Vegas just isn’t fun anymore…. (2 Viewers)

[Brew Swillis]

For those whining (validly) about more expensive tables, there are still plenty of options to gamble slower:

- Handful of places still have true $5 tables (Cromwell, Golden Nugget)
- Many places have the electronic stadium seating setup with roulette, “bubble” craps and other games. These are typically $5 min
- Many places have standalone bubble or “canister” craps. Typically $5.
- Few places have a craps hybrid game where you still get to throw dice, but table is short and all betting is electronic. Typically $5 (Planet H, Sahara, I’m sure others)
- Sports betting continues to be a great way to get good entertainment value

There are 2 different hybrid craps games where you handle actual dice. One is what I call "tub craps" where you throw into a shortened table with felt on it. They have this at many of the Caesars properties (PHo, Horseshoe, Paris.) The other is the Roll to Win craps where you roll onto a plastic covered video screen that shows the layout. They have this at the Stations casinos off strip.

 

[Terminalxylem]

I think the only thing I would consider with Vegas in the future is guys trip,

I just got back from a guys trip to Vegas. It was terrible for all these things. I mean it was still great to be with the old buddies and reminisce and all the regular guy weekend things but the Vegas part of it sucked. Like you said, you can get the Vegas fix now in many other places that aren't Vegas for a lot cheaper.

As a non-gambler, I can’t think of many places which offer as many dining and activity options so close to a major airport. Most major cities are far more dispersed.

Gambling or otherwise, where would you recommend someone get their “Vegas fix”?

On the east coast you can easily come down to Fort Lauderdale, stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, get world class dining, gambling as good as Vegas.

While there is nothing like the strip…..for those of us who are Vegas veterans and been there done that…..there are easy options locally for me.

If you are younger and have not experienced Vegas, it’s a great place to party. And you never knew what it was in the past like we did.

Post covid Vegas sucks for my taste.

That’s one place. OK for E coast, I guess, but not as convenient for most of the rest of the country.

I acknowledge the LV experience has changed, but the board demographic (middle aged men prone to gambling) isn’t representative of a huge swath of people interested in Vegas.

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

 

[Brew Swillis]

It's been a while now but sometime after they started paying 6:5, pretty much all 6:5 tables took away the option to take even money. If you find a table and/or play higher limits so that they are still paying 3:2, then you still have the option to take even money.

I mean, was Vegas losing too much money paying out 3-2 on blackjack and allowing even money payouts? They already have the odds in their favor why must they keep screwing over the people that don't mind giving away a few hundred dollars for the fun of sitting at a table, having a few drinks and getting the exicitement of gambling.

I go to Vegas for entertainment with the off chance I might win a couple hundred bucks or pay for the weekend. But if I have to break the bank to just gamble for an hour and keep getting hosed on the odds that already favor the casino I will eventually stop going. That is just not fun anymore. Take this last weekend trip. Being "forced" to play $15 min tables already puts a bad taste in my mouth that makes the experience just not fun anymore. It's really terrible.

I don't play roulette but long ago pretty much every table went from just have a 0 to now having a 0 and 00. Rumor has it that a number of places now have a 000 on the wheel, making odds even worse for the player. 6:5 blackjack is more the rule than the exception, and a number of the other carnival table games have also adjusted the odds payout on them to give the house an even bigger edge than the crazy edge they already had before. As long as people keep paying/playing, they can keep taking a bigger cut of the pie.

They advertise 000 roulette as "more ways to win!" I'd say it was insulting except that a lot of people believe it, so I guess it's smart marketing. I see people playing it all the time when there's a 00 table with the same minimum 10 feet away. Staggering. It's all over the Strip now - often with a symbol (like the Luxor Pyramid) instead of actually labeling it 000...

 

[The Z Machine]

It's been a while now but sometime after they started paying 6:5, pretty much all 6:5 tables took away the option to take even money. If you find a table and/or play higher limits so that they are still paying 3:2, then you still have the option to take even money.

I mean, was Vegas losing too much money paying out 3-2 on blackjack and allowing even money payouts? They already have the odds in their favor why must they keep screwing over the people that don't mind giving away a few hundred dollars for the fun of sitting at a table, having a few drinks and getting the exicitement of gambling.

I go to Vegas for entertainment with the off chance I might win a couple hundred bucks or pay for the weekend. But if I have to break the bank to just gamble for an hour and keep getting hosed on the odds that already favor the casino I will eventually stop going. That is just not fun anymore. Take this last weekend trip. Being "forced" to play $15 min tables already puts a bad taste in my mouth that makes the experience just not fun anymore. It's really terrible.

I don't play roulette but long ago pretty much every table went from just have a 0 to now having a 0 and 00. Rumor has it that a number of places now have a 000 on the wheel, making odds even worse for the player. 6:5 blackjack is more the rule than the exception, and a number of the other carnival table games have also adjusted the odds payout on them to give the house an even bigger edge than the crazy edge they already had before. As long as people keep paying/playing, they can keep taking a bigger cut of the pie.

