Mandalay Bay Book?

I'm pretty new to Covers but have been trolling for years...

I have a group that goes to Vegas every year.  We used to go for the Conf Championship weekend (1st Sat in Dec).  However, this year we mixed it up and are going for Wildcard weekend.  I'm a huge blackjack degen and we realized I/we may actually focus more on only 4 football games vice the usual 10-12 that typically occurs on Conf Champ Weekend.  Between alcohol, women, blackjack, and good food, I'm usually too preoccupied to "properly" handicap the Saturday games...But, I digress.

We have stayed at the MGM for the last 5 years.  We are by no means snobs, but found there was way too much traffic rolling in and out of the MGM's book to bet and watch a game comfortably.

I kind of enjoyed stumbling on the Excalibur's book last year.  It was an NFL Sunday and the betting lines were quick.  Plus, the crowd was truly FUN.  They were there to watch the game and got into it.

So...We decided to stay at the MB this year.  Is it pretty nice?  Does it get too crowded?  I'm not looking for a suit and tie place.  But, I want to watch/gamble games with a relatively fun crowd that has a little bit of etiquette.

Free drinks are always a plus, but the waitresses usually lock on to us after they realize that they will get tipped for speedy service.

I know.  I'm rambling.  Thoughts on a good, fun book?  Will I fall in love with the Mandalay and not even want to leave the hotel?

Thanks in advance for any and all input guys.

NO free drinks at Mandalay Bay....period. Large book, lots of energy....can get crowded.....25-40 age group w/money.....

Gotta address the drinks topic again...WHY DO YOU CORRELATE WATERED-DOWN SERVICE BAR DRINKS WITH GAMBLING ON SPORTS!!!!!!!!!

STOP  trying to connect your sports bets to booze....AND, the waitresses at Mandalay will not "lock onto you" unless you are in the VIP section upstairs with your own TV's...and....no, trust me, you will not be there.

To be advisory here.....I would say that Mandalay Bay does not fit the "atmosphere" that you are expecting/looking for in Vegas. I could be wrong..and, trust me, I LOVE Mandalay Bay. But, you seem to be looking for some kind of "vibe"....AND, if you liked Excalibur...and please forgive my assumption if I am wrong....then you are not ready for the action that you will find at Mandalay.. Excalibur is a 2 and Mandalay Bay is a 9 in the "MGM World"...The only property lower than Excalibur is Circu Circus....

Please forgive the "tone" of this response...BUT, you are setting yourself up for a negative time and..as I have said a number of times in this forum...it will not be the fault of Vegas, it will be the fault of the tourist who is expecting something that they cannot realize.

VG-  I'm sorry if that came out wrong.  Sarcasm doesn't always transmit well while typing.

Free bar drinks and sports gambling are not being correlated.  I just asked because the Bellagio does offer them.

The more pointed question:  Where does MGM fall on the scale if Ex is a 2 and MB is a 9?

No offense taken, Gourmet.  I appreciate the input.  I've been to Vegas enough to dislike the 2-way traffic at the MGM.  I'm just looking for a place to watch and gamble on a game without one thousand people trying to walk around me.

Thx ECU....I didn't pick up on "how" you were saying "what" you were saying

As to ranking within MGM Resorts Intl.....Bellagio has always been first in volume, normally Mandalay and Mirage can go back and forth for second...depending on time of year....Aria, however, is now very strong with large bettors....I would place MGM Grand under them..

As to your last comment.....With the exception of March Madness and the Super Bowl...I never prefer to watch games in a sportsbook if there is someplace nearby with the action on good sized hdtv's and real drinks or good beer on tap....I am not looking for a "fraternity scene" to accompany my bets; regardless of the level of my bet, I look at it as a business and prefer to concentrate on my bet....especially if I am thinking second-half action....sitting with a bunch of screaming people is not my idea of quality....each to their own.

Thx again, VG.  In hindsight, I should have read the first 2 pages of the Vegas forum before posting.

You gave some very good advice to someone else in the past:  NYNY.  Bet your game and watch it in the restaurant next door.  Even 2nd half lines are possible on short notice.

Happy New Year!  I'll update when I get back next week.

Thx NC1.  BTW, I have stayed at the Nugget before on business.  I loved the hotel and feel of the area.

Alas, somehow I ended up on the Strip yet again...

Thx Chuckgee.  I might check it out on Saturday or Sunday.  There will only be one game going at a time, but it should give me an idea.

I've heard the hotdogs are actually pretty tasty at the Hilton.  I'm a sucker for a good hotdog...

Mandalay is awesome. Hands down my favortie book. I'm a male in my 20's from SoCal and come to Vegas about once per quarter to gamble and party with friends.

Great vibe in the Mandalay IMO cuz it's a classy hotel and has one of the largest books and best TV setups. Video poker bar and a Canter's Deli inside in the book as well. Fine view of the games at either spot. It has everything you could ask for in a book. Don't know/don't care about their lines/juice but it's an MGM property so it's probably the same lines as half the hotels out there!

Note***- I'm sure many covers members would criticize the comment on not knowing or caring about lines/juice, but again, this is regarding Vegas and when I come to this town there are higher priorites!...It's a vacation!

Good luck! I'll be out there in a couple weeks for NFL conference championship weekend. Be sure to report back with a good story!