OT: Solo Vegas

[panerd]

Has anyone ever made a solo vegas trip (non-business) and/or have any advice on going? Some background. I am on Spring Break next week and me and a good teacher friend of mine got an exceptional deal. (Flight + Hotel for about $210) While the rest of the people we worked with were spending $500-$600 hundred's on extravagent trips we were going to be partying it up in Vegas. Well to make a long story short he had some personal issues come up and can't go. None of my friends in the "real world" can take off for four days. So I am stuck with two options...

1. Luckily I purchased the insurance, or whatever they call it, so I can back out for like $50.

2. I can pay a little more for the room since I have no roommate and head out to Vegas. I am have been several times with my buddies and it seems like most of the time was spent at the table and at strip clubs not talking to each other much anyways. It is just the eating and if I start losing money that really scares me.

Am I a total loser if I still go on the trip or has anyone actually done this and had a good time?

PS1: I am the type of person who is shy about going to movies or bars by myself so I am not sure why I am comtimplating this.

PS2: I spent an extra night in Atlantic City once when my friend had to go back to work and I went on a downturn and lost close to $700 of winnings.

PS3: But with all that said and done my week will really suck with all of the anticipation I have had over the last month or so if I do nothing. (And the local St. Louis casinos just don't fill the Vegas viod for me)

[JonInMiddleGA]

I've been to Vegas solo twice, and am doing it that way again at the end of April.

Personality type probably has a lot to do with it, but I find it to be absolutely perfect.

You're on your own schedule, can sleep when you want, play when you want, go where you want, to me that's a beautiful thing. Having done it that way before, I really don't think I'd want to do it any other way. It's just you & the city, which ain't a bad deal IMO when you're talking about a place like Vegas.

I'm not sure what bothers you about doing meals, movies, etc. solo, so that's something you have to work out without me being able to offer much worthwhile I'm afraid but I will point out something I've said about Vegas many times -- I find it to be the most relaxing place in the world, they've seen it all, they've heard it all, they've done it all. You can be loud, quiet, flashy, shy, drunk, sober, pretty much anything in the world & they've already BTDT. You could probably go anywhere there with three heads, four arms & 6 legs & they'd barely bat an eye. So I don't think anybody is going to think twice about a guy flying solo in the casio/bar/club/ restaurant.

FWIW, hope it helps,
Jon

[albionmoonlight]

To echo what Jon said, I had a friend going through a hard time (typical family crap and girlfriend crap at the same time). He decided to go on an already scheduled girlfriend trip to Vegas by himself and came back saying that it was the most relaxing vacation that he ever had. So there is something to that.

[cthomer5000]

also, gambling in general is very social.... so you've got that going for ya.

[The Afoci]

I masturbate by myself.

[panerd]

I've been to Vegas solo twice, and am doing it that way again at the end of April.

Personality type probably has a lot to do with it, but I find it to be absolutely perfect.

You're on your own schedule, can sleep when you want, play when you want, go where you want, to me that's a beautiful thing. Having done it that way before, I really don't think I'd want to do it any other way. It's just you & the city, which ain't a bad deal IMO when you're talking about a place like Vegas.

I'm not sure what bothers you about doing meals, movies, etc. solo, so that's something you have to work out without me being able to offer much worthwhile I'm afraid but I will point out something I've said about Vegas many times -- I find it to be the most relaxing place in the world, they've seen it all, they've heard it all, they've done it all. You can be loud, quiet, flashy, shy, drunk, sober, pretty much anything in the world & they've already BTDT. You could probably go anywhere there with three heads, four arms & 6 legs & they'd barely bat an eye. So I don't think anybody is going to think twice about a guy flying solo in the casio/bar/club/ restaurant.

FWIW, hope it helps,
Jon

Most definitely appreciated. I totally agree with everything you said and am not really sure what my major aversion is to flying solo. I guess I feel like everyone is looking at me when in fact nobody really gives a shit. I have talked with my friends about this before and most of them have done some business travel and so they have gained experiance with eating and fending for themselves in big cities, while I have never really had any trips like this.


My one other major fear is the money situation. While I could lose up to about $1500 and not really be hurting that bad, I would rather not. With my buddies in Vegas I could always just hang out at their tables during a cold spell. What do you do when you catch a really bad string of bad luck?

[Maple Leafs]

Panerd... pardon the personal question, but are you single or do you have a wife/gf?

[judicial clerk]

Take your laptop with you. You ciould then give us updates from your room. It could be a mini-dynasty thread. This way you can share your experiences with someone else. I think that is something you miss when you do this by yourself.

(Also, you can pawn the laptop if things get, "unpleasant").

[panerd]

Panerd... pardon the personal question, but are you single or do you have a wife/gf?


Single. The whole solo Vegas trip would probably not be much of a problem otherwise. Either she would go with or I would feel little guilt about going by myself.

[KWhit]

Single. The whole solo Vegas trip would probably not be much of a problem otherwise. Either she would go with or I would feel little guilt about going by myself.
If you're single, going solo to Vegas might just be the preferred way to go.

