This can happen, I ran into this issue at one of Ceaser Palaces bar. The bartender was a total d-bag. I put in a ten or something and even tipped the guy and he kept on hassling me to start playing. These situations can occur and the solution is simple.... just go to another video poker bar and do the same trick. I must have grabbed at least 50 drinks this way during my recent 7 night stay. In fact I'm almost certain all my drinks were free except tips during my stay (I may have also bought one or two waters) Flasks are great as you do avoid having to tip but you do have to pay for the bottle of booze + the flask is just another thing to carry.

Nits ITT

not when I'm gambling lol. I just don't want to spend 300-500 extra on drinks during my Vegas trips

I wouldn't say so. There is a right way and a wrong way to everything.

Right way : "How are things going on that machine? Any luck this time around?

Wrong way " "Well, I'm not going to comp these if you don't start playing, 5 credits or more and I can do it, otherwise, it's $15.00..*walks away*

I don't mind if they want me to start playing, obviously, that is why they comp drinks at the bar, but it's all about the way they tell me.

If it's the bar girls you're suggesting, that's a great way to get trick-rolled.

Trick-Rolled..hahah

I would steer clear of those chicks that is for sure.

Had one follow me and my dad when we were heading back to our room..she was so desperate it had to be an attempt at pulling a move. Can never trust any of them, even the ones you call up.

strip clubs? meh, maybe I've outgrown them.

Hookers? -ev, disease, killer pimps, shanking, no good

Picking up random drunk cuties/non-pros while gambling? Dingdingding! It's a challenge, they want to as opposed to have to or it's their job, wrap that unit up and go to town. First one balks move on.

yeah the rippers get boring quick

and the trick to drinking cheap? When at the BJ or craps or poker table tip the girl a $5 chip the first time she brings you a drink, she will then be at your elbow all night, tip her a buck a drink and get blasted for $10.

Pros cut thru the b.s and know exactly what you want them for. Too much time wasted on drunk girls and their obstacles.

What are the other things you like to do on your trips to Vegas, particularly the Strip, that don't involve gambling? Does anyone have any standard places they go, best scenery, good snacks, is the noodle place next to the Venetian all that good, what to do at 3 am...Cheap craps at Casino Royale or O'Sheas? I'm sure there are threads for all these but this thread seems to be a good umbrella place to put in some general recommendations across all genres (food, drinks, gambling, etc.)

I find downtown to be a better value. Good food at nearly every casino and if you want to change locations its 50' instead of a quarter mile. Triple 7 brew pub at Main Street STation is great and they have 20x odds on craps.

On the strip Bally's and Harrahs are nice and reasonable but a short shuttle ride away and the Orleans, Rio and Gold Coast are more customer friendly and a better gamble.

sort of like going hiking on the side of the interstate instead of Yellowstone.

Good idea, what's the best microbrew beer selections on the strip? The Burger Bar near Mandalay I thought used to be better, but certainly a lot of Belgian beers. I think you can get Sierra Nevada Pale Ale at the Venetian poker room, but where else would be good for tasty IPAs?

Is price an issue?

I've heard Ellis Island has a really good selection of beers, and their own microbrew I think, just one block east of the strip.

My additional advice would likely be plan your trip out before you even come. Check what restaurants you would like to try, but also have a day where its open to do anything. Also, be safe, don't be an idiot, and stay away from dark locations.

I recommend Riverman go to as many dark locations as there are.

Hmmm, there seems to be a lot of agreement on this point, which is a bit discouraging because I'm arriving in Vegas for the first time on Monday night and I had planned to play as many of the $100 - $150 tourneys as I could on my 3 days there (Tues - Thurs). So the rake is that bad, is it?

I really don't get why anyone would even try to bring up a chop 9 handed in a tourney that started with 50 runners. I guess I'll be the guy everyone hates if I get in that position because there's no way I would chop. Who cares what the guy in 9th place with 4 BB's thinks? Who's pressuiring to chop? The dealers/pit bosses?

The other players will be asking you to chop, and you have every right to say no.

Yep, Ellis Island on Koval behind Bally's. On the plus side, you'll be walking right by the Stage Door if you like dive bars. Good beer brewed on-site. Food/atmosphere/gambling meh.

There used to be a brewpub in the back of Monte Carlo. I haven't been in there for years, not sure if it's still running.

My pro tip. Dont be afraid to take it slow. Vegas is a fast moving town and its easy to get caught up the "I just lost $100 on blackjack, guess i'll put $100 on roulette" and before you know it, your budget for the night is gone.

Time maintenance is key. We're all here to gamble, obviously. Go BUY a beer. Window shop, people watch, eat at a sit down restaurant, sprinkle in a little gambling. Time will fly by and before you know it, you'll be racing to try and lose your budget for the night

+1 for this

My wife and I went to Vegas with this other couple that we know pretty well, and I didn't even take this into consideration. They had never been to Vegas before, and my guess was that they probably had a food/drink/entertainment spending limit of about $100/day. So I'm playing $25/hand blackjack while my wife is sitting at a $10 roulette table while they are out walking the strip, and I mean the entire length of the strip, in 100+ degree weather hitting up all of the freebie sites.

It got really awkward when my wife (her first time too) wanted to go to one of the nicer buffets on the strip, only to have our friends back out last minute to go use a 2 for 1 coupon for the buffet at the Luxor (also a 2 mile walk from where we were). The last straw was when we took a cab from the MGM all the way to the Stratosphere, only to to turn around because they didn't realize it costs money to ride the elevator to get to the top. I'm probably one of the few people on the face of this planet who has been to the Stratosphere but has never been to the top.

Believe me, having a spending money conversation with your group prior to your trip can save you some severely awkward and irritating moments later on.

Thanks. I've heard that the Aria is the place to go for the +100BI tourneys so I'll give it a try and if it's a bust, I'll just switch to cash.

Just don the Beats/hoodie/sunglasses combo, and they'll know you mean business