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.

NFL Wild Card Weekend

Discussion in 'The Sports Book' started by BMILNE11, Dec 16, 2015.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. BMILNE11

    BMILNE11 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2014
    Messages:
    13
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    3
    Appreciate all the info on this board. I was linked here from the Covers board and have enjoyed everyone's stories and information on Vegas.

    Travelling NFL Wild Card Weekend with a friend. Primarily will be focused on Drinking, Gambling, and watching the NFL playoffs. Only been to Vegas once for NFL Sunday and it was very busy. Watched at Aria sportsbook (excellent setup, really enjoyed the experience, even if drink tickets were tough to get a hold of), and was there for 7:15AM to get good seats. Even when I arrived there was still 15-20 people scouting out seats, saving seats, ect; By 8:00AM the seating was very limited.... So I guess what I'm asking is....

    We are looking to watch the games, but do it on a budget for at least one of the days. We want to avoid going to a bar and blowing $100+ on food, drinks, ect; What is our best option? I know we can go to a sportsbook, but ideally I would like to avoid going down there 2-3 hours before kickoff to secure a seat. On top of that, I know the sportsbooks will not hand out drink tickets like they're candy. We will be betting, so a few tickets won't be a problem, but enough to fund a game (or two) of drinking? Doubtful. Obviously there are TV's in Casino's all over Vegas, but seating will be limited, if any. And I assume (correct me if I am wrong) even if we find a Casino Bar, park at a VP machine and put some cash in for drinks/minimal playing while watching the game, they may not allow that. I realize maybe this is unreasonable, and maybe our only option is to just bite the bullet, grab a seat at one of the sports bars -- and if so let me know.

    This might be a dumb question haahha, and if it is I apologize, I'm just looking for a little guidance as this will be my first time handling Vegas NFL playoffs style.

    Much appreciated to all, happy gambling.....
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 16, 2015
  2. wisconsin terp

    wisconsin terp Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2008
    Messages:
    108
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I would go downtown if you want cheaper, better drink tickets and easy seating. I don't really think this weekend will be as busy as a regular football Sunday. It is the weekend after NYE, and it's only four games played over two days with no other games to go against them. A regular sunday has people clamoring for the sportsbook so they can watch the multiple games. I am flying in for this weekend because it has the extra bonus of the NCAA championship Monday. I will be downtown and have plenty of drink tickets to share. Have fun
     
  3. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2013
    Messages:
    1,664
    Location:
    Washington D.C.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I usually go one weekend per year for NFL games around weeks 1-3 of the season. A few years ago we did AFC/NFC Championship weekend (along with the AVNs), which we're doing again this year.

    In essence, what you're really asking for is to reserve a seat in the sports book. The only place I know that does that is the Mirage... but I would assume others are doing it if Mirage is.

    At the Mirage, you can reserve through your host or the sign says to contact the food and beverage manager (I would call the sports book and have them connect me or give me the number). There is a cost with some of the seating and others there's no cost. I probably won't be cheap there though.

    You could go to the LVH. I think they'll have seating no matter what time you show up and it'll be rather inexpensive so long as they have their traditional football Sunday spread going. You'd need to call there to ask what they have scheduled to find out the details.

    You could reserve something at Lagasse's Stadium, but that's pretty expensive and it's usually on a per game basis. But, the cost is a bar minimum, so you can go crazy up to the amount they charge you per game.

    If you really wanted to keep the cost low, you can get bottle from an ABC store on the strip (or en route to the strip is what I always do), and bring it with you to the sports book. Get a large soda from McD's and make some mixed drinks. The last time I did that at Aria sports book, the girl said we'd get kicked out if we made our own drinks, I gave her $50 and she brought us free cokes the rest of the afternoon. I'm not opposed to buying drinks, I'd just rather have them on demand rather than waiting on the extremely slow drink girls to get back over to me.

    We always send one person to save the seats (usually me) and then take turns holding them for everyone.
     
  4. BackInVegas

    BackInVegas VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    1,809
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    No one ever goes to the Palms Sportsbook. It is a ghost town.

