Gotta be honest...No problem with a good, detailed report whether good or bad, and I like your report except for:

@ImMcLovin

Wasn't he just doing his job, making sure he was going to get paid? And doing a favor by waiting while you went and got money? I'm not trying to be a DB, just seems like he probably deserved a couple bucks for the effort...

Better luck in June.

Bums me out that you didn't have a good time in LV. Was it the gambling losses or the prices of things? It's an expensive city to be sure, but it seems like you have money to burn (throwing money around the BJ tables), but you complain about a $40 lunch and a $65 breakfast in bed. Not sure what you expected, but hopefully you enjoy yourself next time.

@biggsy1969
Breakfast in bed is going to be expensive anywhere. You can budget in Vegas just like anywhere else. I myself would rather invest all that cash into poker. to each his own. sorry you had a bad trip. Hope next time is better

Some people like 20 year old hot chicks with fake boobs and attitude, some people like 60 year old fat chicks with hair on their face that talk perty, to each their own.

Take your sister back to the trailor park and leave us alone.

This entire comment is based on teh fact that I am calling BS on this entire trip report.

It is a commentary on the general status of trip reports here (where everyone seems to be a big winner) and quite honestly, I think it is hilarious.

Well done sir, well done.

Breakfast in bed is a big no-no in Vegas, especially when you're staying at a high end place like Trump. As for dealers in the pit, you're playing in high-end establishments. These dealers mostly deal with customers who are not there looking to just kill time and socialize, they deal with customers who are serious and there to gamble big money and hopefully win big money. If you wanted a friendly and social atmosphere, you need to go to the less swanky places. At those places, the dealers will be used to dealing with people who are drinking, gambling, and just trying to have a good time. As for PLO, I agree its surprising that its tough to find a good game, but up until a few months ago there was ZERO PLO except for on rare occasions. For some reason, PLO has not grown much in Vegas although at least the V has gotten a regular game going and that should continue to grow.

@Zags

I don't think this trip report is BS at all.
Have you ever been to Las Vegas? Just look around....The average Chinese dude with his wife gambles like 10k every single night. My best friend who is a trust fund baby/Jew princess blows $6000 a month in vegas. I sit at the Wynn's poker room 3 times a week and see European and Middle Eastern business men blow 3 X $1500 buy ins in less then an hour and don't care. Some people have an incredible net worth and become total degenerates when they come to Vegas.

I don't think its BS at all. People see the "what happens in Vegas" stuff or watch the Hangover and they expect Vegas to be a non-stop party full of debauchery. The problem that this person had was that he was looking in the wrong places. You're just not going to find that stuff in the pit at high end places like Wynn and Venetian. If you want that type of atmosphere, go grab a yard long and hit up O'Sheas or something like that.

@mauihaole

I agree with that. I hate this whole "what happens in Vegas" crap that the media created. You and I have lived in Vegas long enough to know that this place is a depressing, boring place where it is almost impossible to make friends... everyone hates their lives and wants to die. Not only that, there are like NO single women in this town. And the girls who are single are either WAY too young(jailbait), or already have kids(and are fat).
I don't feel like there is a "right" place to have some kind of wild vegas adventure. I don't think those things ever happen. People always think that if you drink yourself stupid and blackout, you will wake up with a ring around your finger at some wild random place full of sex, drugs, girls, and adventure. In reality when you black out you will either wake up to the sounds of metro kicking your ass, or in the alley behind IP around Koval with your cash missing and a scary bum asking you for 40 cents. In the movies, you can come to Vegas after reading a book called "card counting: Beat the Dealer" and win over $100k. In reality you end up losing your house payments and kid's college funds. Also, in the movies if you piss off one of those Chinese gangsters who live around Spring Mountain they just reply with some broken english/crazy comment that makes you laugh your ass off, but in reality they will just shoot you in the face, rape your girlfriend, and cut off the fingers of all your college buddies you came out with.
....Vegas actually really sucks.

Mercy. I wish you better luck at the WSOP.

