What to know about gambling before you go to Vegas

If you fancy placing a bet or two or 20, you’ve hit the jackpot in deciding to visit Las Vegas. Gambling in all of its forms has been legal in Nevada since 1931, which has made Las Vegas one of the best places in the USA to double down. Even as Native Americans have built casino-resort destinations and other states have legalized casinos and sports betting, Sin City remains in a class all its own.

The blinking lights and the maze of pluses and minuses on a sports book screen may be intimidating at first glance, but don’t be scared. Las Vegas is as friendly as it gets in terms of easing into your new favorite game. Here's an essential guide to answer all your questions about gambling in Las Vegas.

How can I gamble in Las Vegas?

With new games unveiled seemingly every day – particularly for slot machines – you can easily gamble hundreds of ways under the roof of a single Las Vegas casino. Table games include such classics as blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and various forms of poker, like Texas Hold ’em and three-card poker.

Slot machines come in thousands of themes, with different pay lines and jackpots. Among the most omnipresent machines citywide are Megabucks and Wheel of Fortune, which have progressive statewide jackpots that often reach the million-plus level. Sports betting is also a significant draw: you can bet on everything from big-time NFL battles to a small soccer match in Colombia. Some casinos even have bingo halls.

What is the etiquette when gambling in Las Vegas?

An important yet unspoken rule in our connected world: casinos don’t take kindly to folks using their phones during table action. This policy extends to taking calls, scrolling your inbox and googling whether you should hit on 12 against a dealer’s 6 at blackjack. (The answer is no.)

Are drinks really free?

You can indeed drink for free while gambling in Las Vegas. If you’re feeding a video poker machine at a casino bar, count on the bartender comping your drinks. The same goes when you’re sitting at slot machines and table games: cocktail waiters and waitresses make regular rounds. Whether your drinks are comped or not (especially if they’re not), make sure to tip your bartenders and waiters with each round.

You must be at least 21 years old to drink – and for that matter, to gamble – in Las Vegas casinos. 

Which game is easiest?

Slot machines require you to merely push a button or pull a lever. That’s it. If you know the basics of poker, the video version of the card game is pretty seamless as well. A third option is roulette: there are 38 numbers (inclusive of 0 and 00) on most roulette wheels in Las Vegas, with your odds contingent on how many numbers you place bets on.

What is the best strategy when gambling?

First, know the game-specific rules – simply ask a dealer or pit boss before you sit down. Don’t make the rookie mistake of plopping down at a table, betting $100 and saying, “How do I play this?” Settle in at an empty or relatively empty table game, and don’t be bashful in getting your questions answered before diving in.

Remember that you will be playing every game (save for the action in poker rooms) against the dealer (or the “house”). You are not competing against the person at the slot machine next to you, the dice roller who’s on fire at the craps table or your fellow players at the blackjack table.

Don’t be afraid to ask the dealer general questions about both etiquette and strategy. You’ll be sure to get an opinion – but remember that this is gambling, and you may want to go with your gut regardless.

Here are a few pro tips that align with the odds of common games.

• Blackjack: Stay if your cards add up to 12 or more and the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6 showing.

• Three-card poker: Play if you have a queen–6–4 or better.

• Video poker: Always place the maximum bet, as there is a higher bonus payout should you hit a coveted royal flush.

How much money do I need to gamble in Las Vegas

This is contingent on how much money you are willing to lose. Casinos are in business to make money, and the house always has the edge – always.

Bet minimums run the gamut in Las Vegas. You can wager a penny in select slot machine spins or $100,000 or more on a single roulette spin at a high-limit table. Before sitting down at any machine or table, note the minimum and maximum bets posted, then place yours accordingly.

ATM machines within casinos charge exorbitant fees (typically $10, in addition to any fees charged by your bank), so bring your budgeted cash amount with you rather than make an on-site withdrawal.

We must never fail to mention that gambling can highly be addictive, and it isn’t for everyone. If you’re having trouble stepping away once you’ve started, chat with a casino employee or call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.

Is there such a thing as a smart bet?

It’s called gambling for a reason, and any form it takes carries inherent risks and zero guarantees of winning. With that said, a “smart bet” in Las Vegas would be one with a lower house edge, meaning better odds to the player. Some of the safer, long-established bets in Vegas include betting the pass line in craps, betting on the banker in baccarat and playing blackjack “according to the book” (or basic strategy).

Which casinos are best for beginners?

You’ll likely want to start cheap, and blackjack table minimums can be indicative of the prices of other table games at any given casino. A $5 blackjack table isn’t too common these days, but you can find many of them at the no-frills Ellis Island, just off The Strip, and at Downtown Grand, which even offers a $1 game of blackjack.

Most casinos also offer free learn-to-play sessions. For example, the Golden Nugget gives daily lessons on nine games, including pai gow poker, craps and roulette. Ask someone at the casino cage (cashier) where you are staying for the latest schedule of free lessons.

What's the dress code at Las Vegas casinos?

Las Vegas resorts contain high-end restaurants, raucous nightclubs and the most informal of poolsides on the same property. Given that diversity, dress codes really aren’t a thing on the gambling floor. If you’re coming from the pool, you may be asked to cover up, but that’s about as strict as it will get.