kutta
Footballguy
That’s the way to do it.
I forget if I posted in here about it our not, but I hit a Royal Flush at an airport video poker machine a few months back. Won $1,000 on quarter machine. It was an awesome way to end the trip.
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Vegas (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter flapgreen
- Start date
I forget if I posted in here about it our not, but I hit a Royal Flush at an airport video poker machine a few months back. Won $1,000 on quarter machine. It was an awesome way to end the trip.
kutta
Footballguy
We are having our FF draft this year in Vegas for the first time. Any ideas on a good place to hold a draft for 12 guys? I'm thinking about just renting a conference room at one of the hotels, but wanted to see what kind of ideas you guys had.
Also, we are planning a dinner for about 25 people - everyone will want good food but they won't want to spend an arm and a leg. Suggestions?
Also, we are planning a dinner for about 25 people - everyone will want good food but they won't want to spend an arm and a leg. Suggestions?
nirad3
Footballguy
Going Wednesday-Saturday for March Madness. Me and 7 other guys draft 8 teams each.
Last year I was on some crazy anxiety meds and spent 75% of the trip in the room either in bed or laying on the couch watching the games. It was horrible.
Starting to freak out a little bit today hoping it doesn't happen again. I just can't drink like I used to.
Wish me luck.
Last year I was on some crazy anxiety meds and spent 75% of the trip in the room either in bed or laying on the couch watching the games. It was horrible.
Starting to freak out a little bit today hoping it doesn't happen again. I just can't drink like I used to.
Wish me luck.
soothsayer
Footballguy
Pinball hall of fame is awesome. I loved spending a couple of hours playing old machines. Have fun!I think I'm going at the end of May. Got comped 3/4 nights on some BS casino offer so I'm going for poops and giggles. Hopefully I find some trouble to get into. Would be nice to do the neon boneyard but their photo night for the month is the week before
So then Pinball Hall of Fame and some other crap for sure.
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
I will never stay on the strip again, going either The D, or the nugget....love the low minimums, while the casinos are loud it don't bother me, as Im not that old
Radical Larry
Footballguy
Judge Smails
Footballguy
My buddy used to get a suite at Mandalay Bay. Plenty big enough for 12+ guys, entertainment, massage tables. Don’t need no stale conference room Kutta
jvdesigns2002
Footballguy
Have part of your group stay at a timeshare resort--like the Wyndham Grand Desert or the Marriott Grand Chateau. They have 2 and 3 bedroom suites that have lots of square footage--are on or close to the strip, and have full kitchens/living rooms so you can entertain a big group for not too much money. If you know the dates--pm me--and I can email my friend who gets special rates at the wyndham grand desert. I can get price and availability for you.
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
Yeah thats the guy who owns the d and the golden gates new project....that guy wants to own Fremont st
Zegras11
Footballguy
kutta
Footballguy
Try hard to get a balcony room with a view of the Bellagio fountains. It’s a very cool room.
munga30
Checkin' my email
My group of 14 had a fantastic meal at Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak at MGM. We got the Chef's Beef Selection instead of ordering individual entrees and it was a big hit with my heavy and heavily carnivore pals. All steakhouse veterans yet we had such a good time with the family style meal and sharing plates. Don't remember the exact cost but food seemed reasonable. We went heavy on the wine tho.
kutta
Footballguy
The braised beef at craft steak is incredible. I’ll put the family style idea on the list. Thanks!
Todem
Footballguy
So Vegas has gone Disney on our asses. My sister In-law just came back from a soccer tourney. I have not been to Vegas since 2015.
They all charge to valet your cars on the strip now? WTF is going on. Food has become outrageous I heard too. Man....Vegas was such a great place. And I still love it. I play a ton of craps and poker......but I guess they figured #### this.....we are going to nickel and dime now for everything.
They finally caved.
They all charge to valet your cars on the strip now? WTF is going on. Food has become outrageous I heard too. Man....Vegas was such a great place. And I still love it. I play a ton of craps and poker......but I guess they figured #### this.....we are going to nickel and dime now for everything.
They finally caved.
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jvdesigns2002
Footballguy
The city didn't randomly go "Disney". The city was forced to transform itself to cater to the transitioning spending habits of tourists over the years. Generally speaking--for the resorts--the percentage of their revenues that gaming has been bringing in has been shrinking. Tourists have been spending more money on food, drinks, entertainment (pool parties, night clubs with big name EDM Dj's..etc), and accommodations. If people are spending less time and money in the casino's--they are spending it somewhere else. The city and the resorts are just catering to the current tourists and the current economics. I'm not a huge fan of these changes either--but you can plan around them. Generally speaking the timeshare based resorts don't have these nickel and dime upcharges. I'm certainly not recommending purchasing a timeshare--but booking through people who have a timeshare is the way to go in my opinion.
