LAS VEGAS 'FREE' SHOW TIX

There are deals and then there are deals. And some deals are only in the mind of the beholder.


Ok, we were in Vegas last week & had a great time. 


But when walking down the famous strip - if we weren't being accosted by the army of short, hooded sweatshirt or baseball cap wearing 'card snappers' promising a  good looking girl in your room within '20 minutes for $40' - we were approached by usually attractive, better dressed, smiling folk who wanted to give us free show tickets, gratis gambling $ or 'on the house trips' to the Hoover Dam & Grand Canyon.


All you have to do is sit through a 90 minute (which becomes 2 hours after you agree) presentation for whatvever it is they're selling. 


'Hmmm,' you may muse. 'What's 2 hours of my time for free ducats (worth over $200) to see the Beatles' 'Love' or Wynn's 'Le Reve' or a couple of 'C' notes for gambling?'


Ok. But before you sign on the dotted line realize that many of these offers may be less than you think - especially if you are not dealing with a name brand company.


I mean reps of places like the Mariott & Wyndam WILL give you free tix (& decent seats) to the Blue Men, Donnie & Marie, Legends, etal as they promised - with no extra charges - once you 'pay' with your time.


The others, well maybe not.


Your 'free' Love/LeReve tickets could suddenly cost you north of 60 bucks each after you sign on the dotted for the 2 hour hard sell. 


Ok, this still might be worth it to you. But it isn't 'free'.


And those 'hundreds of gambling $' are never real money but some type of certificate to be used at a place like Casino Royal (a joint where James Bond or Blofeld would never be seen). Here they have a back row of 'special slot machines' where you can use your 'free' cash chits to play.


But even if you win a million on these machines - you'll walk home without a penny. This 'gambling' is for 'entertainment' only. There are zero cash prizes.


And even if they hand you a card claiming it can get you 2 free tix to a certain show - read the fine print.


For Harrah's 'free' Mac King Show you have to buy a $10 drink plus tax for each admission. Tropicana's 'free' Recycled Percussion Show charges $35 per couple for 'box office fees'. 


There are 2 magic shows that do actually let you in for no charge - but rarely can you get tickets for the same week (or even month) that you'll be in town.


So, in Sin City beware of barkers bearing gifts.


Actually, there is one 'free' you should often use in this desert town. Feel free to say 'No thanks' to most of these offers.