Just got back from Vegas.... didn't gamble

[mreilly]

I was in Vegas for 5 days on a conference and went to some great restaurants, bars, and shows. Stayed away from the casinos, though. Something about the environment was too predatory... bad vibes. Every hotel leads you through the casino to get anywhere, of course. Even walking up along the Vegas strip routes you into the hotels which then route you into the casinos. Many times I was tempted to play some Blackjack, which I like very much (when playing for free on the computer), but I am pretty much an amateur at (splitting/doubling down is totally foreign to me along with knowing whether to hit or stand based on what card the dealer is showing).

I'm posting this because... I guess I feel kind of bad like I missed out on some fun, but on the other hand I didn't have any expectation or desire to win big bucks. I just don't roll like that - I'm too cynical, too opposed to big corporations (part of my liberalism I guess :-) and not confident enough that I could wring $100-$200 out of the house. I just didn't want to sit down trying to win maybe $50 to pay for a nice meal and then finding myself immediately down $100 and wishing I hadn't been so dumb.

Anyone else have any stories/anecdotes/tips to share about the Vegas experience? Was I being too conservative (God forbid!) or do you think I wisely stayed out of the lion's den?