They advertise 000 roulette as "more ways to win!" I'd say it was insulting except that a lot of people believe it, so I guess it's smart marketing. I see people playing it all the time when there's a 00 table with the same minimum 10 feet away. Staggering. It's all over the Strip now - often with a symbol (like the Luxor Pyramid) instead of actually labeling it 000...

Ridiculous

 

[KingofAvalon]

So, you prefer online casinos more now?

 

[3 hour lunch]

For those whining (validly) about more expensive tables, there are still plenty of options to gamble slower:

- Handful of places still have true $5 tables (Cromwell, Golden Nugget)
- Many places have the electronic stadium seating setup with roulette, “bubble” craps and other games. These are typically $5 min
- Many places have standalone bubble or “canister” craps. Typically $5.
- Few places have a craps hybrid game where you still get to throw dice, but table is short and all betting is electronic. Typically $5 (Planet H, Sahara, I’m sure others)
- Sports betting continues to be a great way to get good entertainment value

There are 2 different hybrid craps games where you handle actual dice. One is what I call "tub craps" where you throw into a shortened table with felt on it. They have this at many of the Caesars properties (PHo, Horseshoe, Paris.) The other is the Roll to Win craps where you roll onto a plastic covered video screen that shows the layout. They have this at the Stations casinos off strip.

Yes, you’re right. I think I saw the latter at the Linc too if I remember right. Both good options

 

[cheese]

Any off strip (preferably downtown) spots to watch NFL and get good food/drink?

I haven’t been but the Circa sports book is supposedly awesome.

I still spend a lot of time in Vegas sportsbooks and would agree Circa is #1 these days. Stadium Swim is amazing, but even the indoor area is massive with a TON of free seating.

Westgate is basically off strip and easy to get to by uber or similar. I still have a soft spot for some of the big strip sportsbooks, but objectively the only reason to go somewhere besides Westgate/Circa is if you're staying the middle of the strip and don't want to leave.

 

[The Z Machine]

Stadium swim sounds cool, but the drink prices (while being locked into the pool area) are stoopid. Also, I don't want to be in the sun all day. I'd fry.

Thinking about hitting up Aces and Ales or Bar Code for NFL Sunday. Maybe do that until the 1PM games are over, then watch Sunday night games + NLCS at a book in the evening.

 

[cheese]

It’s pretty fun if you play NL holdem poker at Golden Nugget (the loosest room in the city).

Basically all I did my last time in Vegas was NL Hold em. It saved the trip for me other than the amazing food.

Even that isn't what it used to be. You can get a bigger and better poker room with more players in almost any city in the midwest.

Vegas NL still a pretty soft game though and still free drinks at the poker table.

 

[Softballguy]

Any off strip (preferably downtown) spots to watch NFL and get good food/drink?

I haven’t been but the Circa sports book is supposedly awesome.

I still spend a lot of time in Vegas sportsbooks and would agree Circa is #1 these days. Stadium Swim is amazing, but even the indoor area is massive with a TON of free seating.

Westgate is basically off strip and easy to get to by uber or similar. I still have a soft spot for some of the big strip sportsbooks, but objectively the only reason to go somewhere besides Westgate/Circa is if you're staying the middle of the strip and don't want to leave.

I like the Westgate sportsbook, and the monorail goes to Westgate so it's not difficult to get to. You can catch the monorail as far south as MGM Grand, also at Horseshoe, Flamingo, and Linq/Harrah's.

 

[Gally]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

 

[fred_1_15301]

It’s pretty fun if you play NL holdem poker at Golden Nugget (the loosest room in the city).

Basically all I did my last time in Vegas was NL Hold em. It saved the trip for me other than the amazing food.

Even that isn't what it used to be. You can get a bigger and better poker room with more players in almost any city in the midwest.

Vegas NL still a pretty soft game though and still free drinks at the poker table.

Golden Nugget in Vegas is awesome because there is no max buy in and the promos are awesome. Yesterday there was a $150 high hand every 15 minutes that would progressively increase up to 900. At night the tables get super loose. I won’t play on the strip anymore. Last year I came away with $2400 strictly playing tight aggressive 1/2 at golden nugget. TBD this year……

 

[Brew Swillis]

For those whining (validly) about more expensive tables, there are still plenty of options to gamble slower:

- Handful of places still have true $5 tables (Cromwell, Golden Nugget)
- Many places have the electronic stadium seating setup with roulette, “bubble” craps and other games. These are typically $5 min
- Many places have standalone bubble or “canister” craps. Typically $5.
- Few places have a craps hybrid game where you still get to throw dice, but table is short and all betting is electronic. Typically $5 (Planet H, Sahara, I’m sure others)
- Sports betting continues to be a great way to get good entertainment value

There are 2 different hybrid craps games where you handle actual dice. One is what I call "tub craps" where you throw into a shortened table with felt on it. They have this at many of the Caesars properties (PHo, Horseshoe, Paris.) The other is the Roll to Win craps where you roll onto a plastic covered video screen that shows the layout. They have this at the Stations casinos off strip.