@southwinds
Wow. I've only lived here 8 months and I already feel this way. I was drunk googling the other night, and I see Las Vegas is the suicide capital of America, and desires for such go down after moving out of Nevada. 'course, all you people prolly already knew that. Just like LSD-induced la-la-land, a nice place to visit, but wouldn't want to live here. Yet, 2 million do. I visited about 15 times before I moved here....who knew?

Dear ImMcLoving,

After reading your report it seems obvious to me that you had not done any research at all about eateries, casinos and Vegas in general prior your trip. Had you done so you would have been aware of expected pricing, atmosphere, quality, etc.

Cities, especially main tourist destinations, offer a wide range of good deals / semi-cons, and it's up to you to do some research beforehand in order to take advantage of the former and avoid the latter.

As Maui has pointed out swanky halls tend to be way stiffer, that's expected. If you wanted happy chat you should have gambled at one of the "party" properties.
PLO is not offered everywhere but at least features regularly at the V ( and it tends to be a good game ).
In my experience people who complain a lot about others being not friendly tend not to make the extra effort themselves. I wonder if that applies to you.

Anyway, IMO we all should have realistic expectations. Many people working in the service industry in Vegas are overworked and underpaid and that will show at some point. Many visitors won't have a well-balanced holiday and that will show at some point.
IMO as long as you enjoy playing poker it's easy yo have a great holiday in Vegas. There certainly are nice restaurants and enough occasional extra-poker activities to fill the days with ease. It's all about good planning and having the right attitude.

Zippyboy , I hope things get better for you. It's hard to listen to some locals being so down about things. I completely understand though, I guess things might get pretty tough when you are not just visiting.

@zippyboy [/quote]

WTF Dude???

@ImMcLovin

That doesn't make much sense.

Were there no prices on the menu? Everybody know room service is the most over-priced thing in any hotel.

Them are fightin' words. The Short Rib sloppy joe with a side of mashed sweet potatoes is about the best $15 you can spend in Vegas, and it is even better if you are using your poker comps.

And the way you like to cruise around, rent a car - they are like $20/day.

If I dropped that kind of coin in Vegas I wouldn't be impressed either.

The uninformed Vegas traveller can spend a lot more unnecessary money than they need to.

I agree with the other posters in this thread that ordering room service at a high end property, WILL result in a high-end bill!!!

Maybe he didn't look at the prices of the things he was ordering? How that happens I do not know?

ok....either this guy was trying to impresshis girlfriend by losing all that cash or its b.s. if you have all that money to blow on BJ yet you complain about 60 dollar breakfast, you either are full of it or youve never traveled before. and if you do have that kid of money to throw around you clearly have traveled before and ordered room service. something dont smell right.....

@bomb8813

it was a fun read is what matters...u guys are insane questioning everything... who cares if it's b.s, but i don't think it is... i've blown 4 figure $$'s gambling in vegas and complained about places being too costly....i'd be complaining as well if a breaky cost me $65...i've blown $$$$ in machines in vegas yet refuse to pay $5 for a bottle of Fuji water... it's vegas, you go to gamble, knowing most likely you'll lose.
what i'm sayin is you can gamble tons of $$ and still be a cheap sob...i've seen ppl win huge hands/pots and whine about not needing to tip...ppl spending thousand$ on dinner (my boss buying $2000+ on champagne, cognac, etc) and then the next morning say "i don't want to spend more than $10 on a buffet"...
Bottom line, get real, people.

@southwinds

You can not deter me! I will be in Vegas at the end of April. I have now watched the Hangover 373 times. I expect my experience to be similar... though I prefer the company of ducks over tigers. Somebody steer all these trust fund babies over to the poker tables, please!!!

Good Trip Report.. I find this more entertaining than somebody writing about how great they did and how much money they won

PS. Expect my next trip report in two months to be about how great I did and how much money I won.

Vegas is the ultimate vacation spot for any poker player if they truly love the game. There is no doubt in my mind about this. That being said if you dont do your research and dont plan you can spend alot of cash and spoil it a bit if you dont budget. This site made my last 2 Vegas trips this year not even comparable to my first trip a few years back. The information on here about tourneys, cash games, food, entertainment, and accomadations for the average person is without a doubt the best resource for any vegas trip. I loved this TR is was entertaining and had me laughing I wish I had the coin to throw away on some blackjack. To bad it didnt go very well and you didnt have a good time. I cant imagine going to Vegas and having anything but an amazing time but I play $5 blackjack at Imperial to get drunk with my buddies and log about 60 hrs on the tables at Ballys, Venitian, Imperial, Ceasars, flamingo ando so on in a 4-7 day period. Great time and some classic memories cant wait to come back for the 30th bday this December.

