10 Tips for First-Time Casino Visitors
If this is your first time visiting a casino, don’t leave your experience to chance! Play your cards right and check out these 10 tips before visiting your first Las Vegas casino.
Tip #1 - Get your Free Drinks
In Vegas, casinos offer free drinks to slot and table game players - but there are a few catches. First, you must be an active player. You will need to have money in the game and be seated. So don’t try to chase around a cocktail waitress as they can only serve you if you are actively playing. Second, the drinks are free, but in most cases, they will not include specialty drinks or top-shelf liquor. Finally, if there are gaming machines at a bar, you will need to verify if they serve free drinks. Many bar locations inside casinos do not serve free drinks, even if you are playing a machine, so be sure to double check before you order!
Be sure to tip your cocktail server. Most people tip between $1-$5 per drink.
Tip #2- take the Free Gaming Lessons
If you’re unfamiliar with the games or just need to brush up on the rules, consider taking a free gaming lesson. Lessons are often available for Roulette, Blackjack, and Craps. You can also download any number of free apps and practice these games before coming to Las Vegas. In addition to learning about the game, be sure to learn the etiquette of the game. It’s important to know who bets when, when you can touch your chips, and other rules to make sure you’re playing the games correctly.
If you’re unsure about anything during a game, just ask the dealer. They are friendly and there to help - they work for tips, so they want you to win and then tip!
Tip #3 - abide by the age Minimum
In Vegas, the minimum age to gamble, play poker, or be on a casino floor is 21. Casinos are very strict about gaming policies. If a minor is caught violating a Gaming Commission rule, including being on the casino floor, sitting at a slot machine, placing a wager, or ordering an alcoholic drink, there may be serious consequences for you, the minor involved, and the casino. Minors are also not allowed to stand around and watch you gamble, so if you’re looking to fit in some gaming time during your next Vegas family vacation, make sure you have a plan for anyone in your group that is under 21.
If you are walking through a casino with your family, look for the carpeted pathways. The approved walkways are usually a different color or pattern and are spaced away from gaming machines and tables.
Tip #4 - remember that Cash is King
Cash is required to gamble in most casinos - be sure to have some on hand or make a plan to get some when you arrive if you plan on gambling! Keep in mind that ATM fees are usually extremely high inside of casinos, some charging more than $10 per transaction. And be careful when using these types of machines, as additional actions like checking your balance will incur an additional transaction fee.
Look for ATMs outside of the casino for lower fees. We’ve complied a list of affordable ATM options on and near the Strip here.
Tip #5 - Use the Casino Cage
You will need casino chips to play poker or table games in the casino. Be sure to only buy these chips from the Casino Cage or the Dealer - never buy or sell chips with anyone else in the casino. And before going home, be sure to cash out any chips you have, as casinos do replace them. Once they are replaced, they can no longer be redeemed at the casino.
Many people like to bring home a $1 chip from each casino they visit as a souvenir. You can always ask the cage for a cleaner looking chip - most cashiers will be happy to find one for you!
Tip #6 - Understand the machines you’re playing
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed on the casino floor from all the slot machine sounds and lights. Before playing a slot machine, be sure to understand the denomination and how much the bet will be. Although there are a lot of penny slots, most will cost you much more than that for a single bet.
Never walk away from a machine with your money in it. If you have to use the restroom, call over a slot attendant to watch your machine.
Tip #7 - Cash in Your Slot Machine Vouchers
Even if you put money into a slot machine, any winnings or cash left in the machine will be paid to you in a voucher in most cases. You can cash in a voucher at the casino cage or an ATM/voucher redemption machine. However, most machines don’t have coins. Any value under a dollar will be returned to you in another voucher, or you may have the option to donate it to a local charity. Vouchers must be redeemed at the casino where they were earned, so if you want that change be sure to head to the casino cage before you leave.
If you end up finding a voucher once you get home, you can mail the voucher back to the casino and they will mail you a check for the voucher amount, as long as the voucher hasn’t expired. Most voucher are good for at least 6 months, but if you aren’t sure the voucher issue date and length of time to expiration will be printed directly on it.
Tip #8 - sign up for (and Use!) Your Player Rewards Card
Every casino (or major casino brand) has its own player rewards card. These cards are used to track your play and, in some cases, other spending that you do at the casino like dining out, spa spending, and other purchases on property. As you play, you earn tier credits and reward credits. The tier credits determine your reward club status - the more points, the higher the status, the better the rewards. Rewards can include free parking, discounts, and future casino offers. The reward credits can be used for free food or even FreePlay!
Use your rewards card every time you play slots, video poker, poker, or table games. Don’t worry, contrary to a popular myth, casinos cannot change the outcome of the game based on your reward card.
Tip #9 - Be Aware of your Surroundings
Vegas is like any big city, there are great people and some not so great people. It’s easy to get distracted in the casino, but be sure to never leave your purse, bag, or phone unattended. Also be aware if someone is crowding you at the ATM – this is a popular pickpocket trick. And as a reminder, never walk away from a machine with your money in it – even if it is just to look at your friend’s machine next to you. Pros know how to quickly cash out your voucher and leave.
Notify security immediately if something happens. If your voucher was taken and you were playing with your players card in the machine, the casino can identify the voucher number. If it hasn’t already been cashed in, they can void the voucher and give you the money.
Tip #10 - Know your potential tax Consequences
If you hit it big, it may cost you! For all slot wins over $1,200, the casino will issue you a tax form called a W-2G (note that the win threshold is higher for table games and poker tournaments.) These winnings will need to be reported on your tax return as the casino is reporting the win to the IRS. You can only deduct losses up to your winnings if you itemize your taxes, and remember that you are responsible for state and local taxes too depending on where you live.
Some casinos will provide you with the W-2G immediately, while others will mail it to you. If you are given one at the time of payout, you will not receive another one. Be sure to place it in a secure location so you have it at tax time.
Don’t roll the dice on your Vegas vacation! If you’re planning on gambling and you’ve never done so before, keep these ten tips in mind for a successful visit to your first Las Vegas casino.