Yes, you’re right. I think I saw the latter at the Linc too if I remember right. Both good options

I think Linq pulled theirs, but Flamingo and Harrah's still have them for sure. I believe Wynn and Circus Circus do too. Not sure about the latter because I NEVER go there.

 

[Drunken knight]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

gally-

I am not a huge gambler..i will do a little bit here and there. The groups i have gone with always had people seeking tournaments.

For me, i like the food and beverage and pools. I am in sonoma county, which has no shortage of excellent food. vegas allows me to sample (albeit, a caricature) of less accessible celebrity chef restaurants (plus other fun places).

Eta: i also like going to shows when mrs is on the trip

 

[kevzilla]

Any off strip (preferably downtown) spots to watch NFL and get good food/drink?

I haven’t been but the Circa sports book is supposedly awesome.

And has a restaurant on one end with a balcony and boozy shakes

 

[FreeBaGeL]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

I am the same as you. But I would wager (heh) that the majority of Vegas visitors never gamble at all on their trip, or gamble for less than 20 minutes.

 

[Softballguy]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

I am the same as you. But I would wager (heh) that the majority of Vegas visitors never gamble at all on their trip, or gamble for less than 20 minutes.

I'd take that wager, and your money.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

I am the same as you. But I would wager (heh) that the majority of Vegas visitors never gamble at all on their trip, or gamble for less than 20 minutes.

I'd take that wager, and your money.

Dang. I can win it back. Double or nothing on a hand of blackjack?

 

[The Iguana]

Personally I still find Vegas to be a good time. Was there for the start of football season and really had no issues. As I recall, there were plenty of 15 BJ tables on the strip pretty much all the time, which is fine by me, IMO. And you didn't have to look too hard to find a $25 table with 3:2 blackjack. We also took a couple trips to places just off strip (OYO and Ellis Island) that actually had 5 and 10 tables, often paying 3:2 but they often where auto/continuous. Ellis Island is a little run down but The Front Yard beer garden is a pretty good/economical place to catch a game - I mean you can't beat $6.50 craft beers. Other places on the strip as mentioned above also work - Brew Dog, Beer Park, Blondies. You might need a reservation to get into those and/or there probably will be a minimum spend for watching a game but hitting the minimum generally isn't difficult - especially given the uptick in prices.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I'm going to Vegas in March on a guys trip. Any recommendations that don't involve gambling?

ETA: Going with my uncle (70 years old), my brother (48 years old) and my son (27 years old)

 

[Gally]

I'm going to Vegas in March on a guys trip. Any recommendations that don't involve gambling?

ETA: Going with my uncle (70 years old), my brother (48 years old) and my son (27 years old)

Golf?

 

[fred_1_15301]

I'm going to Vegas in March on a guys trip. Any recommendations that don't involve gambling?

ETA: Going with my uncle (70 years old), my brother (48 years old) and my son (27 years old)

None of you gamble at all? Are you renting a car? If so, I would highly recommend the 2 and a half hour drive to Zion if you have the time (and haven’t seen it before). Absolutely stunning!

ETA - weather may be a bit unpredictable depending on when in March you go.

 

[Willie Neslon]

Has anyone seen this guy "D Lucky" on Youtube? He charges people $1800 to meet him in a Vegas casino and he "guides" them as they play slots for about 10-15 minutes while recording them on his phone. He only posts videos of the people who win on Youtube. There is a waiting list of people ready to give him their money. It blows my mind how dumb these people are.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Has anyone seen this guy "D Lucky" on Youtube? He charges people $1800 to meet him in a Vegas casino and he "guides" them as they play slots for about 10-15 minutes while recording them on his phone. He only posts videos of the people who win on Youtube. There is a waiting list of people ready to give him their money. It blows my mind how dumb these people are.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

:laugh react:

 

[Todem]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

I am the same as you. But I would wager (heh) that the majority of Vegas visitors never gamble at all on their trip, or gamble for less than 20 minutes.

All the years we went there....that was the #1,2,3 reason we went. Being in a hopping Vegas casino and sports book is a great atmosphere. But something definitely changed on our last trip in 2023......it had been 8 years since we had been there.

Maybe it was us and the thrill is gone. But the vibe simply felt....meh. The minimums sucked. The dealers were miserable and not friendly at all. It simply did not feel like "Vegas " anymore.

Meh....no matter. I enjoyed the heck outta Vegas for a long time. And sometimes good things do come to an end. I am sure I will go back one day again....for a special weekend or concert or what not but from 1998 thru 2015....I went almost annually. Then we stopped after 2015 because I was so heavily involved in coaching baseball and my son and traveling to tournaments and what not (amazing memories too I may add) and then Covid happened......we finally made it back and were super excited......and although the dining and service at our restaurants was exceptional, the gambling was simply awful. We were really let down. And we tried many different spots on the strip.....and they all had that dread feeling......I need to try something else the next time we go. Maybe get downtown or go to South Point and for lack of a better term "slum" it a little more to get that feeling back of fun and excitement and....lower minimums LOL.