This Trip report just shows you what the typical trip to Vegas is like. Most people lose money some people don't have the balls to say it. You always hear "I broke even" BS you lost your shirt.....

Normally you can use the rule of three. If someone says they won money take the amount and divide by three to get the real amount. If they say they lost, take that amount and multiple by three

@vookenmeister

Don't make me kick 1/3 of your ass...

@biggsy1969

As you can tell by my report it's not the money part, I just don't like feeling that I'm getting ripped off. Also, never had such a bad run in BJ in my life. I think I will have a good time my next trip since I will know what to expect.

@Zags

Why would I BS anyone on here? If you read the report you would see that I lost, not won. Thanks for being a jerk though

@astrobel

I like to believe that I'm a very personable guy. I attempted to speak to everyone I came in contact with at a BJ or Poker table and most people seem uninterested and just wanted to gamble. I guess i never looked at it from a dealers perspective that their life sucks.

@bomb8813

Why would I need to impress my GF? We've been dating for 4 years and she knows my gambling habits. Blowing money in front of a girl should never impress anyone...I would think it would make you look more like an idiot. Some things I don't mind to spend money on but certain things I do. I believe everyone can relate.

@DeepHollow

it was a fun read is what matters...u guys are insane questioning everything... who cares if it's b.s, but i don't think it is... i've blown 4 figure $$'s gambling in vegas and complained about places being too costly....i'd be complaining as well if a breaky cost me $65...i've blown $$$$ in machines in vegas yet refuse to pay $5 for a bottle of Fuji water... it's vegas, you go to gamble, knowing most likely you'll lose.
what i'm sayin is you can gamble tons of $$ and still be a cheap sob...i've seen ppl win huge hands/pots and whine about not needing to tip...ppl spending thousand$ on dinner (my boss buying $2000+ on champagne, cognac, etc) and then the next morning say "i don't want to spend more than $10 on a buffet"...
Bottom line, get real, people.[/quote]

At last someone with some sense.

You sound like a total sucker....ps u got long hauled by the cabbie..

I don't care what anyone says..VEGAS is and always will be my favourite vacation destination bar-none!!!

If you can't stand the heat, get outta the desert.

You blew $6,200 gambling and you're whining you got ripped off for breakfast and stuff?

You had a bagel to save money, then blew $1,000 at blackjack and another $5,000 (in only 16 hands) later that evening?

Am I reading you right?

They don't use "." in Arkansas... He meant $62.00.

@vookenmeister

...and leprechauns...you can't forget the leprechaun.!

I just had breakfast with Mayor Goodman. And he told me after he read your Post, he wept. It took him a few days, and MANY Scotch on the rocks to feel better (but I think that's his daily diet anyway). He also said he wanted you back, and hopes Vegas will impress you the second time around. To insure this, he will provide you with Burger King coupons for Breakfast, Lunch and DInner. I believe that's a staple of rednecks from Arkanass, so you'll be in good shape.

Enjoy your trip in June. And bring your Opposum with you next time. Then you won't have to worry about those high priced faluten restaurants. You can just eat your pet. But leave Uncle Jedadiah at home. All he likes to do is chase after young girls thinking they are his Nieces.

just to pick up on the BS-not BS discussion, I agree with everyone who points out that rich people usually are kinda douchy about spending too much on not important stuff (such as cabs, food and drinks outside of night clubs). Hey, that may be one of the reasons they have more money than me
When I've been to Vegas (and when I come to think of it, every time I am drunk) I just spend money on all sorts of crap. And I don't really mind.

What strikes me about the TR and OP is that there are constant references to rip-offs? WTF?? A rip off is when you get hustled into doing something you do not want to do and end up paying for it in some way. What OP lacks is a healthy dose of self reflecting and some humbleness. What he really should have written on all the rip off-references should have been "My bad" or "I'm such an idiot" or something similar.

