Another successful trip to Vegas

[player_34765]

Well I just got back from Vegas and once again came out ahead. This is now my sixth straight trip to Vegas I have come out with a profit. Although I dont' play at really high stakes, I have figured out a way to use comps, coupons, and every other means to do this. Funny thing is I didn't even do that well on video poker, but 9 for 9 on blackjack matchplays was highly unlikely ( anyone know the odds of that occurring?). There is no way I could take a trip anywhere as cheaply as in Vegas. I'm sure eventually I will come out with a depleted bankroll, but anyone who does the homework, practice, and has keeps at it during the bad runs that always come can be successful. I'm considering moving to Vegas and seeing if I can make at least a part time living playing video poker with a "real" job my main income source. Any locals have any tips for living around casinos all the time and staying the course and not getting sucked in?

[empirejeff]

I don't know that much about Vegas, but also check if any horse racing places have promotions. One could win free monies and stuff from that.

[doris13]

i say unless you have unlimited income don't do it!

[alpax]

I do not think you will get to use up a match play coupon for every blackjack hand you play. If you are not at least 50 years of age, it is not worth it since the benefits for locals are not available to you.

I agree with doris13, you will need either a big inheritance or constant income that exceed well more than living expenses and your bankroll to play with.

[case]

Player 34765 does touch on one important point and that is the use of coupons to help reduce the house edge. Your successful trips prove once again that people can and do make money in casinos. Will you keep winning every trip, of course not.. It is hard to win on VP alone but with match coupons, free food  cashback  and other things you can slant the odds. You have proven that. Well done.

[Tedlark]

I don't know from what part of the country you reside but there is a possibility that wages may be lower in Las Vegas than what you currently earn. You miight want to consider that in your calculation of move or not to move.

Best of luck to you no matter what you decide to do.

[alpax]

Ted, I am not sure if it was you or if it was someone else, I might have read in a post in the past where one had relatives make the move to Vegas and a move to Vegas was considered. Is it still on your mind?

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[Tedlark]

I'm still kicking it around alpax and, with how good I felt being out there last month tilts the scales a bit.

Many years ago when my father was still alive he came to me and told me that he was thinking about buying a place in Las Vegas. I asked him if he was wanting me to be the voice of reason (or objection) against the idea and he replied yes. I told him he was talking to the wrong guy and to go ask my brother, lol...

[alpax]

Forgot to respond back Ted.

Thanks for sharing the story and sorry to hear your old man is no longer with you. Without selling or pressuring you about moving to Vegas, it is only recently where I learned more about the locals casino scene in which I was ignorant of (I've only paid attention to the Strip as most people only talk about it).

They have it really great, and it is not just the better paytables in video poker. There are so many weekday promotions, free meals and gifts, as well as contests galore. $200 or $300 coin in gets you lunch and contest entries to win a few thousand dollars. I know a colleague whose parents live near Red Rock, and their retirement funds can stretch a long time with these promos. Nevada is a state with no income tax.

Though you've mentioned that property prices were cheap in the older post, I suppose the hot weather may get you the turn on the AC all the time. Utility bills are much higher from what I hear. Also the rate of crime is higher than most US cities. I noticed food prices are higher and the sales tax is at 8.1% I am not sure if you are retired yet, but you also have a point if the same occupation pays less in Nevada than where you are.

[Tedlark]

alpax their sales tax rate is a couple clicks lower than Illinois. Coupled with no state income tax I'd already be ahead about 5% and this difference would probably pay for the increase in electric utility costs.

Every time I go to Las Vegas I make it a point to pick up a daily copy of The Las Vegas Review Journal. I enjoy reading it and there are many advertisements in there for "locals only" deals and specials. After all; how many out of towners are picking up copies of the daily newspaper when they are in Las Vegas? Plus I do look at the real estate section too in case something jumps off the page at me. I could easily manage in a 2 or 3 bedroom situated in a livable area without much crime.

From what I've picked up, Stations Casinos are favorites of many locals and I would only think that locals also avoid the strip and leave that for the tourists and uneducated players.

My dad passed away over 25 years ago and I'm still learning from him, I miss he and my mom terribly.

Ted