aslan said:
Speaking of carrying large sums of cash, does anyone ever carry protection of any kind?
I do, all the time, as long as it is legal. And whether or not I'm carrying cash.
The trouble is, weapons laws on tribal lands (even if legal in the state) are somewhat vague, and not really worth the risk. So I don't carry a firearm there.
But in Vegas, it's not too difficult to get a firearms license, and proper training; if you're there regularly you can just keep one in a safe deposit box or with a friend. A gun shop might even rent you one (or store it for you).
A folding knife is also a good weapon to have, as long as you are trained to use it properly, including legal ramifications. (That goes for all weapons.)
A powerful "tactical" flashlight is also an excellent deterrent, and can blind a thug long enough to get away. It's also excellent for aggressive panhandlers/drunks. And you can bring it on the plane!
Carrying any weapon does severely increase the risks involved with backroom visits, however. The last thing you need is for them to justify their assault/detention with "well, he had a knife!"
Even though it's a little less convenient, this is still a major reason I use valets exclusively. If you have a big pile of chips or a wad of cash, someone may very well follow you out. But it's pretty unlikely they'll jump you at the valet stand.