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Why are people going to Vegas on May 2?

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Vegas Insight, Apr 1, 2015.

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  1. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    Call me late to the party, but it just occurred to me today that the big Mayweather/Pacquiao fight on May 2 is the same day as the Kentucky Derby. I know lots of people like to have action on the biggest horse race of the year, even if they don't follow horse racing, and I know room rates went through the roof when the fight of the decade was announced. I have no doubt that plenty of people will wager something on the fight while they're in town, as it will be what many, many people will talk about.

    So this may be purely speculative, but I assume a few of you have been in town for a previous Derby or a fight of this magnitude. Here are a few questions I've had as a result of today's revelation:

    • How substantial is the increase in wagering at sports books for the Kentucky Derby?

    • Almost every weekend in Vegas is a major weekend, how much bigger of a deal is a Derby weekend?

    • Plenty of high rollers are now coming to Vegas to see the fight. Why do people want to be in Vegas for the fight if they don't have a ticket into the arena?

    And something I never considered before today, although it has nothing to do with May 2:

    •*Is wagering on MMA fights a big deal?

    And finally:

    •*If you will be in Vegas on May 2 (and not because you live there), why? Did you get lucky and book a weekend trip before this fight was scheduled? Are you a habitual parimutuel gambler who loves to be at a sports book for the race? Are you a High Roller who plans to attend the fight?

    Thanks everyone!
     
  2. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    These are a lot of questions, but, a big difference between the Derby and a fight like this is that, unless you're willing to bet illegally, the only place where you can make a wager on a fight is Las Vegas.

    EDIT: Also, I can't think of anyone who goes to Louisville just to be in town for the Derby. If you want to attend, it's not that difficult; the racetrack is huge. But Vegas on a fight weekend is a whole different atmosphere. The entire town is amped up.
     
  3. NewOrleansSlimm

    NewOrleansSlimm VIP Whale

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    people go just to be in the atmosphere....ill be at caesars palace. i booked after the fight was announced because i was waiting to see if it was going to happen and I was trying to book for a my trip to include classes at the flair bartending school at the linq...i had no problem booking my room Thursday-Monday in the tower i wanted. now for the flight, my host dropped the ball and waited 2 weeks to book my flight after i told him to, so instead of $460 round trip, it cost CET $980.

    its fun though, I go out for all the big fights,
     
  4. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    Are you sure about that? I think people do go to Louisville just for the Derby and it's packed. The racetrack by me, Parx, is packed on Kentucky Derby day. You can barely move around to make bets.

    I've been in Vegas 3 times when Pacquiao has fought. Not on purpose, just coincidence. Other than lots of Filipino folks at the MGM, I didn't notice anything different on a Saturday night. However, this Pacquiao / Mayweather fight has a lot of buzz. Should be an exciting night in Vegas.

    Huge amounts of money are bet on the KT Derby. It's like betting on the Superbowl, everyone wants a piece of action. And since it only lasts 2 minutes, it's a very concentrated excitement.
     
  5. alexb7

    alexb7 MIA

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    I'm going to gamble! Oh, and to see the Mayweather fight.
     
  6. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    I can't remember the last time there wasn't a fight or other major sporting event on Derby weekend. If you come to Vegas that weekend, you have to expect both.And depending on the calendar, Cinco de Mayo rolls into the weekend, too. So the first weekend in May has always been a true major weekend, and not just busy because folks are driving in from CA.

    I was in Vegas for a fight weekend a long time ago. I can't remember who it was but it's wasn't what I would consider a major fight and the atmosphere on the strip was amazing. I can see lots of people wanting to be there just to say they were in town and hoping to bump into celebs. But because I don't like crowds, this is one of the first set of dates I cross off my list when I am planning a trip.
     
  7. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

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    This is correct. Derby weekend usually includes a fight. I could be mistaken but I do believe it always works out that way.

    The reason I'm going is for a birthday celebration and not the fight. It just works out that this is the weekend that we've done it in the past.

    Derby weekend is not a very big weekend in the sports book, IMO. The books don't even get packed until about thirty minutes before the main race runs and then it gets very packed quickly. Immediately after the race, people cash in and move out.

    I booked before the fight was announced... about a week or two before... the Aria was already showing sold out and incredibly high rates. The rates may have gone up some but I can only imagine slightly. The rates were already insane. Thankfully I was able to book three rooms as it's our preferred casino.

    This Derby weekend will probably prove incredibly insane. It's usually packed but not March Madness packed. with the "fight of the century" happening, I'm expected March Madness type of crowds.

