Las Vegas - The Vegas Virgin Trip

Quote: After years of listening to my in-laws who love Vegas, I finally allowed myself to be taken for my first trip here. I went with a lot of reservations (besides the hotel kind).
My first impressions of Vegas - flashly, trashy and smoke filled. Yuck! Could I get a breath of fresh air here please?!
It boggles my mind (not being a gambler) the vast numbers of people at slot machines (and other gaming tables) who sit mindlessly for hours throwing away their money! My thought is this is one of America's biggest legal scams. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.
I tried hard and actually found some things to like about Vegas - the interesting design of some of the hotels, the great food offerings, Cirque du Soleil and the monorail among them. (Further descriptions in each entry.)
Would I go back? Yes, but only to see the Cirque du Soleil shows and try more of the great restaurants Vegas has to offer. Would I go back more than once? Probably not.

Quick Tips:

1.Take advantage of free stuff and discounts. Sign up for the reward cards at your hotel. Not being a big gambler, I still got a great book of coupons and access to discounts in the hotel shops. Some allow discounts at their sister properties such as the Harrah's hotels.
2. Make reservations for anything you really want to do or you will be disappointed when you can't get in. Start 3-4 months before your trip.
3. If a restaurant asks to confirm 24 hours in advance, please do so as a courtesy. They have a lot of no-shows. You might be depriving someone else of the chance to eat there.
4. Dress comfortably, especially if you intend to do a lot of walking. But do dress with some good taste. Vegas is definitely a "What Not To Wear" mecca. (At least it made for interesting people watching!)
5. Go outdoors a lot. It's one of the places I find I could literally get a breath of fresh air.
6. Buy a monorail pass. It is worth every penny and will save your feet and time.
7. Guard your money and valuables and be aware of your surroundings. With the amount of money flowing in this town, it's just too tempting for crooks and they are prepared to relieve any airheaded distracted tourist of their cash. Watch how much you drink for the same reason.
8. Beware of scams! Too many visitors are looking for that quick big payoff. If it seems too good to be true, it is.
9. Don't limit yourself to eating at cheap all-you-can eat buffets. If you can afford it, explore some the great restaurants Vegas has to offer. There's some really great food to be had. Plan for at least one splure at one top restaurant. It's not about how much you can eat; it's about the experience of eating good quality, well prepared interesting meals.

Best Way To Get Around:

The Vegas Monorail system - efficient, smooth and clean ride. Worth every penny. For maximum savings buy the 10-ride or 3-day pass.
On foot - walking when the weather is good is a great way to get exercise so you can enjoy those extra calories you'll be taking in.
Traffic is heavy in Vegas and you could be held up trying to get down the strip during rush hour. When taking a taxi allow plenty of time. Some hotels offer free shuttle service to the Strip.

Quote: We stayed here as it is my in-laws favorite place to stay. I was assaulted by cigarette smoke coming from the casino upon entering. Yuck! The casino is not separated from the lobby and front desk area. This condition prevails during the entire stay.

When the reservations were originally made (back in February 2006 for the first week in November), the rooms were supposed to be on the concierge floor (Club 21). Bally's website lists classic and Grand Suite (luxury) as the online room choices. Their FAQ says this about room types: "There may be additional room types in the hotel that are not available on those specific dates or can only be booked through a Casino Host." It further states on getting the best room rates: "If you are a Total Rewards member (this is Harrah's loyalty program) and sign in, you will get the best rate available based on the information provided. The Hot Deals section of the site also provide you with special reduced rates. Room availability, Total Rewards membership and status, offer codes, and number of people traveling all influence the best rates shown." Check all your options when booking a room to get the best room/best rate!

Bally's notified us a couple months prior to arrival that the floors for the rooms we selected would be under renovation. No offer was made as to comparable quality rooms nor offer of a lower rate. We ended up with rooms on the 12th floor at $149 per night for a Sunday to Thursday stay. While the rooms were spacious (450 sqft), I didn't feel they were probably comparable to the original room type booked. Tip: If the hotel tries to play this switch-a-room with you, be firm as to what you want and are getting/paying for or you might get shortchanged. If you are a regular customer of the casino, you should be getting rewarded for that loyalty.

