Manage your gambling money.

[IluvVegas]

Las Vegas, to say the least, is exciting, and especially so on your first trip there. The lights, the game play, all the activity that goes on in the casinos is something that is very easy to get caught up in, and that is why you have to set limits to your gambling and the amount of time and money you spend doing it.

Set aside a certain amount of money for each day you are there that can be spent on gambling and keep to a set amount of time to gamble which will also help you in limiting the amount of cash you will be spending.

Once you have spent the set amount you have set aside for gambling during any one day, you are best off looking for other means of entertainment instead of getting into the cash you have set aside for the days gambling. To do this will find you wanting for cash in the long run.

If, at the end of the period of time you have set aside for gambling for the day, you have money left over, set it aside for later use, or better yet, take it home with you. You will be glad that you did.

Another help when going to Vegas is to leave your ATM and credit cards at home. Its too easy to access ATMs in the casinos, as they are everywhere. If you have to bring a credit card to pay for your room etc, put the card in the hotels safety deposit box and only take it out on departure.

Travelers checks are a resource worth looking into, because for one thing, if they are lost or stolen you can get your money back. Not having cash at a table or slot machine can make you think about what you are spending while on the way to the cashiers cage to cash a travelers check.

[queen of hearts]

You have made some great points here. I would imagine that it really would be extremely easy to get caught up in all of the excitment that Las Vegas has to offer, and then end up spending a great deal more than you were wanting to.
The points you made on keeping ATM cards in the hotels safety deposit box is a great idea, as well as planning out your money carefully.
I have yet to get the dream vacation of going to Las Vegas, though hopefully soon it wont be a dream. I do however know that I will be using your tips to help me protect myself from myself.
I never would have thought to get travelers checks though, Thanks for that tip as well. They would be a better idea then using your ATM cards or even credit cards. Thanks for all the information here. I am sure that if this has helped me play my vacation better it will help several others as well.
:)

[dominique]

Travellers checks are a GREAT idea!

Also, when you have a win, it's a good idea to cash it in and keep half for yourself and play on only half of your winnngs.

What also helps a lot is to have a list of things you want to do other than playing, there is so much to do, you'll never run out.

That way you won't find yourself filling in idle time by sitting in front of a slot machine. Take a stroll to see some of the sights instead!

[Slotlover]

Thank you for all these good pointers. I've been sort of researching things to do in Vegas, besides gambling. I like to play the slots, but I know that they can take a players money way too fast. If I do get to go to Vegas, I'd like to see some of the sights as well as maybe take in a show. Heeding your advice will help me to keep some money to do some of the other things that I'd like to do.

[Eyeofngt]

When and if I ever win, LOL, I cash out if I win over $100. I put $50 in my pocket and play on the other $50. That way I only lose half my money.

[vegasrocks]

I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to be in Las Vegas. I have seen lots of pictures and heard lots of stories but I am sure that cannot even compare to physically experiencing the city in person.

You have posted great tips. I am sure it would be easy to get caught up in the magic of Vegas and go overboard. You definitely need to go with a plan and stick to it.