1st Time in Vegas

Just some more info, we're going for 4 days, 3 nights and we want to spend some time gambling (not THAT much time tho), maybe go see a show or two, spend some time hanging out, betting and watching some games at a sports book, etc.

Not going for any strip clubs or X-rated shows or any rowdy bars or anything like that.

I like the casino at the Wynn since they still use 6-deck shuffling on their blackjack tables (unlike places like the Bellagio). The best sportsbook on the strip is at Caesars, and while you're there you can check out the shops they have there. Cirque de Soleil has a show called Love inspired by the Beatles, so that might be something of interest to you.

when you go out, only bring a certain amount of cash with you and leave your credit/debit cards back at the hotel room so that your spending doesn't go too out of control.

Seriosly, its pretty easy to blow all your money down there.

if you want something very cool outside of the usual "gamble at the wynn, party at the palms, and eat at the venetian" advice that's pretty standard, last time I was in vegas, me and lady took a helicopter tour to the grand canyon - really sweet, you land in there, have lunch/dinner/champagne, fly over the strip, the hoover dam, and of course the canyon itself. Really cool, a little pricey ($300 per person, but also had limo pickup from your hotel), but worth it, i think, considering you'll probably be blowing $100 or more on good seats to a show and I think this is infinitely better..

And imo MGM grand and Palms have the best environment for people in their 20s...

That is a really cool idea, HedgeHog. I'm going in a month with a girl (not the usual guys weekend of various debauchery). Mind posting a link to the helicopter tour?

which hotel are you staying at?

http://www.alllasvegastours.com/body.asp?tour=LAS-H0026&page=TourDetails

very professional and cool, limo came early, very nice pilot/guide...

To be honest, if you adhere to your strict religious beliefs, you'll probably find Vegas not to your liking. The buffets are great and the roller coasters are pretty sweet. If you go the space needle, at least I think that's what it's called; they have rides at the top of that thing. They're nuts. I think those that really like the ladies, booze, and gambling tend to have more fun in Vegas.

Was recently there and a few take aways:
Best swimming pools were at the Mandalay Bay
If you play golf, bring your clubs
If you decide to go to clubs, go to the ones at the Palms

In the event that you do decide to go out to the clubs make sure you bring a lot of cash and/or girls bc getting in with all guys will be impossible.

Thanks for all the tips, guys.

When I made a mention about religious beliefs, what i meant was that we won't be going to clubs looking to get laid. Personally, I'm engaged anyway so it makes no difference because I wouldn't be up for that anyway.

We're staying at Treasure Island. Got a sweet deal from USAirways for the 3 nights hotel and roundtrip nonstop airfare was $400/person.

Great advice as to taking a bunch of cash and leaving the plastic at the hotel.

Which casinos are the best to gamble at, given that we'd be a bunch of beginners aside from the basement holdem game? Any comedy acts/shows that you guys would recommend? How about any deals any of you got while in Vegas we should try and take advantage of?

Thanks again!

There aren't any deals in Vegas. Bring cash.
Vegas has crap for everyone. If it's your first time, you'll want to go see all the massive hotels. Each one's worth seeing....Venetian, Bellagio, Wynn, Caesars, MGM, Mirage, etc...in that order. You won't want to miss them if not just for their huge scale. Check out CHEAPOVEGAS.com for the best "real" reviews about everything to see and do. It's dead accurate. Downtown vegas is worth seeing for an afternoon or early evening. Cheap drinks, cheap casinos and cheap (but real) sense of how Vegas first was 30-40 yrs ago.
Honestly, the best thing in vegas is grabbing a Carona and hitting the street. Drinking laws are non-existant and weirdly enough, you rarely see drunk stupidity like you do on any other major city's street corner on a weekend. Grab a Carona, my friend, and do as the the romans do.

And for the love of harry crishna, take a comfortable pair of walking shoes for the days. Believe you me, you will walk 5 miles+ a day before you know it. Leathers with a lift won't cut it. Seriously. Mirage and Bellagio generally have the best (but not the cheapest) tables for BlackJack, Craps, etc. in my opinion. They're the only places you don't mind losing money cuz you're having a good time. Other places tend to swarm uptight clientelle. I don't know why or how Bellagio does it, but I have the best time every time I go, and, yes, I'm impartial.....just amazed.

Have a full trip report on this thread on Monday morning.
No, seriously. We'd be interested in your first impressions.

I just found this website that describes how to pay the check-in clerk $20 and get a free upgrade:

http://www.frontdesktip.com/fhotel.php?id=24

Anyone ever try it?

I guess my vegas trip was different then what you are looking for. I mean if you want to party, there are a lot of places to name, LAX, Tao, Tryst, Pure, Jet, depends on the night and hard to say given its up and down with all the places. Best to ask a local person or someone you can trust. For places to eat, if its on a budget, Joe's stone crab and steakhouse at I believe Caesars palace was good (i.e. steak was 30 - 45 bucks). If you can spend more Tao had great food, nine steakhouse is unbelievable.

Biggest tip, be careful about ordering room service, everything is a huge rip off, i.e. we paid 60 bucks for 2 jugs of cranberry, we had no clue they would charge that.

Not sure if its the season for it yet, Rehab at the Hardcore Hotel was a good party. It's all summer and on Sunday afternoon, not sure if it started. I heard it was being renovated so it may be closed even if it is the season.

I didn't gamble so I can't recommend that, we did see Cirque, O, at the Bellagio, that was a good show.

I grew up in Vegas, so this is right up my alley...
During the day, hanging out at the pool is usually fun. You need a room key to get into all the pools, unless you go to one of the poolside lounges like Skinny Dip at Palms or Bare at Mirage. I should warn you that both are topless optional and charge $20-30 cover. The advice about just grabbing a drink and walking around is another great idea, especially if you're interested in "clean" fun.
Getting into clubs as a group of guys is going to be really difficult. You'll wait in line forever and be charged around $20 per person. I would suggest going to one of the Vegas websites that get you line passes, VIP status, or something similar. It'll cost you, but not much and it beats standing outside for an hour or two. And be sure to dress well, it helps your odds with the bouncers.
It would be cheaper to buy liquor, beer, and mixers from a grocery store or gas station. You can pre-game before going out and/or drink it while you're walking around town. You should expect to spend around $10-15 per drink at clubs or lounges.
And I think Bally's still has professional gamblers that teach people how to play the table games. I've heard it's a lot of fun and I think it's free, or nearly.
Vegas has something for everybody, if you know where to find it. The info above is pretty general but if you want more specific info, just PM me.

This is a great thread, now I feel like going to Vegas.

Make sure it isn't a turbulent day - I'm not the only person I know who was sick repeatedly flying over it after a big night out!

Enjoy.