Arizona Ron
Footballguy
They simply diversified in a way that Atlantic City didn't. Las Vegas says "bring the kids" and AC kept marketing as a weekend getaway from the kids. Both have their place but the money will always go the way of family friendly.
CR69
Footballguy
That has been reserved. We've stayed at Cosmo a few times and it's easily our favorite property on the strip. All five nights are comped. First two we'll be in a terrace studio most likely with a city view and then final three will be in a one bedroom with the fountain view.kutta said:
DallasDMac
Footballguy
Yea, killed it for me. Last time we went, just didn't really enjoy it. And the cost was outrageous. The Vegas I used to love just doesn't exist anymore.Todem said:
Brony
Footballguy
I wouldn't say Vegas has been Disney-fied. It's just more expensive and there are now more people packed onto the strip as a tourist destination. It used to cater to gamblers but that is not their priority so much anymore as jvd2002 pointed out. It is still a place where you can drink and act like an ### without much judgment, but it is definitely more expensive to do so. If you are into food, its much better than it was. I still like it, but agree that it's not quite as good as before.
Mr Anonymous
Footballguy
Nothing Vegas does marketing-wise says "bring the kids". Mostly naked women posing for pictures on every corner and "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas" is not an attempt to cater to families. Dumb people and bad parents just bring them anyway. If someone knows of a place where stupid people are prohibited from visiting, please let me know.
kutta
Footballguy
jvdesigns2002
Footballguy
As a person who can pretty much call Vegas his second home (I literally own properties there and I've been going there several times a year for the past 20+ years)--you can definitely enjoy Vegas for a decent budget if you plan accordingly. First of all--if you aren't a big gambler and get no real love from perks of players cards--staying at a strip hotel can be very expensive once you pay taxes/hotel fees. Standard rooms tend to be small and most do not have refrigerators or microwaves. This basically means that you will most likely be paying hotel prices for a lot of your snacks, bottles of water, alcohol and other types of vacation necessities. These "hotel prices" quickly and quietly eat up money. One way to avoid being handcuffed to hotel prices is to stay in places that free you from those burdens. I've mentioned it several times in this thread before--people really need to consider staying in the timeshare type resorts. Places like the wyndham grand desert, the hgvc at the flamingo, the Marriott grand chateau are a few nicer ones. Places like polo towers, carriage house and the jockey club are a few older but more affordable ones.
The keys to places like this is that they generally are more affordable, they are nicely located--and they give their guests a far better opportunity to control costs. Because most rooms have kitchens or kitchenettes--you can load up on a case of water, cases of beer, bottles of alcohol and mixers, snacks--all with one trip to a grocery store. If you go to a regular grocery store like Smiths (there is one right off of Sahara)--you will find that grocery stores in Vegas are really cheap. Right off the bat--you are no longer handcuffed to paying $5 for a bottle of water or $10-12 for a single cocktail at a bar. I have to tell you that paying hotel prices for small stuff like that just contributes to an overall feeling of being "ripped off". Heck--when I go to vegas--I try to limit myself to only going out to a restaurant for one meal per day. The rest of my meals/consumption I do via the grocery route. I get a dozen eggs, various fruits, a loaf of bread..etc.
Now--I'm not a big gambler--but I do enjoy gambling. One thing that I do is this: If I am in a gambling mood to where I want to gamble for a few hours--I never do it on the strip. The strip is guaranteed millions of tourists every year. They have no reason to keep the games/machines loose. When I feel like seriously gambling--I limit myself to locals resorts that rely on people coming back for repeat business. I find that their players cards are far more generous, most offer lower limit tables (try to find a 5 or 10 dollar double deck blackjack table on the strip on a Saturday night), and I find their machines to be far more loose. With that said--I will casually gamble on the strip--but I give myself a strict budget and implement a "no ATM machine policy" on myself. For example--when I gamble on the strip--i'll sometimes do a no limit poker tournament at a place like Planet Hollywood. They have $80 buy in tournaments a couple times a day--and because I'm not a super reckless player--it's very rare that I don't last at least a couple/few hours. For me--thats plenty.