My goal when I gamble is not about how much can I win. It's about how long can I play each night on $200-300 bucks. with $5 and $10 tables that was usually several hours. Vegas figured that out on the strip....."no more lower minimums for you"!!! I come with a pile of money for the 3-4 nights I am there and accept I am going to lose it all most likely. I just want to have fun. After two nights we figured out....this ain't gonna happen and I played Poker the rest of the trip.....and loved it because I played for hours.

Look Vegas is still a cool city......they have a ton of things to do too. I have done a lot there over the years so it's time to visit other places in our country and around the world. But I know I am not alone with that" feeling" that Vegas is simply nothing like it was pre covid. And the Strip....man.....lot's of vagrants and really nasty people.

Something really changed.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I'm going to Vegas in March on a guys trip. Any recommendations that don't involve gambling?

ETA: Going with my uncle (70 years old), my brother (48 years old) and my son (27 years old)

Golf?

Don't golf.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I'm going to Vegas in March on a guys trip. Any recommendations that don't involve gambling?

ETA: Going with my uncle (70 years old), my brother (48 years old) and my son (27 years old)

None of you gamble at all? Are you renting a car? If so, I would highly recommend the 2 and a half hour drive to Zion if you have the time (and haven’t seen it before). Absolutely stunning!

ETA - weather may be a bit unpredictable depending on when in March you go.

We gamble but I don't want to spend 3 days gambling. Want to do something other than that. Not renting a car.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I'm going to Vegas in March on a guys trip. Any recommendations that don't involve gambling?

ETA: Going with my uncle (70 years old), my brother (48 years old) and my son (27 years old)

None of you gamble at all? Are you renting a car? If so, I would highly recommend the 2 and a half hour drive to Zion if you have the time (and haven’t seen it before). Absolutely stunning!

ETA - weather may be a bit unpredictable depending on when in March you go.

We gamble but I don't want to spend 3 days gambling. Want to do something other than that. Not renting a car.

There are a plethora of outdoors things in the area that are cool if you're willing to budge on the rental car. We made the change maybe 10ish years ago where on every guy's Vegas trip we are required to go do something outdoorsy, usually a hike. It's a great recharge to get away from the strip and the tables and the drinking for a while and get some sun.

One year we played pickleball (one of the Vegas casinos actually has pickleball courts you can rent time at) and that worked as well.

 

[nirad3]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

I am the same as you. But I would wager (heh) that the majority of Vegas visitors never gamble at all on their trip, or gamble for less than 20 minutes.

All the years we went there....that was the #1,2,3 reason we went. Being in a hopping Vegas casino and sports book is a great atmosphere. But something definitely changed on our last trip in 2023......it had been 8 years since we had been there.

Maybe it was us and the thrill is gone. But the vibe simply felt....meh. The minimums sucked. The dealers were miserable and not friendly at all. It simply did not feel like "Vegas " anymore.

Meh....no matter. I enjoyed the heck outta Vegas for a long time. And sometimes good things do come to an end. I am sure I will go back one day again....for a special weekend or concert or what not but from 1998 thru 2015....I went almost annually. Then we stopped after 2015 because I was so heavily involved in coaching baseball and my son and traveling to tournaments and what not (amazing memories too I may add) and then Covid happened......we finally made it back and were super excited......and although the dining and service at our restaurants was exceptional, the gambling was simply awful. We were really let down. And we tried many different spots on the strip.....and they all had that dread feeling......I need to try something else the next time we go. Maybe get downtown or go to South Point and for lack of a better term "slum" it a little more to get that feeling back of fun and excitement and....lower minimums LOL.

My goal when I gamble is not about how much can I win. It's about how long can I play each night on $200-300 bucks. with $5 and $10 tables that was usually several hours. Vegas figured that out on the strip....."no more lower minimums for you"!!! I come with a pile of money for the 3-4 nights I am there and accept I am going to lose it all most likely. I just want to have fun. After two nights we figured out....this ain't gonna happen and I played Poker the rest of the trip.....and loved it because I played for hours.

Look Vegas is still a cool city......they have a ton of things to do too. I have done a lot there over the years so it's time to visit other places in our country and around the world. But I know I am not alone with that" feeling" that Vegas is simply nothing like it was pre covid. And the Strip....man.....lot's of vagrants and really nasty people.

Something really changed.

I resonate so much with this post. From just around mid-college years (so mid-90's) until maybe 2012ish, I was there every year at minimum... sometimes going as many as 4-5 times a year since many of those years were spent living in SoCal. I was single and had gotten myself a job that paid decent, so it felt like I had WAY more money than I really did.

WCOFF made it a thing to go for a long weekend in early September, and we'd go and hang out with other fantasy football nerds (I was a "regular" at another FF site) and have a blast, not to mention the fun of drafting in a high-stakes fantasy football league.

I was never a huge gambler... like I mentioned upthread I'd mainly do sports betting (parlays) and just hang out and watch sports all day. Of course there'd be day drinking. And depending on how much of a bankroll I had, I'd also play games like 3-Card Poker or Let It Ride.

Not much of a foodie, so going to swanky restaurants was never a draw for me. I'd be fine with a good cheeseburger or some dope pizza (still would be!).

