March Madness in Las Vegas

[Enchubben 5510]

Not my first time to Vegas, but I will be flying in very early Thursday morning the first weekend of March Madness and staying though Saturday early evening. ( have to be home Sunday)

Booked a room at Planet Hollywood because it was cheap, close and I like using Caesars points but not sure what I should be planning for watching the games. Anybody have any advice? I’ll be there with 2 other buddies who will be half interested in games and half interested in craps.

Should I be looking at reserving a table or chairs at a sports book? Some of the ads I’ve seen seem pricey and questionable as to what the actual experience is like. 

Just playing the games on the apps, and avoiding sports books? Going to a bar to watch? Interested in any experiences or suggestions you folks may have.

[AUS-97HORN 11756]

3 hours ago, Enchubben said:

Not my first time to Vegas, but I will be flying in very early Thursday morning the first weekend of March Madness and staying though Saturday early evening. ( have to be home Sunday)

Booked a room at Planet Hollywood because it was cheap, close and I like using Caesars points but not sure what I should be planning for watching the games. Anybody have any advice? I’ll be there with 2 other buddies who will be half interested in games and half interested in craps.

Should I be looking at reserving a table or chairs at a sports book? Some of the ads I’ve seen seem pricey and questionable as to what the actual experience is like. 

Just playing the games on the apps, and avoiding sports books? Going to a bar to watch? Interested in any experiences or suggestions you folks may have.

#1- if there is any possibility of getting there on Wed eve instead - do it. it makes a massive diff to wake up early and get to the window/deposit aread you need to without fighting all the folks that do the same thing and get there on Thurs morn.   Its really worth it.  and you can usually find a cheap room on wed night somewhere in vegas and then keep your other reservations. I usually catch the last flight into vegas that arrives at 1130 or later on Wed eve. (although this year I ended up getting the first flight in at 8am).

 

I can speak for MGM related to the questions you are asking because I have been there the last 4 Madnesses.

#2, unless you are a massive high roller, you have almost no shot at reserving a chair at the sports book or the sports bar in the casino.   I know other parts of the strip are different and PH aint on the strip, and Ive only been there one time, drunk, so I cant really allign in my brain where the sportsbook is there, so hey this info below may be wrong.

But I can say that the seats at the MGM/ NYNY (not many seats)/ Ceasars are sold for something like $500 per chair or a minimum of $10k in bets (and even then you have to get the concierge to approve/reserve the seat)   The 3 fucking sports bars in MGM near the sportsbook charge $50-100 cover charges just to sit, plus the cost of booze.  NYNY's book is crowded, cramped and a bit cheaper, but still would avoid.

You want NO PART of not using an app, you have to use an app- I wrote on the old site 3 years back about how the MGM sportsbook was a clusterfuck starting at 630am on Thurs. First off despite there being something like 14 windows, there were only 3 working window clerks  until around 730, and the fucks didnt have a current odds sheet printed- they were still using the original odds sheet printed on Monday- and the way the waiting-to-place-a-bet line was designed you only got to see the live odds board 5 mins at a time every 15 mins (and about half you couldnt see until you were at the damn window).  I had like 25 bets planned out and had to scrap about 30% of them when I asked what the live odds were on the win-it-all, or win-the-bracket, that fucking sheet was worthless.  And if you ever wanted to make another bet, that line was a minimum of 30 mins long.

After that debacle, I made sure to have money in the MGM app on Wed eve, got my bets placed, and the best part was the live bets as the day went on. and closing our was easy, just walk accross the street to NYNY and close out the funds before I fly home on Sat/Sun

However, William Hill is probably the best app- I use that as well specifically because there are times where the odds or the line are different enough to be worth betting on the other app.

With William Hill you just have to find a window to deposit your initial wager budget into. good news is there are about 50 spots around town to do that in, the bad news is, by the time you arrive on Thursday, every single one of those has a fuckload of people in line. 

 

fun fact for anyone who goes to MGM.... if you take the 4 minute walk across the catwalk to Tropicana the Tropicana sports book is literally the first thing you see when you walk in the door, and even on march madness, there is almost no line because they dont have a viewing room, just a small 4 person book.   plus the Trop odds are usually better than MGM on almost anything.  example in Sept I went there and the MGM app had the Eagles as +800 to win the superbowl. WillHill had them at +900,  and Trop had them at +1500.  I had a buddy who wanted that bet placed, so I made it for him.  thats a HUGE fucking difference in odds for the same bet.

