1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Best Sportsbooks In Vegas?

Discussion in 'The Sports Book' started by BTrain929, Mar 22, 2015.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. BTrain929

    BTrain929 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2015
    Messages:
    964
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    I know this is such a newbie question, and I did search the forums but didn't see much. My first time in Vegas will be this April. I'll be staying at the Flamingo from a Sunday-Friday.

    Does every casino have a Sportsbook? Some bigger/livlier than others? Are they limited to the strip, or are there some good ones downtown too?

    I want to put in some over/under Season Wins bets for MLB teams. My understanding is you have to mail in your winning tickets if you win, correct?

    Sorry for the rookie questions. I'll risk semi-embarrassment in exchange for knowing where to go/what to do when I finally get to Vegas.

    Thanks in advance guys! Really appreciate it!!!!
     
  2. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2012
    Messages:
    10,844
    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    There are a lot of questions, but I'll try to answer in brief. Any major casino in Las Vegas will have some sort of facility for you to place bets. At worst it's a Cantor Gaming or William Hill kiosk, but you can place your bets. The bigger sportsbooks will almost universally be on the Strip, but overall things can range from a kiosk, to a set of windows with a bunch of TVs like a New York-New York, to the full-scale "mission control" setups at Mirage, Bellagio, or Mandalay Bay, to something in between like Umami Burger at SLS or Book & Stage at Cosmopolitan. If you're looking at downtown, the nicest ones are probably the Golden Nugget or the Plaza, but they're definitely not as big as the better Strip books. And yes, if you're doing a season bet, you'll have to mail in the tickets, but I'd confirm with the individual sportsbook what the rules are for doing so.

    If you're just looking for somewhere to place a bet, Flamingo will have you covered. If you're looking for somewhere to watch a bunch of games and have a few drinks, I'd probably cross the street and head to Bellagio (or Caesars), both of which are much nicer spaces. But everyone has their own opinions on the best sportsbooks in town.
     
  3. BTrain929

    BTrain929 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2015
    Messages:
    964
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    Sorry for the loads of questions, but thank you for your answers! I'd definitely like to watch some games and have some drinks, so places like Bellagio & Caesars appeal a little more to me.
     
  4. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,301
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    I have a soft spot for Venetian, I love the quality of their TVs! As for the season bets, unless you find a better line elsewhere, I would try to make the wagers for the season bets at a CET property because they'll give you a full year to cash it after the bet is resolved, iirc. MGM is only 120 days. I would preferably not have to mail the ticket if I could avoid it. There is a small chance it gets lost in the mail and you'll be out of the winnings unless you insure it.
     
  5. BTrain929

    BTrain929 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2015
    Messages:
    964
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    Thanks for the tip, Tringlomane!
     
  6. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,510
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Just an FYI, if you want to make MLB season win total bets, you obviously have to make them before the season starts (not sure when you're going in April). Also, keep in mind that MGM is not offering MLB season win total bets. They have some props (e.g., Cubs wins versus White Sox wins, etc.). I know CET has team win totals. I assume the other books do as well, but you won't find those bets being offered at an MGM property
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  7. BTrain929

    BTrain929 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2015
    Messages:
    964
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    I'll be going April 5th, so I'd have to get my bet in before the Sunday night game. Funny, cuz I'd love to make a Cubs vs Sox prop bet. But, thanks for the heads up for MGM. Will most books offer that prop bet??
     
  8. BTrain929

    BTrain929 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2015
    Messages:
    964
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    Any other great sportsbooks to watch some games at besides bellagio, Caesars, and venetian?
     
  9. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2008
    Messages:
    886
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Mirage and the Bellagio (same parent company--MGM) are the best places to sit and watch games IMHO. Good drink service, not too stingy with the drink tickets, and great screens.

    Somebody mentioned the Venetian--they are correct in that the Venetian has the best screens on the strip. However, Venetian does not regularly give out drink tickets, and their seating sucks IMO.

    As far as placing your season win total bets, I recommend the Wynn. They have the best lines and the best odds on futures (if you want to bet someone to win the World Series for example). It's also a very nice book to watch games and relax.

