Viva Las Vegas...

Ok, I hope you guys aren't asleep yet or at least read this during the morning or take you laptops with you. But tonight Jason asked me for Las Vegas suggestions and I said I'd blog them.

Gambling:

So you only have 24 hours and you're staying at the Hilton. Now the Hilton should be perfectly fine for gambling if that's your thing. If you're really hardcore, the best places to gamble are the older casinos along the strip and in old downtown. Newer casinos are trying to make their money back from building their multi-million dollar complex, so the odds are worse. But from what Jason was saying, I don't think gambling is going to be your main focus, which is a good thing. On the weekends, the odds are worse as are the crowds. It gets harder to find low minimum tables too. Definitely gamble during the day because the peak hours are at night. I like the table games myself, but it's intimidating at first if you've never played them before in a casino (i.e. you probably have played them by yourself like you do with your wenis). Video poker has pretty good odds and is kinda fun. Slots are boring to me, and they usually suck down my change without giving me any thrill. But don't play anything less than dollar slots if you seriously want to win money. The odds for higher dollar slot machines are much better than the quarter and nickel slots.

Fyi...All cocktail waitresses know the ol'trick of sitting at a nickel slot machine, plugging away a nickel at a time so you can get a free drink. When I've tried this, they usually ignored me. You really have to be sitting at a table to get frequent drinks. A word of advice on drinks: you get a much better deal if you ask for beer instead of mixed drinks. The alcohol in mixed drinks is very disappointing. At one casino, they would bring me bottles of Smirnof Ice at my command. Also, don't expect to sit at a bar and play the video machines on the counter. They'll still charge you for a drink. (I tried that too.)

Finally, never ever ever gamble at the Bellagio. I lost all my winnings and more there my first trip to Vegas.

Transportation:

Cabs are pretty cheap and plentiful. Around 5 bucks a pop. They really are the best transportation. On the strip you can walk from casino to casino, but each casino is so monstrous that it takes a good while before you reach the next one. Plus, I think now there's a monorail or tram that connects the Hilton to the Strip (since the Hilton is off the strip). Not sure if that's free or not.

Drinking:

Aside from gambling drinks stated above, I highly recommend Fat Tuesday's at the MGM Grand. Cost is $5-7 bucks and here's what you should get (they serve frozen drinks only):

1/2 Hurricane + 1/2 Octane 190 + extra shot of Everclear = damn good time

The servings are gracious. You can get a yard if you want, I think.

Also, Warp Core Breach at the Hilton in Quark's Bar: I know you all will get this. It's about $30-40 bucks though, but it'll "get the job done" even if two of you share one.

Sites:

Hilton: (which you'll stay in) Quark's Bar is cool, and many Star Trek aliens roam the floor, heckling the guests (usually Klingons, Ferengi, and an occasional Borg.) The "Star Trek Experience" is also pretty cool but a little pricey. It's around $20 I believe. They walk you on the bridge, have some actors act, and put you in a shuttlecraft that moves around. Yeah, I made it sound dumb as hell, but as a trekie, I liked it.

MGM Grand: See the lions and visit Fat Tuesday's. Fyi...Fat Tuesday's is a level below the ground level. It's a little hard to find, but worth it. MGM's buffett is very, very good and reasonably priced as well ($15.00 as I remember).

Luxor: This is one of my favorites. Inside is really cool looking, and I had good luck gambling here. The Blue Men live here too.

Caesar's Palace: Inside is quite a spectacle. Wander around the Forum (i.e. lots of shops) where lives an FAO Swartz.

Statosphere Bar: If you can make it to the end of the strip where sits the Stratosphere, the bar at the top of the tower is incredible at night. I wouldn't eat dinner there because it's $40-50 bucks a pop. Since you're not a guest, they may charge you to ride the elevator up.

Ghost Bar: I haven't been at this one myself, but it's in the Palms. I've heard this bar is also awesome, being mostly made of glass. The cover could be around $20 though.

Bellagio: Watch the fountains or eat at the buffett which is beyond incredible (but costs $25.00). However, see above. Never gamble here.

Treasure Island: Outside you can watch the Pirate Show. Corny but free.

Well that's all folks. I've heard great things about Hard Rock and Mandalay Bay but have yet to grace them with my presence.

Have a fun trip. Escorts aren't free nor cheap.