My Yearly Vegas Trip (Sports Books) in January

[cj]

Originally Posted by BettinBilly

WHOA! I just saw that Wynn totally renovated their Sports Book this last Summer. I viewed the pics of the new book and it's vastly different from what it was. Not my style.

I guess it's NYNY and Westgate this year.

I did pass through NYNY and frankly it looked awful. Maybe they treat you well though and that does count for a lot.

[RunForTheRoses]

Originally Posted by cj

I did pass through NYNY and frankly it looked awful. Maybe they treat you well though and that does count for a lot.

I went there a couple of years ago and overall liked it. Got all racing forms free, got a food comp, drinks were plentiful. Wasn't very crowded for getting bets in, tellers were kinda bored and helpful. The negatives are that it is small. If you bet sports you had to crane your neck to watch certain games. If it is crowded and you sit in the back row (there are only two rows) touristy folks passing by, waiting for people using the restrooms or just having a look, will be RIGHT on top of you. I liked it overall and would go again.

[BettinBilly]

Originally Posted by olddaddy

The hot dogs are up a 1.25, still dont think thats a deal breaker.

Definitely not a deal breaker but that's a huge jump over 50 cents. Must be a change in thinking. They used to use the cheap hot dogs as a lost leader as a way to keep you in the casino gambling without having to go get food. Some floor manager probably realized, "HEY! There are hundreds of people lining up for these dogs. Let's hike the price 150 percent and actually make money on them."

I do like the race book at South Point, but it's a bit too "bright" for me. Like being in a large office. My favorite books have a "Clubby" feel to them. That's why I really LOVED Wynn. It was like a supper club in New York. Unfortunately, that's shot to heck now with their remodel. Westgate is a bit clubby (although larger than Wynn) so I'll probably hang there quite a bit.

[BettinBilly]

Originally Posted by cj

I did pass through NYNY and frankly it looked awful. Maybe they treat you well though and that does count for a lot.

Thanks CJ. I agree, it's not "pretty" by any stretch of the imagination, but the comps are decent and because it's relatively small the windows are usually open with no issues placing bets. And I'm staying at NYNY so it's convenient.

Based on your recommendation and others, I see myself hanging at Westgate most of the time this trip. As I posted earlier, I really like "Club" atmosphere books and even though Westgate is big, it has the clubby atmosphere I like.

-Billy

PS, one year I stayed at Hooters during a trip I now call "Super Budget". I think I got the room for $29 a night. Something like that. Anyway, I tried playing Hooters book. TINY! ONE betting window and two tables crammed into a room about 15 x 15 feet. I posted a thread about it and took a few pics two or three years ago here on PA. So NYNY (compared to Hooters) is actually not a bad book.

[olddaddy]

Another book is Eastside Cannery. Its not the cleanest but lots of seats available on a sunday. I got a DRF for free which is unusual now a days for a nickel and dimer. Im not one for ambiance since I go way back to playing at the Rose Bowl and Churchill in vegas.

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Originally Posted by BettinBilly

Thanks CJ. I agree, it's not "pretty" by any stretch of the imagination, but the comps are decent and because it's relatively small the windows are usually open with no issues placing bets. And I'm staying at NYNY so it's convenient.

Based on your recommendation and others, I see myself hanging at Westgate most of the time this trip. As I posted earlier, I really like "Club" atmosphere books and even though Westgate is big, it has the clubby atmosphere I like.

-Billy

PS, one year I stayed at Hooters during a trip I now call "Super Budget". I think I got the room for $29 a night. Something like that. Anyway, I tried playing Hooters book. TINY! ONE betting window and two tables crammed into a room about 15 x 15 feet. I posted a thread about it and took a few pics two or three years ago here on PA. So NYNY (compared to Hooters) is actually not a bad book.

Hooters is miserable haha. I used to get comped rooms there when I decided to play blackjack one night after grabbing some wings. Definitely not my first choice.

Only thing I disliked about the vegas books was the time difference from the east coast and the tracks i like to play. Once I settle in and start to imbibe, my day is basically over by 5pm

[Hambletonian]

Download the William Hill Sports app on your smart phone, fund the account when you arrive, and then you will be able to bet whatever you want, whenever you want from wherever you happen to be. First half, second half, in game, parlays, round robins, you name it.

No need to plan your trip around being in a sports book.

Frankly, the books don't want you there either. Went to the Westgate to bet the women's NCAA tournament and the two mile long line to the window featured a sign ever ten feet advertising their app.