[panerd]

Take your laptop with you. You ciould then give us updates from your room. It could be a mini-dynasty thread. This way you can share your experiences with someone else. I think that is something you miss when you do this by yourself.

(Also, you can pawn the laptop if things get, "unpleasant").

Yeah, that could be a pretty interesting read. I would probably spend downtime at the casino bar. Hopefully I won't have too many cocktails and end up chatting it up with one of the local video poker whores at the bar. :D

[JonInMiddleGA]

What do you do when you catch a really bad string of bad luck?
Happily, I'm a "coin-op" kinda guy in LV, so even a really bad string isn't incredibly painful http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif

Still, I think the same things are pretty applicable -- when it's time to walk away for a while, it's time to walk away. Thing is, it doesn't really matter where you go or what you do. I sometimes enjoy just making a circuit of the casino floor, enjoy the scenery as it were, take in some of the atmosphere (which I truly love). There's also so many different venues in Vegas, you can mark some time just by changing buildings (if that's something you do, I know some players strongly prefer sticking to one house). If it is time to change locations, but you really need to kill a little more time to get your trip & your budget back in synch, that situation might be a good time to go exploring one of the places you've never seen or played much at. If nothing else, you can get an idea which places have the more visually appealing girls on the floor :)

Plus, when all else fails, I believe that just about any time is a good time for a power nap http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif

[KWhit]

When I need to spend some inexpensive time in Vegas, I like to put down a smallish bet on a sporting event and then watch it in the sports book or casino bar (yeah, I know, it's not free, but can e a cheap way to spend a couple of very enjoyable hours). Even a sport that you don't have a big interest in can be super-entertaining with just a few greenbacks riding on it. Especially big ones like the NCAA tourney games.

Other things I like to do in Vegas for cheap:
Go to one of the low-limit casinos and play 1.00 craps (there are even some .25 - .50 tables somewhere in Vegas). At dollar craps tables you can play for hours and not lose more than $20-$30.

Find a nice cigar bar and sit, smoke, have a few cocktails and watch the scenery. I always bring my own cigars from home (where I get them a lot cheaper).

Two of my friends went and were witnesses at a stranger's wedding. It seems very strange to me, but they laugh about the experience all the time (an Elvis impersinator performed the ceremony).

Just walking around different casinos' shopping areas is fun to see the extravagant architechture. Some of my faves: Ceasar's, the Venetian, Paris...

Hang out at the pool. The sights are incredible. The beer isn't cheap, but compared to $10 hands of blackjack it is well worth the money when a slowdown is in order.

Also check out the free shows like the Bellagio water fountains, etc. I think they're pretty cool.

[Peregrine]

Panerd, I say go. Vegas is one of the most single-friendly places in the world that I've been to. Nobody really cares who you are or aren't with, there are plenty of things to do by yourself, you can gamble, sit in the sports book, go to strip clubs, whatever. It's still a great time imo.

[Maple Leafs]

Single.GO!

[Desnudo]

Has anyone ever made a solo vegas trip (non-business) and/or have any advice on going? Some background. I am on Spring Break next week and me and a good teacher friend of mine got an exceptional deal. (Flight + Hotel for about $210) While the rest of the people we worked with were spending $500-$600 hundred's on extravagent trips we were going to be partying it up in Vegas. Well to make a long story short he had some personal issues come up and can't go. None of my friends in the "real world" can take off for four days. So I am stuck with two options...

1. Luckily I purchased the insurance, or whatever they call it, so I can back out for like $50.

2. I can pay a little more for the room since I have no roommate and head out to Vegas. I am have been several times with my buddies and it seems like most of the time was spent at the table and at strip clubs not talking to each other much anyways. It is just the eating and if I start losing money that really scares me.

Am I a total loser if I still go on the trip or has anyone actually done this and had a good time?

PS1: I am the type of person who is shy about going to movies or bars by myself so I am not sure why I am comtimplating this.

PS2: I spent an extra night in Atlantic City once when my friend had to go back to work and I went on a downturn and lost close to $700 of winnings.

PS3: But with all that said and done my week will really suck with all of the anticipation I have had over the last month or so if I do nothing. (And the local St. Louis casinos just don't fill the Vegas viod for me)

I usually don't enjoy a trip, meal, bar, etc.., by myself because the whole point to me is to socialize with friends. That said, I think Las Vegas is one of the few spots where you could be totally introverted and still have a blast. Just find a nice spot for Blackjack or whatever and spend the next 48 hours drinking and playing cards. You'll meet plenty of temporary friends. ;)

Edit: Damn four days? Are you insane? I think anything more than two nights is pushing your physical limits.

[Scholes]

I was in Vegas by myself and ended up at a 2 Live Crew Concert at a club just outside of Vegas with a group of 6 great individuals, 3 besides myself that were flying solo, and it was one of the best nights ever.

[Samdari]

I would kill for 3 days alone in Vegas.

Do it. Just make sure you do it well.