[joeycovers 391]

Lived in Vegas almost 15 years. Best place for March Madness is @ the Westgate(Formerly Hilton). NOthing else is even close.  Not the Sports book though. Go to the Showroom Theatre. That place is electric all day. Its all open seating.. Below is what they do every Sunday for NFL games. This was THE spot for NFL Sundays.   Now the games for March Madness start at about 9ish so i would arrive early because it fill sup pretty fast. 

Few other Notes. PH is on the strip. I agree go Wed Night. 

Open Every Sunday During the Pro Football Season!

• Doors Open at 11:30 a.m. through Sunday, January 20.

• 1,600 Seats Available!

• Inside Westgate International Theater

• Weekly Food & Beverage specials starting at $3

• Non-Smoking

• Weekly Prizes

• Convenient Mobile Wagering

Edited January 22, 2019 by joeycovers

[pops 6980]

Both of these guys fuck and know of what they speak

[Enchubben 5510]

Point made on timing. Unfortunately I don’t have any flexibility to adjust flights. (Work issue on Wednesday and family stuff on Sunday)  However, first thing when I arrive Thursday I’ll be setting up the apps and adding cash so I can avoid the betting window lines. 

What about going to lesser travelled or lower quality hotels/casinos to watch the games? Tropicana etc. I will definitely check out the Westgate.

[joeycovers 391]

1 hour ago, BurntEyes said:

Westgate is legit.

It's been a while, but Ventian used to be a book where you could find a seat. Not sure about now.

This is the among the best weekends to be in Vegas for the excitement. You been given good tips. Shame you can't make Wednesday. 

I believe that was called Lagassi or something? I never went but heard it was very expensive even for a College Saturday. Cant imagine what it's like for March Madness

[joeycovers 391]

9 hours ago, Enchubben said:

Point made on timing. Unfortunately I don’t have any flexibility to adjust flights. (Work issue on Wednesday and family stuff on Sunday)  However, first thing when I arrive Thursday I’ll be setting up the apps and adding cash so I can avoid the betting window lines. 

What about going to lesser travelled or lower quality hotels/casinos to watch the games? Tropicana etc. I will definitely check out the Westgate.

Once you enter the Westgate Theater on Thurs I can pretty much guarantee you that you wont leave until the final game. 

What makes it so fun is everybody in that place either has action or is a fan of a school and likely both.  Blowout games become very entertaining at the end because of the betting lines. Watching that place erupt on a "buzzer beater" in a 20 point game is a blast. 

[henrygandorf 29189]

2 hours ago, joeycovers said:

I believe that was called Lagassi or something? I never went but heard it was very expensive even for a College Saturday. Cant imagine what it's like for March Madness

lagasse's stadium was in the palazzo and was one of the only "sports bars" in vegas (non-sportsbook where you can actually watch games).  we went several years ago and ended up getting a table at some shitshow at the hard rock.  it was a sports bar, not sportsbook, and they actually had a window inside for betting, which was nice.  it was pricey, but we had a big crew and were there for over half the day.

like 97horn and jc said - i would avoid the books, and find someplace you can watch not too far from being able to bet, since you'll be wanting to place wagers throughout the day.  some internet investigating will help you find some options.  shit, planet hollywood might even have something set up.

[VolenteHawk 495]

I've stayed at PH a couple of times for March Madness, as it's the best hotel/location that I can get get fully comped during big events.  I haven't made it the last few years unfortunately (so my info is dated), but I'd be looking for a place that opens a ballroom and rolls in tables and TVs.  Sportsbooks, if you don't have status/casino host, aren't really an option for you...especially not getting there until Thursday.  Westgate is a good option, we've done Cosmo's 2nd floor before (was like $80 and included beer), we've done Aria, we did M once when we had a sober ride out there...that was surprisingly fun.

 

[AUS-97HORN 11756]

for the record, my PH not on the strip mis-statement...... turns out I was thinking of Hard Rock Casino.   as I mentioned, I was hammered.  mea culpa on that.

 

[henrygandorf 29189]

50 minutes ago, AUS-97HORN said:

for the record, my PH not on the strip mis-statement...... turns out I was thinking of Hard Rock Casino.   as I mentioned, I was hammered.  mea culpa on that.

 

i'll allow it.

[Enchubben 5510]

Legasse tables are “free” with a $300 min food and beverage per person for outside, $400 inside.  That gets you a table for the day and in/out privileges.

[Catpfish 618]

Are things any different for the second weekend of the tournament?  I'll be there then

[joeycovers 391]

 

22 minutes ago, Catpfish said:

Are things any different for the second weekend of the tournament?  I'll be there then

Yes, Very 

[AUS-97HORN 11756]

4 hours ago, Catpfish said:

Are things any different for the second weekend of the tournament?  I'll be there then

 

question is equivalent to:

 

"Hey guys I just had sex for the first time last week. so happy, and now she said I'm  gonna get some tonight, are things any different the 2nd time?"

