The famous Las Vegas Strip – which is home to the world’s most extravagant casinos – is a renowned Las Vegas landmark which can be found in scenes of popular Hollywood blockbusters like Ocean’s Eleven and The Hangover.
No trip to Las Vegas is complete without doing a bit of gambling but there are a few tips and advice you may want to know before taking the plunge. Like the fact the minimum age to gamble in Nevada is 21.
Here’s our simple guide to gambling in the one and only Las Vegas and get the best experience out of your trip without leaving penniless.
Useful Tips & Information
In almost every Las Vegas casino you will get free drink privileges whilst gambling – even if you’re just playing a five cent slot machine – and who can say no to a free drink, especially a student. If you’re taking advantage of the free alcoholic beverages make sure you don’t get too drunk to the point where you end up betting everything you have. If so, stick to soft drinks. Oh and remember to tip the waitress, it’s the least you can do when you’re getting free drinks.
Gambling can either be destructive to your bank balance or a fun gaming experience if you go about it the right way. Take a set amount of money with you and leave your bank/credit cards back at the hotel. Play at tables with a low maximum bid so you don’t lose a handful of money all in one go. Chances are you won’t walk away a jackpot winner but at least you won’t walk away poor.
Best Casinos
Renowned for its magnificent fountains which sit on the doorstep of The Bellagio, this casino is ranked as the second-best in Las Vegas after opening in 1998 along with the hotel. With a simple flip of the card or roll of the dice you can play Black Jack, Three Card Poker and Roulette – just like the professional poker stars do when tournaments are staged at The Bellagio.
The MGM Grand has the largest casino in the whole of Las Vegas which is divided into four areas. There are more than 2,500 gaming machines, 140 poker and table games, a state-of-the-art race and sports book (betting area) and an exclusive poker room. The normal slot machines range from $1 to $1,000 but the special high limit slot machines can pay-out up to $500, 000 in winnings.
With its exotic architecture, tropical backdrop and 135, 000 square-foot gaming environment the Mandalay Bay casino is every game player’s paradise. There are over 2000 slot and video poker machines and 120 gaming tables offering Black Jack, Craps, Roulette and Baccarat. Play favourite pokers games like Texas Hold’em in the Poker Parlour – they hold free poker lessons to teach those who don’t know how to play.
Being the oldest on the list, the Roman-inspired Caesars Palace is broken up into three separate casinos offering masses of gaming space. There are numerous gaming tables, slot machines, bars and a 250-seat sports book (a place where a gambler can place bets on sports competitions) that spread across the 129, 000 square-foot casino.
