Keep these in mind when planning you big steak dinner for the boys.

1) Old-school steak house décor. A place with red leather booths and dim lighting is just what the doctor ordered.

2) Prime, dry-aged beef. Beef is the only thing you should be eating at a steak house, so make sure they’ve got the good stuff. Cuts of beef are classified by the USDA grading system as commercial, select, choice or prime. Prime beef is the highest quality, having the best texture, firmness, color, and marbling. Dry-aging is a climate-controlled process of storing the beef under precise conditions of temperature, humidity, and air circulation to ensure the best tenderness and flavor. Ask you server about grades and aging before you order.

3) Large-group seating. Not all places are designed to accommodate large groups; don’t settle for makeshift seating arrangements or having to break your crew up into two groups. When you call ahead to book (always, always do this), check it out to make sure they fit your group in properly.

4) Music and crowds are bad. The big trend now is the blend of steakhouses and ultra-lounges. Examples are Fix, Stack, & Strip Steak. While these "trendy" places do serve up quality beef, they are not what you are looking for in the classic man's steakhouse big dinner.

5) Non-Resort Steakhouses offer better price and service. When a steakhouse is not in a resort, they serve only cash paying customers. In a casino, the majority of the customer will be comped. In order to give value to the comp, the resort jacks up the price of the menu. It appears to the customer that they just received a $300 meal for free, but that meal would only have been $200 in a non-resort steakhouse. You as a cash paying customer get screwed.

For a real Vegas hidden gem steakhouse, try the Golden Steer. Located on Sahara just west of the Strip, the Golden Steer has been serving up prime beef since 1958. It is a favorite of strip entertainers and you usually see one eating there late night. It is a true insiders hidden gem.

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.

Most people don’t know about Casino Royale. Wedged in between Harrah’s and the Venetian on the east side of the Strip, people walk right by it. It has a surprising 152 rooms, an Outback, a Denny’s, 400 slots, and about 30 table games, but is still dwarfed by the Mega Resorts.

Five Reasons To Love Casino Royale…

1) Cheap Drinks. $1 Michelobs and $1 Margaritas are standard from the bar. Why wait for a waitress to come by for a free drink? You’ll see the line of people at the end of the bar waiting for a drink, but don’t worry, it moves fast. Grab a drink and hit the tables or grab a couple for a walk on the Strip.

2) Blackjack Switch. Or just “Switch”. A new version of Blackjack that low rollers love. It is a fun game because it brings a whole new level of skill because there are more decisions to make than just basic Blackjack strategy.

You start by making two identical bets. The dealer deals you two hands of cards. The player has the option to switch the top two cards of his hands. For example, if a player is dealt a Ace – Four and a Seven – King, then the player would be able to switch the top cards to make a Seven – Four and an Ace – King. The disadvantages are that Blackjacks pay even money and if the dealer makes a hard total of 22 then all bets push.

The theoretical house advantage (0.30%) makes it better than traditional blackjack games. But, you'll have to employ a lot more than basic blackjack strategy to take some money home.

3) Sit Down Mini-Craps Table. The only one that I have seen in town, take a seat along 5 other players at a craps game with one dealer. You won’t have the fun and energetic atmosphere of a normal craps table, but you will be able to get off your feet and not have to stand shoulder to shoulder with a complete stranger. Even better, the table minimum is usually $2 with 10x odds.

4) Beveled Mirrors over the Table Games. Along the ceiling above the table games are beveled mirrors that allow you to view all of the table action without looking over somebody’s shoulder. It adds a nice feel to the room because you see gaming action everywhere.

5) No Cares in the World. You’ll notice that everyone here is having a good time because they aren’t losing a lot of money. You can let loose and make an idiot of yourself, which is something I have perfected.

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.

10 Reasons to Avoid Playing Golf in Vegas

Reason 1: Las Vegas is in the Desert
Don’t be fooled by the fountains at Bellagio: You’re in a parched wasteland. It’s hotter than hell trying to play golf in this town.

Reason 2: Las Vegas is in the Desert
Just wanted to make sure you got the point. If you didn’t, here are some others to dissuade you.

