So by now you have been to Vegas several times; and have been getting rated for your play as you should, you are now ready to start reaping the rewards.  One of the better properties in Vegas for online reservations is Harrah’s.

Once you log in you will see all sorts of stuff that is specific to you, based on your play, tier score, etc.  You can see your offers, tax information from previous years, and general stuff related to all of their properties.  But you are looking for the reservations tab in the upper left of the page.

Now here is where it gets interesting.  It’s simple enough, you just plug in where you want to go and when and then it spits out your rates.  These are based on your level of pay, which will then yield more favorable rates.

You can also use an offer that you might have, which will also lower your rates.  They vary from month to month, but for the most part they give you basically the same type of offers across all of the properties (this seems to apply only to Vegas). 

Now what is really crazy is if you put in a companions Total Rewards number (in this case Lori) while you are checking your rates, you will notice even better rates.  This is really a great thing that only Harrah’s allow you to do.  Basically they look at both people’s play and decide what you are likely to do while you stay.  This is why it’s critical to always get your play rated.

Now if you use an offer, I have found that it will supersede the combined rating of both people.  Subsequently this will sometimes result in higher rates than just using a companion’s rating along side your own.  It’s really just a crap shoot so it’s always good run the same search a couple of different ways.

So if you follow these tips, you will always pay far less for rooms on the strip than you otherwise would.  If you do it right, you could get your stay completely comp’ed!

It’s something that you’ll notice a lot when you are walking in and around casino’s; the people in the black vests.  Now they are very nice and always ask where you are from and how long are you visiting Las Vegas, but don’t be fooled by this.  They only want one thing; and that’s for you to sign up to listen to some timeshare pitch.

This has got to be a cottage industry all unto itself, because every single property has something that they are trying to pitch you.  It’s crazy.  What’s even crazier is that they only ever really approach couples.  So if you are walking hand in hand with your loved one you will be “attack” with offers of free tickets, dinners, even free play. 

I am sure that you will be tempted by their nice demeanor, but don’t do it.  Once they have your contact information you will just get killed with direct mail pieces and the like.  I am sure that they all share the same database so once you are in the system, there is no way out.  And for what?  Nothing that you can’t get on your own through steady rated play in your favorite casino.  Just do what we do and split up.  Walk one in front of the other and act like you don’t know one another until after you pass them.  You will thank me for this advice, especially if you are walking from Harrah’s to the Venetian.  They are everywhere!

It really makes even less sense to “own” something out there unless you just have a ton of discretionary cash laying around because if you play enough the casino’s will give you free rooms, money to play with, great food, and show tickets while you are out there.  The fees and cost structure to any time share make little sense when you are talking about a city that lives to serve you.  Believe me, you are better off saving your money to double that 11 vs. the dealer 6.

So remember, when you are walking through and around Las Vegas, make sure you steer clear of the “vested” people, unless you like wasting your, money, and energy listening to elevator pitches from people who rather be elsewhere themselves.

Getting around in Vegas can be an adventure.  The lights and the allure is certainly inviting and you find yourself wanting to take it all in.  Well my friend; that is no small task when you consider that the Strip itself is over 4 miles long.  Throw in the fact that you could walk for days just inside some of these behemoths, and your dogs will start to bark.

So aside from the constant walking, you have a couple of options.  Taking a cab is your first introduction to Vegas.  Here is a cab line on a typical Friday night at the airport; umm not so nice.  However, the line moves fairly quickly and they have it down to a science so you will spend 30-45 mins max, unless we are talking New Years or something when the crush of people it tremendous.  The cost is about $23-25 to get you to the heart of the strip and is shorter if they take Tropicana to get there, but they almost never do.  So enjoy the tunnel and highway and hold on because I have yet to get in a cab that isn’t doing 90-100 on that interstate stretch to the strip.

Once you are there you can take cabs from one end of the strip to the other, but depending on the time of day and if the cabbie knows any side streets, this can add up.  Especially when you consider the time you will wait in a cab line, you could be talking a serious commitment.

One alternative is the Monorail.  Now I would only recommend that you buy the 10 rides for $35 ticket.  It’s the best value and you can use it for multiple people.  Plus it’s good for a year from when you buy it so you can use it when you come back (and you will come back).  This is a good alternative if you are on the east side of the strip and need to go a stop of two.  One ride is one ride so if you are at the MGM and you are going to the Strat, then this is definitely a deal.  The Monorail is fast and runs on time so it’s a pretty quick alternative at 10 pm on when Vegas really picks up.

