Guru of Las Vegas tells travelers how to get the most for their money
When he was 16, Anthony Curtis received a book on Blackjack from a family friend. Fascinated, he recalls, "I read it, instantly understood it and couldn't wait to get to Las Vegas."
Growing up in Detroit, Curtis had always shown an aptitude for math and board and card games, and for the next five years, he read everything he could about blackjack. In 1979, as soon as he turned 21, he headed for Vegas with $2,600 in his pocket.
"The first day, I won $22," Curtis says. "The second day, I lost $1,800, so after paying for my apartment, I was down to less than $100. I thought, Now what? I knew if I was going to stay, I had to come up with a plan."
He took on odd jobs and began investigating ways he could get more out of Vegas than it could get out of him. It didn't take long for him to learn that he could eat and drink cheap and get generous discounts for shows and other activities by using coupons.
"But, more importantly," Curtis says, "I realized the value of coupons for gambling, $3 for $2, $7 for $5, $10 for $5, that sort of thing. They're small, but when you put them all together, you can be playing dozens of them in a day by running from casino to casino. It's a way to make your gambling dollars go farther."
That, says Curtis, is how he built up a bankroll and reputation as one of the world's most foremost gambling authorities. Today, he's president of Las Vegas Advisor, a comprehensive web site that includes virtually everything he's learned about Sin City over the past 26 years. It features current news; gambling tips; information about weather, transportation, conventions and special events; and reviews of hotels, casinos, shows, dining, spas, activities, nightspots and promotions.
He also publishes the Las Vegas Advisor, a 12-page monthly newsletter that offers more candid insights, and heads Huntington Press, a publishing house that specializes in gambling- and casino-related books and merchandise.
Curtis has dished up Vegas scoops on "Dateline," "48 Hours," A&E, E!, Discovery, the Travel Channel, the Food Channel and the Learning Channel, and is the author of "Bargain City-Booking," "Betting, and Beating the New Las Vegas" and "The Art of Gambling Through the Ages."
In short, if you're looking for advice on how to do Vegas, Curtis is the undisputed guru. He's parlayed his vast knowledge into a busy, full-time career.
So, how can you make the most of your visit to Vegas? Curtis' advice is simple: Pick up all the handouts distributed on the street; they can contain valuable coupons. Shop around. That means getting on the phone and calling for the best rates. Also, check newspaper ads, Web sites and online message boards.
"Las Vegas Advisor has members-only boards and free boards," says Curtis. "Our member boards are strictly monitored and tend to be more useful, but there's still a lot of information to glean from the free boards. The good thing about most boards is that they're 'searchable,' so you can hone in on any topic you'd like. Or, simply post a question and you'll usually get great answers or at least leads."
According to Curtis, November and December -- especially the second week of December through Christmas -- are the best months for bargain hunters to visit. "This is the slowest time of the year, and hotels and casinos discount like mad," he says. "The next best time is June and July. Throughout the year, weekdays are always better than weekends. Don't come when there are big conventions in town."
During low seasons, prices drop substantially. For example, in December you might be able to snare a room at the Gold Coast, Orleans or Palace Station, all less than a mile from the Strip, for less than $20 per night. Prices change quickly, and these rock-bottom rates might not be available on the days you want to go but, Curtis says, you won't wind up paying much more.
