Vegas is all about getting you to come back. The casinos make so much money from you gambling that they can afford to give a little back. Usually that ‘little’ comes in the form of comps. Comp is short for ‘complimentary’ and comps range from free food and drinks to T-shirts and other souveneirs, all the way up to free hotel suites.  Unless your last name is Sinatra, however, they won’t just offer you this stuff, you have to ask.

The first step in getting comps is to obtain a slot club card. There is usually a slot club window in the casino and all you have to do is fill out a card with your personal information. A slot club card is about the size of a credit card and is used to track your gambling habits within the casino. The card can be inserted into slot machines or given to a dealer at a table game so that your gambling can be ‘rated’. The machine or dealer will then track your average bet and how much you’ve bet. Some casinos have formalized the process somewhat and reward you with points as you gamble that can later be redeemed for a variety of free stuff.

You should also make an effort to meet the host of the casino section that you’re in. The host used to be called a pit boss and their main job is to make sure you have a good time and that you keep gambling at their casino. It’s a good idea to introduce yourself to them when you start gambling as they’re more likely to be generous with you.

Once you’ve been gambling for a while, its okay to start asking for stuff – try starting with a ‘line pass’ to the buffet. It won’t pay for your meal but it will get you to the front of the line. If you’ve spent a fair amount, go ahead and ask for a free pass to the buffet. A good rule of thumb is that you can be expected to be comp’d about 20-40% of what you’d be expected to lose.

Of course, the drinks are the main form of comps. You’ll often see waitresses wandering around, taking orders. Well spirits and tap beers are free, but you should always tip your waitress, especially if you want her to remember you.

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Blackjack has the best odds for the gambler of any game in Vegas; the house edge is only .5%. That means that over time, if you bet 100 dollars on blackjack, the casino will end up with a measley 5 cents. But wait, you ask – if the odds are so good, why do most people lose all their money? It’s because the house edge is based on how much you gamble, not how much you bring to the table. As you win, you play more, out of your own winnings. If you bring 100 dollars to a blackjack table and bet $5 per hand, you’re betting about $150 per hour – more than you actually brought. After 13 hours you’ve bet $1950 and 5% of that is $97.50, meaning that at the end, you’re left with $2.50 and another Vegas story. The other catch is that the house edge is only small if you’re playing with the right strategy. If you do it wrong, you’re playing at a much higher disadvantage. So learn to do it right.

The operating principle in blackjack is simple – there are more cards that are worth 10 than any other value. Keeping that in mind, assume that any card you can’t see – the dealer’s down card or your next hit – is a 10. It’s also important to remember that the dealer has to hit on anything less than 16 so if you’ve got a 14 and his up card is a three, you should stay, since he probably has a 10 and will have to hit and likely bust. It’s not about getting the highest total, its about beating the dealer.

Splitting and doubling down are your two other strategic options. If you have two of the same card you can split them by putting an amount equal to your originial bet next to the cards.  You then play two hands, hitting or standing on each one independently. It’s a good idea to split when you have two aces or two 8s. The former, because of the rule of 10 above and the latter because two 8s are 16, one of the easiest hands to bust.

Doubling down means you double your bet and get dealt exactly one more card. Doubling down is a good bet when you have either a 10 or an Ace.

Two things to avoid are tables where blackjack pays 6:5 and insurance. Without going into why, just remember that these are sucker bets.

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Anyone who’s ever seen Ocean’s 11 has dreamed of going to Vegas. Sure, Australia has its pokies and casinos but a few fireballs on the Yarra River is nothing compared to the sheer spectacle of Vegas. The entire city is a temple to bad decision-making – from the drive-thru wedding chapels to the Elivs impersonators to two poncy Europeans who were actually surprised when their pet freakin’ tiger attacked them. Of course, all of this is just window dressing for the main event – gambling. So how can you avoid making bad financial decisions in the casino?

You can’t.

