This is the first post in Living Local (and Large at Low Cost) in Las Vegas that discusses gambling, hopefully followed by several more over the next year.
Let’s set some ground rules.
A local Las Vegas resident doesn’t have to gamble at all to have a good life. Even in my world as publisher of a large gambling business website, the vast majority of my friends don’t gamble in casinos. They may visit for other reasons, but are not steady players.
That is not to say that anyone should totally avoid casinos, especially those in your neighborhood. Most Las Vegans live within easy driving distance of two or three large locals casinos that offer plenty of non-gaming amenities, including restaurants, movies, bowling alleys, etc.
A good place to start is the Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards coupon book. Pick the coupons from casinos that are near your home or that you’ve heard good things about, then head off to explore. Do no more than one casino per day – and while you’re there, sign up for the players club (and check out any introductory offers).
If you do choose to gamble at that casino, make your game either video poker or blackjack. No roulette, no keno, and no slot machines – especially penny machines, super-high-jackpot games, or games that pay someone a royalty. Learn to identify good blackjack games (it’s not the number of desks, it’s what they play for naturals—3-2 beats 6-5) and good video poker schedules. Note: If you enjoy craps (I don’t) and understand the math of the game, that’s okay too.
Learn to play the games reasonably well—basic strategy blackjack and beginner/intermediate-level video poker (via Bob Dancer’s books, classes, etc.) Confine your play to scheduled sessions on good games in a casino where you’re being fully tracked (via the players club) that offers games and amenities you enjoy. Remember to bring a bankroll that is high enough to last an hour or so, but low enough that you can afford to lose it all, and realize that you probably will lose it all two out of three sessions.
Understand how the players club works (including the games and promotions at the kiosk). Keep track of casino promotions (especially those that fit into your usual play; for example, a free meal if you earn so many points this month) and read every piece of snail and email.
However, if gambling has been a problem in the past, casino visits should be avoided, even for something an innocuous as seeing a movie (plenty of Las Vegas movie theaters are located away from casinos.)
In fact, all compulsive gamblers, even in recovery, should seriously reconsider a move to Nevada altogether. Though many states now have casinos, nowhere in the U.S. is gambling (especially slot machines) more integrated into everyday life than Las Vegas. Nevadans can find slot and video poker machines (usually with very tight schedules) in bars, grocery stores, car washes, convenience stores, and of course, the airport. If the mere presence of slot machines leads to unscheduled unaffordable gambling, you should consider another state. Texas has approximately the same cost of living, similar climate, strong economy, no personal income tax—and only one casino.
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Mr. Compton, I’m not aware of any Casino in Texas. There may be a boat near Corpus Christi, but WinStar is actually in Oklahoma. I’m sure Texans count it as theirs. Where might be the one you are referring too?
There’s an Indian (Native American) casino in Eagle Pass.
Went to WinStar many times years ago when I lived in Dallas; and of course there are plenty in Louisiana–Shreveport/Bossier, Lake Charles, etc.
I also visited a casino in the El Paso area once, but it may actually have been right over the line in New Mexico.
Poker and Sports handicapping might also be viable options for Las Vegas locals. With study, practice, experience, and a controlled approach, both can offer a positive expectation. Blackjack is a dying game in Vegas, and the blogs are full of stories about places cutting back dramatically on Video Poker comp schedules.
OTOH, There are folks in the Laughlin/Bullhead City area who supplement their retirement income playing poker. I know a couple of them personally. In Vegas there are more poker rooms, but the parking fees have made it more difficult to cruise the Strip looking for a good game.
The late Greg Morris, of the TV shows “Mission Impossible” and “Vega$,” retired in Las Vegas and played poker for additional income. I remember reading that in his obituary, I think in one of the Vegas papers, but can’t find the reference online.
Sometimes I even think about it myself, but I’d be the first to admit that I’ve got a ways to go yet.