Vegas Trip: Essentials

[scotty2hatty]

Hi folks, I'm off to Vegas soon for a short (and free) trip and it will be my first time so I need some help with a few things.

Firstly, I remember mondatoo talking about some ESTA thing before? I know it's some sort of visa but is it essential? I'm only going for about 8 days.

I'm working off a small-ish spending budget so information on good but reasonably priced places to eat and get ridic drunk would be good please.

Any other must do things? Activities or whatever?

My mate doesn't play poker so I'm probably looking to play a couple of early-ish morning tournaments, although I'm not adverse to info on other tourns. Probabaly only looking at a $50-$100 tournaments though.

Any help and info is appreciated. Thanks.

[Graham C]

Grand Canyon is incredible, well worth a visit

(not that it's in Vegas)

[mondatoo]

Pretty sure you will need to sort the ESTA thing out,make sure you do it through the proper site and don't get ripped off 

Can't really recommend any trips as I just played the pokers but enjoy

[outragous76]

what do you need for a short trip

1. money


get plenty sleep before you get there  - you wont want to sleep whilst  there

and 8 days isnt a short vegas trip 

[Dingdell]

Antibiotics.

[Jon MW]

I think technically you need the ESTA for them to even allow you on the plane, but it's free so there's no reason to be bothered about it.

[Marky147]

I just did a thread for some guys elsewhere so heres what I put in for them with regard to eating for reasonable cost

Ellis Island: One block off the strip (Behind Ballys I believe). Basically it does steaks/bbq pizzas and all similar types of stuff. They have a steak special for under $10 which is meant to be really good. It also has a microbrewery?


Food courts: There are food courts all over Vegas with a
variety of foods available. Chinese, Burgers, Mexican, Pizza and just about anything else. Situated both in casinos and along the strip.


Outback Steakhouse: Located above Casino Royale, this place does the usual stuff you'd expect. Not mindblowing but decent value for money.


Peppermill Lounge: Another diner on the strip located near to the Wynn. Big portions and open 24hrs I'm pretty sure.


TI Buffet: Widely acknowledged as one of the best value buffets in Vegas, with all the usual varieties.


Grand Lux Cafe: They have one of these in both the Palazzo and Venetian. Lots of variety and big portions.

[Woodsey]

Here's all the tournament info

http://www.allvegaspoker.com/

[Woodsey]

Also if you can afford a Helicopter trip out to Grand Canyon do it.

[NoflopsHomer]

Steel Motherfucking Panther (Green Valley Ranch @ 11ish on Friday nights, free)

[Kev B]

Just got back a couple of days ago. Don't bother filling the ESTA form in on line as the USA are not set up for it yet and you will still have to fill the paper form in on the plane. Spend a little more and play either Caesers, Venetian or the new Aria $120-160. Mirage do a daily £80 too. Have fun and don't forget to visit down town. Have fun.

[Woodsey]

Just got back a couple of days ago. Don't bother filling the ESTA form in on line as the USA are not set up for it yet and you will still have to fill the paper form in on the plane. Spend a little more and play either Caesers, Venetian or the new Aria $120-160. Mirage do a daily £80 too. Have fun and don't forget to visit down town. Have fun.

I think OP should check the ESTA requirements properly as I know its due to be compulsory any time soon, and when it is you won't get into the country without it. Also you will STILL have to fill in the green immigration card regardless.

[Sighmuns]

I just did a thread for some guys elsewhere so heres what I put in for them with regard to eating for reasonable cost

Ellis Island: One block off the strip (Behind Ballys I believe). Basically it does steaks/bbq pizzas and all similar types of stuff. They have a steak special for under $10 which is meant to be really good. It also has a microbrewery?


Food courts: There are food courts all over Vegas with a
variety of foods available. Chinese, Burgers, Mexican, Pizza and just about anything else. Situated both in casinos and along the strip.


Outback Steakhouse: Located above Casino Royale, this place does the usual stuff you'd expect. Not mindblowing but decent value for money.


Peppermill Lounge: Another diner on the strip located near to the Wynn. Big portions and open 24hrs I'm pretty sure.


TI Buffet: Widely acknowledged as one of the best value buffets in Vegas, with all the usual varieties.


Grand Lux Cafe: They have one of these in both the Palazzo and Venetian. Lots of variety and big portions.

Go there.

[Graham C]

Steel Motherfucking Panther (Green Valley Ranch @ 11ish on Friday nights, free)

Steel Panther

[Simon Galloway]

Obv nice to take money - it buys you lots of choices.  However, given the remit:

Eat cheap:  When you play the tourny, ask for a buffet / coffee shop comp whilst you still have your wallet out.  Food courts are cheap, but freebies are even cheaper.  Some places have strict procedures and won't comp you on a small tourny buy in.  Others will, particularly if it looks like you are going to slip them a $ or 5..  For the super cheesey, don't tip and fill your rucksack with fruit etc on the way out.

The other benefit of getting a comp is you can go in via the Invited Guest line, this could save you an hour waiting in line with the unwashed massses...

Drink cheap: Sit around the slots, play micro, order beers regularly, tip the waitress a $ or so each drink.  5 beers in an hour for $5 total is pretty cheap, then when you go out from there, you don't need to spend so much out at full bar prices.  For the super cheesey, you can stiff the waitress and not pay anything.  Just do it on the last drink if you have to, once you stiff her she won't be stopping by again any time soon.  But hopefully no-one needs to stoop that low!!

Stuff to do for free:  Just going in and out of each resort will take you a long while.  Some free shows, (Mirage Volcano, Bellagio fountains, TI Sirens, Bills Big Elvis etc)

That should keep the X's down - but don't overdo it - spend sensibly and enjoy.