Reason 3: Someone’s Going to Bail
One of your friends had too much to drink last night and stayed out way too late. What does this mean to you? At least one no-show. That’s right; while he’s sleeping it off, your foursome is going to get paired up with some random loser who couldn’t find three friends to play a round of golf with.

Reason 4: Good Las Vegas Golf Is not Next to the Strip
The best Vegas golf courses are at least a twenty-minute cab ride away. You’ll pay a small fortune in cab fare just getting to and from the course.

Reason 5: Golf in Las Vegas Is Expensive
How expensive? Be prepared to shell out at least five times what you pay at your local municipal course. The courses here know that if you are willing to travel off the Strip to play a round, they can charge whatever they want. You, my out-of-state friend, are their lifeblood.

Reason 6: The Good Tee Times are Hard to Get
If you don’t heed this and avoid golf altogether, make your reservations early. Most of the good early tee times, the ones where you can finish before it gets to be over 110 degrees, are booked way in advance. The best tee times are reserved for casino high-rollers and locals. You will most likely get stuck with a tee time that will make you think you’re on the surface of the sun by the time you tee off at number three.

Reason 7: Golf Will Take Up Your Whole Day
Between the distance and the amount of time it takes to play a round of golf, you will be spending your entire day doing this. And face it, you’re going to return to your hotel sunburned, tired, and dehydrated.

Reason 8: You Can Play Golf at Home
Are you really willing to spend a lot of time, money, and energy on something that you could do next Saturday? Besides, if you wait until you get home to play a round, you’ll have plenty of good Vegas stories to tell your friends.

Reason 9: Bringing Golf Clubs on a Plane is a Pain
If you decide to bring your clubs, you’ll have to check your bags, which will add forty-five minutes of waiting in the airport after you plane arrives. Plus, when you depart Las Vegas, be prepared to get to the airport two hours in advance, just so your bags make it on the plane. Lose the clubs; carry-on is the only way to go. Your time is precious in Vegas; don’t waste it caddying your clubs around.

Reason 10: Vegas Golf is Overrated
Like many things in Vegas, the golf courses don’t live up to their billing. What you will hear about is amazing courses with unbelievable views, but what you will normally find are packed courses, with houses lining every fairway and bunker. Real estate on golf courses is hot in Vegas, but the courses themselves rarely are. Sure, there are some amazing places to play, but playing them means reserving early, wasting a day, and shelling out some serious cash.

So, you decided to pass on golf. Good. With so much else to do in Las Vegas during the day, you’ve made the right decision.

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.

Henry walks up to the only table that is open. It’s a $25 minimum table, and all the money he has is $100. He does not expect to lose, so he doesn’t think he needs a big bankroll. At $25 a hand, all Henry can withstand is a four-card loss swing before he is busted. Five minutes later, he’s tapped out. Professionals recommend playing with a bankroll that’s ten times the table minimum. Henry should have held out and found a table that met his budget, or just found something else to do.

This often happens when you are with a group of friends on a Friday or Saturday night. The plan is to gamble, but you can't find a table $10 or $15 table that can fit the entire group. So, you all sit down at a $25 table. The ones that come in with $100 and are unlucky, bust out within 5 to 10 minutes. They stand up from the table and just end up watching the others guys gamble for an hour. It gets pretty boring for them.

When and where you gamble are very important. On a busy night, stay away from high end hotels and go to the mid-range or low-end resorts. If you really want to gamble at the big boy places, do so during the late morning or early afternoon. Even Wynn has $10 and $15 tables at that time.

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.

Most venues host two shows — an early and a late — and most guys think that of the two, it is better to go to the late show. This means that first you can eat dinner and have drinks and then hit the show. However, nothing can kill a buzz faster than a big meal followed by a ninety-minute show in the complete darkness. We’ve seen people fall asleep at some of the best shows in the world. Trust us, after the late show all you’ll want to do is go to sleep. You won’t be in a partying mood. So, use the show to start your night, and then eat, drink, and start partying to your heart’s content afterward.