Several problems with the room: overlooked Las Vegas Blvd but the windows were filthy, my in-laws room overlooked the grungy center of the hotel structure, only one drinking glass was provided, old rose petals found on carpet and bathroom floor from previous guest, large hole in one of bath towels. The worst offense - lingering pipe smoke smell in bathroom of a non-smoking room on a non-smoking floor! When freshing was requested, an abundant amount of bleach was used, but it did not eliminate the smell. We had been told these rooms were recently renovated, but the loose and cracked caulk in the tub made me doubt it so I asked and was told the room had been redone 4 years ago! Sorry, but that's not recent renovation to me.

The only plus is the sufficient lighting in the room.

The pool was closed for the season. Strange considering the very warm weather.

Grade: D-. Bally's needs to shape up or risk losing repeat customers. There are too many other (and better) choices.

Quote: This was the first restaurant I ate at to get a late quick bite after arriving. Located along Le Boulevard in Paris Las Vegas, the decor reminded me a lot of Disney EPCOT's Chefs de France. Cute, but touristy. The food can best be described as faux-French. They try to offer their idea of what the hotel thinks French food is, but is neither very accurate or very good (with a couple of exceptions).

I started with a nice glass of Blancette de Limoux sparkling wine (good!). The French onion soup was fairly good and revitalizing after the long trip from the Southeast. I also had the smoked salmon appetizer which the menu said was served with a brioche. It arrived with Texas toast! When I asked about that, the server did not seem to know what a brioche was and said that was all they had. When I asked another server the next day, I was told this was a close approximation. (Wrong! I've had the real thing, so I know the difference.)

My father-in-law had a generous serving of pasta that he pronounced very good. Dined at lunch the next day and had the French onion soup with half a chicken salad on croissant. The salad had a pleasant taste, not too heavy in mayo and the amount overflowed the croissant. I also had a taste of a dining companion's clam chowder (not what I'd call French), but it also had a very good taste and consistency to it.

Beware that like most restaurants in Vegas - it is very crowded at peak meal times. Try planning to eat at off peak times. Open 24 hours.

Quote: A traditional but very upscale steakhouse decorated in dark wood and chintz fabric to resemble a hunt club. I would not say you have to dress up for this one, but shorts or jeans would be inappropriate. Then again this is Vegas, so anything from golf attire to business suits will be found here.

We had the delight of being waited on by two very amusing male servers, who livened things up considerably for our party. I had to endure some ribbing from one of this gentleman through most of the meal. Fortunately, I am a good sport (must have been that relaxing facial!).

The menu is pricey. Beef reigns but there are other choices like roast chicken and Chilean Sea Bass.

Lobster Bisque had by two of my dining companions was average in my opinion.

Not feeling very hungry, I ordered the petit filet mignon with steamed asparagus. The filet came as perfect medium as I have ever had with a nice crust. Wine was a Williams Napa merlot with good fruity flavors and a mild oak finish, a perfect compliment to the steak.

One other table mate had the prime rib, which is an ample portion and another pronounced his sea bass to be very good.

Being on the South Beach diet, I pick and choose my breads sparingly, but the variety of the bread basket made it hard to pass up. I was captivated by the Parmesan flatbread which is made by Bally's pastry chef. Light, flaky, studded with freshly grated Reggiano Parmigiano, it did not taste like most of the cardboard flatbreads I have had. It is so good, I take the extra up to my room. Do ask for the recipe.

Despite being on a diet, I let myself be talked into trying the famous banana cream pie, provided my table mates each took a bite. That was a good thing since this is a big piece of pie. Save room for it as it is as good as its reputation - real banana pudding, bananas, real whipped cream; the crust sweet ground nuts and a layer of chocolate. Praline pecans served as a worthy garnish. Yummy! Do have their delicious coffee with it. Even the decaf is smooth.

Located on the casino level, back in a corner past the Diamond Club. Hours: 5:30pm-10:30pm 7 days a week. Due to the price, not for every day dining, but good for a splurge, special occasion or entertaining business clients.

Quote: La Creperie is a walk up counter restaurant in the Paris Las Vegas Resort, which makes for a quick breakfast, lunch or snack sans the long wait at Vegas restaurants at any peak meal time.

I have fond memories of crepes I have eaten at little crepe stands in the French Alps and I make fairly good ones at home, so I always like to try stateside crepe places to compare.