If they can get everyone to use the apps, no need to have tellers--and people will make more impulse bets.

[BettinBilly]

I understand that the William Hill app is convenient. I've been an avid ADW Wagering guy since the inception of them. I'll consider the App, however most ADW apps would work, as most do not actively read IP address to verify your location.

And even if they did, if you are technically savvy enough, you can ghost an IP address to another state. Based on this, you can just sit in a Vegas Book and use many ADW services on your phone or tablet. I sometimes do this when I'm at the track if the lines are long at the windows or if my capping takes too long and I am in a rush to place a bet at the last minute.

But the magic of being at a Vegas Book to me and the reason I like to go to a Vegas Sports Book in the first place is because it is a real place where I can interact with real people in a very nice atmosphere. I have the opportunity to physically place bets and get drinks and food and enjoy myself in a nice public betting location where other Horseplayers (hopefully) will be doing the same.

We seem to be a dwindling crowd, so being among my brethren is appealing to me. As is actually being in a nice sports book. Variety is the spice of life.

[SandyW]

Originally Posted by BettinBilly

I understand that the William Hill app is convenient. I've been an avid ADW Wagering guy since the inception of them. I'll consider the App, however most ADW apps would work, as most do not actively read IP address to verify your location.

And even if they did, if you are technically savvy enough, you can ghost an IP address to another state. Based on this, you can just sit in a Vegas Book and use many ADW services on your phone or tablet. I sometimes do this when I'm at the track if the lines are long at the windows or if my capping takes too long and I am in a rush to place a bet at the last minute.

But the magic of being at a Vegas Book to me and the reason I like to go to a Vegas Sports Book in the first place is because it is a real place where I can interact with real people in a very nice atmosphere. I have the opportunity to physically place bets and get drinks and food and enjoy myself in a nice public betting location where other Horseplayers (hopefully) will be doing the same.

We seem to be a dwindling crowd, so being among my brethren is appealing to me. As is actually being in a nice sports book. Variety is the spice of life.

Racebook ADW"S in the state of Nevada use a GPS locator to verify that the phone you are using is in the state of Nevada.
The phone must physical be in Nevada or the ADW will not work.

[LemonSoupKid]

Can you play pick 4s or higher at Vegas race books and get the track odds? Or are they capped?

[SandyW]

Originally Posted by LemonSoupKid

Can you play pick 4s or higher at Vegas race books and get the track odds? Or are they capped?

No caps, all bets are pari-mutual and are comingled with the track pools.
Just like you are going to the window at your favorite track.

[BettinBilly]

Originally Posted by SandyW

Racebook ADW"S in the state of Nevada use a GPS locator to verify that the phone you are using is in the state of Nevada.
The phone must physical be in Nevada or the ADW will not work.

Understood. I was talking about using nationwide ADW services not Vegas book ADWs. Many have tried using some of the popular nationwide ADWs in non-ADW states with success as some do not check the ip address or use gps to verify your state.... yet. One popular ADW simply asks you what state you are currently in, but many have tested it in non-ADW states with success.

Meh, no biggie to me anyway. I'm not going to Vegas and using an ADW. That's not my style. Part of the charm of a Vegas book for me is walking up to the betting window and keeping my Bet-Placement-Vernacular (BPV) up to snuff. I'll save the ADW for when I'm home.

[Inner Dirt]

Originally Posted by cj

I did pass through NYNY and frankly it looked awful. Maybe they treat you well though and that does count for a lot.

Back when I was going every weekend from Southern California during football season and pushing a decent amount of money through the windows (average $10k a day) my friends and I never gave a crap about atmosphere, it was all about the perks. We usually went to Laughlin instead of Vegas, a dozen years ago that play got my friends and I royal treatment in Laughlin, in Vegas we were just peons.

[ldiatone]

Originally Posted by cj

Westgate was the best of those I visited in July, and it was ahead by many lengths.

agree

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Originally Posted by Inner Dirt

Back when I was going every weekend from Southern California during football season and pushing a decent amount of money through the windows (average $10k a day) my friends and I never gave a crap about atmosphere, it was all about the perks. We usually went to Laughlin instead of Vegas, a dozen years ago that play got my friends and I royal treatment in Laughlin, in Vegas we were just peons.

$10k a day at the Bellagio on horses will get you a room for the weekend, unlimited drinks at the book bar, and usually dinner spend up to around $300 a night.

$10k a day at NYNY or hooters and they would name a floor of the hotel after you haha.