5 awesome tips about Vegas (locals’ edition)
You probably know about some of the best hotels, the best shows, and the best things to do in Las Vegas. Even with this little bit of knowledge, you do not know Sin City like a local does. Most “what to do in Vegas” type articles focus on things on the strip or the most popular Vegas attractions. However, if you want to experience the “real” Vegas, you need to take tips from a local. Here are 5 awesome tips about Vegas – locals’ edition.
1. Locals Know Where to Win Big
When you come to Vegas, you want to gamble. And, when you want to gamble, you want to win money! One of the best ways to do this is by playing slot machines. They are not only fun to play, but they also have some of the highest return rates and offer the biggest jackpots in all of Vegas. The problem is, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, there are over 160,000 slot machines on the Las Vegas Strip alone. So where should you play to have the best chance of winning?
According to Weekly Slots News, there are areas and casinos where the slot machines pay out better than other places in Vegas. The slots in downtown Vegas, or anywhere off the strip really, generally have a 1% - 2% higher layout than the ones on the main drag. To get an even better chance at winning, check out the slots at the casinos' locals favor instead of the ones frequented by tourists. These will almost always have better odds. A local will be able to tell you about these casinos, such as Sam’s Town, where the real money can be made.
2. Locals Know the Coolest Shows
Not the “hottest” shows, the ones that everyone wants to see. You can find these in any article or tourist guide. The “coolest” shows are the ones that may fly a little under the radar but that is some of the best in town. When you talk to a Vegas local, they will tell you the coolest show on the strip in the show Absinthe at Caesars Palace.
Absinthe is a big tent circus-style show in a cozy tent located in Caesars Palace. Locals say it is their go-to spot to take a date or an out-of-town guest. It is like the hipper Cirque du Soleil. It combines amazing circus, cabaret, and burlesque acts into an unforgettable show that will give everyone in the audience a truly memorable experience. To see a comprehensive list of the hottest and coolest shows going on in Vegas right now, check out Gamblers Daily Digest list of best shows in Las Vegas this winter.
3. Locals Know Where to Play Against the Best in the Game
Anyone can go to Vegas and play poker. Only locals though know where the best players in the world hang out. If you know the right poker rooms, you may be able to sit down with one of the celebrities of the World Poker Tour and try your luck at bluffing them out of a hand or calling on an all-in raise. Like a local, you will probably have to play on a weekday as these famous players generally stay away from the crowds on Friday or Saturday Night.
When you hang out at the poker room in the Bellagio, for example, there is a good chance you might be sitting across the table from poker legend Phil Hellmuth. He has won a record 15 World Series of Poker bracelets and amassed over $14 million in winning in that tournament alone. Check out this article on Hellmuth in Gambling News Magazine because if you do find yourself in a hand with the temperamental poker superstar, you will want to know what to do and what to definitely NOT do.
4. Locals Know the Celebrity Hangouts
One of the best things about Vegas is that everybody loves it. Everyone from yourself to your boss to your kid’s teacher to your handyman loves a good trip to Vegas. This list includes Hollywood celebrities too. Locals know that there are a ton of places you can rub elbows with celebrities all over Vegas.
Lisa Marino from Online Casino Gems, a lifelong Las Vegas local tells us, “You can always see celebrities at the hottest clubs like Tao, Marquee, or 1OAK or restaurants like Nobu, STK, or Mr. Chow. The underrated spots to see them though are at sporting venues. Taking in a boxing match at the MGM Grand, golfing at Shadow Creek, or hitting a Vegas Golden Knights hockey game are all the places you are likely to see a few famous faces.”
5. Locals Know How to Act
Probably the best tips you can get from Vegas locals to have an amazing trip is what to do and not do in terms of behavior when hanging out in Vegas. The city advertises itself as a hedonistic paradise but the truth is, your trip will be much more enjoyable if you act like a local and follow some simple etiquette rules. The Las Vegas Review-Journal has some good local tips for how to be cool, even in the desert heat.
The number one thing is to not be a drunken mess. People party in Vegas, everyone knows and accepts this fact. But, no one likes to be hassled by a sloppy drunk. Help yourself stay under control by taking occasional breaks from all-day drinking and drinking water with every alcoholic drink. Also, locals suggest basic things like wearing comfortable shoes for all the inevitable walking you will be doing and wearing sunscreen when venturing outside. Finally, locals know that when you tip waiters, dealers, valets, and other service people well, you get better treatment overall and have a more pleasant day. Some even swear this helps with gambling karma!
Conclusion
Next time you head to Vegas, don’t do it as a tourist, act like a local. By getting local tips and checking out a few things off the beaten path you can have an amazing, local-like Vegas experience that most people have not had and that you will remember forever.