    In addition, people have forgotten that the NFL Draft is happening that weekend as well. While Saturday won't be a big day for the draft (4th through 7th rounds), the first round is on Thursday and I'm sure a lot of people will be partying and betting who gets drafted where. I know I'm planning on it. I'll bet Friday will have a little draft hype as well, with the second and third rounds going on. Just adds to the excitement and hype for the weekend.
     
  8. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    Well, I've learned my lesson about that weekend. We booked that weekend well before the fight was scheduled, and we ended up changing our trip to go 4 weeks later. I don't want to deal with those crowds.
     
  9. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

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    I would have done the exact same thing.

    I have a work trip the week after the fight and I checked rates for that weekend to see if I could string something together. I knew about the fight but completely forgot it was that Saturday until I started checking rates around town. When even my normal downtown hotels where insane I knew something was wrong. As a result, Just the work trip for me this time around.
     
  10. VegasGroove

    VegasGroove VIP Whale

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    I haven't been to Vegas on a weekend since 1998. I cannot stand crowds, inflated hotel rates and long lines to eat. :Þ
     
  11. kingpasty

    kingpasty High-Roller

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    To quote Ben Mezrick in Bringing Down the House..."New Orleans has Mardi Gras, Boston has Halloween, Vegas has fight night."
     
  12. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

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    I always chuckle when you're checking room rates and it's $79 for the week days and then $250 for the weekends.
     
  13. Krh2o

    Krh2o MIA

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    Maybe I am missing something, but the last few "Big Fight" weekends I have been to Vegas, all the hype and excitement is at the resort the fight is at and their sister properties. I haven't been to a Mayweather fight (don't really like his boxing style) but the others I have always stayed at the resort hosting the fight. At both MGM and Caesars. When the fight would be at Caesars (Thomas and Mack center) all the properties had promo videos running, signs through the casino, etc. When I walked to some MGM properties, it was like the fight wasn't even happening. With MGM the but up the banners on the side of the casino, the signs hang from the casino and the walkway, etc, but nothing was at the Caesar properties.

    What are the people staying at non MGM places going to do? I get March Madness and Superbowl because every Casino will be showing the games at a party in the ball room, all the bars will have something, the sports books will be packed. But for fights, its only the casino chain thats hosting the fight where they have the CC parties. Are the sporksbooks going to be showing the ESPN News feed where they post their unofficial scores for each round?
     
  14. Bommen

    Bommen High-Roller

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    Well for this particular weekend it will be a bump from 79 to a 1000 plus change!
     
  15. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

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    That is so true. The rates I was seeing are absolutely insane. Even downtown properties were charging crazy high rates.
     
  16. StormHawk

    StormHawk Yuma, where I work in software.

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    Where will be a good place to go watch the Derby in the afternoon then the fight?

    I just moved to LV so I can pretty much go wherever.
     
  17. slimmy28

    slimmy28 Low-Roller

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    May 2nd is all about the fight. Yes, people will still bet the derby and sportsbooks will be full during the afternoon, but this year it is all about the fight. I just moved here in January, but so many locals who have been here, say they haven't seen a fight like this generate this kind of buzz in two decades. Even though it may be about 3 years too late, this is the fight everyone has been waiting for. Early reports are suggesting the weigh in during fight week, may attract a full Grand Garden Arena (if that's where they have it). Hotel execs have been drooling about this weekend. (and the next two weekends in May as well as that is when Rock n Rio will happen)

    As far as watching the Derby, my advice would be to venture out and make some bets early in the day and then watch at home on NBC. If you don't want to be anti-social though, I would still recommend some of the larger books like Mirage, Mandalay Bay, etc. Maybe even if you have a few extra bucks, reserve a spot at Lagasse's. The thing I love about this town is that you can do the same event, so many ways.
     
  18. NewOrleansSlimm

    NewOrleansSlimm VIP Whale

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    the weigh ins for big fights are usually always outside at Mandalay bay
     
  19. vegasvic

    vegasvic VIP Whale

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    I'm very glad to be arriving May 3.
     
  20. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    that makes two of us.

    my cousin is also arriving on may 3. he will be there for a wedding that sunday. his girlfriend's father works for united, so they're flying via passes, and not direct. they have to get up uber early on sunday morning to make the first flight, then connect and arrive in vegas at 9 a.m. local time. damn early departure here in minnesota.

    they contemplated going prior to may 3 and returning may 4, but they didn't book rooms before the fight is announced. the cost of a room on may 2 priced them out of vegas until the day of the wedding, thereby necessitating the ridiculous wake up call on sunday morning in order to be there for the wedding.
     
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