These are a pale imitation of the crepes you get in France, but they aren't bad either. The Bayonne crepe consists of an egg batter crepe containing smoky prosciutto, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. It is usually served smothered in a gloppy looking Bechamel sauce, which should be avoided at all costs if you don't want a soggy crepe and all the fat and calories. My husband had the Du Soleil - which contained a vegetable Ragout, egg and cheese with the Bechamel sauce.

We never made it back to try the dessert crepes, but this is a good place to satisfy any sweet tooth. They look very tempting with fillings such as nutella, strawberries, mixed berries, chocolate or Bananas Foster, all topped with whipped cream.

Seating for the creperie is in a faux cobblestone courtyard next door filled with wood chairs and marble top tables like you would see at a cafe in France to give the experience of dining outdoors. (Another Disney-esque imitation).

Cost of two crepes and two coffees (mine was a fancy Viennese coffee) is just under $20. Hours: 7am-11pm; daily.

Quote: If you are at all familiar with the reputation of this French chocolatier, you know this is a must-try.

At first look, you might be fooled, but this is more than a candy shop. Walk through the dark wood framed entrance and you will discover a nice little cafe with counter service. The long glass food display case beckons with a wide assortment of freshly made salads, sandwiches and pastries (oh la la!). Since you order at the counter, this is another place for a quick breakfast, lunch or snack.

My husband pronounced his Nicoise salad very good. I had a Feliulete Poulet - a pastry containing chicken and mushrooms in a thick sauce. The pastry had a light delicate flavor. With a mixed greens salad, it made for a nice light lunch. With drinks, the meal cost just under $20 for this light lunch.

On our last day I purchased a peach flan to take to the airport. It was more of a peach tart with custard filling, but tasted fairly good.

Beware of the beignets--they are not real beignets, but jelly filled donuts.

There is a limited selection of Le Notre chocolate for sale, mostly boxes. A good suggestion would be to carry Le Notre chocolate bars in various flavors to increase sales.

In the back of the shop are displays of French style dishes for sale in bright Provencial colors.

Quote: What a view!

The first impression when one steps off the elevator and walks towards the hostess stand. At 844 feet in the air, you get the ultimate view of Vegas and the surrounding mountains. It is what makes coming here worth it. Family members had gathered for lunch on a sunny clear Las Vegas day, so you could see for miles.

After walking through xray just like at an airport, we boarded the private express elevator to the restaurant.

At first there was no hostess at the stand. Since my hubby and I were the last of our party to arrive, we were seated quickly.

NOTED: A couple of ladies ahead of us who didn't seem to have a reservation were told to wait. Odd considering the restaurant didn't seem that busy and there were lots of empty tables.

I had heard both pro and con on the quality (or lack there of) of both food and service at the Stratosphere and our visit was no exception.

While our group of 10 is large by restaurant standards, service really dragged for lunch time. It also seemed that the servers were not as knowledgeable about the menu as they should be.

The menu selections were varied and interesting. I tried the soup of the day, chicken saffron. The server said it would be spicy, but I found it to be only lightly so, yet exotic due to the saffron. The broth based soup contained diced chicken and lots of diced vegetables, some not usually seen in the average restaurant soup.

Our group had a variety of dishes:

Kobe Beef Burger - The king of beef, the burger was grilled and tender. Came with homemade potato chips.

Kobe Beef Capriccio - If I had known this was raw beef I wouldn't have ordered it. It turned out to be a rare delicacy of thinly sliced Kobe Beef that reminded me of prosciutto. It was light and tender and didn't leave the feeling of raw meat in my mouth. Again, good to try something out of the ordinary.

Lobster Ravioli & Caesar Salad with grilled shrimp - pretty much standard stuff.

Salmon wrapped in Prosciutto which keep the fish very moist.

Fresh berries in a cream anglaise provided a light finish to the meal.

Evaluation of food - A few new and different things to try, but some pretty average stuff too. I would be interested to see what dinner has to offer.

Weirdest moment - while we were waiting for our food, one of the rides dipped riders down right in view of us. Very strange and somewhat creepy feeling to see them just dangling out there.

We exited through the casino and arcade shops. I found the shop area confusingly laid out and it was difficult to find the lobby. I was left with the impression that this hotel could use some major renovation including a fresh coat of paint, cleaning and less trashy touristy shops.