Anyway, not so nice TR, leaves a bitter taste after reading. On the other hand, I do applaud OP for being so honest. Look forward to reading the TR after WSOP. (25,000 for entering into a tourney - what a rip off!!!) sorry OP...

@JayCool
Breakfast in bed is going to be expensive anywhere. You can budget in Vegas just like anywhere else. I myself would rather invest all that cash into poker. to each his own. sorry you had a bad trip. Hope next time is better[/quote]

If I read the report right this breakfast/room service was at the Trump. When they discount rooms to get people to stay in that gold tinted building they find other ways to make money off of you. Like overpriced room service.

It's a shame you didn't enjoy the trip. I feel bad for you. I'm lucky I can get out to Vegas once a year and a bad trip still beats any other place I have been. Don't get me wrong, I've done the Disney trip with the kids and wife, and its a different type of fun, but given my choice, Vegas with the wife can't be beat. I can't wait until May and my annual pilgrimage to sin city.

lmao i dont feel like digging up the particular comment i just read on this thread but whoever claimed "theres like no single women here" just has 0 game and i guess thats what the ladies are telling you, nothing personal man but theres a plethora of ladies here, a veritable cornucopia of both local and tourist vimon , yes some are jaded, some are fake, some are baby mamas, some have a checkered past, and some are just drunk bachlorettes out for a score, enjoy the spread its vegas, and if every women you talk to is 'taken' rethink your approach

@jjmaximum

That sounds awesome. Is that at Grand Luxe?

To OP:

Sorry you didn't have a good time. If I lost $6k on my 1st trip it would definitely color my view of the town, too. I agree with the others who said you were hanging out in swanky joints that aren't known for their party atmosphere. Next time if you want to drink and play blackjack and roulette, try Harrah's or TI. They are places where you're likely to find fun, friendly players and dealers.

As far as food goes, there is such a range of options in LV. Do a little research and plan ahead for a bargain (or at least standard) deal; or go for convenience (room service) and expect to pay for it.

Better luck at WSOP time.

To the OP: What part of Arkansas are you from? My folks live in Alma.

To the rest: I think this is just one of those trips where everything spirals. I have been to Vegas more times than I can count and love it. But one trip my wife and I couldn't win anything ever (I don't mean having a profitable session, I mean just having a winning hand). It was the worst trip I've ever had in my life. The town goes from fun, anything is possible adult playground to depressing locale where nobody is nice, everything is expensive and everyone is trying to get in your pocket. I think the OP had a similar experience (even though he had a big BJ score in the middle of the trip).

What I've learned in my 6 previous trips is that most things are more expensive in Vegas. If you know that going in, it is ok. It is a vacation. You are supposed to treat yourself a bit. I am normally pretty tight with money, but when I'm in Vegas, I say "What the hell" and have fun. You need to budget your expenses. I'm taking $2,000 on my next trip. This is for food, entertainment, & poker (hotel & airfare already paid for). In my mind, that $2,000 is already gone. Obviously, I can't get back anything I pay for as far as entertainment or food, but there is always the possibility I don't lose the rest on poker. But if i do, so be it. I'm still learning the game, so it is enterely possible I could drop several buy-ins. Since that money is already marked as gone, it doesn't matter. If I come home with any of the $2,000 I take to Vegas, that is great. That is how I guarantee my trip will be enjoyable.

-Ryan

To the OP:

Are you taking advantage of your comps? If you are throwing that much money around at the tables, you should be getting free dinners at the Wynne, etc... If you have that much to invest on a trip, it is worth staying at a hotel that you are going to play at... you should get (or ask) for room and food comps...

While the big BJ losses certainly wouldn't be a joy filled event I take it that you are somewhat accustomed to those types of things. I understand the feeling of getting ripped off so I have learned to avoid that while in Vegas.

Now that you have been introduced to the Vegas hustle you should be able to avoid it more in the future. I will be the first to admit that the hustle has gotten to be fairly ridiculous in recent years. There are some people who think you should tip them when they have done absolutely nothing worthy of a tip. I'm not a stooge but seriously some of the people in Vegas act like we should just toss our money out of the window and keep on driving by. I think I have even commented on this in an earlier trip report.

