What You Learn in Vegas, Stays … With You
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You’ve probably heard Las Vegas’ marketing slogan “What Happens Here, Stays Here.” And while you might not want your more, um, compromising moments preserved for posterity or broadcast among your friends and family, not all of your activities in Vegas have to be of the debauched variety.
In fact, while a trip to Vegas can be exciting, exhilarating and potentially humiliating, it can actually even be educational. That’s right. A few days in Sin City can leave you with more than just an empty wallet and a raging hangover. Thanks to educational programs offered by casinos, resorts and independent operators, your trip to Vegas can actually provide you with knowledge and skills that you may have never even known you were missing.
Beat Them at Their Own Games
If you’ve never gambled before, or don’t have a lot of experience at the tables, heading into one of the Vegas casinos can be an intimidating experience. While some people have beginner’s luck and manage to win some cash (or at least not lose their shirts) at the tables, if you don’t know the rules of the game, your Vegas adventure could be over before it starts. Even if you do understand the rules of the game, if you don’t know the proper etiquette of gaming tables, you could have an embarrassing encounter at best or find yourself on the outside looking in, at worst.
That’s why a number of Vegas casinos offer basic gambling classes, allowing visitors to learn the ropes in a no-stakes environment. While you probably aren’t going to leave a class ready to take on the “whales” in the VIP rooms, you will know the basics of blackjack, craps, roulette and other common games. While classes aren’t offered at all of the casinos, you can usually find them at the Flamingo, Tropicana, Circus Circus and the Golden Nugget. Check with your hotel concierge to determine if there’s a class happening in your hotel, or where to find one nearby since they occur almost daily.
Explore Your Need for Speed
Have you ever watched an auto-racing event and thought “I can do that!” Or envisioned yourself taking the checkered flag as you pull into the grocery store car park? Well, in Vegas, you can see if you really do have what it takes, or at least see what it’s like to tear around a race track at well over highway speeds. At the Richard Petty Driving Experience, licensed drivers can learn the basics of handling a powerful stock race car and then take three laps at speed with an experienced instructor.
A Different Kind of Pole Position
Just because you’re learning something new in Las Vegas doesn’t mean it has to be boring — in fact, some of the most popular classes are pole dancing and striptease, which are anything but dull. Perfect for a hens party or girls getaway, these classes offer a safe environment for women to find their inner exotic dancers and learn some basic pole-dancing skills, no nudity required. The vast majority of participants in these classes, offered by groups like Stripper 101 and Las Vegas Stripper University, never actually use their skills, but take the classes for fun and a few laughs with their girlfriends.
Cook Up Some Fun
After gambling and entertainment, Las Vegas is best known for its food. Master chefs from all over the world flock to Vegas to open signature restaurants, and many of them also offer workshops or classes for guests to learn some of the basics of gourmet cooking.
For example, once a month at Nove Italiano at the Palms, guests can learn how to make pasta, sausage and more, and then enjoy a five-course lunch featuring their culinary creations. At Las Vegas Dos Caminos at the Palazzo, guests can learn the basics of Mexican dishes and drinks from experienced chefs and mixologists, while sushi lovers can learn from the masters at Hachi at the Red Rocks Resort, Spa and Casino.
Whether you simply want to learn how to not make a fool of yourself in the casino or you want to impress your friends back home with your amazing guacamole recipe, you can acquire some very unique skills in Vegas. Your new knowledge and skills might be the only things that don’t stay behind after your cheap Las Vegas holiday.
About the Author: After losing money at the blackjack table on her first trip to Vegas, writer Jan Franklin decided to take a class on learning to play the game. She’s also attended workshops on cooking, photography and yes, pole-dancing on subsequent trips.
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As the former executive director of the New York Council on Problem Gambling, I urge you to never forget that the executive director of the national organization came from the “gaming” industry. So, even the national advocacy group to protect individuals from having their addictive tendencies exploited by gambling industry is, itself, run by a “researcher” from the casino industry. A bit like having Alcoholics Anonymous run by a “researcher” from the brewery or distillery industries.
Organization: http://www.ncpgambling.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
Executive Director: http://www.ncpgambling.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3295
I’m going into a professional career in comedy. Here’s my first joke: “Responsible gambling.” What’d you think? Funny stuff, huh?
“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” is the ultimate double entendre. The contents of your wallet go in, and they never come out. Good luck with that.
Well now, that’s interesting and scary stuff. Thanks Jim.
Interesting post. Makes me want to go.
Me too….