10 Worst Decisions You Can Make in Vegas

Those familiar with Las Vegas’ slogan, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, knows that’s not entirely true. One bad decision and your whole trip is ruined. Not to mention it’ll follow you back home.

People come to Las Vegas to have a good time. However, there are a lot of misconceptions out there—from what’s legal to who the city really caters to.

This isn’t your version of The Hangover movie, therefore, it’s best not to come to Vegas with an “anything goes” mindset.

As long as you stay level-headed, you won’t make these bad decisions.

​Get a Tattoo

Maybe you want your souvenir to be a permanent one. Getting a tattoo seems like a good idea but in reality, it’s not. Especially if you get it the first day you set foot in Las Vegas.

New ink means no pool parties, no sun exposure, and definitely no hot tubs. You’ll basically be the person sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else have fun.

Still considering it? What happens if your tattoo needs a touch up after you’ve headed home? You won’t be able to return to the same artist.

​Act Like a High Roller

Vegas isn’t known for being cheap. You’ll end up paying double digits for just about anything, from beer to a Big Mac meal.

Unless you’re already running around with a black credit card, it’s best to not act like it. Know what your budget is and don’t blow it on the first night.

When it comes to gambling, set a limit of how much you can lose. Once you hit that number, walk away. And be realistic; don’t set a ridiculous amount to where you lose everything you came to Vegas with.

​Live Off of Adult Slushies

Looking for something sweet to take with you while you venture the Strip? Don’t opt for the adult slushies. Or, if you do, don’t go for refills.

While delicious and cooling on a hot day, these drinks are nothing more than cheap alcohol and loads of sugar. Mix that with the Las Vegas heat and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Not to mention a nasty headache or stomachache if you can’t keep them down.

​Spend All Your Time in Casinos

On the Strip, you’re surrounded by nothing but casinos. And while casino-hopping sounds amusing to try, remember there’s more to the city than these places.

Going outside the Strip and taking a day trip or two broadens your horizons. You’ll get close to nature and have something more to tell your friends back home other than how you lost every penny.

​Walk Across the Street

Whether you’re on the Strip or downtown, Vegas roads are busy any time of year. Crosswalks and Pedestrian Bridges are there for a reason, so use them.

Too many pedestrians die each year because they jaywalked. Don’t put your life on the line because you refused to walk a couple of minutes to a proper crosswalk.

​Drink Too Much

As soon as your plane lands, you’ll be tempted to buy a drink right at the airport. Save it for later!

You don’t want to drink the night away because when morning comes, you won’t be up to do anything. You’ll be sitting in your hotel room to nurse your hangover.

Pace yourself when it comes to drinking. Have water in between drinks and understand your limit. While bartenders are trained to cut off intoxicated customers, they don’t know how many you’ve had before you came to them.

​Not Use a Cupholder

Spending time at the tables? Better keep an eye on your drink—and use a cupholder.

One spill of your Coke and whiskey is enough to send everyone at the table reeling, including the dealer. They have to stop the game completely to have the mess cleaned up. All the players have to relocate.

While it’s nothing more than an accident, it’s enough to make you the most unfavorable person in the whole casino. To prevent scowling eyes, use the cupholder.

​Not Tipping

One way to annoy any staff member at a casino is to not tip them. No tip puts you on their naughty list, which means you can expect bad service on purpose. That means slow drink refills, attitude from the dealer, and no cocktail waitresses asking for your order.

To keep the drinks coming, tip at least a dollar a drink—especially if you’re in a casino where the drinks are still free. Another piece of advice: don’t treat the staff poorly because you aren’t winning at the slot machines. That’s another guaranteed way to get bad service.

​Swim in Party Pools

Vegas is home to a lot of legendary parties, most of which happen in pools in the summertime. If you’re visiting during the hot season, do your best to avoid getting pool water in your eyes and mouth.

Think about it: there are hundreds of sweaty people in the pool at a time and spilling their drinks. Not to mention all the body fluid.

Chlorine can only do so much to keep all that bacteria at bay. Have fun at the pools but do your best to avoid going underwater.

​Dress Casually for Clubs

All the hottest clubs have some sort of dress code. Vegas is a stylish city and no bouncer will let you in if you look drab.

Hopefully you’ll read up on some of the dress codes before you pack your suitcases. If not, there are plenty of shopping outlets in Las Vegas to pick up new clothes on the fly.

For men, dress shoes and a crisp button up shirt will do. For ladies, on the other hand, cocktail dresses and heels are best.

​Make It a Vacation to Remember

Your Vegas vacation can quickly go south if you partake in any of these worst decisions. You want an awesome story to tell friends and family back home, not to be a laughingstock if they hear of your antics.

Read about the most instagrammable places in Las Vegas here.

Looking for more tips? Check out our article about which tourist traps to avoid!