    Comfy seating, a bar RIGHT behind you, and a whole lot of televisions. They use to have a cocktail waitress in there, but I don't think they do that anymore.

    If you don't like that, and if you download the CG Technology app on your phone, you can hang out in Hooter's(at Palms) and bet. Matter of fact, if you like William Hill Sportsbooks or CG Technology Sportsbooks(Cantor Gaming) you can use your smart phone and bet from anywhere in Nevada, as long as your account has real live cash in it. The app uses your GPS to determine if you are in Nevada, so you cannot bet from your phone back in Owl's Nightbridge, Tennessee.(which is meant as a wild ass reference, I have no idea if there is even a town called that anywhere on the planet)

    In case you did not know, Pro Football Betting is the number one revenue producer for Sportsbooks. Superbowl Sunday is the LARGEST betting day of every Sportsbook.

    I have been at the Palms during the NFL playoffs, and they have set up for overflow in unused areas on the main floor, if there is enough demand.

    I am not recommending Palms, just mentioning. Lagasses Stadium is expensive.

    I am willing to wager just about every book will be packed, so get there early.
     
  5. callahanha

    callahanha Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2007
    Messages:
    294
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    To save some money I have just stayed into the room and watched the games. I usually stay at the orleans so I walk to 7-11 and pick up beer and snacks. Then order pizza and wings ando have them delivered.
     
  6. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2012
    Messages:
    2,129
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I enjoy the excitement of the crowd. People either cheering or groaning after a big play.
     
  7. mrbaseball

    mrbaseball Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2015
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Houston
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    36
    I have made the trip to Vegas for various NFL playoff weekends the past several years. I have reserved a spot thru host at Aria and we have just walked over to Twin Peaks and grabbed a table. I probably enjoyed the Twin Peaks option more. It was pretty easy to get a table over there. I know you need reservations on Super Bowl weekend, but the other weekends you should be just fine.
     
  8. jamesxnj

    jamesxnj VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2009
    Messages:
    2,296
    Location:
    TN
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    I'd suggest the Rio Sportsbook but depends where you are staying..(They do have the free shuttles to the strip)..Pretty sure the wild-card weekend first games start at 12 pm Vegas time so it's not like your normal 10 am rush to get bets in seats etc. They are good with drink tix and the sports deli which shares seating on one side of the sportsbook has some decent food inc pizza..Other side of the book is primarily Horses and a few bets there will yield some drink tix also..Since I'm playing VideoPoker and get the drinks comped I always end up giving them away to tourists ordering drinks at the bar for cash..
    The bar itself is fine also if you play a bit and tip the bartenders well,they don't care if you slow play...

    For a lower budget option than the Rio- Back bar at the Gold Coast..Cheaper food,never tried it but again the bartenders are great if you tip and drink tix at the book are available..They also have the shuttle to the strip...
    Just seems to me off-strip is the best and hang with the local/more locals than the Strip where everything is priced up.. Good Luck from another Covers guy.
     
  9. Badger31

    Badger31 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2014
    Messages:
    244
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    I've never been, but The Pub at Monte Carlo has an all you can drink/eat special for $45 if I'm not mistaken. Not sure if the special runs during the playoffs. I will be there myself NFC/AFC Championship weekend myself.

    Anyone ever done an NFL Sunday at The Pub?
     
  10. Dr Nostron

    Dr Nostron VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2014
    Messages:
    1,259
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    Another vote for Palms - reserved seats there twice last year - all had to do was promise to bet there
     
  11. BMILNE11

    BMILNE11 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2014
    Messages:
    13
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    3
    Thanks everyone for the replies. Info is much appreciated.

    We will be at Luxor, but not worried about going up and down the strip to go somewhere as that will likely be the area we're in for the day. I read something about the $45 deal at The Pub, but didn't seem like it was a consistent thing for all NFL weekends. I saw Blondies and read some good stuff on that place, checked it out online, it looks good but I don't know what I'm looking at price wise. I was hoping we'd see more deals like that Monte Carlo deal, all you can eat/drink for $X ... but haven't seen anything else.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.