Vegas!(1 week tomorrow for me, My first time)

johnnybev1987

As it says on the tin, obviously im mega excited!

I'm going for 6 days Friday-Thursday, Staying in the Excalibur

Mainly going for poker but will obviously be hitting alot of bars and try a few days out in the sun aswell, so basically anything you recommend within reason (i am not loaded). Barring Grand Canyon as its not my sort of thing, also if you go by bus it wastes a day and doing it big styley by the helicopter is a bit much.

Also i was wondering as i need to change up the money still where is the best place to go? i was going to go to post office, is there any difference ordering online or just walking in and asking for it.

Have a good day all, suprised i couldn't find a thread on this before! although i have been told alot of things and advice its always good to get a wide range of opinions/views

Gumbo

Best place in the world you will love it, the more you order the better exchange rate so doesn't matter where you get your dollars from or how

johnnybev1987

Im taking £1000, so around 1500 dollars initially

killerandflash

I'm not a gambler, but enjoyed Vegas, you can spend a day just exploring all the different casinos and their architecture which is amazing. Plenty of shows to take in as well.

I did the Grand Canyon as a day trip, and yes it is a long day in the bus. I did another day trip, which was to Death Valley which I really enjoyed, stunning scenery.

Davo55

Vegas will keep you spellbound the whole time. If you do fancy a change of pace, hire a car and go see the Hoover dam. A relatively short drive and a very interesting visit. Half a day will be plenty, including travel time. Have a great time.

kentaddick

Food is so, so cheap there it's awesome. In fact everything is really cheap there, including the hotel I stayed at which was just off the strip. Have a great time! It's a surreal but fun place.

Nicholas

Best place on earth, cant wait to get back there some day. Slots are a waste of time, Roulette is great if you can get a decent postition on the table, (dont get stuck at the bottom of it otherwise you will only be able to reach high numbers. but expect your money to go up or down pretty quickly playing that. Never learnt craps looked to complicated. Blackjack is boring. I never got a chance to play on the poker tables but most casinos do regular tournaments each day or if you prefer cash games they have them too. Go to the sportsbook in the Venetian absolute quality all bookies should be like that.

I stayed in the Excalibur aswell, quality themed hotel, a bit dated but you aint gonna spend any time in your room. The whole place has a 24 hour buzz about it. Try and see as many as the hotels as you can as they are all quality.

I actually got married there in the Tropicana and no it wasnt done my Elvis Presley :) Great place and I wish I could go back soon. Have a 2 year old son so its impossible at the minute. If I dont go in the next 2 years may have to get a divorce :)


Have a great time.

palarsehater

im going in september first time, any ideas how much money would anybody advise to take? going for 6 days/5nights staying at the wynn

Nicholas

no less then 1k

johnnybev1987

Thanks all for your advice/good wishes, really is going to be epic! I have been told to visit as many hotels as possible and especially the Bellagio, will work out what poker im playing when im out there but imagine tourneys ranging from $30-$100 but i will get plenty advice on this front elsewhere, if i win earlier means i can can up the stakes and keep a bit on the side if possible

Elthamaddick

me and a few mates all turn 40 over the next few years so we have a lads trip planned for early 2015, to give us time to a) save and b) convince the wives/girlfriends to let us go!.

johnnybev1987

Elthamaddick said:

me and a few mates all turn 40 over the next few years so we have a lads trip planned for early 2015, to give us time to a) save and b) convince the wives/girlfriends to let us go!.

'Hangover Part 4'

SuedeAdidas

I know I'm in the minority - but I really didn't like the place. I'm not much of a gambler so that probably doesn't help.

It all just seemed too false to me. I'd much rather go to a "proper" city - NY, Chicago, LA etc.

