‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’. Sadly, more often than not, that includes leaving behind a large chunk of your bank balance. Not many of us have hit the City of Sin for a long, crazy weekend and emerged with either our dignity or financial security intact.
Indeed, if that quote were as religiously adhered to as all those misbehaving bros wished, then we’d be seriously lacking in advice, tips and tricks on how to get the most out of the impenetrable city. It’s all in the preparation, we think; once you’re there it’s a roller coaster ride difficult to put the breaks on. Best to go into your trip fully locked and loaded, by reading these; our 5 IDEAL tips on preparing for a holiday in Vegas.
PACK YOUR SUITCASE WISELY
Slap bang in the desert, most people assume that Vegas will be swelteringly hot all year round but in the winter months, you won’t be as warm as you think, and it can dip to between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. This is a place of extremes in every sense of the word, temperatures fluctuate whether you’re outside or in, seemingly mirroring the highs and lows of the experience.
You might be doing a fair bit of walking between venues too, chasing your losses, so when preparing for a holiday in Vegas, pack accordingly. Indoors, the A.C is on full blast, 24/7, so pack a light jacket, too, or you’ll be sweating one minute, shivering the next.
PRACTICE YOUR POKER FACE EARLY
Fishes fear not. We were all new to the table once upon a time, so before you start staking big bucks and acting the whale, it’s important to get to grips with the rules and nuances of each game. Most of the heavyweight casinos on the strip offer gaming lessons, so get yourself prepped and primed or you’ll be fluttering like a pigeon.
You can get ready for the fun and games even before you touch down. If you’re feeling intimidated by poker or blackjack, online casinos make it easy to sample a few games and hone your skills from the comfort of your own home, without even having to open your purse.
SAVE, SAVE, SAVE
Las Vegas can get very pricey pretty quickly, and heading there with minimal pocket money will have you confined to your hotel room with nothing to do but spend time with the Kardashians. It really is a case of ‘go big or go home’ in Sin City. So prior to your trip, live frugally, and put more money aside than you usually would for a trip abroad.
BOOK SHOWS OR RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE
Las Vegas isn’t only about the gambling. It’s also home to some massive shows, rock and pop residencies and fabulous, gluttonous buffet restaurants. It’s worth being diligent and booking these well in advance to avoid disappointment. Both Cardi B and Drake have recently announced a string of Vegas shows, and tickets are going to sell fast. Always keep your eye on announcements and sign up to newsletters to get the lowdown on what’s going before the general public.
PREPARE TO BE DISAPPOINTED
The well known, perennially prescient phrase that ‘the house always wins’ should be one which you should be aware of before embarking on your trip. No matter how lucky you may be one day, the casino is still, and will always, be winning. This is evident in the gaudy, opulent temples built with the money of misery; of many a gambler bankrupted. So, be aware that you may not like what you find in the Entertainment Capital of the World, and you certainly won’t come out of the weekend in pocket.