One of the biggest things that most people unconsciously enjoy doing in Vegas is people watching while walking down the strip. I absolutely love doing it myself. The key to doing Vegas right is understanding that enjoying the strip does not require making each and every purchase on the strip. In vegas--you are allowed to drink in public on the street. This doesn't require having to buy your drinks at some overpriced restaurant or casino bar on the strip. You can pour your own big, high quality drink in your room--and bring it down onto the strip and enjoy yourself just the same that people who are spending 20x as much as you are. If you can save money on your room, control the massive peripheral costs that are generally associated with staying at major strip resorts, budget your gambling--you can splurge on things like shows, nightclubs, one or two meals a day--and not feel "ripped off". For me--actively participating in things that help control costs while not limiting fun in Vegas is why I enjoy going there so much. I literally go there--have insane fun like everybody else does--but I rarely ever come back feeling ripped off or guilty about what I spent.
If you go to Vegas and stay at a major strip resort, pay typical room costs and resort fees, pay typical resort prices for incidentals+snacks+alcohol, eat 3 meals a day at resort pricing restaurants, gamble a lot on the strip, on top of paying for show tickets+entertainment (night clubs, day parties..etc)--it's very hard to not feel ripped off.
kutta
Footballguy
Good stuff @jvdesigns2002. I do everything you say you don’t do, but your advice is spot on. Buying your own alcohol can save lots of money if you don’t gamble and get it free. There’s a few Walgreens on the strip where you can buy anything you need, throw it in a plastic tumbler, and you’ve saved a bunch of 
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Nipsey
Footballguy
Slip the guy at the front desk $20 at check-in and say "are there any complimentary upgrades available?" and 80-90% of the time they'll waive the resort fee. Last time there $20 got me a room upgrade, resort fee waived and they pushed our check out time 4 hours. I've heard if they can't help you they won't take the money but that's never happened to me.
TripItUp
Footballguy
I use my points for airfare and hotel...so I always feel up when I get there.
Also, I’m a winning poker player and usually leave up.
Vegas gets you if you play games where the house is favored and you pay for the luxurious hotels...don’t do that.
Also, uber instead of taxi to save a few bucks.
Also, I’m a winning poker player and usually leave up.
Vegas gets you if you play games where the house is favored and you pay for the luxurious hotels...don’t do that.
Also, uber instead of taxi to save a few bucks.
My 11 year old daughter attended a National dance convention in Vegas last year. She won a scholarship to compete again this year.
My wife went out with her and they would just walk the strip at night with a group of young girls. And obviously there were many other teams.
Just didn't feel like a great place to take groups of young girls. Just didn't seem right.
My wife went out with her and they would just walk the strip at night with a group of young girls. And obviously there were many other teams.
Just didn't feel like a great place to take groups of young girls. Just didn't seem right.
oh please. There are literally tons of things to do in Vegas with kids. Sure they might see a lady with her privates covered up on a street sign if you're walking the strip 24/7; but nothing different than they might see on a commercial. Good teaching moment too
Mr Anonymous
Footballguy
There are literally tons of places other than Vegas more suited for a family vacation. Like literally just about all of them. Doesn't stop people like you from bringing the kiddos here like I said, but it doesn't make it any less dumb.oh please. There are literally tons of things to do in Vegas with kids. Sure they might see a lady with her privates covered up on a street sign if you're walking the strip 24/7; but nothing different than they might see on a commercial. Good teaching moment too
Buck Bradcanon
Footballguy
This has likely been covered upthread but what is the best way to look into booking the types of rooms you mention?
Thanks for all the info!
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
I'm staying at flamingo for 2 nights next week (complimentary room except for the resort fee) and I was planning to do the $20 "sandwich" trick. I had no idea that it could potentially waive the resort fee. I would take that alone and not even need an actual upgrade.
Nipsey
Footballguy
I don't know if it would work at the Flamingo. Rooms already are so cheap and complimentary rooms may make it even tougher. Still worth a shot. If they can't do anything they'll say they can't accept tips or something like that and slide the money back to you. The newer places seem to have no issue with the front desk staff accepting tips but the older places sometimes do. Look for the youngest, happiest looking person at the desk and go right to them.
This guy did the $20 trick at Flamingo and got a Go room but didn't get resort fees waived.
Nipsey
Footballguy
I probably shouldn't say they waive the resort fee "80-90%" of the time. I've gotten it waived the last 3-4 times there, maybe it's just my pleasant demeanor? Friends have had similar success though. I'm sure it depends on where you stay. I stayed at Palazzo, Wynn, Hard Rock, Venetian last few trips. I haven't heard of anyone I know getting nothing and their money returned. Waiving the resort fee is definitely something they (at least the places where I've stayed) have the power to do in order to make a guest happy.