I was out there for Mayweather vs Hatton which was great. I'd go there again for a big fight, but not just for the sake of going.

cafcfan

Nobody, well hardly anybody who isn't working nights, actually lives in Vegas and the tourist population is mostly yanks on a weekend. This means that it is usually quite easy to get last minute tickets for gigs for big name acts that would sell out in London in a matter of minutes. So check out the "What's On In Vegas" web sites and see if there are any decent bands playing while you are there.

johnnybev1987

cafcfan said:

Nobody, well hardly anybody who isn't working nights, actually lives in Vegas and the tourist population is mostly yanks on a weekend. This means that it is usually quite easy to get last minute tickets for gigs for big name acts that would sell out in London in a matter of minutes. So check out the "What's On In Vegas" web sites and see if there are any decent bands playing while you are there.

Will do thank you

Fair enough Suede it wont be some people's cup of tea, but it will defo be mine. I will be in my element i imagine, Gambling/nightlife/no sleep seems like my kinda life

GreenWithEnvy

The 'rides' at the top of the Stratosphere are great if you really think you can handle heights! The whole town is amazing, you won't be bored. You may want to book a show as well before you fly out (although the best ones are sold out all the time). Fountain show at the Bellagio is a great freebie.

johnnybev1987

I think my mate who im going with has said about going on a few rides, i am a bit afraid of heights but love rides/theme parks which is weird so i wont be too bothered

I was just thinking about seeing a show or 2, anyone seen the burlesque?

WSS

Been five times, love it.

The burlesque is quite good in Ballys but if you want your mind blown go to 'O' at the Bellagio - fantastic show. Actually all of the Cirque's are amazing.

Just explore and enjoy yourself - there is so much to see and do.

johnnybev1987

WSS said:

Been five times, love it.

The burlesque is quite good in Ballys but if you want your mind blown go to 'O' at the Bellagio - fantastic show. Actually all of the Cirque's are amazing.

Just explore and enjoy yourself - there is so much to see and do.

Cheers Glenda i may have to stay there i think

#imaginewhatillbelikecomenextthursday

WSS

Six days is pretty intense, the most I've done is 5 nights and that was with the missus (also the most expensive of the trips I've been on). Good luck with it.

I'd order your money online (Travelex) and pick up at airport before you take off. Always decent rates.

johnnybev1987

accidentally posted twice

Davo55

johnnybev1987 said:

Thanks all for your advice/good wishes, really is going to be epic! I have been told to visit as many hotels as possible and especially the Bellagio, will work out what poker im playing when im out there but imagine tourneys ranging from $30-$100 but i will get plenty advice on this front elsewhere, if i win earlier means i can can up the stakes and keep a bit on the side if possible

Johnny - some of the older hotels are dated and not really worth visiting - like the LV Hilton. Definitely go to Caesars Palace, Bellagio and the Venetian. MGM Grand not so good.

DamoNorthStand

Spending so much time in Southern California, it is only a quick 4 hour drive through the Mojave. For So Cal residents it is the equivalent of popping to the Lake District or Blackpool from London.

Every one of the 14 time we have been, I have ended up down. My wife wanders in to the first casino, sticks a dollar in a machine, wins 50, then lies in the sun for 3 days.

I will say one thing, pack the sunscreen. Even now, it will be scorchio. Was last there about 2 weeks ago and got sunburned for the one and only time in my life (I am naturally dark so dont burn too easily).

The surrounding desert is beautiful in parts, and I do recommend getting out for a few hours at least on one day as I find it can get a bit much - as WSS said. We spent a night in Lake Las Vegas up near Henderson which was a gorgeous place.

Clem_Snide

If you are planning on playing poker and are only taking £1000.00 you'll need to be careful where you play. A lot of the bigger casinos will have minimum limits on their tables. The last time I went, the Imperial Palace, Sahara (now gone) and Circus Circus had low limit tables - they were always very busy.

Blackjack can be a killer if you (as I did) you find yourself on a $25 minimum bet table pissed as a fart at 4am.......got messy.

You'll really should do the canyon. Have been twice and would go back as the skywalk wasn't open when I went. First time we flew in a 16 seater plane and the second went by helicopter. Amazing experience.