So, how do I have fun even when confronted with this hustle?

1) If someone hasn't earned a tip, they don't get a tip. I'm not a stooge and I tip liberally. I would have tipped the cab driver for instance. Now, the guy that organizes the cab line at each hotel? That is for the resorts convenience, not mine. Housekeeping? Unless I have left an ungodly mess, why should that get a tip? Nobody comes into my office and tips me for doing my job even when I do it really really well.

2) If I play table games, I generally play them at night. The crowd and dealers always seem a little more fun at night than during the day.

3) I play large amounts of poker. That is really the main reason I go to Vegas after all.

4) I play one game of craps at Casino Royale. The dealers there can be very entertaining. I've seen them says things that would get them booted at Bellagio etc and in that environment it somehow fits.

Bottom line is that it is your responsibility to have fun. Depending on other people to make you have fun just isn't going to work. If you are not having fun where you are, get up and find somewhere funner.

Good luck on your next trip. Hope you have fun.

Thanks for taking the time to write the TR.... I think the negative vibe touched some nerves, as indicated by the tone of some of the replies. I think a lot of people on this site glorify Vegas a little too much-- myself included. It helps us look forward to the trips we're about to take and are busy planning-- for me, I get a lot of pleasure in the anticipation. When someone points out that its not always roses and sunshine, it challenges the beliefs people develop in order to support the daydreaming and fantasy.

I think many of the people who replied were respectful and friendly, and genuinely hoped that the OP would have a better trip next time. But really, some of you should be ashamed of yourselves-- this guy spends time putting together a good, honest TR, and he gets attacked? For being from Arkansas? I don't think that's the sort of community most of us want this to be.

If you think Vegas sucks, you didn't do it right!

@cbob8
I enjoy visiting Vegas. But I also LOVED living there for three years. Any place has it's ups and downs. The point is any place, any trip, any event.. is what you make it. I for one do not OVER GLORIFY. I love it there and have fun every time I go and when I live there. To each his own of course.

@GaspipeCasso

fixed

I agree on calling bs on half this guys report,

OP: I'm really sorry to hear that your first visit sucked. Mine, (and it sounds like a lot of other people's), was great. Maybe my expectations weren't as high, but I came away with a very positive impression. I've made many trips sense, and never been disappointed.

That being said, I have never gambled at most of the casinos you mention, and for the reasons previously stated by others. These are some high dollar joints with a lot of people looking to play with serious amounts of money. I'm more like the poster who said he's taking $2K and if he brings some home, great and if not, oh well.

On the other hand, (and someone mentioned Bally's), while the card room there really isn't a room as much as an area, I've passed some really fun hours there and have come away with a lot of other people's money. And the coolest part is that except for one jerk, one time, they don't seem to mind.

Although it isn't a big deal to me, I can certainly understand that, especially with all the advertising, one would think that no trip to Vegas is complete without playing poker at the Bellagio or BJ at the Venetian. However, if you want someplace a little "nicer" than Bally's yet with a more relaxed atmosphere, MGM has a really nice card room.

You didn't mention craps, so I'm guessing you don't play, but if you do you won't find a more fun game than at Bill's or O'Shea's on the strip. And if you fancy a trip downtown, craps is still great at Binion's.

The dealers are normally very friendly in these places as well, and for the most part their competency level is quite good.

As for the cab drivers, there are several thousand of them in town so you're going to meet all kinds. I've had everything from the guy who talks on his cell phone in a foreign language the entire trip to a regular guy, (or gal), who has been driving a cab in Vegas for twenty years and will talk as long as you want about anything you want.

I know you feel like you have a better idea what to expect based on your first visit, but you really owe it to yourself to "downgrade" just a little. Tip the cocktail waitress in the poker room at MGM anything over a buck and you'll become her favorite customer.

One last thing. Since your first trip was just now, remember that Vegas has taken quite a hit with the economy.

Hope your next trip is a better one.

