A Disneyland for Adults

Remember when you were a kid and went to Disneyland -- or when you took your child there for the first time? The excitement you felt -- the wide-eyed wonderment you saw in your child's face as a fantasy came true? Las Vegas is often described as a "Disneyland For Adults." I guess that's as apt a description as any, because there is no place quite like Las Vegas.

Here you are in the adult version of Disneyland and you're rarin' for action. What do you do first? What do you play? Your mind seems to be going in ten different directions, and you have to choose.

The best time to formulate your plans is before you arrive. Of course, you may vary what you do once you get here, but it is always a good idea to have a working strategy as a foundation for your gambling vacation. Let's say, for example, that you are going to arrive on Friday afternoon and are planning to leave Sunday right after brunch. Many people drive in from Southern California, so we'll use two couples driving together on their yearly vacation in Vegas as our model.

During the five-hour drive, they exchange stories and relish in the tales of yesteryear when a friend-of-a-friend won a ton of money playing craps. One of them has heard from yet another friend of a "can't lose" system and they all envision themselves as winning as much as they want. Someone jokes, "We should have brought an empty suitcase to take home all our money."

Unfortunately, these people have absolutely no idea how to play craps, and they will fall prey to their own devices. But a bit of planning prior to arriving is an alternative to falling into this trap. All you have to do is think about what games you want to play and study up on them. Even though your friends are trying to be helpful when they offer advice, don't take it because more times than not, it will be detrimental in the long run.

Set aside a couple hours to take a quick course in gambling at one of the casinos. They are free and very informative. Don't be shy; ask questions. These friendly instructors have seen it all, and are there to help you.

Okay, now that you have a fairly good idea of how to play, a question you should ask yourself is, "How much money do I want to gamble with during my stay?" Let's say each couple decides upon $1,000. How should that money be divided? Figure this out before getting to Las Vegas.

Also, how much will be for high risk gambles such as Megabucks, Keno and Quartermania? And how much for the lower risks: blackjack and craps? (If you know how to play these games, the house holds only about a one-percent advantage!)

Think about how long you want to gamble. You cannot gamble the entire weekend and truly expect to win. Structure your time. An hour session is standard. The reason for playing short sessions is to maximize your productivity during the time you are at the table. To be successful, you must be alert.

Don't drink while you are playing. A dull mind is not what you need to win. Drink later while you are relaxing at a show. Hopefully, your winnings will pay for it.

Each of us has a working knowledge of our own strengths and weaknesses. The best time to honestly evaluate this self-knowledge is before arriving in Vegas. Think about what you want to do. Make a plan for when and how much you want to gamble. Enjoy what Las Vegas has to offer besides gaming.

If you're relaxed and aren't vulnerable, you'll be suprised how much that will increase your potential to win. Remember, many people do win in Vegas. Of course, many more lose. The difference may be a working plan -- plus a little bit of luck!