Keep that firmly in view. The house has the edge. Half-scale exact replicas of the Eiffel Tower don’t build themselves and casino games are designed to make the casino, not you, money. So the first rule of gambling in Vegas is this – consider the money gone. Decide how much a night out in Sin City is worth to you and bring that amount and no more. If that seems like a buzzkill, consider the fact that your drinks are likely to be free while you’re playing (and a dollar tip per drink will keep the waitress coming back) and you may even end up getting a few ‘comps’ or freebies if you sink a fair amount of cash into the casino’s coffers.

The trick to gambling in Vegas is not to try to win, but to try not to lose too fast – that way you have as much fun as possible while soaking up the free grog. For making your money last, your best bet is either blackjack or craps. Blackjack is probably the easiest to pick up and the least intimidating since its you and the table against the dealer and no one’s betting on your roll of the dice.

Check back with us over the next few days as we bring you strategies to help you make the most of your Vegas vacation, including tips for blackjack and how to get free stuff.

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One thing about America that tends to impress visitors is the level of service you get. It’s got nothing to do with native hospitality or the protestant work ethic; it’s all about the Benjamins. Aporcyphally, tips stands for ‘To Insure Prompt Service’ setting aside whether or not that’s true (and the misuse of the word ‘insure’) tipping is the reason for the great service in America. For Aussies visiting the states, tipping is like buying underwear for a new girlfriend – you know it’s something you’re supposed to do; get it right and you’ll reap the benefits, get it wrong and it’ll be awkward for everyone involved. So here’s a quick guide to gratuities.

Most of the time when you’re tipping it will be at restaurants and bars. The first thing to remember is that it’s not really optional. Servers in the US make a pittance hourly (in some states, less than the minimum wage) because it’s expected that they’ll make most of their money in tips. They even pay taxes based on the assumption that they will be tipped on every bill so by not tipping, you’re actually costing them money. 15% of the total bill is the standard for good service. If they’ve done a great job, then 20% is welcome and if they were barely adequate, 10% is sufficient. On the other hand, if you get someone who is genuinely rude (a rarity but it does happen) then leave a nickel (a 5 cent piece) rather than nothing at all – it’s considered an insult.

In bars when you’re paying as you go, it’s a little different. One dollar per drink is pretty standard, regardless of how much the drink cost. However, on your first drink it’s usually a good idea to tip extra – 5 bucks should do it – to ensure that the bartender remembers your face. You’ll see the dividends when they skip three-deep queue to serve you first. Also, if you order anything particularly complicated its nice to kick in an extra buck.

Other people you should tip include bellmen/porters ($1-2 per bag), hairdressers (10-15% of the bill), Taxi drivers (10-15%), valet parkers ($2-3 per car), hotel maids ($2-3 dollars per night, left on the pillow each day) and casino dealers (place a bet for the dealer every five games or so, ask them what they want to bet on).

You might not believe it, but having a local show you New York, explaining intriguing history or showing you extraordinary modern art, can be done without costing a cent. This spring and summer in New York will be packed with memorable free tours to experience the city at ground level. Here are just five that you may not have heard of:

1. Cruise to Governors Island for free guided tours, art and great views

Open during summer, historic Governors Island is a great day out. It is hard to believe you can cruise to the island, have a guided tour, check out some art installations, and enjoy great views of icons like the Statue of Liberty – all for free! Check out www.nps.gov/gois from mid May for their schedule of events, ferries, tours, etc for 2011.

2. Free guided tour of Union Square – Crossroads of New York

Head to Union Square on Saturdays at 2pm for a 90 minute exploration of the vibrant social and political history of the neighbourhood. Check out www.unionsquarenyc.org.

3. City Hall free guided tours

Get online to reserve a place on a behind the scenes look into New York’s historic City Hall to learn about its fine architecture and rich history. Check out http://www.nyc.gov/html/artcom/html/tours/tours.shtml

4. Free guided tour into the Lower East Side’s artistic world

Join one of the ELS LES Art Gallery Crawls to discover inventive works and creative forms you would have a tough time finding on your own. These are on every last Sunday at 1pm from April to October (except August). Check out www.lowereastsideny.com.