Definitely not into "shows". Meh.

For me it was about hanging out with my bros, having some drinks, people watching, watching sports, and the thrill of perhaps making a few bucks gambling.

Fast forward to earlier this year and I was out there for the first time in many years and it just felt.... different. Table minimums were ridiculous. Drink prices were ridiculous. I ended up just parking my butt at a bar that had video poker (quarter minimum!) and threw $20 in the machine which got me free drinks for a couple hours.

Most of my time that trip was spent in a suite at the Mandalay for a company retreat, otherwise I would have been just like...

 

[FreeBaGeL]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

I am the same as you. But I would wager (heh) that the majority of Vegas visitors never gamble at all on their trip, or gamble for less than 20 minutes.

All the years we went there....that was the #1,2,3 reason we went. Being in a hopping Vegas casino and sports book is a great atmosphere. But something definitely changed on our last trip in 2023......it had been 8 years since we had been there.

Maybe it was us and the thrill is gone. But the vibe simply felt....meh. The minimums sucked. The dealers were miserable and not friendly at all. It simply did not feel like "Vegas " anymore.

Meh....no matter. I enjoyed the heck outta Vegas for a long time. And sometimes good things do come to an end. I am sure I will go back one day again....for a special weekend or concert or what not but from 1998 thru 2015....I went almost annually. Then we stopped after 2015 because I was so heavily involved in coaching baseball and my son and traveling to tournaments and what not (amazing memories too I may add) and then Covid happened......we finally made it back and were super excited......and although the dining and service at our restaurants was exceptional, the gambling was simply awful. We were really let down. And we tried many different spots on the strip.....and they all had that dread feeling......I need to try something else the next time we go. Maybe get downtown or go to South Point and for lack of a better term "slum" it a little more to get that feeling back of fun and excitement and....lower minimums LOL.

My goal when I gamble is not about how much can I win. It's about how long can I play each night on $200-300 bucks. with $5 and $10 tables that was usually several hours. Vegas figured that out on the strip....."no more lower minimums for you"!!! I come with a pile of money for the 3-4 nights I am there and accept I am going to lose it all most likely. I just want to have fun. After two nights we figured out....this ain't gonna happen and I played Poker the rest of the trip.....and loved it because I played for hours.

Look Vegas is still a cool city......they have a ton of things to do too. I have done a lot there over the years so it's time to visit other places in our country and around the world. But I know I am not alone with that" feeling" that Vegas is simply nothing like it was pre covid. And the Strip....man.....lot's of vagrants and really nasty people.

Something really changed.

I resonate so much with this post. From just around mid-college years (so mid-90's) until maybe 2012ish, I was there every year at minimum... sometimes going as many as 4-5 times a year since many of those years were spent living in SoCal. I was single and had gotten myself a job that paid decent, so it felt like I had WAY more money than I really did.

WCOFF made it a thing to go for a long weekend in early September, and we'd go and hang out with other fantasy football nerds (I was a "regular" at another FF site) and have a blast, not to mention the fun of drafting in a high-stakes fantasy football league.

I was never a huge gambler... like I mentioned upthread I'd mainly do sports betting (parlays) and just hang out and watch sports all day. Of course there'd be day drinking. And depending on how much of a bankroll I had, I'd also play games like 3-Card Poker or Let It Ride.

Not much of a foodie, so going to swanky restaurants was never a draw for me. I'd be fine with a good cheeseburger or some dope pizza (still would be!).

Definitely not into "shows". Meh.

For me it was about hanging out with my bros, having some drinks, people watching, watching sports, and the thrill of perhaps making a few bucks gambling.

Fast forward to earlier this year and I was out there for the first time in many years and it just felt.... different. Table minimums were ridiculous. Drink prices were ridiculous. I ended up just parking my butt at a bar that had video poker (quarter minimum!) and threw $20 in the machine which got me free drinks for a couple hours.

Most of my time that trip was spent in a suite at the Mandalay for a company retreat, otherwise I would have been just like...

If we're comparing to 10ish years ago it's not that different. People talk about the table mins but $10 tables were few and far between already even 10 years ago and $5 were non-existent on the strip.

If we're talking about compared to our college and fresh out of college days, it's no different than anywhere. It just means you were ahead of the game back then. There was way less travel in general so prices and crowds were both a lot lower. Travel has blown up since then so it's both way more expensive and way more crowded.

Our favorite ski resort used to be $50 and we could park 10 steps from the lift (for free) and ski onto the lifts all day with the runs wide open, and get a $6 burger for lunch. Now we have to pay $210 for a lift ticket and park 1/4 mile away in ski boots (and pay $20 extra for parking) so we can wait in 40 minute lift lines and navigate around 1000 n00bs on the crowded ski run to get down the lodge for a $23 burger and fries.

For us that were travelers 15-20 years ago, we didn't realize how good we had it.

 

[Todem]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

I am the same as you. But I would wager (heh) that the majority of Vegas visitors never gamble at all on their trip, or gamble for less than 20 minutes.

