Do's and Don'ts of Gambling in Las Vegas!

Las Vegas wouldn't exist without gambling.  It's just a fact, it is a beautiful valley out in the desert but the reason it is a popular city is because of gambling.  I am not saying that I am a big gambler but I would be lying if I said I never go gambling.  When you live out here your movie theater, bowling alley and favorite restaurants usually reside in casinos.  Almost every gas station, grocery store, big box store and airport have a slot machine section; it is a big part of what Las Vegas is all about.  So this post contains my Do's and Don't of gambling.

1) Don't go to a casino if you have a gambling addiction -  I just want to put that up front.  If you know you have a gambling addiction and there is a chance you will blow money you don't even have, don't go to a casino.

2) Do have a budget when you walk into the casino (or an amount you are okay losing) - My husband and I occasionally (2-3 times a year) do a date night where we go and gamble, but we always walk in there with a set amount we are willing to lose.  Usually, it is $40-60 total between the two of us.  Our strategy is we play only machines that we enjoy playing and if we double our money (or more) we immediately cash out and walk away, if we lose our money we are okay with it as we went in with a predesignated amount to lose.

3) Don't spend money you don't have - This one is obvious, if you have to take a cash advance on a credit card then do not gamble.  If you are at the casino trying to make money to buy groceries, you shouldn't be there.

4) Do understand the rules of the machine you are playing - Most slot machines that you see in the casino are comparable to video games, you can lose your money very quickly and not even know what was going on or what happened.  Whenever I sit down at a machine that I am not familiar with I push the "game play help" button and it shows you what the winning playlines are and how to earn a fun bonus game.  If I do not understand the game after a few pushes of the button, I simply move on.  I want to have fun when I am spending my money.  One machine that I enjoy the most is the 1960's Batman machine.  I first sat down at that machine because I love the TV show, but it is just a fun game, it makes lots of noise and has lots of bonus rounds.  Find a machine like that and you will have a blast blowing through your $20.  

5) Don't put $5 or less in a machine, lose it and be angry the rest of your trip because you lost at gambling - This is my biggest pet peeve with visitors to Las Vegas!  I have seen people put small amounts in machines play for 5 cents a line and be sad that they lost.  If you gamble like that you absolutely will never win.  It is that simple.  You have to bet at least enough to play all the lines and trigger bonuses to make it fun.  I am not saying bet max, just play enough to make it enjoyable.  Your $5 will not last long and don't let it ruin your time.

6) Do know the minimum amounts before you sit at a table - It is very embarassing when you sit down at a $10 per bet table and thought it was less.  Know the rules of the game and the betting amounts before you sit down.  If you need to ask that is fine, casino workers are usually very nice and helpful.  

7) Don't play Keno - I mean you can if you want, it is easy and (sort of?) fun but it is the game with the worst odds at the casino.  What we see in National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation is not typical with Keno.  

I hope you enjoyed my Do's and Don'ts, the most important lesson to walk away with is have fun and don't spend all your money.