The Hangover though. Go have fun with the crew and make some unforgettable memories… even though you’ll probably be too drunk to remember all of them. My final words if you remember anything from reading this, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.