So we got the room and board covered in the last article. But what about food? What about entertainment? What about extra curricular activities in the area. I will break down the activities you can do if you are a high roller and if you lost high roller status.

As mentioned before, the players card is integral in receiving discounts for room and board as well as flight fares. Now you can use your card for discount show tickets. If you like Cirque du Soleil, Barry Manilow or my personal favorite, Celine Dion, you can use your card to get discounts the moment you get to Vegas. These tickets are subject to selling out but if you are a huge roller (more than just a high roller) or a whale (highest roller), you can get tickets anytime. Sometimes they reserve tickets for you or they hand them to you for free. But alas, we are not all high rollers, so we should all inquire prior our trip for discount show tickets. You can always check mailers and email newsletters for your latest show discounts.

Now for food. The all you can eat buffet is the standard for Vegas dining. Again, this is another chance to go through your mailers and your email newsletters looking for discounts. And once again, the players card comes to use. But before you use it, try getting a discount at the registration desk. Just calmly ask the agent at the registration desk that you’re interested in watching a show. More than likely they will give you recommendations but you can ask for discounts. If all else fails, there are standalone kiosks on the strip hawking tickets. It’s a little like Leicester Square in London where all the discount ticket sellers are wrapped in one area.

Always ask the desk agent if there’s a discount book they have available. The books have coupons for food and shows. It’s always worth a try. And don’t forget the concierge, they are there to serve you, even if it involves just giving discounts. It's their job to accomodate you with food and show reservations.

But let’s say you’re low on cash and you want to find a way to spend a few hours without throwing down a couple of “C” notes on the tables or on a show. What to do? Vegas hotels are catering to families more often with all ages pools, movie theaters and roller coasters. A lot of hotels have arcades or midway carnival attractions. You can always drive away from the hotel or the strip and enjoy the sites of Red Rock Canyon or Lake Mead. You can spend several hours playing a round of golf on championship courses. In the summer heat, some of these PGA Tour courses cost thirty dollars to play.

There’s a lot to do in Vegas that doesn’t involve going all in or feeding a “one armed bandit” a bunch of twenties. There’s always the sites and sounds of the pools, golf courses and nature. You can always take a walk down the Strip or walk through one of their endless malls. There’s plenty to do there on a budget; It’s a great vacation spot even if you don’t want to “play”

Image credit: Charlie Cowins on Flickr