Quad biking in the Red Rock Canyon is also well worth a look. Not sure if Penn & Teller are still at the Rio, but if they are check them out.

First time I went I got married (planned) and we went back within 8 months as we loved the place so much. Definitely considering it for my 40th next year.

DamoNorthStand

Oh, and I will add, avoid the 'newly refurbished Tropicana'.

Yes, the hotel is all new and nice and clean now - but the lifts suck.

We got stuck in an elevator for 3 hours in 90 degree heat with no air con a fortnight ago. Had a 4 year old with us, and my wife is severely claustrophobic. Added to that, we had no running water and the toilet wouldnt flush for 2 days. Hotel are being a disgrace and basically only offered me a 40 dollar resort fee back. He then offered me a weeks free stay there - but seeing as I wont be going back to that hotel, thats no good. Having a nightmare just getting them to give me the money for my stay back.

Hastingsaddick

<blockquote class="Quote" rel="SuedeAdidas">I know I'm in the minority - but I really didn't like the place. I'm not much of a gambler so that probably doesn't help.

It all just seemed too false to me. I'd much rather go to a "proper" city - NY, Chicago, LA etc.

I was out there for Mayweather vs Hatton which was great. I'd go there again for a big fight, but not just for the sake of going.
</blockquote>

Been all over the States (Used to live in Guttenberg, New Jersey) and agree with you there never fancied Vegas, still life would be boring if we all wanted the same thing....other then to see CAFC do well.

thai malaysia addick

Interesting place. I am glad that I have been there once but I wouldnt want to go there again. I'm not a gambler, so that holds nothing for me. However, from the moment you come in to land and see a city in the middle of a desert, you realise what a strange place it is. It's a city with much of the usual infrastructure missing.

I took the helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon which I thought was out of this world - not cheap, but a huge wow factor. I drove from Las Vegas to Palm Spring across the Mojave Desert - I thought it was amazing to see (remember to fill up with petrol though!)

After a couple of days, I decided to go to an Irish bar out of the centre - and guess what! It was crammed with slot machines.

If you spend even a small amount gambling, you will get free drinks! They know how to make money there.

Nicholas

If you do win some dosh, order yourself a takeaway. Loved seeing this going up and sown the strip. Make sure you pick up some leaflets from the mexican guys in the evening too

chazza

Clem_Snide said:

If you are planning on playing poker and are only taking £1000.00 you'll need to be careful where you play. A lot of the bigger casinos will have minimum limits on their tables. The last time I went, the Imperial Palace, Sahara (now gone) and Circus Circus had low limit tables - they were always very busy.

Blackjack can be a killer if you (as I did) you find yourself on a $25 minimum bet table pissed as a fart at 4am.......got messy.

You'll really should do the canyon. Have been twice and would go back as the skywalk wasn't open when I went. First time we flew in a 16 seater plane and the second went by helicopter. Amazing experience.

Quad biking in the Red Rock Canyon is also well worth a look. Not sure if Penn & Teller are still at the Rio, but if they are check them out.

First time I went I got married (planned) and we went back within 8 months as we loved the place so much. Definitely considering it for my 40th next year.

Can only echo what clemmy has said.

Charlton_Charlie

Have been three times and have never gambled, other than a couple of goes on the slots... Love the place but bloomin hectic..always need a holiday when I get back... So much to see, so much to do and all of it fun. Stayed at the MGM and the Bellagio - both have good pools for lazy 'recovery' days... Spent $1500 on entry into the club at Ceasars, which I then didn't particularly like - expensive mistake...do your research..

Aim to go back next year if can get sign off from the wife. Have a great time.

DRF

Been a couple of times and stayed at more expenesive hotels but Excalibur is the best! Good choice.
However, with the recent down turn the last time was not the same. The month we were there they reported that 500 people's houses were being repossesed PER DAY. The casinos made a lot of cut backs in the numbers of people just 'floating around' ie those handing out free drinks, perfoming (esp Circus Circus) and those that remained became much more about the hard sell. That was a couple of years a go so I hope its turned around now.