Never been to Vegas , never will . Not my thing .

That's what I used to say. Then one day we went. Changed everything. Love the place and go back as often as we can.

When I was working, Vegas was a mandatory stop 2-4 times per year (conventions). Yes, I gambled. Sometimes heavily to the point of comped rooms and airfare. I've won tens of thousands and have the IRS forms to prove it. I've lost more tens of thousands, but there's no mandatory paperwork for that. Other than sitting by a campfire late into the night, sitting at a blackjack table late into the night, is the most relaxed I've ever been. If I was still working, I'd still be playing blackjack but sadly, blackjack was not in my retirement plan, so I am relegated to the campfire in the woods. No regrets.

My worldly advice...if you want to keep a casino from getting your money, don't go there.

We've been going to Vegas 2=3X/year for 30 years - in-laws retired there and BIL/SIL live there. In the beginning it was a great trip - hitting the strip, going to show, gambling (my BIL was a pit boss at various casinos and knew everyone). Watched it go from a gamblers paradise to a 'family friendly destination, back to a gamblers paradise. Grew to despise the trip - hated the strip and walked away from gambling - I guess I was one of those that habitually lost. In-laws have passed, BIL/SIL still live there but I told the wife I'll never go back.

I was in Vegas several weeks ago.

The only thing worthwhile there is the Sphere. If you get a chance to go to a concert there, then go.

Oh, the all-you-can-eat at the Wynn isn't too bad either.

Other than that, the whole strip smells like weed and it's dirty.

I go to Vegas on occasion. I’ve come back home up sometimes, but down more times. However, the mindset that I have is that I never actually win. I consider all the money I brought to gamble to already be spent on entertainment. If I win, that is just a discount on my entertainment bill for the trip. Sometimes the discount is so big it helps pay for other stuff like travel bills or the hotel room, but that is it. Overall, I have not made money by going to Vegas, but I’ve had a lot of great food and seen some fantastic shows, and that is why I really go. I’m not there to make money, I’m there to have fun.

- Bret