I found this trip report hilarious. This Arkansas hick kid typifies every aspect of young, narcissistic Generation Whine America. He's "not impressed" because he's been coddled his whole life by self-esteem boosting teachers and parents and relatives who never taught him anything about the realities of life. Even something that is clearly their own fault - forgetting an ID - is an opportunity to gripe and moan and pass the buck. Everything is somebody else's fauly. Oh my god you had to wait ten whole minutes to place your order at a busy Strip burger bar. Oh, how shocking, who ever would've thought that a burgers and fries at a tourist-trap locale might be a little costly? The Wynn sports book is "amazing" but the poker room isn't impressive because "it was off in the corner"???
He's also the worst-kind of passive-agressive cheap person who irritates the hell out of me. As much as the 'Look how much money I throw around' douchebags are an annoyance also, this kid can afford to GAMBLE over six grand but says the Wynn "conned" him into 10 dollars of match play when he signed up for their comp card. He plays two-deck BJ at the Wynn and is surprised the dealers aren't treating him like he's at the Imperial Palace. As soon as you walk into the Wynn, you should be able to sense that its atmosphere caters to high roller types, adults, maturity, elegance, etc. Was he expecting something out of Vegas Vacation?
Then, as usual, it's the cabbie's fault for not having a credit card machine, not his fault for not leaving enough cash in his pocket to pay for a taxi ride. And the driver is a "jerk" for behaving like a rational adult as opposed to coddling him like his parents and the education system have his whole life.
He then acted like the typical surface-rich knucklehead American and splurged at the Outlet Mall. Buddy, by the way, your super young looking gf is probably a golddigger.
Then he loses more at BJ, which is of course "the devil's game", typical Christian-America Bush-era manichean nonsense. If I fail, it's not my own fault, it's the devil and the evil forces and the America-hating terrorists who were against me.
Then he's the first guy in the history of the universe to figure out that room service is overpriced.
Do I want to see a world class Cirque production like Mystere or Love? Nah, I'll stereotypically typify my generation and region of the country a little more and go to see Peepshow.
I mean, in this internet age, doing a little pre-trip research could have saved the dude a lot of time and misery and at least part of 6 grand! And of course, he hopes next time he comes back OTHER PEOPLE will have a different atittude when of course he's never looked in the mirror his entire life to realize that he's the douche who needs the attitude adjustment. Who wants to bet on how much bad facial hair, Kevin Federline sense of entitlement and ridiculous wigger hip hop gear and Ed Hardy shirts this kid owns? He also seems like a sunglasses indoors guy.

The Captain

I just have one suggeston for the OP for the next trip.

Since you seem to drop a good amount of coin on BJ I would try to play somewhere like Harrahs or MGM properties and use your card and get some comps and probably get your room for free. You were staying at the Trump and that is a non gaming hotel. I know if you stayed at Venetian or Wynn/Encore and spent that much you would probably get comped. If you stayed at MGM or somewhere like that you for sure would have been staying there for free and probably would have been able to have some nice meals too.

OK. Let me get this straight.

Our OP DID: Pay $40.00 for burgers & fries at Stripurger.
DIDIN’T: Ask cab driver to pull through ‘In‘ Out Burger on way to casino.

DID: Become itchy & uncomfortable from spider bite.
DIDN’T: Have cabbie stop at White Cross on way back from In ‘N’ Out.

DID: Get “conned” into playing “free play” slots at Wynn.
DIDN’T: Get rebate on slot play at Arizona Charlie’s.

DID: Spend lots of $$$ at Premium Outlet Mall.
DIDN’T: Spend $$$ at Fashion Outlet in Primm…and enjoy visiting the “Bonnie & Clyde Death Car” on display!

DID: Enjoy flirting with player at Bellagio poker table.
DIDN’T: Have GF slap him up side of his head with purse.

DID: Spend $65.00 for pricey room service breakfast.
DIDN’T: A) Notice prices on menu. B) Return to Arizona Charlie’s for the $3.95 steak & eggs special.

DID: Eat bagel 2nd morning to save $$$.
DIDN’T: Return to Arizona Charlie’s for the $3.95 steak & eggs special.

DID: Fail to be impressed with overpriced lunch at Grand Luxe.
DIDN’T: Take advantage of the many reasonably priced food specials or buffets available all over town.

DID: Spend all of time on Las Vegas Strip.
DIDN’T: Make it downtown for reasonable gambling, entertainment, and eating opportunities.