If the late show is your only option, here are some tips to help you out:

1) Plan some time between dinner and the show. If your show is at 9:30pm, don't have dinner at 8pm. Book the dinner at 6pm, so you have a couple hours to let your body process the food before dinner.

2) Stay away from the red wine during dinner. Red wine will make you tired. During your meal, stick with cocktails such as Red Bull & Vodka and Bacardi & Diet.

3) Order Dessert. You might be full but you need to sugar jolt to get your body back in gear. The more sugar the better.

4) Get a drink for the show. Most shows serve large glasses of cocktails and beer before the show. Be sure to grab a double to keep your buzz going.

Enjoy the show.

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.

Although smoking a Cuban cigar is a treat, the U.S. still prohibits importing cigars from Cuba. If someone (such as a bathroom attendant) is touting that they can sell you a Cuban, it is probably either a Cuban company — such as Cohiba — that has moved their operations to another country, or a normal cigar with a fake Cuban label. Don’t pay the premium prices for a Cuban knockoff, because it is not the real thing.

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.

When you come back from Vegas, other people want to talk about your trip. Some places you just have to see in Vegas, just so you can answer questions.

For example, “Did you see the Bellagio fountains?” If you say no, people will say, “How could you not see the Bellagio Fountains?” You get the drift.

Top Five Attractions People Ask About

Bellagio Fountains
Mirage Volcano
TI Pirate Show
NYNY Roller Coaster
Stratosphere Tower

Top Five Hotels People Ask About

Wynn
Palms
Bellagio
Venetian
Caesar’s Palace

Even if you only have a couple of minutes, pop your head into these resorts just to say that you have been there. And when somebody you know gets back from Vegas, don't ask them these questions.

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.

Just named “The Steakhouse”, this resturant at Circus Circus is a real gem.

Getting to the steakhouse is the hardest part. Circus Circus is an old casino that has been expanded many times over. Thus, it is very hard to navigate through the parking lot, parking garage and valet. Once you find your way, the steakhouse is located in the middle of the casino. You will walk right by it if you don’t pay attention.

Once inside, you feel like you are in old Vegas. Red leather booths. Huge martinis. Old school high quality service (versus the teenager serving you at some restaurants around Vegas) These servers have experience and knowledge of food and wine.

Order the rib eye medium, it comes with a remarkable house salad and one side. Get the loaded baked potato.

The meat is grilled over a charcoal pit in the middle of the restaurant (don’t ask about health concerns, maybe they were grand fathered in because Circus Circus is so old). The steak ends up nice and charred on the outside with a nice tender texture on the inside.

Between the décor, service and food, the Steakhouse at Circus Circus is unbelievable. You will enjoy every minute of the dining experience.

Check out the Circus Circus Website

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.

It’s a lot of fun to watch your friends gamble for a little while, but it’s not much fun to watch them for long while. A more pathetic experience is watching people whom you don’t know gamble. If you’ve gotten to the point where you’re mindlessly observing a businessman from Syracuse play $25 hands of blackjack, it’s time to leave the casino.

Some things you can do instead to cure your boredom:
- Sit in the Sportsbook and watch some games
- Get some food
- Go to a gentleman's club
- Walk down the Strip
- Sleep
- Sit out by the pool

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.

Most groups make their travel reservations separately, and only realize when it’s time to leave that they’re leaving twelve hours apart. Huge mistake. At this point either your group is busted up, leaving you to spend a few hours of idle time in the airport or sit around in your hotel lobby because you’ve been kicked out of your room. Make sure everyone is leaving at approximately the same time.

When planning your trip, be the first to shoot out an email to your friends telling them what flight you plan on taking. Be sure to remind them that the hotel will kick them out of the room around noon and that they need some recovery time back home. Hopefully they will get the drift and not book the 11:59pm flight back home.

Want more Classic Vegas Mistakes? Need some True Vegas Advice? Looking for that special Hidden Vegas Gem? Heading to Vegas soon and need the right strategy for your group? Click on the images to purchase the Las Vegas Little Black Book or Las Vegas Little Red Book on Amazon. Do you have specific questions about your Vegas trip or stuck on your planning? Email questions to info@vegaslittleblackbook.com.