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Need backup plan if the Sportsbooks are too congested! March Madness

Discussion in 'The Sports Book' started by Franken Dean, Mar 6, 2014.

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  1. Franken Dean

    Franken Dean Newbie

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    Hi, I will be in Las Vegas on the on March 20,21 for the opening round games of March Madness.

    We are planning LVH for Thursday, but if the crowd/seating is overbearing, I am wondering if anyone knows a hideaway that has a few tv's and drinks.

    I have a habit to sneak to the Gold Coast when I am hungover for breakfast and to chill, but would like a new destination.



    I am flexible, and it does not need to be fancy. This can be a bar or a book! I have a rental, and would prefer something near the strip, but also DT or off-strip locale is fine.


    Some of my boys are on a budget, which means I will be buying a lot of drinks. A spot with reasonable beer prices would be a plus

    Thanks in advance for the tips!


    Note-we have online accounts for wagering, so betting stations are not that important. If the location has table games that would be a plus.


    Thanks,
     
  2. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    Virtually all sports books will be packed. Period. If you want a seat in a Sportsbook, you should plan on arriving early. You and a gazillion other people (including many on this board) will be there.
    I've heard LVH has a viewing party in a ballroom which is popular with some folks.
    For more info on specific viewing parties, you could join the March Madness in Las Vegas group, which has a ton of information compiled from many (over 1900 members as of today) MM regulars.

    Enjoy the Madness!
     
  3. wisconsin terp

    wisconsin terp Low-Roller

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    Gold Coast has a great free party if you really like it there. The LVH theater holds over 1000 people and while it will be crowded it will not be full. South Point has great free parties in multiple rooms. Most of the strip parties and bars have entrance fees and/or minimums. If you are on a tight budget stick to the free parties and for all the info you need checkout the MMILV facebook group. It is the greatest resource for all your MM needs
     
  4. StephGrahamKC

    StephGrahamKC Low-Roller

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    The Pub at Monte Carlo usually has an all you can drink type thing I think if I remember correctly.
     
  5. voltron12

    voltron12 Low-Roller

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    If you want to go somewhere with a ton of Big screens, and not packed at all. Go to the riveara. We made the walk up there only because we wanted to watch the strippers play basketball in bikinis and high heels. It didn't start till 6 pm and we didn't want to stay that long, but the cheap beer and plenty of room to watch the games was nice. It was in one of there ball rooms. They had pitchers for 10.00 and buckets for 15.00 I think. That was 2 years ago though so don't know if they still do that or not. It was also nice because they had a couple betting stations up so it was easy to get a bet in with no line.
     
  6. soled905

    soled905 Low-Roller

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    Anyone have any idea as to what time would be safe to arrive in the Mirage book on the 20th in an effort to secure 3 seats?
     
  7. hornhiyo

    hornhiyo Low-Roller

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    We're doing that one for the first Friday. I believe Thu/Fri are already fully booked.
     
  8. bedaniels

    bedaniels High-Roller

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    Had good times watching march madness at twin peaks outside of PH or the Hard Rock Cafe restaurant on the strip. From the Hard Rock it's an easy trip to the MGM Sports book to collect your winnings and make your next bet while a buddy holds your spot at the bar, plenty of food and drink specials. Also try Tap a new sports bar at MGM across from the sports book
     
  9. soled905

    soled905 Low-Roller

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    Bumping this in case my question went unnoticed.
     
  10. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

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    My guess is 7:00 a.m., but that probably won't be early enough to get three seats together. If you get seats spread out, maybe you can bribe someone to switch seats so you can all sit together.
     
  11. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    I didn't want to say because I have no first hand knowledge, but this has been my assumption for the past few years. I'm just never up that early. It also will depend a lot on which book you are talking about. I expect Caesars for example to fill up before Ballys. Again I have no proof, just some educated guesses.


    I do know Sat/Sun are easier to get a spot than Thurs/Fri. Friday is probably the hardest day because on Thursday there are still people flying in the morning.
     
  12. SoonerGambler

    SoonerGambler Tourist

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    How crowded are the books on the second weekend?
     
  13. soled905

    soled905 Low-Roller

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    Thanks for the replies.

    As mentioned above for us it'll be the Mirage. I guess we were dumb enough to think getting there around 10am might be fine.

    I've been to Vegas dozens of times over the last 18 years, but never at March Madness, so this will be an interesting endeavor for me.

    Hopefully we can find a backup option to at least watch the games. One of the guys in our group enjoys his online gaming so at least we'll be able to get our money down.
     
  14. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    Still crowded, but a very noticeable drop. The one main difference I saw is you get more seats opening up between games because quite a few people are only there to watch their teams game.




    Hehe, yea getting there 1 hour after games start and still expecting 3 seats is just not happening. :)


    I know the Burger place in between Paris/Ballys was relatively easy to get a seat. Noon might be a problem but 10-10:30 had seats open last year.

    The place down by NYNY fills up much quicker.

    Don't even bother trying to go to Lagasee's stadium without a reservation.

    I didn't like the food, but Gillys in TI was decent for us a few years ago.


    Obviously none of these places are all that cheap. You will be paying $6+ for bud lights, $8+ for good beer. It adds up over 8 hours. :)
     
  15. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

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    For a frame of reference at the Mirage, my friend and I showed up at 7:45 a.m. on a college football saturday and barely got two seat together. That was for a random CFB saturday at the Mirage. For MM, it is 10X more crowded. It will be standing room only at 10:00 a.m., as the first game tips at 9:15 a.m. local time.
     
  16. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    try palms or the orleans
     
  17. Sinatraatthesands

    Sinatraatthesands Low-Roller

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    Gold Coast sportsbook will be a nightmare unless they have a party in that huge showroom. I agree the Monte Carlo is a nice spot that is overlooked by a ton of people. Nice under used book with a few other options like the Pub if that get's too packed.
     
  18. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

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    I have been to March Madness twice in Vegas. I've been to Vegas for just about every other event except for the Super Bowl and March Madness is without a doubt the most crowded. So much so, that it's almost hard to enjoy yourself. Of course, add a ton of alcohol and it's hard not to enjoy yourself!

    Do yourself a favor and swing by the book on Wednesday evening and ask what to expect. They may tell you they are saving a certain number of seats or give you other info that you might find relevant (like the one time years ago I showed up for a football Sunday at the Wynn book and found all of the seats reserved and had to spring into plan B mode).

    You might even swing by before going to bed (if you go to bed late). People start saving seats that early.
     
  19. soled905

    soled905 Low-Roller

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    Thanks-sounds like a good plan, but unfortunately we didn't do our homework and are arriving Thursday morning.
     
  20. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

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    You're screwed! Lol. BOL.
     
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