Well, NO WONDER he wasn’t impressed with his first trip to Vegas!! In fact, some would argue that he missed Las Vegas entirely.

@vookenmeister
Why wait to go to Vegas to write a TR?

Let's say that the OP made some mistakes, but please let's not reduce the thread to name-calling and abuse.

I would suggest a more productive way to deal with the issues of what can go wrong in Vegas would be for all concerned to offer their own presonal top 10 tips for what to do, where to go, where to play poker/craps/BJ etc.

I live in the UK and will shortly be visiting Vegas for the 5th time in 3 years, so I clearly don't have a problem with the place: quite the opposite. I am inclined to agree with the previously expressed opinion that if it's a vacation in Vegas, you take what you are happy to spend. And does it really matter what you spend it on? When it's gone, it's gone! I will make a wild assumption that we are all willing adults who choose whether to play poker, take a cab rather than the Deuce, order room service, etc. Nobody puts a gun to our heads and takes the decision making process away from us, so if you get caught out, hold your hands up and accept it and learn from it. It happened to me last year, when for the first time the cab driver took the tunnel route. My own fault for not stating otherwise, but I won't make the same mistake in May.

For my own 2 cents:

1. I like playing poker at MGM. Staff are chatty and the players are usually in a similar mood.

2. I like walking from one place to the next. It costs less than other transport, I like the scenery and I get to pop in to places along the way.

3. I never order room service. Personal choice but I don't travel over 5000 miles to stay in a hotel room for longer than necessary. Nothing to do with the cost, but I am aware that it is expensive in relation to a similar order elsewhere.

4. I make use of the comps cards. Can come in handy for a free lunch after a few hours of poker play.

5. I believe I have an edge over the average player at poker and know that I don't have an edge over the casinos at any other game. So apart from $20 on black on roulette when I'm drunk, later at night on the way back to the room, I don't play anything else.

6. I always tip the dealers, waitresses in the poker room and at restaurants, and room maids. And that's pretty much it.

7. I eat at a different place for each of the 10 or 14 nights I am in Vegas. That way I dress up for a nice restaurant that will cost a little more at Bellagio or Venetian etc, and dress more casually for a less expensive meal at other places. However this allows me to visit most hotels/casinos during my trip.

8. If there is a particular show that I wish to see, I am more than happy to use one of the many coupons that will get me a discount. And if the staff help me with a discount or better seat, I will tip them.

9. I restrict myself to 3 buy-ins for any session, however long. This way I don't leave the table with a huge loss, upset, and thinking worse about the trip to Vegas. (I have been fortunate that I have never lost 2 buy-ins in a session, but I'm not arrogant enough to think that with variance it won't happen).

10. I enjoy every visit, think about for months in advance and talk about relentlessly to everybody when I get home.

P.S. Sorry for going on.

I believe this report is total B.S., but not because he complained about paying the extra money for the cabbie and for the high cost of room service. You see things like that all the time. For example, I will never forget watching a guy win a $2000+ pot in a 2/5NL and accidentally throw the dealer a $5 chip instead of a $1 chip and lose his mind because the dealer had already placed it in the toke box. He didn't even give the dealer a chance to give it back to him before he started going off on the dealer for "stealing" from him. And everyone here on AVP has had to have seen something similar at a poker table, for example watching guys with big stacks on the table complain that the rake should be reduced a dollar because the table isn't full or people missing the blind by one hand sitting there for 10 minutes waiting for it to come around again rather than putting in the $3 to get in the next hand.

The spider bite on his buttocks comment was funny, I gotta say that.

As for the comments on how much Vegas can suck, I go there quite a few times a year because it is easy to get there for me but I could never live there. 3 or 4 days is the absolute max I could stay there. I don't see how anyone could stay for a week or more on just a general trip. (I don't mean for the WSOP or anything like that). I eat bad, smoke too much, drink too much (sometimes), and just generally beat up my body. If I lived there, I would be divorced inside 2 months.

Le George...? Name seems familiar.

Blonde Poker?

No, mousey brown with more than a few streaks of grey.