Quote: "Fine dining" doesn't begin to describe this restaurant. If you are looking for one of the most luxurious, elegant, and romantic splurges with exquisite gourmet food, this is it. Don't be a tourist; dress up for this one!

Save up your pennies (lots of them) as this is a once in a lifetime splurge. Cheap eats it's not.

The experience starts as you enter the sumptuous dining area in an elegant decor of black and shades of violet and lavender. One wall has plants growing in rows from it.

The first course is served immediately - an amazing showpiece of an apple gelee, yuzu granite and chutney set on glass plates. The server pours water, enveloping the dish in a wispy fog thanks to dried ice under the plate!

Menus - One had 7 courses; the other 17 courses. Though these are tasting menus with small portions, we went with the smaller one. The food is unusual. Each course is a crafting of original combinations of ingredients and flavors, a unique blend of tastes and textures.

A bread cart is wheeled over with no less than 10 choices. I mumbled something about no diet tonight and chose 3, one of which was a cheese brioche studded with crispy cheese, yet soft and light.

Selected wine was a half bottle of 2000 St. Emilion Cos de Menuts, a perfect compliment to the food.

Courses were as follows:
2nd - A salad of Japanese Tomato, olive oil & basil tapanade & tomato gelee topped with mozzarella cheese.
3rd - Lite cream of chestnuts on top of celeriac custard. I usually don't like chestnuts, but this was delicious!
Fish course - Pan-fried sea bass from Brittany with five spices served with a grape sauce and tiny sweet grapes. Tender & delicious!
Entree - A tiny roasted lamb chop on top of wheat semolina (cous cous) with Mediterranean flavors. Lamb stock was used in the cous cous for great flavor!
Dessert - Mandarine perfumed with Ceylan Orange Pekoe tea, caramelized yogurt ice cream. Proves you don't need to have a big gooey dessert to get all the pleasure of sweets.

Lest you think dinner is over when coffee is served, you get a divine surprise - a large cart is wheeled over containing a 'candy feast' of unique homemade choices - truffles, caramels, nougats, chocolate of every kind, even lollipops.

The 'little kid' look on my face must have frightened the man at the next table as the server said to him: "Don't worry sir. There will be plenty left for you."

Stand outs are the dark chocolate covered ginger (to be held in the mouth and deeply inhaled before eating) and a chocolate with a creamy chocolate mousse center.

Diners get a copy of the menu tied with a purple ribbon and a giant brioche (which makes a great breakfast) as a memento of your fabulous meal.

Top notch service to pamper you makes for a memorable dining experience!

Quote: Built at 1/2 scale, this is a fun campy experience, more so for those who have never been to the real one. If nothing else, go for the great view.

Our visit was enhanced by the fact that we had a two for one admission coupon from the Total Rewards program I signed up for Bally's. Admission is usually $9 per person. Admission tickets are purchased in the gift shop under the tower (inside the casino).

Be forewarned that on the way to the elevator, you will be accosted on a replica of the Pont Alexandre III (pont is French for bridge) in order to get you to pose for a photo you can purchase after your visit. IMO, tacky tourist thing to do. Politey say no and move towards the elevator.

The ride to the top is in a very cramped triangular shaped elevator. Once out on the upper level, you'll have a stunning, panoramic view of the valley, from 460 feet above the ground. As I looked at the Bellagio across the street, I thought this would be a prime spot for watching the water show.

The platform is very narrow and caged in. The staff control how many people can be on the observation deck at any one time, but it can be cramped at times.

While we were waiting in the ticket line, we took note that there were two very chicly dressed French ladies standing behind us. My husband speaks very strong French so their presence made for an interesting moment. Once up top, my husband clearly heard one of the women remark that she "disdained" the Vegas version of her homeland's famous landmark. I can hardly blame her, though it made me wonder why she came up at all. If you have ever been to the real Eiffel Tower in Paris, nothing can compare.

The Eiffel Tower Experience is open daily, weather permitting. If high winds are present, it is closed. The procedure is to start evacuating visitors when winds reach 30-35 mph (the elevators even slow down for safety) and closing the tower when wind speeds reach 40mph.

The Eiffel Tower Restaurant on the 11th floor of the tower. We did not dine there. I suspect it is meant to imitate the Jules Verne Restaurant in the Paris Eiffel Tower. My bet is the food isn't as good.

