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March Madness 2015

Discussion in 'The Sports Book' started by wrobinson32, Jul 11, 2014.

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  1. wrobinson32

    wrobinson32 Low-Roller

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    This may be a bit premature, but I'm already starting to get amped up for March Madness next year. I figure since reservations are a few months out, it's not a terrible time to bring it up lol.

    Placing some bets next week on UConn and MSU.

    This past March was my first time in town during the tournament and it was great. I thought the vibe was actually better then my last few New Years trips.

    Had a group of five and we opted for the Cosmopolitan viewing party for the first three days. Aside from a few screen glitches I thought they did a fantastic idea. Food was a sore spot, but the temporary betting windows moved quickly and they had more then enough bartenders inside. No problem getting good seats if you showed up for first tipoff.

    Hopefully they continue to build on the event next year. Cantor Mobile App needs to be functional. Food could be improved. Those 6:5 BJ tables were rough. A couple craps tables would great but I imagine the setup precludes that.

    My Cosmopolitan host was more then generous.

    Some of y'all mentioned Arias game day events being pretty solid. I might look at that too. However getting more then a couple compd tickets could prove a pain.

    What are y'all's thoughts on the other March events?
     
  2. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Bellagio has tables set up inside Lily for viewing groups and parties. If you're looking for something different and with a high level of service, you could try that. I can't recall for sure, but I think the food and beverage minimum was $700. With a group of friends, that's not too bad. And if you have comps saved up through mlife, you can pay using those at the end of the trip
     
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  3. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    It is my goal to hit MM this year. I was so pissed at the beating I took during my SB weekend trip that I didn't feel like going back for MM so soon.

    I've never done it in Vegas so I will make it this time!
     
  4. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    My favorite time of year in Vegas. The energy in and around the sportsbook is electric for four straight days. Tons of fun
     
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  5. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    +1. March Madness opening week Thusday-Sunday is the most wonderful, awesome, and exciting time of the year for college basketball fans. 2015 will be our 13th or 14th year straight watching and betting on basketball in Las Vegas.
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2014
  6. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Mandalay Bay again? Or have you all not planned that far ahead yet?
     
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  7. chonglosaxon

    chonglosaxon MIA

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    UK-what are the details on this set up? Go they have betting windows? Tables? Food type? What else? Tia
     
  8. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I wish I had more details, but I really don't. I had a seats in the actual book (it was only myself and one buddy this past March that had any interest in MM, so that made more sense than getting a bigger table). But the host gave me and a buddy a quick tour of the set up in Lily. There was no buffet or anything like that It appeared the food and drinks were ordered at each table. I don't recall seeing any betting windows, but I wasn't really looking for them (I know Aria hosts parties inside the Deuce and they set up a betting window just outside the lounge; maybe Bellagio did something like that). They had a couple projection screens set up for some of the games, but each table area had at least one screen of its own. I saw a couple larger table setups that had more than one screen for the table. Hope that helps!
     
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  9. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    Hi, UK! Yes, it's definitely MB for us - that's our favorite Sportsbook for March Madness games :)

    How about you? Have you decided where you're staying for MM?
     
  10. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    I'm definitely looking forward to it. I will probably not go as hard during the SB trip so I don't discourage myself from the MM weekend. I'd like to hit four different venues on each day to get a feel for each place.

    Sept-March is heaven for sports fans in Vegas!
     
  11. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    No decision yet. Will wait until the new year and see if any friends are interested in going. Will be staying for a couple nights at MB next month though :thumbsup:

    - - - Updated - - -

    This past year was the first time I did the Super Bowl in Vegas. It was a lot of fun, but it still pales compared to MM.
     
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  12. OhioStateAlum

    OhioStateAlum High-Roller

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    I need to make it out there for the opening weekend again and give it another shot. I know I'm in the minority, but I wasn't a huge fan of it. I loved the crowds and energy, but when I'm in Vegas I don't want to be parked in front of a screen for hours upon hours. The opening weekend of the tourney is by far my favorite time of the sports year though.
     
  13. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    Good luck at the tables!
     
  14. chonglosaxon

    chonglosaxon MIA

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    Ive decided to go out for MM this year. Great time every time, hope to see some of you there
     
  15. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    Hey neighbor :) If it's your first time for MM, you owe it to yourself to try to be there for the Thursday-Friday games. The adrenaline will be super high on Thursday-Friday (March 19-20, 2015). By Saturday-Sunday, there are fewer games and less energy in the books. We travel on Tuesday afternoon to allow a day for making bets, spa services, nice dinners, etc. Then when Thursday morning tip-off arrives, we are all about basketball until after the last game ends Friday evening. Saturday and Sunday are less intense, but that means it will be easier to find seats in the books if you want to watch the games.
     
  16. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Agree 100%!! Thursday and Friday of MM are the two best days in Vegas. The energy is electric. I always fly in Wednesday afternoon so I can start bright and early on Thursday!
     
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  17. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    Thanks, Kelly!

    Yeah I'd get into town Wednesday morning so I can get settled in and get my brackets completed and bets in ahead of time for the Thursday games.

    I'm hoping to have a host in place and a relationship established enough so I can finagle a good seat in the book for a day or two (Mirage). I spoke to the shift supervisor last time I was there and he said this was the way to go. Being that I don't do the high end dining and really just look for comped rooms and small F&B credits I'm hoping that being a low maintenance player will allow me to get preferred seating!

    I love the March Madness craziness even when just watching it at home or at a bar with my buddies...so being in Vegas will be even better. I cannot wait!
     
  18. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Rocky, if you don't have a Mirage host, get one now. Even if you do, try and put some serious play in there before the end of the year. Those seats are at a premium. No way you get one unless you have a good host relationship. otherwise, I would think Mirage has parties you can buy a seat at like most other big properties. Either way, you will enjoy it
     
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  19. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    When I am out in September I am going to walk over and talk to one. Because I love the place I will play there despite not staying there on the trip. I am hesitant to call one now since I will not be staying there and I have no real history with MLife with my current level of play. If they looked me up they'd see a beginning Vegas person who was maybe betting $25 per hand on blackjack and $75 a roll on craps. For example I have no offers on MLife now, just reduced rates ($515 for three nights at Mirage Sept 18-21).

    So I will mosey on over and introduce myself and talk to a host and let them know what my bankroll and level of play will be.

    I will have three trips prior to MM...Sept, Oct and Super Bowl. So hopefully that will build up some play and a relationship.

    And in the end if my level isn't sufficient to get one of the seats I am ok with paying for one of the viewing parties.
     
  20. Hershey

    Hershey Tourist

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    Because my kids spring break "interfered' with March Madness opening weekend this past year, I went out to Vegas for conference tournmanent weekend, and really enjoyed it. Wall to wall basketball action, still kind of a "one and done" feel, and much less crowded. Of course its not the same as the real March Madness, but its a good alternative if your a basketball action junkie and you can't make it out for the opening round of the tourney.
     
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