goin to vegas for first time. ...need a little advice...

I haven't read through this topic but if you are in Vegas, you have to go to Lagasse Stadium... it's mandatory.

Titos - not doubting you but whats the draw?

As for rooms - yeah, no beano on the Stratosphere - too far from anything to really get to experience multiple casinos.  You could walk to the Wynn/Encore from there or TI but if you stay in other areas you might be better off.

Lagasse's is great if you're a group of guys 20-30's,with $ to burn..Couches and private side areas with cabana monitors IIRC.Party $ minimums for F+B...Betting windows up front underneath the viewing screens..It is a nice set-up but the older you get sometimes you may just want a book w/o a bunch of drunken college kids going nuts over a missed free throw.

I guess it's more a club atmosphere than a real sportsbook imo.Buddy and I checked it out and had a beer at the bar on a slow day and were laughing to ourselves how insane the place must be for MM etc..

Uhhh I'd say you covered it pretty well. I'm 26 and I had a great time. It's just a nice change from all of the other Sports Books in Vegas. When I was there, it was playoff hockey and I had a great time. Definitely a place to check out. If it's not your cup of tea, there's plenty of others on the strip. I personally like MGM, Caesar's, and Aria.

Plus, it's good people watching... I guess all of Vegas is.

Yeah TT live it up man while you're still young and make some memories.

James...how much would I have to put n slots to comp a room? Im clueless on that stuff.
Ucla... $1, 000 includes everything except the gambling.
How about the Riviera guys? They have great prices, too.
I would love a sportsbook that gives u the ability to listen to whatever game u want to...maybe from a private screen l linked to the big ones.....and...whats the best way to get free drinks? ..

Slot play,like I said take your're leftover $ from your travel budget.Even $100 a day should get you something (be it reduced rate from CET properties,or poss a comped room or 2 during slow times) Remember $100 is not the true total of 'coin -in' you rack up,it is the total you roll-over the play from that original $100..

Casino bean counters calculate total coin-in vs Hours played to estimate your therotical loss and from there the decision is made to comp you a room there to have you play with them again.

 Riveria blows..old and rundown last I was in the place 8 years ago for a FF draft..Smelled like garbage also.

Tip in the books and bars and you're ok.No tip-shitty service.Pack a bunch of singles and the days of a buck a drink are pretty much gone,If you are playing big enough in the book tellers will throw you a couple drink tix..All I'm most familiar with is the Rio so Strip may be tougher,not sure..

If you can't tune in an individual game on your own monitor the sportsbar bartender will change the game to the one you want,that is of course you are friendly(tipping) You simply cannot go to Vegas without expecting to tip and tip often and while it adds up-things get done a lot faster for you..

Now quit with the Q's and just GTFO there and see for yourself.Good Luck!

You won't get any kind of comps this trip for rooms.  Those will all come for future stays at your gambling level.  Bally's has a great book with individual tvs.  Stay at the Flamingo or Quad or Harrahs.  All should be toward the lower end of the price range and are acceptable places, especially for someone just wanting to play and bet.  They're also all in the main area of the strip, which makes for easy access for walking around and site-seeing.

resolution
first of all i don't know when you are going but I guess you are a big basketball person because that's all there will be to bet on.
Your first problem, you said you are only going for a couple of days. That's no way to spend your first time in Vegas. You are not there long enough to worry about comps for rooms , especially if you are betting sports.
At your age stay at Harrahs or The Quad (old Imperial Palace). They have remodeled the whole casino and its pretty cool. Book your airfare on southwest and seperately on Caesars.com. They will give you prices for 7 different hotels and you can take your pick.
when out there register for TotalRewards and  BoydCasinos players cards and use them in the slots and the tables. You will get slot points and rated. At the end of your stay have hotel reg check with the casino host and depending on what you play you might get a comp.
Then when get home register them online and you will get future offers and eventually without a lot of play get some pretty good offers.
Believe it or not while betting on sports is cool most sportsbooks are not. Most aren't what you think and are not that big. LVH and Bellagio are nice but they are basically 5-10 windows a bunch of flat screens that are mostly on horse racing and probably 25-50 seats. Ask for drink tickets with your bets (they just dont give them to you)and while you can definitley get drunk playing penny slots you might only get 2-3 drink tix for $200 -$500 bet.

Vegas is awesome best vacation ever. You will learn on your own. I f you have any other questions just ask. Win BIG baby!