Doing a March Madness trip this year for the first time. I'm in Vegas about once per quarter so I don't need advice on where to stay or anything, but I was curious about two things...
1) What's the best timing to do the trip? We're only gunna do a 2 or 3 nighter cuz we'll die if we do more than that. My first thought was to drive out (we're from SoCal) late Wed night and return Saturday so we get both days of the field of 64. Any advice? Is Sat and Sun nearly as good when the field is 32? Are Thurs and Fri an absolute madhouse to the point where it's annoying?
2) What's the best "viewing party" to go to? I saw PH had one last year on their Mezzanine above the casino floor with TV's, all u can eat and drink, casino games, betting stations, etc.
Comments appreciated.
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Doing a March Madness trip this year for the first time. I'm in Vegas about once per quarter so I don't need advice on where to stay or anything, but I was curious about two things...
1) What's the best timing to do the trip? We're only gunna do a 2 or 3 nighter cuz we'll die if we do more than that. My first thought was to drive out (we're from SoCal) late Wed night and return Saturday so we get both days of the field of 64. Any advice? Is Sat and Sun nearly as good when the field is 32? Are Thurs and Fri an absolute madhouse to the point where it's annoying?
2) What's the best "viewing party" to go to? I saw PH had one last year on their Mezzanine above the casino floor with TV's, all u can eat and drink, casino games, betting stations, etc.
Also, I've read a couple places on this forum that book lines and be 1-2 hours? If true, does this pertain to the majority of books or just the very popular ones during prime time of the day? 1-2 hr book line seems unreal. I go during Sunday NFL all the time with no or little lines. Seems the books would accomodate and expect the crowds.
Also, I've read a couple places on this forum that book lines and be 1-2 hours? If true, does this pertain to the majority of books or just the very popular ones during prime time of the day? 1-2 hr book line seems unreal. I go during Sunday NFL all the time with no or little lines. Seems the books would accomodate and expect the crowds.
I went to LVH last year and I liked it. Beer was cheaper than soda. The lines are long in the morning so if you're betting an early game do it the night before or if its a game later in the day you can go midday and it won't be bad.
I went to LVH last year and I liked it. Beer was cheaper than soda. The lines are long in the morning so if you're betting an early game do it the night before or if its a game later in the day you can go midday and it won't be bad.
I've been for both the opening weekend (th/f/sa/sun) and last year we went for the 2nd week (sweet 16/final8).
1st week (round 64/32) the lines at all casino's do get LONG. So, you absolutely must account for that. Figure at least 45 mins and I also suggest being organized so you can play all in 1 shot. In addition, everyone runs up to cash in right after the games, so just wait 20 mins after a game ends and you can wait much less.
2nd week (round 16/8). I really like this week much better. The lines are more manageable and it's not "amateur hour" with all the ignorant people. Plus, you've already had a chance to see the teams play 2 games in the tourney and you get a better feel for how they're looking so generally it's a more profitable situation too.
Just a side note, last year we were at the Venetian (great great sportsbook) and for saturday and sunday, if you get there early enough you can get a seat in the very comfortable chairs they have in their sportsbook. I highly recommend it.
A few years back, when I was there for the 1st 2 rounds we went to the stadium seating viewings at Paris and it was pretty cool too.
I absolutely do not recommend Mandalay Bay. Their setup sucked and their lines were way too long.
I'll be there for the sweet 16/final 8 again this year and we liked the Venetian setup so much last year that we are going to do it again this year.
I've been for both the opening weekend (th/f/sa/sun) and last year we went for the 2nd week (sweet 16/final8).
1st week (round 64/32) the lines at all casino's do get LONG. So, you absolutely must account for that. Figure at least 45 mins and I also suggest being organized so you can play all in 1 shot. In addition, everyone runs up to cash in right after the games, so just wait 20 mins after a game ends and you can wait much less.
2nd week (round 16/8). I really like this week much better. The lines are more manageable and it's not "amateur hour" with all the ignorant people. Plus, you've already had a chance to see the teams play 2 games in the tourney and you get a better feel for how they're looking so generally it's a more profitable situation too.
Just a side note, last year we were at the Venetian (great great sportsbook) and for saturday and sunday, if you get there early enough you can get a seat in the very comfortable chairs they have in their sportsbook. I highly recommend it.
A few years back, when I was there for the 1st 2 rounds we went to the stadium seating viewings at Paris and it was pretty cool too.
I absolutely do not recommend Mandalay Bay. Their setup sucked and their lines were way too long.
I'll be there for the sweet 16/final 8 again this year and we liked the Venetian setup so much last year that we are going to do it again this year.
We were out for the 1st round a couple years ago (Wed-Mon). The vibe for the 1st two days is much better than Sat and Sun. By Sun, many people are flying home, and there are just fewer games going Sat-Sun.
We had the most fun at the LVH in their ballroom. Free entrance, reasonably priced beer and food, other good food in the sportsbook deli if you wanted, and ample, smoke-free seating. They open up a couple satellite windows near the theater in addition to all of their windows being open in the book.
The Nugget viewing party was also pretty solid. Decent priced beer and food. I just preferred the theater seats for my behind for 8hrs at the LVH.
Lines are long to place bets. Before the 1st wave of games both days, we saw 30-45min lines. Our group always got our bets in the night before, or as soon as we woke up the next morning at our hotel (lines at 6-7am were much shorter).
It's definitely something to experience. I've been there several other times, and for a 27yr old guy like me, I've had the most fun during March Madness opening weekend.
We were out for the 1st round a couple years ago (Wed-Mon). The vibe for the 1st two days is much better than Sat and Sun. By Sun, many people are flying home, and there are just fewer games going Sat-Sun.
We had the most fun at the LVH in their ballroom. Free entrance, reasonably priced beer and food, other good food in the sportsbook deli if you wanted, and ample, smoke-free seating. They open up a couple satellite windows near the theater in addition to all of their windows being open in the book.
The Nugget viewing party was also pretty solid. Decent priced beer and food. I just preferred the theater seats for my behind for 8hrs at the LVH.
Lines are long to place bets. Before the 1st wave of games both days, we saw 30-45min lines. Our group always got our bets in the night before, or as soon as we woke up the next morning at our hotel (lines at 6-7am were much shorter).
It's definitely something to experience. I've been there several other times, and for a 27yr old guy like me, I've had the most fun during March Madness opening weekend.
I went last year for the 1st week- In my opinion the best week to go. Some lines are long, but as long as you make your plays an hour before tipoff you are fine.
I also went to the PH Party. $50 unliminted beer and food it was great, plus they had satellite betting stations and I never waited for more than 5 mins to make a bet.
Biggest key - If you are there for the party and atmoshphere the first week is hands down the best. If you are looking to watch games in the sportsbooks and relax.. 2nd week.
I went last year for the 1st week- In my opinion the best week to go. Some lines are long, but as long as you make your plays an hour before tipoff you are fine.
I also went to the PH Party. $50 unliminted beer and food it was great, plus they had satellite betting stations and I never waited for more than 5 mins to make a bet.
Biggest key - If you are there for the party and atmoshphere the first week is hands down the best. If you are looking to watch games in the sportsbooks and relax.. 2nd week.
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