5. Take a mystery tour with some passionate locals: Keep up with www.manhattanwalkingtour.com on Facebook or Twitter to see where these New Yorkers will take you each month in their beloved city. You could end up on a photo shoot of famous buildings, a behind the scenes look at Greenwich Village, or on something tailored to blokes for some “Guy” sights of the city.

On 16 May Qantas starts flying its new route to Dallas. So what does this mean for your US travel?

A direct link to America’s South. Did you watch too much Dallas in the 80’s and can’t wait to check Texas out for yourself? Qantas’s direct link puts you in the heart of warm southern hospitality to discover a glamorous urban metropolis with a thriving nightlife. As they say, everything is bigger in Texas, with immense landscapes to get out and explore.

Better airline connections. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DWF) is much better than Qantas’s previous hub, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), for ongoing connections to other parts of the US. It offers a wider range of connections and more options in terms of frequency.

A more pleasant experience that LAX. If you have been to LAX you’ll agree that finding a way to avoid it worth it. DFW is still a major airport but not as busy and badly designed as LAX. However, Qantas does not have a lounge at DFW so you can weigh that up in your benefit analysis of giving LAX a skip.

A really long flight. Flying from Australia to the US is always going to be an endurance event. This route adds a few more hours in one tin can; you need to consider if you can handle it.

You can’t fly on the A380. If the A380 is your preferred choice for comfort you might have to wait a while before you can experience it on this route – only 747-400s will be flying for now. However, given the engine scares last year this may not bother you.

If Texas is where you want to be this route is perfect for you. For other travel it will come down to weighing up for yourself the time savings possibilities and comfort aspects of Qantas’s Dallas route. Whichever way you look at it, having a new choice is a welcome change.

Well, it is kind of true. When you are in the United States of America everything you need is at your fingertips.

Despite the entire bad wrap it gets form the media and word of mouth, nothing can take away the fact that it is one of the most interesting places to visit in the world.

Off all the cities Los Angeles is one that is one of a kind.

In the sunny state of California, the east coast city is home to so many different kinds of people.

Firstly, you have the gang members, who live everyday like it is their last.

The gangs are split by two main groups, the crips and the bloods. But from there it splits even further into hundreds of individual groups.

While there are deaths almost everyday in the area, they only really happen in certain areas, and to those who are in places they shouldn’t be.

Apart form the gang members, LA has the surfy/skater population, who spend their time at the beach, in the water and cruising around in the sun.

There are plenty of skate parks and outdoor areas to allow you to soak up the environment while you are there, and they really add to the great atmosphere.

Then there is shopping, so much of it!!

So many restaurants to choose from, so many theme parks to check out, and so many concerts and performances to see.

All this, and I still haven’t even mentioned Hollywood!!!

Los Angeles really is a must see city for all people.

At the moment it is paradise over in the North Western city with hundreds of thousands of people enjoying a sporting vacation away in the beautiful mountains of Vancouver.

But apart from the excitement that the Winter Olympics bring to a city, there is much more to see in Vancouver than what we see on our TV sets at home.

Home to some of the world’s best snow, there is always going to be some amazing mountain activities for all to partake in, but if snow is not your option then here is a list of alternative spots to check out during your trip.

-    Stanley Park: One of the best know attractions in Canada, It’s the nation’s largest park and home to some breathtaking beauty and wildlife.

-    Granville Island: Plenty of waterfront attractions at this place, and a great way to get to know Vancouver.

-    Canada Place: An outstanding piece of architecture on the waterfront of the city. It is the backdrop to most of Vancouver’s postcards and a must see during your trip.

-    Capilano Suspension Bridge: An awesome view, an awesome time and an awesome experience. The length of the Capilano Suspension is 450 feet, and it’s 230 feet high…Scary stuff!!!

-    Gastown: The name says it all……. But check it out for yourself!!

In an exciting new promotion, hundreds of lucky Australians will be flown across the Pacific for five days of non-stop Disney magic and fun; a once in a lifetime, ultimate and unique experience!
 