All the years we went there....that was the #1,2,3 reason we went. Being in a hopping Vegas casino and sports book is a great atmosphere. But something definitely changed on our last trip in 2023......it had been 8 years since we had been there.

Maybe it was us and the thrill is gone. But the vibe simply felt....meh. The minimums sucked. The dealers were miserable and not friendly at all. It simply did not feel like "Vegas " anymore.

Meh....no matter. I enjoyed the heck outta Vegas for a long time. And sometimes good things do come to an end. I am sure I will go back one day again....for a special weekend or concert or what not but from 1998 thru 2015....I went almost annually. Then we stopped after 2015 because I was so heavily involved in coaching baseball and my son and traveling to tournaments and what not (amazing memories too I may add) and then Covid happened......we finally made it back and were super excited......and although the dining and service at our restaurants was exceptional, the gambling was simply awful. We were really let down. And we tried many different spots on the strip.....and they all had that dread feeling......I need to try something else the next time we go. Maybe get downtown or go to South Point and for lack of a better term "slum" it a little more to get that feeling back of fun and excitement and....lower minimums LOL.

My goal when I gamble is not about how much can I win. It's about how long can I play each night on $200-300 bucks. with $5 and $10 tables that was usually several hours. Vegas figured that out on the strip....."no more lower minimums for you"!!! I come with a pile of money for the 3-4 nights I am there and accept I am going to lose it all most likely. I just want to have fun. After two nights we figured out....this ain't gonna happen and I played Poker the rest of the trip.....and loved it because I played for hours.

Look Vegas is still a cool city......they have a ton of things to do too. I have done a lot there over the years so it's time to visit other places in our country and around the world. But I know I am not alone with that" feeling" that Vegas is simply nothing like it was pre covid. And the Strip....man.....lot's of vagrants and really nasty people.

Something really changed.

I resonate so much with this post. From just around mid-college years (so mid-90's) until maybe 2012ish, I was there every year at minimum... sometimes going as many as 4-5 times a year since many of those years were spent living in SoCal. I was single and had gotten myself a job that paid decent, so it felt like I had WAY more money than I really did.

WCOFF made it a thing to go for a long weekend in early September, and we'd go and hang out with other fantasy football nerds (I was a "regular" at another FF site) and have a blast, not to mention the fun of drafting in a high-stakes fantasy football league.

I was never a huge gambler... like I mentioned upthread I'd mainly do sports betting (parlays) and just hang out and watch sports all day. Of course there'd be day drinking. And depending on how much of a bankroll I had, I'd also play games like 3-Card Poker or Let It Ride.

Not much of a foodie, so going to swanky restaurants was never a draw for me. I'd be fine with a good cheeseburger or some dope pizza (still would be!).

Definitely not into "shows". Meh.

For me it was about hanging out with my bros, having some drinks, people watching, watching sports, and the thrill of perhaps making a few bucks gambling.

Fast forward to earlier this year and I was out there for the first time in many years and it just felt.... different. Table minimums were ridiculous. Drink prices were ridiculous. I ended up just parking my butt at a bar that had video poker (quarter minimum!) and threw $20 in the machine which got me free drinks for a couple hours.

Most of my time that trip was spent in a suite at the Mandalay for a company retreat, otherwise I would have been just like...

If we're comparing to 10ish years ago it's not that different. People talk about the table mins but $10 tables were few and far between already even 10 years ago and $5 were non-existent on the strip.

If we're talking about compared to our college and fresh out of college days, it's no different than anywhere. It just means you were ahead of the game back then. There was way less travel in general so prices and crowds were both a lot lower. Travel has blown up since then so it's both way more expensive and way more crowded.

Our favorite ski resort used to be $50 and we could park 10 steps from the lift (for free) and ski onto the lifts all day with the runs wide open, and get a $6 burger for lunch. Now we have to pay $210 for a lift ticket and park 1/4 mile away in ski boots (and pay $20 extra for parking) so we can wait in 40 minute lift lines and navigate around 1000 n00bs on the crowded ski run to get down the lodge for a $23 burger and fries.

For us that were travelers 15-20 years ago, we didn't realize how good we had it.

2015 I always found $10 craps on the strip….literally every casino. And during the day $5 at NY NY.

Just saying.

But you are right….20 years ago we had made in the shade.

 

[Terminalxylem]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

Outdoor activities, specifically rock climbing. In that regard, Vegas is unparalleled for accessibility. It’s also a great launch point for other outdoor stuff.

But I realize that’s a small niche. Among typical draws, I think the food is better, or at least more diverse than most major cities. Cities with better selection tend to be far more spread out, and convenience is definitely a consideration.

My wife likes shows, which are better in Vegas than all but the biggest cities.

Avoid people watching like the plague, but curious: has the quality gotten worse?

Anyway, just wanted to offer the perspective of someone who’s gambled maybe $20 total, in about a dozen Vegas trips. I’ll happily go back.

 

[Terminalxylem]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

I am the same as you. But I would wager (heh) that the majority of Vegas visitors never gamble at all on their trip, or gamble for less than 20 minutes.

I'd take that wager, and your money.

Most people gamble while visiting Vegas, but I doubt it’s the major draw.

