What NOT to do in Las Vegas

Basically, there are only 2 rules of conduct when you are visiting Las Vegas:

• You can’t steal anything…

• You can’t hurt anyone…

Other than that, you’re pretty much on your own…

There are, however, some things you don’t want to do, even though no one really cares. These include:

• Sign up for “rewards programs” every place you play. All the major (and, some minor) casinos have them. You join their “player’s club” and are eligible for all kinds of “free goodies”. You must remember, though, that these rewards programs are run by the casino’s marketing department, and the information you have to share to join will be used to market other services to you.
• Drink too much in the casino. Didn’t you ever wonder why casinos offer free drinks to players? It’s simple, really… Alcohol consumption and personal judgement are inversely proportional, so, the more you drink, the more you play. And, unless you are just lucky, the more you play, the more you lose…
• Play a game you don’t understand! If you risk money on a game you don’t understand, it would have been better if you had stayed home and mailed the casino a check. At least that way, you would have saved the travel expense. All major casinos offer lessons on all the games you find on their floor, and learning the correct way to play will save you a lot of aggravation, not to mention money…
• Have all your money in your pocket! It is the nature of gambling that things happen in streaks. Unfortunately, most losing streaks are longer than winning streaks, and having to stop and take time to go to the ATM to get more cash can give you time to ponder what’s happening, and possibly decide to change games, change casinos, or, maybe, stop playing for a while and let things “settle down”…
• Think you can act like the “made guys” you see in the movies. Tough guys are everywhere in Las Vegas, but you’re not one of them. If you insist on mistreating dealers, cocktail servers, or any other of the casino employees, you will be escorted out by someone that is a tough guy…
• Above all, don’t forget to tip! Virtually everyone you will encounter, from the skycap at the airport to the shuttle driver that takes you back to catch your airplane home, depends on your generosity to make a living. It’s been that way in Las Vegas since the beginning, and it always will. The golden rule of tipping is: always take care of those that take care of you!. If you don’t, I can promise that the level of service you receive will be non-existent, and your visit will not be pleasant.

Those of us that call Las Vegas “home” do hope that your visit here is truly great. We also hope that you will visit again and again. Mostly, though, we hope that when your visit is over, you’ll go home…