So, you’re planning your first exciting trip to Las Vegas. What’s taken you so long?! This glitzy, glamorous city in the heart of the Nevada desert is the world’s playground for adults; a chance to let your hair down without a care in the world. Although the city and the Las Vegas Strip are becoming less about its casino scene and more about its Michelin-starred dining and entertainment, the casino floor is still one of the most iconic experiences for any first-timer in “Sin City”.
It’s hard to beat the adrenaline rush of having a flutter at the roulette or blackjack tables or rolling the number you need at the craps tables. However, casino floors can be somewhat intimidating to Las Vegas newcomers. Whether it’s the rules and regulations or the sizeable minimum bets, some casinos are simply not cut out for beginners with modest bankrolls and minimal gaming experience. That’s why we’ve put together a handful of suitable casinos that can provide you with a fun and supportive gaming experience in Vegas for the first time.
1. Excalibur
The magical surroundings of Excalibur are often the proving ground for many seasoned casino gamers. Situated at the south end of the Strip, towards the McCarran International Airport, Excalibur is one of the more budget-friendly hotels in the area and its casino gaming follows suit. It’s very common to find minimum bets for blackjack and roulette as low as $5 per hand. The former even offers Free Bet Blackjack with $5 minimums that allow you to split hands and double down for free.
Excalibur is one of the best casinos on the Strip for offering free gaming lessons. You can hone your poker, roulette, blackjack and craps skills here with daily lessons to help you get started. After most lessons, beginner tables are opened too, allowing newbies to play and get experience together.
2. Flamingo
Flamingo is one of the oldest casino resorts on the Las Vegas Boulevard Strip. Opened way back in December 1946, this place is almost three-quarters of a century old and boasts its own monorail station. It was developed originally by one of the city’s mobsters, Bugsy Siegel, so retains a lot of classic Las Vegas history.
Aside from its iconic charm, the mid-Strip resort of Flamingo is also a great starting point for cheap casino gaming. In fact, blackjack tables can be found here for as little as $3 per hand – cheaper than the Excalibur at times.
3. Rio
Located just a block west of the Las Vegas Strip, the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino is another fantastic base for Vegas first-timers. With modest table minimums due to its official “off-Strip” location and over 1,200 video slots to try for size, it’s a great starting point. The Rio is home to one of the best views of the Strip from its 52nd-floor Voodoo Lounge – a rooftop nightclub with breath-taking scenery to boot.
The Rio also boasts a long tradition with poker, which might please those with more than a passing interest in games like Texas Hold’em. It has been the home of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) since 2005, including the Main Event, which is considered the pinnacle for any professional or amateur poker player. One particular poker amateur proved that success at the WSOP Main Event can be achieved. In 2003, American, Chris Moneymaker was an accountant working in Tennessee when he entered the Main Event after qualifying via an $86 satellite tournament. He went on to overcome a huge field of poker pros to take down the $2.5m first prize and gain global stardom overnight.
4. Cosmopolitan
Of course, casino gaming isn’t just about the table action, it’s about the free drinks too. Cocktail waitresses regularly prowl the casino floors, taking orders from table and slot players day in, day out. What’s the catch? It’s casino etiquette to pay your waitress $1 per drink, but that’s a small price to pay for cocktails that could set you back $15 elsewhere, don’t you think?
If you want to play in a casino that offers the best drinks service, the Cosmopolitan wins hands down, in our humble opinion. The Cosmo, as it’s affectionately known by locals, is one of the newest additions to the Strip and has developed a reputation for its high-end shorts and cocktail selection. Table minimums might be a little higher here ($10) but $1 drinks should soften the blow.
If you are a Vegas veteran, what was the first casino you played at? Where do you think makes newbies most comfortable at the tables? Let us know what you think!
J.J. Leganeur
May 5, 2020 at 10:47 pmFirst casino I visited was MGM, the old one that burnt down. Best place for newbies is usually downtown, where you can easily walk to many different casinos until you find a table game that is both busy and with the lowest minimum bet. Note the Four Queens casino and hotel is one of the few casino hotels that does not charge a resort fee, if you can book a room there.
Mr and Mrs W
May 6, 2020 at 9:39 amWe were hoping to stay in one of the downtown Casinos in March but due to the situation, we had to change our plans. Those resort fees are such a scam, glad there are a few left who don’t charge.
J.J. Leganeur
May 5, 2020 at 11:08 pmIf you are a Vegas veteran and/or tired of Vegas, the third best gambling destination is Reno, NV plus the State line casinos at Lake Tahoe (an hour away). Cheap direct flights from JFK, New York (or EWR, New Jersey) to Reno are available sometimes, for about the same cost to Las Vegas.
If you really like to drive, sometimes you can get a cheap one way flight from JFK to Salt Lake City, Utah and drive south through Utah to Vegas – o r – drive from Salt Lake City west to Wendover, Nevada with cheap casinos and onto Reno and Lake Tahoe, where there is a Hard Rock. Note hotel rates in Reno/Lake Tahoe are like Atlantic City, i.e. expensive during summer ( July&August) and weekends year-round.
If you make one of these long drives, then it is best to call directly each major car rental company like Avis, Hertz and Enterprise in regards to rates with a one way DROP-OFF fee.
Mr and Mrs W
May 6, 2020 at 9:36 amThanks again for these great tips, we can’t wait to visit again as soon as we are able to.
J.J. Leganeur
May 6, 2020 at 10:11 pmIf you visit Lake Tahoe, the Lakeside Inn and Casino Lake Tahoe does not charge resort fee nor parking fee. However, I just checked their website and they “permanently closed” on April 16, 2020 as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. Unbelievable.
However, there are some casinos in Carson City, which is midway between Reno and Lake Tahoe that do not charge such fees. Check the Carson Nugget Casino Hotel (Carson Tahoe Hotel).
J.J. Leganeur
May 7, 2020 at 6:44 amTIP: If you are new to staying in casino hotels, there is something that you should know. It is best to check in as early as you can and if you are going to be assigned in a room in a building directly above the casino, then request a room as high up as possible for two reasons. Casinos usually have a live band with superior sound system that plays till 2 or 3 AM and you can hear them, while trying to sleep with ear plugs on the lower floors. All of the downtown casino hotels in Vegas are usually one building each. Second, the higher up the room, the better the view outside.
Mr and Mrs W
May 7, 2020 at 8:59 amThanks again, I’ve seen room tours on YoutTube and the earplugs in the rooms of many of the downtown casinos. We’ve stayed in some of the large casinos on the Strip and have been surprised how quiet our rooms have been. We understand that downtown is very different and the rooms are much closer to the action.
J.J. Leganeur
May 9, 2020 at 3:30 amPerhaps, those particular casinos on the Strip have newer and better soundproof material. As far as the Strip goes, the Best Western Plus Casino Royale does not charge resort fee nor parking fee. Also, if I remember correctly, all of their rooms are in the building behind the casino, so no noise. However, it is primarily a casino. There is nothing special to see, eat or buy in there, but you can easily walk to any of the neighbouring casinos for a better experience.
Mr and Mrs W
May 9, 2020 at 12:09 pmThanks, at the moment, we just can’t wait to get back there.