Make sure you take photos of the tower from the outside. The best spot I found was the walkway over Las Vegas Blvd leading to the Flamingo. Day time photos are ok, night time ones with the tower glittering in lights is simply gorgeous!

Quote: I recommend this mall highly mostly because it was another place in Vegas where I found I could breathe due to smoking being prohibited inside the mall. (Oh, and I like to shop!)

As malls go, the layout over 3 levels does require some walking and sometimes it is a little confusing trying to find a specific store. The decor is light, airy and modern. Anchors are Dillards, Macys, Norstrom, Saks and Neiman Marcus. Many national chain shops but nice to see different retailers than other places I've been. For a complete store directory, visit the mall's web site at www.thefashionshow.com/html/storedirectory.asp

Some individual observations:
The Coldwater Creek is one of the largest I've ever been in.

Ballys of Switzerland (a leather goods company not affiliated with the Vegas Resort) was very well stocked, attractively decorated and the sales help very knowledgeable. My husband was able to get a much needed pair of shoes that he likes so well.

Was sad that the Sigrid Olson store hadn't opened yet.

A special find was a jewelry store called Local Charm. (Read the separate entry on this for more info.)

This is a good place to go if you forgot something when packing for your trip, in case of inclement weather or, dare we say, in case you are sick of gambling.

Quote: This little gem of a jewelry shop deserves its own journal entry because it is truly unique. If you love to find and bring home one of a kind items that reflect the local flavor of the place you visit, it is worth the side trip.

Local Charm features handmade one-of-a-kind Southwest style jewelry you will not find anywhere else. The designs are exquisite and there are many stones and colors to choose from among the earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces they carry.

The two ladies who own and run Local Charm are very knowledgeable about their items and about gem stones in general. Tell them what you have in mind and they'll present an array of options to choose from.
I was thoroughly pleased with the peridot & sterling silver earrings I bought for someone on my Christmas gift list. The earrings were packed in a velvet jewelry bag, then in a logo box. Now that's what I call good service.

Prices are not cheap, nor are they sky-high, but perfectly in line for this type of individualistic jewelry. (Example: The earrings I bought cost under $40.)

Quote: Walking is one of the best ways to get around the Vegas Strip area. (And it gives us non-smokers the chance to get a clean breath of air literally!) Just in case it's summer (and sweltering) or raining or it's night time, the Las Vegas Monorail is the best way to get around. It is one of the things I truly loved about Vegas. Being an ex-Disney monorail operator, I was very impressed by this driverless transportation system. Clean, environmentally friendly, efficient and quick, all without the hassles of traffic congestion and gridlock or sore feet!

The privately funded system opened in 2004. The 4-mile route includes seven stops - the Sahara Hotel, the Las Vegas Hilton, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Harrah's/Imperial Palace, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Bally's/Paris Las Vegas, and the MGM Grand.

Hours of operation are:
Monday - Thursday
7am to 2am.

Friday - Sunday
7am to 3am.

There are a variety of tickets/passes available from $5 per trip to a 3-day pass for $40. I chose the 10-ride pass for $35 which I felt for my needs was more flexible (no time limit) and unlike the 3-day pass, could be shared. Children 5 and under ride free.

Tickets/passes can be purchased at automated, touch-screen ticket vending machines (TVMs) or customer service booths at the monorail stations; at TVMs at various locations within the station resort properties; at the Las Vegas Hilton and Sahara Hotel ticket box offices; at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the central and south halls as well as all ARAMARK facilities. TVMs accept cash and all major credit cards. If using cash, be forewarned that maximum change given is $20, given in $1 coins. In my case, when the gold Sacagewea coins came pouring out, at first I thought they were slot machine tokens. Guard your change in case some dishonest person tries to reach around you and grab it. You can also purchase passes from their website before your trip (see link below).

A couple of things that would make this system even better: 1) if it went to the airport and 2) an extension that goes out to the Stratosphere.

For complete info and to purchases passes before your trip, visit the website at www.lvmonorail.com.

Quote: An oasis awaits far removed from the hustle and bustle (and smoke) of the casino where one can indulge in pampering well deserved. Ultra clean, luxurious and tranquil - they all describe the wonderful Spa at Bally's.