 

[Terminalxylem]

I'm going to Vegas in March on a guys trip. Any recommendations that don't involve gambling?

ETA: Going with my uncle (70 years old), my brother (48 years old) and my son (27 years old)

None of you gamble at all? Are you renting a car? If so, I would highly recommend the 2 and a half hour drive to Zion if you have the time (and haven’t seen it before). Absolutely stunning!

ETA - weather may be a bit unpredictable depending on when in March you go.

Good suggestion. Or Red Rock Canyon 15 minutes off the strip.

 

[Gally]

Outdoor activities, specifically rock climbing. In that regard, Vegas is unparalleled for accessibility. It’s also a great launch point for other outdoor stuff.

To me this is not Vegas in any way. Granted the specific locations you are climbing are near Vegas but that really has nothing to do with "Vegas".


Shows/food can be found in many cities. Proximity may be the only benefit but that gets drowned out by people and price for Vegas. That stuff isn't really for me to the level of what Vegas is. The negatives far outweigh the positives for me in those cases. I said in a previous post that if those are the items that interest you then Vegas has likely improved because that is what is being catered to. That scene isn't for me. To each their own. So maybe Vegas is the only place with that combo for you.

 

[Brew Swillis]

Has anyone seen this guy "D Lucky" on Youtube? He charges people $1800 to meet him in a Vegas casino and he "guides" them as they play slots for about 10-15 minutes while recording them on his phone. He only posts videos of the people who win on Youtube. There is a waiting list of people ready to give him their money. It blows my mind how dumb these people are.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

It's almost Like Americans are suckers for a total shyster who promises winning. Who knew?

 

[massraider]

We gamble but I don't want to spend 3 days gambling. Want to do something other than that. Not renting a car.

I don't gamble at all, and when I go, I usually make a afternoon/ evening of Fremont. Check the street performers, go to the container mall, hit The Nerd bar, definitely go to Circa sports book, dinner at Hugo's Cellar, drinks at the Griffin.

We would do the pool and maybe some spa stuff at the hotel, then head down there around 5.

Think there's plenty down there to do aside from gamble.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Outdoor activities, specifically rock climbing. In that regard, Vegas is unparalleled for accessibility. It’s also a great launch point for other outdoor stuff.

To me this is not Vegas in any way. Granted the specific locations you are climbing are near Vegas but that really has nothing to do with "Vegas".


Shows/food can be found in many cities. Proximity may be the only benefit but that gets drowned out by people and price for Vegas. That stuff isn't really for me to the level of what Vegas is. The negatives far outweigh the positives for me in those cases. I said in a previous post that if those are the items that interest you then Vegas has likely improved because that is what is being catered to. That scene isn't for me. To each their own. So maybe Vegas is the only place with that combo for you.

If you limit yourself to thinking Vegas is cheap gambling, buffets, and debauchery on the Strip, then I understand your disappointment.

For someone who never valued any of those things, it’s still great because:

1. Decent food/non-gambling entertainment aren’t nearly as commonplace as you make them out to be. I asked upthread, and so far, only one comparable (debatable) destination has been mentioned.

2. Whether you acknowledge it or not, Vegas is a legitimate destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

It’s all subjective of course, but I thought I’d interject another viewpoint, from someone who doesn’t know what a parlay is, or understand the outrage over 000 spaces on the roulette wheel.

 

[massraider]

This is the price to have cheap gambling near you. Vegas adapted.

 

[Major]

Has anyone seen this guy "D Lucky" on Youtube? He charges people $1800 to meet him in a Vegas casino and he "guides" them as they play slots for about 10-15 minutes while recording them on his phone. He only posts videos of the people who win on Youtube. There is a waiting list of people ready to give him their money. It blows my mind how dumb these people are.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

:laugh react:

FYI - he doesn't accept tips

 

[The Z Machine]

The thing is, craps tables at the casino near where I lived in MD are often $25 tables! Only on weekdays could you find it at $15.

 

[Softballguy]

From a non-gambler’s perspective, I like Vegas more than 20-30 years ago. Sure it’s more expensive, and more crowded, but so is everything else. Why should Vegas be any different?

So what is the Vegas draw for you? Shows, food, people watch? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for so hard to make a recommendation. For me Vegas has always been about the gambling and people watching. I have caught a few shows over the years (but not many) so that has never really been a big deal. As far as food goes, just about any city has quality food options so why do I need to go to Vegas for that.

Obviously if gambling isn't a thing for you then Vegas has likely improved. It has more of everything else but the "everything else" really isn't that big of a draw for me.

I am the same as you. But I would wager (heh) that the majority of Vegas visitors never gamble at all on their trip, or gamble for less than 20 minutes.

I'd take that wager, and your money.

Most people gamble while visiting Vegas, but I doubt it’s the major draw.

I was just taking a bet.

