If you still haven’t decided to attend PubCon in November, time is running out to make up your mind – it’s just a little over a month away. If you’re still on the fence, the folks at PubCon have listed 101 great reasons to attend.
If you do find yourself in Las Vegas for PubCon and are wondering what else there is do while you’re there, here are some things to consider …
Pinball Wizard Wannabe
The last two times I visit Vegas I intended to visit the Pinball Machine Hall of Fame but didn’t make it. This time I’ll get there for sure. I’m a pinball fan from way back in my long-haired, miscreant youth days. They have machines from when they were first introduced to recent times. Many of the machines are playable, and still in the denomination in which they were first made. I think I can have a pretty good time for $20-$30. It’s located just off the strip not too far from the MGM Grand.
Deals and Coupons
Although the days of $1.50 prime rib dinners and ultra-cheap buffets may be a things of the past, deals are to be had even during recovery from a recession. A great resource to learn about deals is Anthony Curtis’ Las Vegas Advisor. You may have seen Anthony featured on The Travel Channel from time to time talking about how to get great deals using coupons. You’ll get quite a bit out of his web site if you become a paying member, but there is also a lot of free information to be had. If you go to Vegas often enough the subscription is a good deal.
Another source of great information about getting freebies in Vegas is the Queen of Comps, Jean Scott’s blog. Jean has also featured on The Travel Channel a number of times, instructing on how to get comps from the casinos. Although her blog is heavy with information about video poker, there is also quite a bit of great information for the Las Vegas visitor who wants to find deals.
Off To See The Wizard
It’s a mathematical fact that all but a very small percentage of casino games favor the house. How do you think those beautiful and gigantic resorts got built? Certainly not by paying out too much to gamblers. There are some games, however, which favor the house less than others. If you learn which games are more advantageous to players, you can have some fun and not lose as quickly.
I wouldn’t advise anyone to gamble, but the temptation is probably hard to resist when it’s all around you. It pays to educate yourself, and one of the best places to do that is at the web site of Michael Shackleford, a.k.a. The Wizard of Odds. Michael is a professional actuary and Adjunct Professor of Casino Math at UNLV. He takes apart casino games mathematically and lets us know how they work. His site is full of information about which games are best for players and strategies to employ for maximum bankroll longevity.
What are the games The Wizard recommends? With low house edges, the best games to play are Blackjack, Craps and Video Poker.
Elvis A Rama
Anyone who knows my wonderful wife knows she is a big fan of The King. Unfortunately the biggest Elvis attraction, the Elvis-A-Rama museum, has been closed for some time. Jen and I were lucky enough to have been able to visit it a few days before it’s run ended. But, Elvis continues to live on in Vegas lore. As a tribute to this, Cirque du Soleil has a show called “Viva Elvis.” If Jen gets to come with me to PubCon, we will certainly be making time to see this one.
I’m looking forward to learning a lot while at PubCon. I’ll be busy bringing daily recaps of the sessions I attend, but I do plan to make time for a little fun. I hope these tips will help you enjoy your time there – and maybe entice you to join us if you haven’t decided to already.
What are your favorite Vegas places to visit and tips for having a good time? Please feel free to share in the comments.
photo credit: 123 Chroma Pixels
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My husband lived/worked there for a few years and I wrote this Vegas guide, which includes some of the more kitsch locations as well as other ideas. Vegas is definitely more than gambling if you want it to be. Have fun! http://ex-bohica.blogspot.com/2008/07/skeevie-vs-kitch-in-las-vegas.html
Thanks for stopping by, CJ. Thanks, also, for sharing that great post.
Yes, there are a lot of cool things in Vegas to see. A lot of them are free, too.
I might add that walking through the Venetian is also a great way to spend some time. It is a beautiful building.