Check in at the receptionist desk, where you will be directed to enter the appropriate door (there are separate women's and men's facilities). Beyond the glass door awaits a welcoming environment done in honey blond wood (think Scandinavian decor). You are offered a choice of beverage and some fruit, then taken to the locker room. In addition to being assigned a locker, you will be presented with a thick robe that has been warmed in a special room to snuggle into. After changing, the attendant takes you on a tour and explains the facilities. There is an area for primping and re-doing your hair and make-up after treatments, showers, two whirlpools/hot tubs (98 & 101 degrees respectively), a steam room, sauna, even a dimly lit room with 5 beds for relaxing.

Pamper and rejuvenate your body with one of the relaxing services offered by the certified staff. Deep tissue massage, hydrotherapy treatments, and mineral body wraps are but a few of the soothing services.

For those more modest, be forewarned that clothing is option in the whirlpool/sauna areas. It's hard to part with the warm robe, but so freeing.

On my first visit, I had a facial. Before my appointment, I soaked in one of the whirlpools, a great relief to my aching feet from all the walking I had done earlier while shopping. I laid down in the relaxation room for a few minutes before being called for my facial.

Upon preparing to lay down on the massage table, what a treat to discover there was a large heating pad on it. Ah! Great for the back and makes you feel all warm and snuggly. All natural botanical skin care products from the Bio Jouvance line are used. They smell wonderful and feel so good on the skin. My skin felt like a million bucks (second best jackpot I hit all week!). My skin was not oily into the next day. I certainly didn't need to spoil the natural glow with any make-up.

The next morning, I used the fully equipped fitness room (behind the receptionist area). This gave me reason to use the showers in the spa which have great water pressure. There are also rainwater showers if you prefer softer pressure. Toiletries and abundant thick towels are provided.

For my second spa treatment, I partook in one of my favorite indulgences - a lower leg wax. I've had leg waxes before, but never one where they give you a 2-day supply of lotion for later use to keep the legs smooth and free of irritation.

All this pampering doesn't come cheap. The 50 minute facial was $105; the leg wax was $45. Just tell yourself you are worth it!

Spa services are available to both resort guests and non-guests alike. On days when you take a spa treatment, you are free to continue to use the facilities all day at no additional charge. Normal fee is $22 a day.

Located at the very end of the lower level shop mezzanine, hours are 6am to 8pm daily. Reservations, which are a must, can be made by calling (702) 967-4366.

Quote:

Gambling: If It Weren't For Bad Luck, I'd Have No Luck At All!

The title pretty much sums up my first Vegas gambling experience. I had to actually prove this to some of the members of my travel party, who sworn it was so easy to win!

To be honest, I have never been big on gambling. OK, I buy a lottery ticket once in a while when the jackpot is fairly large. My accountant husband finds this amusing since he feels I could be just as happy with a $1 million dollar win as I could with $32 million.

I just don't get the point of throwing large sums of money away in pursuit of the elusive BIG payoff. As I mentioned in my introduction to this journal, I still think Vegas is a scam.

Lucky for me that I wasn't gambling with my own money.

I stuck with slot machines since I know very little about table games. My first try was at the Flamingo. I managed to lose $40 in 5 minutes or less while my husband won $80.

Over at Bally, I continued to lose more money. I finally did have one payoff of $120, but by that time I was $90 in the hole. I quickly cashed out. Unfortunately, I tried my hand at the slots a couple more times during our stay, ending by losing the whole $120.

Other family members were luckier, winning various amounts between $200 and $534 each. One of them won at least two large payouts.

Since returning home, I have come upon information that would have been helpful to know before I left on my trip. Do your research to find out which casino's slots and tables have the most wins. Don't share this information with anyone if you want to win.

I won't divulge all the tips, but here's one: the slots at Bally are very tight. Don't say you weren't warned.

Another tip: Don't expect to win playing the cheap slots. It does happen, but rarely. Amazing, I saw people sitting at nickel and quarter slots for hours on end.

Where's my drink?
I was never offered one of those much talked about free drinks. I have drawn some conclusions about this:
1) Good looking people get offered drinks (like my very pretty blond sister-in-law).
2) Staff note those players who sit at a table or slots for long periods of time throwing away gobs of money. They get drinks. The casino wants your business. Better yet, they want your money!

How good a gambler can you be if you're drunk? You think the casinos don't know this?!

If you chose to gamble, do so wisely. Keep an eye on your purse and/or chips and know when to fold 'em.

May Lady Lucky be your constant companion in Vegas.