    Tip the ticket writer a few bucks and ask for extra drink tickets wherever you go. Also, don't be shy about telling them it's your first time , as they will help you place your bets correctly (and give you more drink tickets).
     
  10. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,510
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Depends on what you're looking for (e.g., I am not a fan of venetian). But I would add Mandalay Bay, Aria, Mirage and Wynn to your list
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  11. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

    Joined:
    May 31, 2008
    Messages:
    3,505
    Location:
    None
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Since The Stardust closed, the best sportsbook in Vegas is [STRIKE]The Las Vegas Hilton[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]LVH[/STRIKE] Westgate. No drink tickets, best odds, widest selection of props and in game bets. They are remodeling this year. They also have a great horse player section. You can catch the monorail directly to the hotel if you don't have a car.
     
  12. rebirth

    rebirth High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2011
    Messages:
    640
    Location:
    Chicago
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    How do you insure the ticket? I want to make some bets but won't be there in Vegas during that time.
     
  13. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,510
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    I think he means the insurance you buy at the post office when you mail something of value
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  14. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2012
    Messages:
    2,393
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    BTrain929, it looks like you have received some good advice already. These are good rookie questions!

    As 44inarow mentioned, the Flamingo will have you covered with a sportsbook on site. If you are looking for season win totals, be sure to shop around to get the best lines. From the Flamingo, you can check the odds at Flamingo (CET), Bellagio or Mirage (MGM), and either Venetian or Cosmopolitan (Cantor). You can also place futures bets for things like teams to win championships (NCAA, NFL, etc.)

    I have mailed in tickets before with no problem. Just read the instructions on the back of the ticket. You will typically need to send it registered, with a SASE. It may take 4 to 8 weeks to receive the check, though. I mailed in a winner for the Cornhuskers season win total last fall and got it back in just under 4 weeks.

    I agree with the other recommendations of Bellagio, Caesars, Mirage, and Venetian as nicer books to sit around and have some drinks. Mandalay Bay is also good but not near the Flaming O. I'll also plug Aria as well - some are not fans and it is a bit smaller, but the seats are great and 550 pizza is just outside the entrance. It is also non-smoking. You should also check out Lagasse's Stadium in the Palazzo. The book in the Cosmopolitan is nothing special.

    A bit of advice... as a "Vegas Virgin", be sure to casino hop a bit and see the sights. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! The casinos are huge and appear to be much closer than they actually are.

    We expect a trip report when you are back! :D

    Good luck!
     
  15. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,510
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Yeah, except MGM doesn't offer season win totals. See my post above
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  16. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2008
    Messages:
    2,392
    Location:
    Austin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    67
    Nope! This is terrible advice.
    If you have a winning bet you tell your wife, "Honey, my sports bet won. I have to go to Las Vegas to redeem it."

    See how that works?

    :evillaugh
     
  17. BTrain929

    BTrain929 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2015
    Messages:
    964
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    Thanks UKFanatic. I'll be sure to go to a CET casino for my bet.

    You got it! Thanks for all your advice!

    Makes sense to me! :beer:
     
  18. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2013
    Messages:
    1,664
    Location:
    Washington D.C.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I'll put in another vote that Venetian sucks. I hate that sports book. Nice TVs but everything else about that book is awful. Drink service, seating, betting, etc. Steer clear.

    Check out Lagasse's Stadium at the Palazzo. It's a bar and sports book combined. The food is pretty mediocre and the drink prices are pretty outrageous but the seating, service, and TVs can't be beaten.

    I love the Mirage and the Aria books. Two of my favorite on the strip.

    Caesars is decent. I like playing the ponies there.

    I don't like the seating at the Wynn, but to each his own.
     
  19. j2k7

    j2k7 Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2014
    Messages:
    39
    Location:
    Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    My buddies and I really like the Linq's sportsbook. It is not big by any means but it is comfortable and they are generous with drink tickets.
     
  20. Mafioso

    Mafioso Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2015
    Messages:
    130
    Location:
    Moreno Valley, CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    27
    Mirage Mirage Mirage
    No sportsbook that i love more than the Mirage.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.