Families across Australia will have the chance to win seats on this special Disney themed V Australia flight to Los Angeles, along with a 5-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket, accommodation at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel in Anaheim, and a whole lot more with special extra VIP surprises along the way.

The lucky winners will travel to Los Angeles in style as V Australia brings a world of pure imagination to international air travel. V Australia offers impeccable service with a smile from the industry’s finest – all onboard the world’s largest long-range twin-engine aircraft. And add to this the widest seats across the Pacific for International Economy travellers; this is a flying experience to be remembered.

V Australia Executive General Manager, Scott Swift said, “We are absolutely delighted to be joining with Disney to provide a once-in-a-life time experience that will inspire a whole new level of excitement from the minute families step onto our aircraft to the minute they walk through Disneyland’s front gate and into a special world where imagination and fun is unlimited. A visit to Disneyland is every child’s dream and we are pleased to help make this dream a reality for the lucky winners.”

Magical Journey guests will be treated to an array of VIP experiences from take off with the five-star V Australia treatment, to an exclusive Disney welcome breakfast, gift packs, an ‘Australia Day Barbecue’ celebration at Disneyland Park and so much more.

Ways to win:
Keep your eye on Channel 7 during Home and Away between September 23 and 9 October for the chance to win 10 family trips of four, and listen into your favourite ARN station from 12 October to 23 October to find out how you could win passes on the V Australia and Disneyland Resort Magical Journey Flight. Plus Disney Channel will offer viewers across Australia and New Zealand a ‘watch and win’ opportunity to be part of the Magical Journey. For three weeks beginning 28 September, Australian and New Zealand residents who tune in to Disney Channel between 4-6 p.m. (AEST) can look for daily clues for their chance to win one of three weekly prizes. There will be many more ways to win so keep your eye out in stores where Disney merchandise, books, games and DVDs are sold. Thirty trips will be given away for each of 30 days starting October 1.

Keep checking back at www.magicaljourney.com.au for more information as it comes to hand!

The foodie-travel revolution just keeps on getting bigger and bigger: more and more hotels are concentrating on the food at their properties as they know what a huge draw it can be to have a good restaurant offering quality food and wine. However this has expanded to going that extra mile with many places offering cookery classes, only using ingredients by local producers, expanding their wine list and now many have their own vegetable patches to provide the freshest ingredients possible. Kenswick Hall in Virginia, USA, has gone that extra step further by producing their own custom-made, private-label wines.

Keswick Hall is a luxurious 48-room boutique hotel set in the heart of Virginia’s wine country at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 600 acre Estate is situated just east of historic Charlottesville, Virginia. The Estate’s spectacular setting of gently rolling hills, open meadows, and splendid foliage provide guests with a relaxed and tranquil environment.

Keswick’s Sommelier, Richard Hewitt and his staff will reveal Edith’s Chardonnay this week followed by Edith’s Petit Verdot red next month.

Hewitt and fourteen other Keswick Hall employees went through a ten-month process including sorting through two tons of grapes, pumping the juice into three year old, French oak barrels and monitoring the fermentation. The Chardonnay grapes came from Carter’s Mountain Winery and the red grapes from Pollak Vineyard in Crozet.  This year’s harvest produced 50 cases of both the red and the white wine. Hewitt plans on expanding Fossett’s custom cellar wines next year and adding different varietals for guests to enjoy.

Hewitt says; “We have always wanted to present our guests with our own private label wines…rather than buy a vineyard’s existing wine and simply place our label on it, we wanted to make our own custom crush. With the help of Virginia Wineworks and an enthusiastic staff, we were able to produce our very own clean, crisp Chardonnay and the more complicated, earthy Petit Verdot”. The name, Edith’s Chardonnay and Edith’s Petit Verdot, pays tribute to Edith Fossett, Thomas Jefferson’s chief cook at Monticello who held one of the most responsible positions in Jefferson’s household during his retirement years.

Edith’s Chardonnay is available at Fossett’s restaurant and bar from August 1, 2009.  Edith’s Petit Verdot will be offered in early September. 

For more information on Keswick Hall and Fossett’s Restaurant visit www.keswick.com