In March of 1984 Brad and I took our first vacation together – a trip to Las Vegas, of course. I had been in Las Vegas years before, but just a short stop on a trip from Indiana to California. Brad had been in Reno for a few hours many many years before, on a bus layover on his trip back to Indiana after his Air Force years in Japan. But this 4-day visit would the first real casino-gambling visit for both of us.
We bought a package deal from a travel agency in Indianapolis, which included our air, transportation to and from the airport, and 3 nights at the Landmark. That casino was definitely on its last legs…..actually literally…as the crap table was being held up in one corner by cement blocks that replaced a missing wooden leg. But that didn’t bother us since we didn’t spent much time there anyway. Each day we walked to the Strip, and being March, it was usually a very windy walk, sometimes so gusty we had a hard time keeping our balance. (Kind of like the weather we have been having in Vegas the last couple of days!)
You might wonder if we were smart gamblers back then. Well, Brad had been gambling since he was five years old and he had “street” card sense sharpened by 47 years of experience. And, although I hadn’t started gambling until I was thirty-five, I had taken to it with a strong passion for the last 10 years. Brad had been dominating the daily Tonk game at the Moose Lodge for several years before I arrived on the scene. But when we double-teamed the game, it became our personal ATM.
So did all that skill and experience translate well in a casino? I’m afraid not. We were babes in a woods that was full of wolves! However, we were totally unaware of this. I even was feeling superior. I had read somewhere that smart gamblers played the tables in a casino so I hit the blackjack table. Never mind that I barely knew the basic rules – much less even heard of basic strategy. Brad evidently had never read anything about what to play in a casino and had decided the main goal was just to have fun. So he took off to find a lucky slot machine while I sat smugly at the blackjack table.
I couldn’t believe what happened next. I was losing my chips so fast my head was swimming. And Brad kept coming to see me at the blackjack table, carrying a plastic cup that was filling up with coins. “I’m going to need a bigger bucket,” he crowed.
I was beginning to have doubts that the people who wrote that stuff I read about gambling knew what they were talking about!
To make a long story short: The coins in Brad’s plastic cups slowly disappeared and I kept losing chips. By the time our 4-day Vegas vacation was over we had got the job done. We had brought $3000 to “spend” on this vacation and we had “spent” it all!
However, Brad’s theory that a Vegas vacation should be fun became my theory too. And the whole time we were flying back home to Indianapolis all we could talk about was how much fun we had – and we wanted to come back again. However, we realized we had a problem. It would take us a long time to save up $3000 for another trip.
And then I said to Brad, “You know, I bet there are books about casinos that would probably help us learn how to gamble smarter so we could go to Vegas and have fun but not spend so much money. I’ll go to the library when we get home.”
And the rest is history.
I really appreciate the blog that you write. Ever since I was first introduced to your books, I learned to ASK every time I go to Vegas. My VP playing has improved and so has my ability to use coupons and ask about comps. It enhances my experience and helps with my friends also. We’re always asking: What would Aunt Jean do? Then we go do it.
Thanks.
Your story sounds just like ours!! Our first trip Nov of 1999. I remember standing outside the Mirage waiting for the shuttle to take us back to the airport, and my husband said take a good look, it may be a long time till we can save up to come back. I knew there must be a way to gamble smart, and started researching when we returned home to MI. Your book, The Frugal Gambler was the first book I read and the rest is history. We have been visiting Vegas every year since then, sometimes as much as 4 times a year. Thank you Jean!!
Thanks to you, Brad, and your books, Rick and I were able to have such fun in Vegas combining frugality and fun. We looked forward to each time we could visit Vegas and then finally made it our home. You gave us so much. Really you did. Happy Vegas-versary. 🙂 –Carol
Have you decided on a title for your next book?? :):):)
George
All I know is that my wife and I have a much better time (free rooms, free buffets and free play) from taking to heart the wisdom you impart in your books and in this blog, then we had before making use of your knowledge. I have even helped others by passing on what I have learned from your and Brad’s experiences. Thanks.
Dear Jean
Thanks to you and Brad, my wife and I are now spending our vacations in Las Vegas with free rooms and food. I talked with you and Brad years ago at some bookstores in Indianapolis where you taught me how to be frugal. The rest is history. My wife and I are teachers back here in the hoosier state and are considering moving to Las Vegas when we retire. I want to thank you both for teaching me, what you have learned over the years. I am a video poker player and am proud to say that I am in the “black” and have been since I read your books and followed your advice about video poker. I have written a book, actually it’s a workbook, that complements all of your books. I believe my workbook would be helpful to other frugal gamblers out there who play video poker. I’m looking forward to having it published sometime in the future. Thanks for all you have taught us.
Sincerely
Jim
Great story! I think that’s one thing I love about gambling….the stories! The stories are always interesting to hear regardless if it’s someone speaking about their first time, or their most recent trip.
That “history” you are talking about has helped thousands (if not more) LasVegas visitors to get the very most out of their trips. Through your books, we have learned how to take advantage of casino comps, along with the most advantageous ways to gamble smart! Can’t thank you enough! Even if your readers take only a few of your recommendations or tips, they will find themselves ahead of the game! I know it has helped us to take three or four trips a year to LV, sometimes coming back with “their” money, and other times leaving our money behind…but having a good time each visit!
jean,
outstanding piece on vegas….
now, when did the problem gambling start???
i bet, after you read the books on how to hit
the mother lode in vegas.
mark