Hi everyone! Reno here to explain some of the dos and don’ts for Evo2k15!
1. Shower Every Day
No one likes a stinky player crowded next to them while you’re trying to enjoy a cocktail or watch sunday finals. It’s probably bad luck if you don’t shower. No, the pool doesn’t count as a shower.
2. Wear Deodorant Every Day
All too often you get all primed up and ready to go on the first day of your national and you’re smelling FRESH. I’m talking so FRESH. Stay FRESH by reapplying your deodorant daily. Remember if you smell you, everyone else has been smelling you. Don’t be that guy.
3. Have Your Evo Badge With You at ALL TIMES.
Keep it on you at ALL TIMES while in the venue. There are thirsty people who didn’t get a pass and want YOURS. Plus, good luck getting to your pool without one.
4. Drink LOTS of Water.
People often get dehydrated and don’t know it. It’s extremely hot in Vegas, even though it’s a dry heat and you might not feel it immediately, there is a possibility you can succumb to heat stroke if you don’t properly manage your fluids. Especially if you have been hitting the alcohol, that will dehydrate you faster than anything.
5. Fist Bump, Don’t Shake Hands.
Think of ALL the people who have touched everything you have touched today, multiply that by two for the person you just shook hands with, touch your controller… and now touch your face without thinking. Gross, right?
6. Evo Smash will be EXTREMELY packed this year, keep a VERY close eye on your belongings.
This also includes your hotel room parties. Be aware of who has been in your room, what you have in your room and if anything goes missing be sure to find out immediately. Not to say Smashers aren’t trustworthy but that certain someone could have sticky fingers after losing it all at the slots.
7. If you are over 21, and plan on gambling…
Casinos want you to drink and gamble A LOT, preferably the entire time you’re in Vegas. They count on you getting drunk (that’s why you can order free drinks while you gamble) and being extra loose with your money. Set aside a daily gambling allotment so that you can walk away with something and enjoy the entire stay in Vegas!
8. If there is a deal on the Vegas strip that sounds too good to be true, it’s probably too good to be true.
Don’t get taken for a ride by scam artists trying to get you to the club for cheap. Especially ones that promise you a free limo ride to the strip club. There is a lot of “fine print” to the “deals” in Vegas. I have personally had friends get scammed out of $400+ on one of these trips.
9. Report to Your Pool on Time.
The pools are predetermined in both time and setup. Besides for on-site pool check in, no one will tell you where you have to be. You are on your own. I suggest you wake up nice and early to pick up your pass and scout the venue if you have a later pool. Evo has been historically very strict about DQ’s, and you can’t blame them. They have 2 days to wind down to top 8.
10. Do not gamble if you are under 21.
If you try to be sneaky and win anything and they find out you gambled while you are under 21? They confiscate all winnings.
11. There are cheap places to eat on the strip!
I would say explore around. There is a Denny’s close to center strip along with Chipotle and McDonalds. If you want to get some provisions for your room, take a walk down to the giant Walgreens also center strip. Use Google Maps.
12. Transportation Tip for You and a Tip for Your Driver.
If you are coming from the airport (LAS), you don’t have to cab. There are shuttle buses right outside the airport that you can take for roughly $15 round trip. Just look for the ground transportation signs in the airport terminal, find the shuttle bus stop and purchase your tickets. Tell them the hotel you are going to, and they drop you off right in front. For the way back to the airport, just call the number on the poker chip they give you 24 hours in advance to reserve your time slot for the shuttle to get you from the hotel! Don’t forget to tip your driver, they pretty much survive on tips, $1-$2 per bag is appropriate.
Enjoy EVO!
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Be careful about #12. Those shuttles can be hit or miss. I have used GO! Airport shuttle services a couple of times, and they’ve all been bad experiences. During peak times, you can wait an hour or more for a shuttle to arrive. Then you have to hope you’re not the last of the 12+ people to be dropped off. If you have a group, a cab is probably your best bet. If you’re alone, have plenty of time to wait, and want to save a small amount of money, then consider the shuttle.