Gambling in Las Vegas
May 25th, 2011 by Carlos
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. It’s a fun, cheeky tag line. But the truth is that there’s another thing that’ll probably stay in Vegas: your money.
I went for the first time last week when my wife surprised me for my 30th birthday, and it was a blast.
I quickly learned that after a trip to Vegas there are two things you will be asked by everyone:
- Where did you stay? (The Mirage)
- How much did you win/lose? (Lost about $100 over four days…between the both of us).
I’m not a big gambler, but seeing so many people that obviously are into it in one of the meccas of gambling got me thinking about how a lot of us (including myself) rationalize the money we lose when we gamble.
You’ve heard this before:
Yeah I lost money, but I was busy for hours and hours. So it was worth it because I was being entertained.
Our $100 Loss
I don’t like losing money. I especially don’t like sticking a $20 bill into a slot machine and being down to zero 15 minutes later. In a typical setting, I would not be happy about it.
But that’s the magic of Vegas: it turns even the most curmudgeonly person into a guy sipping whiskey sours yelling for big money, big money, come on BIG MONEY!
I kept trying to think of it as entertainment…that my wife and I were having fun and that hours were going by so it was OK to be losing money like this. But we were losing money pretty quick and part of me was ringing alarm bells.
Dropping $60 in one hour of doing something I’m not all that keen on seems like a waste. Sure, the free drinks were nice (now I have to tip) and going to all the different hotels was pretty cool…but in the back of my head I kept thinking “This place isn’t for me…I’d rather drop $40 on a two-hour movie and some popcorn.”
The Magic
Then came our last day there and something wonderful started happening: we started winning.
I mean we were on a roll, baby!
Everything was landing our way: the waitress with the drinks was fast, the bonus spins were hitting fast and furious, and we were doubling our money…over and over again.
It got to the point that a manager walked over and gave us a player’s card so we could “get points for the nice run you’re having.”
Now I was understanding Vegas.
Now I “got” what gambling was all about.
It wasn’t about the money you could win, it was about the juices flowing through your veins when you win and the euphoria of hitting it big, seeing the lights flash, the bells ring.
Vegas was awesome!
The House Always Wins
You all know how this story ends. We eventually played until we lost all the money we won. We were “feeling it” so we wanted to win it all back…which didn’t happen. We broke even on that magical last day and that’s why we were down $100 for the trip.
I’ve heard horror stories, so I’ll take a -$100 balance without complaining.
I got to spend time with my wife, have a blast, and visit a new city. What’s not to like?
When I got home and was thinking about the whole “last day” experience, and I realized it was familiar for a reason. I had read about it in Jonah Lehrer’s book, How We Decide. You can check out my review of the book, but the concept is simple: our brain features a constant struggle between our reason and our emotions.
And in Vegas, everything is designed to stuff the rational part of your brain in a black sack, shove it in the trunk of a Cadillac, and drive it into the desert.
Your emotions don’t stand a chance.
Will I Go Back?
I hope so. It was a fun getaway and there was lots to see and do.
As for the gambling…I’ll probably give the slots a shot again and see if I can’t find some of that magic again…just for fun, of course.
Any big gamblers out there that want to describe why they love it so much?
No one should ask question #2! It’s totally personal. That’s another article entirely – topics of money are usually off-limits/taboo, so why do people feel they can pry when gambling is concerned?
I hate gambling. Like you, I’d rather take the $40 I’m prepared to lose and have something tangible. Mr. Glib loves gambling, however. Can do it for hours, is relatively good at it (blackjack and craps), and enjoys the thrill and the risks. Has a routine down with one of his best friends (and Vegas-traveling partners) and is up a fair amount over the course of his gambling life.
I guess the most important thing is being okay with the amount you are prepared to lose. Then anything you retain (or – gasp – win!) is just gravy.
I don’t know why people as about being up or down, but I’ll bet I heard that question like 8 times after we came back. As for Mr. Glib, sounds like he knows what he’s doing. M and I? Not so much.
I actually asked the waitress how much my drink was and she gave me a look. “They’re complimentary.” And stormed off. I had to hunt down an ATM, get cash, and find her because I felt like such a doofus.
Your story was so funny Carlos. I know how exciting gambling is, and yet with so much alcohol around I think that plays a big part in why The House always wins. Those free drinks cost more than people realize. (wink)
There are many things similar to gambling that are exciting, and not as risky. I love black jack, and like Lucy mentioned, it’s good to set a loss amount you will not go past.
Yeah it was fun but I have no urge to do it again, which is a good thing. I think my budget would explode if this was one of my “hobbies.”