Osaurus
Footballguy
kevzilla
Footballguy
facook
Footballguy
That sounds like a blast. What's the food/drink min for the group (of 6?) at each of those locations? And I assume you reserved 6-8 months ago?
nirad3
Footballguy
Not sure how we got the Cosmo. I think we just have to kick down a little bit each to hook up the "host".
My buddy has a hookup at Lagasse's. Typically it's $500/ea. for all you can eat/drink, but he gets it for $300. 9am-9pm of eating and drinking like kings.
kutta
Footballguy
Do you guys have the stadium seating or do you sit at a table? I've been there twice for UFC fights and both times we had a table and it was great. But the stadium seating looks awesome.
KCitons
Footballguy
I've owned two weeks at the Jockey Club for the last 10 years. The downturn in 2008 was during the same time that Cosmo was being built. People that owned units at the Jockey Club were finding out the every south facing room was going to have a wall 10 feet outside the window. I did my homework and visited the Jockey Club during one of my trips. I asked for a map of the rooms and they even gave me a key card to go check out one of the rooms. I paid $100 (plus $300 closing/title transfer for the first) and $1 plus closing fees on the second. This gives me 14 days each year. My rooms are on the Bellagio side. If I want to keep my assigned week, I can stay in my exact unit (facing the fountains). One is in April, the other is early November. I do have to pay maintenance fees yearly on each unit which comes out to $80 per night. I don't mind paying the fees, as they seem to spend the money on upgrades every year. They redo bedding, flooring, etc every couple of years. Just finished replacing all the flooring last year and are currently upgrading 4 elevators.
The jockey club is tucked in between Cosmo and Bellagio. There's no casino and not much else to do on the property. They have a pool, but it's covered by a large net to keep things that people throw off the Cosmo balconies from landing on you. They have a small workout area and bbq grills you can use by the pool. The have an onsite convenience store that's a little overpriced, but convenient. (there's also a Walgreens across the street by Planet Hollywood. They have free popcorn and movie check outs if you want to take a break. Oh and free donuts and coffee on Friday mornings. The rooms are a one bedroom studios or two bedroom units with full kitchens and living rooms. They do limit 4 people to a studio (including kids). And they have washer and dryer units on every other floor. I've checked out a movie and done laundry while I wait for my clothes to finish.
The location can't be beat. They have their own elevators off the pool that accesses the Cosmo casino floor. From my room, I can get to Cosmo in 2 minutes. Planet Hollywood in 3-4 minutes. Bellagio in about 5 minutes. As jvdesigns mentioned, I can buy a case of water and keep it cold in the fridge. If I buy a meal at a restaurant, I will usually upgrade to a larger size and keep the extras in fridge for later or the next day.
We just spent last weekend at Mandalay Bay (it was paid by for by a Vendor we do business with). The experience was frustrating. Even though we were able to upgrade to a suite (check in system was down and we had to wait an hour to check in). The room was nice, but no larger than what I was used to at the Jockey Club. We couldn't touch the fridge without incurring a charge. Food options were good, but expensive. I bought a bottle of water on my way to the room Sunday night and it cost me $6!!! Due to our late return flight, I looked at paying for an extra night. They wanted $250!! No thanks.
Buck - Jockey Club has a website that you can use to book, even if you aren't an owner. I just checked a 3 night stay in April. Average room price is $105-$135. This is the one negative I have as an owner. They hold rooms for outside bookings. There have been times that I've tried to extend my stay and they say that they have no rooms available. Even though I can go their website and book a room that way. Ultimately, they end up not booking all the rooms and I've been able to extend my stay. Just seems like an odd process.
Statorama
gangster
That Walgreens at the Venetian gets a ton of my business. It's about 2 minutes from the sports bookGood stuff @jvdesigns2002. I do everything you say you don’t do, but your advice is spot on. Buying your own alcohol can save lots of money if you don’t gamble and get it free. There’s a few Walgreens on the strip where you can buy anything you need, throw it in a plastic tumbler, and you’ve saved a bunch of
kutta
Footballguy
I was there last weekend buying a bunch of stuff for my daughter’s 21st birthday party - rooms at the Venetian and dinner with my wife, me, my daughter, and four of her 21 year old hot friends. It was a terrible weekend...
Zegras11
Footballguy
kutta
Footballguy
Lol!! Nope! This was all Phoenix friends - no psycho Boise chicks!Was whacko mom involved here?
Zegras11
Footballguy
kutta
Footballguy
We can only hope - hot AND crazy is a good combo!The Boise chicks were pretty hot. I don't think they were as bat#### as mom
