This weekend marks one of my quad-annual trips to Sin City. And this trip is one of the best because it is strictly an all-guys weekend.
Vegas is best experienced with friends. And when you travel as a group, you automatically save money.
You split the room charges, taxi fares are shared and many times, you get extras because you are in a group - including free admission to certain clubs.
And then of course there's the "savings" on drinks. Sit and play at the slot machine and the booze if "free."
Many will argue that the free drinks policy for gamblers ain't really free because you are dropping currency into the slots or at the blackjack table while waiting for your "free drink."
But I know of guys who have mastered the art of free booze at the slots.
Couple of their rules.
1) The higher the bet, the more visits by the waitress. So, if you are dropping nickels into the slot machine, the waitress does not pass by nearly as often as she does at the $1 slots of $5 slots. The recommendation here is to hand out at the 25 cent slots that are not to far from a bank of the $1 slot machines and make sure you set at slots that are between the $1 machines and where the waitress picks up the drinks. That way you limit your losses while taking advantage of location.
2) Tip. As a rule, Vegas is a town run on tips. Keep chips or quarters handy from money you have won from the House to tip your waitress. If you win a semi-big payout, give the waitress a $20 and tell her "Keep em coming." She will pay extra attention to your machine in hopes of snagging yet another Andrew Jackson.
3) Avoid the bars that have video poker. These are pure rip-offs and have lower payouts than the slots. Sure, you get the free beer or scotch and soda, but your booze to money ratio is much lower than to play on the floor.
4) Play early in the day. Mid-morning is best, and while in Vegas, there is no real closing time, so take advantage of the smaller crowds and this less competition for drink orders.
5) Slow play. Pull the lever and then contemplate what just happened, win or lose. That is until you see the server. That's when you pick up your pace of play. Once she has your drink order you can slow down your play again and maximize your dollars.
6) Order the expensive stuff. If you are a beer drinker, go for the imported stuff. If you like the harder stuff, good. Order the Makers Mark and Coke, so to get more value for your playing dollar.

A good pal of mine swears by these six rules of snagging free drinks. He claims if the rules are followed, your drink to money-spent average will be better than if you went into a bar and ordered four drinks in a two hour period.

Looking for more Vegas bargains?

For my money, the best source is Anthony Curtis, the founder of the Las Vegas Advisor.That's Anthony playing poker at left. If you watch the Vegas specials on A&E, Travel Channel or Discovery Channel, Anthony is almost always interviewed about deals in Vegas.
He even has a coupon booklet and newsletter you can purchase cheap for some really good deals on food, rooms, drinks, entertainment and gambling.
Since 1983 Anthony and the Las Vegas Advisor has tracked the best deals in Sin City.
Not getting a coupon book, well there are still deals to be had, especially when it comes to food.
He even has the Top 10 lists on his Web site.
The list includes the 99-cent Shrimp Cocktail at the Golden Gate in downtown Vegas on Fremont Street.
How about a steak dinner for $6.95? That is a 10-ounce filet with salad, green beans and a beer at Ellis Island.
Then there is the buffet at the Mirage, at the center of the Vegas strip. I took Anthony's advice on this one once and it really paid off. $13.95 for one of the best selections of food anywhere.
Looking for cheap entertainment?

Anthony suggests the Fontana Bar at the Bellagio. For a $6 drink (one drink minimum at the bar) There's always live entertainment, you get to see the famous Bellagio fountains and all in one of the swankiest hotels in all of Vegas.
Want more deals. Check out Anthony's Web site.

Something else to know. Summertime is actually one of the least expensive times to visit. Hotels slash room rates, especially right after 4th of July. And all experts agree with the current economy, the room rates will only get lower as Vegas tries to keep the crowds coming.

Room occupancy is supposedly down about 7 percent compared to this time last year.

Speaking of good room rates: Unless you HAVE to stay on the strip, I always suggest staying downtown. Now my personal preference is the Golden Nugget.
I am admittedly biased here. Tilman Fertitta, the CEO of Landry's that owns the Nugget, is a local guy and a pal.

But the Nugget is as classy as any strip hotel and plus in a way you are shopping at home by staying there.

Also downtown: The Four Queens just underwent a facelift and is still a good bargain. Room rates are always better downtown, action on the tables is cheaper

Do stay away from The Plaza. No matter how cheap the rooms, it ain't worth it in our book.

Want to stay on the strip? MGM Grand. Best room rate value, and more action in one complex than anywhere else. They also have the best sports book on the strip for our money.

Off strip? Palms. The Maloof Brothers know how to run a good, hip, joint. The locals really like the Palms Casino, and they always have decent room rates. There's also a movie theater.
Plus there's a good chance your will run into a celebrity while staying there. And chances are very good you will run into Hugh Hefner of Playboy fame.
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Coming up Thursday: The best couple's therapy plus entertainment all rolled into one with Kevin Burke, the star of "Defending the Caveman

Friday: We get true craps lessons from a real pro.

Saturday: Best pools in Vegas
Also Saturday: The happiest mayor in all of the United States (and Hey, he was once a Mob lawyer) Oscar Goodman.

Sunday: Best shows in Vegas