[QuikSand]

You should be at the local bars tonight, armed with one of the best pickup lines ever at the ready. Chat her up, and if things go well, you drop the V-bomb... "So, I'm heading out to Vegas for the week... would you like to come?"

Money.

[Airhog]

QS: brilliant man. Just make sure she isnt one of those poker whores :D

[Esquared1]

Do it. I'm going with only one friend, and we often times split for hours on end. I agree, it is a chance of something you will never experience.

I suppose you would just have to make sure that you don't gamble the whole bankroll at the beginning of the trip. . .

As for the three day trip, you could keep stats to keep you entertained, such as:

# of hookers spotted
# of people who split tens
# of drinks consumed
# of winning tickets cashed
average age of keno players (estimated)
# of fake breasts at Rio, Palms, and Hard Rock. You could determine which place has the most fake breasts.

You have a chance for something epic. TAKE IT!!!!

[panerd]

Well a follow-up. You guys basically had me getting on the plane and then I talked to my friend last night. Apparently (surprise, surprise) his travel agent was giving him a hard time about only one of us getting out of the deal and offered up a chance for us to go to Vegas in the summer and stay at any medium-high range casino. (Treasure Island, Mirage, etc.) I told him that I may have already been sold on going to Vegas this week, but he talked me out it. (Something about buying me some private dances at Olympic Gardens for being such a good friend ;) )

Anyways it raises an interesting other question. How can it be profitable for this agent to send us to Vegas again at a better casino instead of just letting us out? But she is close with my friend so maybe she is taking a loss (doubtful) or maybe she found 2 people willing to snatch up the trip (more probable). But I don't claim to understand cheap travel or how travel agents work their deals, but here's to some Captain and Cokes at the Treasure Island sportsbook while I bet on some baseball and NBA playoffs this June! And I just may plan a solo trip sometime before then. You guys got me thinking... why sit around try to figure out how to keep a whole group entertained when I can just worry about myself?

[RPI-Fan]

He probably has trouble selling people on Vegas in summer with the weather.

[panerd]

Do it. I'm going with only one friend, and we often times split for hours on end. I agree, it is a chance of something you will never experience.

I suppose you would just have to make sure that you don't gamble the whole bankroll at the beginning of the trip. . .

As for the three day trip, you could keep stats to keep you entertained, such as:

# of hookers spotted
# of people who split tens
# of drinks consumed
# of winning tickets cashed
average age of keno players (estimated)
# of fake breasts at Rio, Palms, and Hard Rock. You could determine which place has the most fake breasts.

You have a chance for something epic. TAKE IT!!!!

I have to admit hooker spotting was a fun contest we had going last August for my buddie's bachelor party. None of my friends believed how prevalent the ladies of the night are at the major casinos. Finally after a quite a few drinks the last night I proved to my one friend (the bachelor refused to even be a part of the conversation) how easy it would be to pick up a "10", but of course we both chickened out. I don't know it is is really as much the money or even the fear of law enforcement (I think they have way better things to do than bust people inside the casinos) as much as the stigma of having paid for it. Like George Costanza said about parking in New York City. "Why pay for it, when if you put your mind to it you can get it for free?" But that's a whole other thread all together.

[panerd]

He probably has trouble selling people on Vegas in summer with the weather.

You are probably right. But we went last August and since we sleep during the peak sunlight hours it wasn't really that bad. The weather was definitely a lot more beutiful in February and March, but the heat isn't to the top of my list. I have stayed at Hotel San Remo twice and Imperial Palace twice, so this will be a good chance to see how the major hotels differ. (Though I did stay at the Trump Taj Mahal once and it wasn't even as nice as Hotel San Remo. Of course comparing Vegas to Atlantic City may have something to do with it)

[finkenst]

To echo what Jon said, I had a friend going through a hard time (typical family crap and girlfriend crap at the same time). He decided to go on an already scheduled girlfriend trip to Vegas by himself and came back saying that it was the most relaxing vacation that he ever had. So there is something to that.


now is that because it was vegas or because it was away from everyone?

:confused:

note: i really need to get a vacation in general

[Z²+]

(Though I did stay at the Trump Taj Mahal once and it wasn't even as nice as Hotel San Remo. Of course comparing Vegas to Atlantic City may have something to do with it)

Having only stayed at the Taj Mahal, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I guess I consider myself a medium range player ($10 craps, $15/25 BJ, several hours of slots to kill time) maybe making a trip to AC (only a short 5 hour car trip) every month or two...I stay at the Taj because they take care of me well and I haven't had to pay for a room or food or anything since my first trip. If I'm someone who like to spend an entire trip in one casino (I'm not really a fan of casino hopping), what am I missing staying in AC compared to LV? I've considered putting together a trip out to LV this summer, but being so comfortable at the Taj I haven't figured out if its worth it or not. Comments/suggestions?

[JeeberD]

I have stayed at Hotel San Remo twice...

That's where I stayed when I went to Vegas for my cousin's wedding a couple of summers ago. Nice enough place, and it's nice and close to the strip...