 

[Battersbox]

Will be there November 17th for NFL Sunday with my Dad. Will stay center strip either Caesars, TI, or Flamingo. Does anyone have a tip for a good NFL viewing experience for 4 guys, 3 middle-aged and one a bit elderly (though still fully mobile). I'm asking about maybe a reservation type thing for a nice table with good views for the games with a baked-in minimum spend akin to a Cabana for a pool experience. Preferably center-strip. TIA

 

[Gally]

Will be there November 17th for NFL Sunday with my Dad. Will stay center strip either Caesars, TI, or Flamingo. Does anyone have a tip for a good NFL viewing experience for 4 guys, 3 middle-aged and one a bit elderly (though still fully mobile). I'm asking about maybe a reservation type thing for a nice table with good views for the games with a baked-in minimum spend akin to a Cabana for a pool experience. Preferably center-strip. TIA

The type of table you are asking for is very expensive. I believe Cesars was like $600 a person for a side table and that was just for the table. We ended up going over to Westgate for the college games and they had some high tables that were free to sit at and you can see all the games very well. I would recommend that. It's not center strip though.

 

[Battersbox]

Will be there November 17th for NFL Sunday with my Dad. Will stay center strip either Caesars, TI, or Flamingo. Does anyone have a tip for a good NFL viewing experience for 4 guys, 3 middle-aged and one a bit elderly (though still fully mobile). I'm asking about maybe a reservation type thing for a nice table with good views for the games with a baked-in minimum spend akin to a Cabana for a pool experience. Preferably center-strip. TIA

The type of table you are asking for is very expensive. I believe Cesars was like $600 a person for a side table and that was just for the table. We ended up going over to Westgate for the college games and they had some high tables that were free to sit at and you can see all the games very well. I would recommend that. It's not center strip though.

Thank you for the info. Disappointing. We'll probably just wing it if that's the type of coin they're looking for. Heck, we can sit at any bar and watch games and just run over to the windows to put our bets in.

 

[Gally]

Will be there November 17th for NFL Sunday with my Dad. Will stay center strip either Caesars, TI, or Flamingo. Does anyone have a tip for a good NFL viewing experience for 4 guys, 3 middle-aged and one a bit elderly (though still fully mobile). I'm asking about maybe a reservation type thing for a nice table with good views for the games with a baked-in minimum spend akin to a Cabana for a pool experience. Preferably center-strip. TIA

The type of table you are asking for is very expensive. I believe Cesars was like $600 a person for a side table and that was just for the table. We ended up going over to Westgate for the college games and they had some high tables that were free to sit at and you can see all the games very well. I would recommend that. It's not center strip though.

Thank you for the info. Disappointing. We'll probably just wing it if that's the type of coin they're looking for. Heck, we can sit at any bar and watch games and just run over to the windows to put our bets in.

If you aren't in a booth or lounge chair then Cesars wasn't really a good place to sit and watch games. There really isn't anywhere to sit. We were staying at the Linq across the street and for the NFL games we got a table and it costs us $300 for the table with a bar/food tab min of $300 on top of that. We had 5 guys and decided to just do it. It worked out well but the overall sportsbook at the Linq is pretty small.

If we did it over again, I would go to Westgate and sit in the free seats and watch from there. We did that for college Saturday and should have just done that for NFL Sunday.

 

[rick6668]

Heading out to Vegas from Sat-Tues 11/23-11/26, I've been before but that was 20 years ago. Taking my son who just turned 21, we're both Raiders fans.
Catching the game on Sunday and was thinking about hitting up TopGolf afterward to watch the late game (my son is an avid golfer). Stadium tour Monday morning, Sphere show afternoon and then likely Circa for the Monday night game. We head out Tuesday morning.
We both will gamble some, but trying to keep the cost down. NL we both play, but looking for some lower end tables. Likely some BlackJack, VP, Let it Ride etc as long as the minimums aren't too high. Definitely want to take a look at the hotels/casinos on the strip as he's never been there.

Any recommendations on where to play, decent eats that won't break the bank etc?
Will travel be more difficult with F1 finishing up on Sat Night when we arrive?

Thanks (Lots of good info in here!)

 

[Gally]

We both will gamble some, but trying to keep the cost down.

Expect table minimums to be $25 for Friday/Saturday nights. You may be able to find some $15 tables but they will be few and far between. There really isn't "affordable" gambling anymore.

Food is also expensive. You won't get out of any meal for less than $50/60 a person at most places that are any decent restaurants.

(I was there at the end of September so relatively recently).

 

[rick6668]

We both will gamble some, but trying to keep the cost down.

Expect table minimums to be $25 for Friday/Saturday nights. You may be able to find some $15 tables but they will be few and far between. There really isn't "affordable" gambling anymore.

Food is also expensive. You won't get out of any meal for less than $50/60 a person at most places that are any decent restaurants.

(I was there at the end of September so relatively recently).

This is what I'm seeing and it sucks. We can both bet on Sportsbooks here in NY, so sports betting in Vegas is not really something new or different (But can be a cheap way to gamble)
Arriving Sat Night, so Sunday/Monday will be most of the gambling so hoping for some decent table limits.

 

[Gally]

Arriving Sat Night, so Sunday/Monday will be most of the gambling so hoping for some decent table limits.

Most likely going to be $15 table mins