So with a good mix of walking, cabs, and the monorail you should be able to get around in Vegas no problem.  I have left out Limos because they are just not a cost effective way to get around, no matter how hard they try to sell you when you are standing in line.  Don’t fall for it!

So now you are a Blackjack expert.  You have taken what I talked about in the first part of this strategy and now are looking for the payoff, right?

Great, so let’s get into it and talk about getting rated.

One of the main reasons why I love Blackjack is it’s a game that involves people.  As you know from a previous post on tipping, having people involved when you are gambling is always a good thing.   When you are doing well, having a good time and generally in good spirits good things are going to happen.  This is where getting rated comes in.

Every time you sit down you need to put your player’s card on top of the money you are changing for chips.  Now if you are not playing @ $25 per hand then this really doesn’t matter as your play will not be rated highly in a lot of places, or not at all in others.  But if you are; then now you are in business.

So now you are getting your money “washed” and the dealer is calling over the pit boss to get your play in the system.  This is where the amount that you buy in at plays a roll in the calculations.  Getting rated early and often is the key to elevating your status and ultimately getting your piece of the RFB (Room, Food and Beverage) pie. The formula is a rough one, but basically it boils down to the amount that you sit down with, what your average bet is, how long you play, and what you leave with.  

Since you are going to be gambling anyways, you might as well start getting some of the comps along the way.  Those start with small discounts on food and better room rates.  As you move up the ladder, you will get free nights and they will even start giving you money to play with.  It’s a beautiful thing.

You should use your card every time you do anything, but when you are playing at the tables there is more opportunities for good things to happen because it’s the pit bosses who are actually determining what kind of player you are.  I have had pit bosses in the past put in larger starting amounts, long play times and just generally helping the players like me out.  This is not going to happen every time you sit down of course, but if you are practicing Good Karma, then good things will happen for you too! 

So saddle up pards and let’s get that cocktail waitress over, I need a drink!

I am not a very spiritual guy by any means; however I am a big believer in Karma.

There are so many things that happen in Vegas that simply can not be explained in any other way than Karma.  There is almost always a guy who has a completely negative attitude at the Blackjack table and just loses constantly.  He is cursing and generally unhappy.  Then the bubbly Coed sits down at the table and proceeds to win 5 in a row and she is stoked.  He is still sour, rude, and generally unpleasant yet she is having the time of her life.  Karma.

So I have a philosophy that even old “44″ has picked up on; and that’s tipping.  I mean tipping everyone who does anything for you while you are in Vegas.

I know that there will be some resistance to this, because why in the world is the cab stand guy deserving of anything when he just whistles for a cab and throws you in?  Well I don’t know other than it’s a dollar, and you will get great service.  $1 goes so far that you will be amazed at how people’s faces light up when you tip and thank them for providing you with a drink; some change; or even a pay out.

Here is a quick run down of who and what you should be tipping while you are in Vegas (not a definitive list by any means, feel free to expand when necessary):

Cab Driver – $2 per trip

Taxi Stand Guy - $1 again it doesn’t feel right at first, but do it

Bell Stand Guy - $1 per bag

Waiter -  20-30%, depending on your level of service

BJ Dealer -  $1 tips on your bet when you can, varies with play

Cocktail Server - $1 per drink, if you don’t you will go thirsty!

Maid - $2 per night/person, they clean your toilet, `nuff said

Casino Cashier - $1 when you are cashing your winnings, why not?

Front Desk - $20 if they upgrade you, but probably won’t take it.

Casino Host - $50-? if you have one then you’re a balla; tip like one.

I will leave you with a nugget that actually convinced “44” that this is the way.  Every year a couple of us go out to bet college basketball during March Madness.  We are betting a ton of games and I am winning more than I am losing at this point.  We are at the MGM sportsbook and I am cashing my tickets in with the same two ladies all day.  I tip every time I cash in a winner and chat them up all the while.  Well on 3 different occasions over the course of the day I was overpaid by $50, $100, and then $50 again.  They were honest mistakes I think, but every time I was at the window they would scan the tickets, be happy for me winning, we would chit chat, I would get my tip out for them, and then collect the money.   Only one of them would count my money back to me, and she just counted it out incorrectly.  The other just game me my winnings and that was that.  There is so much money going in and out during that first weekend of games that I am sure it’s hard to keep up with all of the small timers like me, but it’s nice when people make “mistakes” in your favor.  True Story.

Like I have been told by countless dealers, “this is not my money and I would rather see you take it then the house.”  Don’t even get me started about what goes on at the Blackjack tables. 

So do the right thing every time and good things will happen to you too!