I find it funny that you came on this site before your trip to find out what the cab ride would cost u from the airport,but never asked anything about where to play,eat or what u should expect....

like if i would have know u were going to put $5k in play at Blackjack,had plans of come back this summer to play in the WSOP,and thought $40 was too much to pay for 2 hamburgers and fries (which if it fills u up and is good i don't see the problem),I could have told u to get a harrah's card and play at their properties where that kind of play would get u free rooms at the Rio during the WSOP,and could have pointed out the McDonalds right beside Harrah's where u could get $1 cheese burgers and then hit Casino Royale for $1 michelobs.....then maybe u would have had some fun......

I just started reading the book, The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton. The first part is about travel expectations and how the actual trips we take never meet up to the expectations and magical images we had when we first decided to take our trips and planned our trips. I think that this is very true because we usually have a perfect idea of a vacation but no place we go will be perfect. Many people use vacations to escape their daily lives and upon returning home feel cheated as we realized that our lives have to return back to normal.

Additionally, de Botton explains that our memories are very selective. We do not remember the 16 hours we are awake a day on vacation. We remember maybe a few select minutes that left an impression on us. If people are optimists, they remember the moment the warm weather hit them when they walked outside. Or a beautiful view of a sunset or beach. Or in Vegas, the amazing flavor of a meal or the amazing feeling of laughing at a table of food with our closest friends, or maybe that rush we got when we won a big hand. The pessimists never remember these good parts. They remember the wait to get a table, the wait for a cab at the airport, or for luggage at the airport. They remember that one hand that they got sucked out out on. They remember the one bad dish they had at the buffet. They remember the one bad waiter they had.

In addition, many people ruin their and others' vacations with there negative attitude. It seems that OP's girlfriend didn't mind him losing thousands of dollars and was waiting for him to return from his losing sessions with "something better than a massage parlor." I would recommend OP to be more grateful for having the thousands of dollars to blow on a trip and have a girlfriend of 4 years to come back home to.

OP, focus on the positive and enjoy everything that life has to offer. Just out of curiosity, what is it that you do in Arkansas? How old are you, considering that your girlfriend looks like she's 12?

@pkaOski88

Fort Smith...what a small world. Alma is only about 20 minutes away.

Thanks to the positive people on this site who enjoyed reading my TR. Hopefully in June will be much better since I will be playing mainly poker tournaments.

As for the negatives, most of you seem as if you have the bankroll of a 16 year old working at McDonalds. Just because I have money to play BJ means I must be a trust fund baby?? Do any of you have actual jobs that pay well? Guessing not.

As for the negative comments just because I'm from Arkansas?? Really shows your maturity and ignorance.

Everyone has certain things they "splurge" on and certain things they are tight with. When it comes to BJ and Poker I don't mind to spend money but on certain other things I hate to. If no one has this tendency then they are lying.

Thanks again for everyone's input and look forward to writing my next TR!

Good luck in june. Use some of the comps advice so u get free rooms next trip

@southwinds

I agree with that. I hate this whole "what happens in Vegas" crap that the media created. You and I have lived in Vegas long enough to know that this place is a depressing, boring place where it is almost impossible to make friends... everyone hates their lives and wants to die. Not only that, there are like NO single women in this town. And the girls who are single are either WAY too young(jailbait), or already have kids(and are fat).
I don't feel like there is a "right" place to have some kind of wild vegas adventure. I don't think those things ever happen. People always think that if you drink yourself stupid and blackout, you will wake up with a ring around your finger at some wild random place full of sex, drugs, girls, and adventure. In reality when you black out you will either wake up to the sounds of metro kicking your ass, or in the alley behind IP around Koval with your cash missing and a scary bum asking you for 40 cents. In the movies, you can come to Vegas after reading a book called "card counting: Beat the Dealer" and win over $100k. In reality you end up losing your house payments and kid's college funds. Also, in the movies if you piss off one of those Chinese gangsters who live around Spring Mountain they just reply with some broken english/crazy comment that makes you laugh your ass off, but in reality they will just shoot you in the face, rape your girlfriend, and cut off the fingers of all your college buddies you came out with.
....Vegas actually really sucks.[/quote]

much of this is very true--although id sworn u live in OK not vegas.

Sounds like New York to me.