"LAS VEGAS" Las Vegas by SteveOSF

Las Vegas Travel Guide: 8,353 reviews and 17,025 photos

The Lights of Las Vegas - Las Vegas
The Lights of Las Vegas
Land of Perpetual Change

From its early roots as a Mormon settlement to its diverse entertainment offerings of today, Las Vegas has experienced consistent change. During the depression, the construction of Hoover Dam near Boulder City breathed fresh life, water, and energy into this region. With the help of colorful individuals like Bugsy Siegel and entertainment icons like Frank Sinatra, this desert gambling town became a gambler's vacation paradise.

But this world of gambling experienced more chance. The first resorts evolved into, or were eaten up by, even larger complexes. The shows became more elaborate as the hotels became enormous. The hotel complexes began to resemble Disney attractions as their themes emerged. Watered by the money of this desert land, even more elaborate, themed complexes have risen out of the sand.

During the 1980s I spent a lot of time in Las Vegas. To walk the Strip, you just took a fairly the long walk from the Tropicana to Vegas World (now the Stratosphere). As the 1990s approached, my visits became very infrequent. But I noticed much change during those years as Old Guard of the casinos of like the Dunes and Landmark gave way to places the Luxor, Treasure Island, and the New MGM Grand (the old one is now Bally's).

As the century turned I paid two more visits, and more change has occurred. The epitome of old Las Vegas, the Sands, was imploded in one big extravaganza. The tower was seemly destroyed by a broadside fired from a tall ship at Treasure Island. Many more hotels, Winn being one of the newest, are now established. Today, the strip expands far beyond the Tropicana.

In today's Las Vegas the prices are higher, the slots no longer need or pay coins, less favorable gaming rules exist, and the stakes are much higher than before. But it is no longer just about gambling. The themed resorts have become an attraction in themselves. Virtual reality rides abound. The selection of shows has expanded with the rest of the city. The city's footprint has grown exponentially as people moved into the region. Today you can spend a weekend in Las Vegas, be thoroughly entertained, without ever gambling.

There still are two main tourist areas of Las Vegas. They are the Strip and Downtown.

Can You Win?
An elusive royal flush in video poker - Las Vegas

An elusive royal flush in video poker

On my Reno page I've included a discussion titled "Can You Win?" It focuses on which casino games can be legally beaten. I’ve also included some insight on the various games that can actually be beaten and what it take to do so. Click on the links below to read these tips:

Can You Win?

Can You Win at Poker?

Can You Win at Blackjack?

Can You Win at Video Poker?

Can You Win at Sports Betting and Horse Racing?

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Lots to do here....
  • Cons:The games have declined over the years...
  • In a nutshell:One big place to gamble and party.
  • Last visit to Las Vegas: Apr 2007
  • Intro Updated Jun 6, 2008
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Reviews (24)

Wear a watch in Las Vegas - Las Vegas Wear a Watch What to Pack (1)

Las Vegas casinos are notorious for their lack of clocks. Clocks are harder to find in a gambling joint than a winning... more travel advice

Unloaded Dice - Las Vegas Do Casinos Cheat? Favorites (6)

Many visitors to Nevada often wonder if casinos cheat. With the games rigged in their favor casinos really have no need... more travel advice

Inside a Nevada Casino - Las Vegas No Pictures? Favorites (6)

Nevada casinos typically don’t like people taking pictures. Historically, their reason for this policy was to ensure the... more travel advice

Over $500 per Weekend Given Up to this Bad Game - Las Vegas 6:5 Blackjack Favorites (6)

..... Beware of 6:5 Blackjack! Traditionally the game of blackjack pays 3 bets for every 2 units wagered for a... more travel advice

Comments (7)

  • Reply
    rexvaughan's Profile Photo
    Feb 8, 2010 at 6:46 AM

    Sounds like you know your poker, Steve. I limited my gambling to the draw poker slots and came out ahead. We loved Fremont Street.

  • Reply
    Tugboatguy's Profile Photo
    Nov 1, 2008 at 11:40 AM

    Steve, An enormous wealth of sharp advice here for the tourist to Vegas. Consider writing a book? My ex-brother in law living there offered to set me up- imagine that?? Beware the hotel valet hustlers. There is a price for everything imaginable. Doug

  • Reply
    risse73's Profile Photo
    Aug 6, 2008 at 7:04 PM

    The SIN city always draws a lot of folks. I happen to hate LV for the gambling, the crowds, the smoke-filled rooms, the heat and arid desert climate. Nonetheless, GREAT tips on LV. Cheers!

  • Reply
    Lhenne1's Profile Photo
    Jun 13, 2008 at 11:35 AM

    Love the $200 beer tip - makes me feel better about my $75 mai tai courtesy of the BlackJack tables at Hard Rock.

  • Reply
    atufft's Profile Photo
    Jun 1, 2008 at 12:46 AM

    Great start here...Where's the warning and dangers tip--you can lose your shirt in Vegas :-)

  • Reply
    Ewingjr98's Profile Photo
    Apr 4, 2008 at 6:04 PM

    Nice tips, especially the advice on choosing your games in Vegas!

  • Reply
    jennwerner's Profile Photo
    Dec 5, 2007 at 11:40 AM

    Great Vegas tips. Its amazing they still allow smoking in the Casinos. Yuk... But to each his/her own...

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