[Barry_McCokiner 160]

On 1/22/2019 at 1:13 PM, joeycovers said:

Lived in Vegas almost 15 years. Best place for March Madness is @ the Westgate(Formerly Hilton). NOthing else is even close.  Not the Sports book though. Go to the Showroom Theatre. That place is electric all day. Its all open seating.. Below is what they do every Sunday for NFL games. This was THE spot for NFL Sundays.   Now the games for March Madness start at about 9ish so i would arrive early because it fill sup pretty fast. 

Few other Notes. PH is on the strip. I agree go Wed Night. 

Open Every Sunday During the Pro Football Season!

• Doors Open at 11:30 a.m. through Sunday, January 20.

• 1,600 Seats Available!

• Inside Westgate International Theater

• Weekly Food & Beverage specials starting at $3

• Non-Smoking

• Weekly Prizes

• Convenient Mobile Wagering

I'd love to live there.  Is the heat more uncomfortable than Houston or Dallas?

[joeycovers 391]

2 hours ago, Barry_McCokiner said:

I'd love to live there.  Is the heat more uncomfortable than Houston or Dallas?

Summer feels like you have a blow dryer on your face. First year I lived in LV my nose would start bleeding at random times because of how dry it is. No I wasn't on drugs. 

To answer your question I would take the Houston heat over the LV heat. Every female though prefers LV heat. 

[Barry_McCokiner 160]

15 minutes ago, joeycovers said:

Summer feels like you have a blow dryer on your face. First year I lived in LV my nose would start bleeding at random times because of how dry it is. No I wasn't on drugs. 

To answer your question I would take the Houston heat over the LV heat. Every female though prefers LV heat. 

Why'd you leave?

[joeycovers 391]

4 hours ago, Barry_McCokiner said:

Why'd you leave?

I was stationed @ Nellis AFB.. Stayed for awhile after I got out.. Then just decided to move back home (Houston) with my Wife (no pics) and raise the little ones.  I have seen some of the best people get swallowed up in that town. Tough place to live if your not disciplined. 

[Barry_McCokiner 160]

1 minute ago, joeycovers said:

I was stationed @ Nellis AFB.. Stayed for awhile after I got out.. Then just decided to move back home (Houston) with my Wife (no pics) and raise the little ones.  I have seen some of the best people get swallowed up in that town. Tough place to live if your not disciplined. 

Yea totally believable. I have a family, otherwise I would be there playing poker every day.  But when poker becomes a job, it sort of sucks.

[joeycovers 391]

Just now, Barry_McCokiner said:

Yea totally believable. I have a family, otherwise I would be there playing poker every day.  But when poker becomes a job, it sort of sucks.

I used to Free Play about 3-4 nights a week from about Midnight to 5am. And then the Weekend came.  After about 5 years of doing that I chalked it up as a win that i still had a roof and a dollar in my account.   Still dab in Sports stuff but no real desire for tables.

[Barry_McCokiner 160]

1 hour ago, joeycovers said:

I used to Free Play about 3-4 nights a week from about Midnight to 5am. And then the Weekend came.  After about 5 years of doing that I chalked it up as a win that i still had a roof and a dollar in my account.   Still dab in Sports stuff but no real desire for tables.

Free play like at bars?  I did that too.  That was fun but not the same as casinos 

[Beau Vine 54203]

On 1/23/2019 at 9:00 AM, joeycovers said:

Once you enter the Westgate Theater on Thurs I can pretty much guarantee you that you wont leave until the final game. 

What makes it so fun is everybody in that place either has action or is a fan of a school and likely both.  Blowout games become very entertaining at the end because of the betting lines. Watching that place erupt on a "buzzer beater" in a 20 point game is a blast. 

I went to that one year.  It was an absolute blast.  We had made the mistake of sitting in a sportsbook on the first morning, then we found that place.  

Had hawt chicks selling beers and snacks over on the sides of the room, and had temp betting windows set up right outside.  The only downside is that the room REALLY stunk by Sunday afternoon.  

[henrygandorf 29189]

13 hours ago, Beau Vine said:

I went to that one year.  It was an absolute blast.  We had made the mistake of sitting in a sportsbook on the first morning, then we found that place.  

Had hawt chicks selling beers and snacks over on the sides of the room, and had temp betting windows set up right outside.  The only downside is that the room REALLY stunk by Sunday afternoon.  

hookers get stale, dude.  you can't just leave them in the room i've been telling you.