Questions about Vegas for March Madness...

I will be there friday thru sunday for my first time...

 

1.  That's up to you.  I don't get to LV that often, so it's always fun cashing a winning ticket.  Lines actually shouldn't be "as long" with the way they're spacing games out this year.  If you can bet through your phone or something, that's always an option.  Lines can be long, but I've never had trouble getting a bet in.

2.  The Hilton has a theater open, not very far away from the sportsbook itself.  The seating in the hilton is first come-first served, but there were plenty of seats to be had.  I'd still show up a half hour before tip time, though.  1500 seats in there, with 4 huge screens across the stage. 

3.  There may be some live lines with some of the places that have the remote betting or handheld devices, but nothing to my knowledge at the normal sportsbooks.

4.  You always have to go get in line at almost any place (other than the very few that have the hand held things, somebody with more knowledge about where those are, speak up).  Generally, you can leave your bet sheet on your chair, or just say something to the guy next to you.  I've never had a problem

great info heinz...thanks so much.

vegas gourmet could confirm but I think "live" betting is done thru hand held devices

Sims, you are actually in a decent spot at the Palace.....they have a good sized book and have a bar section just outside the sportsbook that has a lot of seating......the good thing is that the Palace isn't a place outsiders woudl come to watch games, so there should be plenty of space......I stayed there a few years back during college football season and had a great time...I sat at the bar outside the sportsbook and cocktailed most of the day...the bartenders would put on pretty much any game I was looking for.......I am actually heading down this year and staying at the Flamingo, which is right next door.....have a good time....

Books operated by Cantor Gaming will have the best live/ingame betting in Vegas...go to their website for more info. Betting offshore, to me, is contrary to why you would come to Vegas to begin with. The lines are part of the "fun"..really; especially since you are not betting large (10-20 dimes per game/half). I assume that you will also not be betting enough to open an account with the book and use their private VIP betting terminals.

My advice....enjoy the experience, don't worry about your seat or the lines....just worry about picking a few winners....It's gonna run from early morning to night....Enjoy the "ride"

Hey VG or anyone.  What size wager gets you in the VIP section to watch games?  I've seen that most casinos have them and maybe it varies but is there a range you could provide?

Jelax....

Sportsbooks give VIP status to bettors who, most usually, are "known" to the director of the book. I have seen people come in to a major book on the Strip, have the manager confirm that the bettor has a bunch of money (maybe $50K) in their account in the cage, and be given VIP status....special seating, private tv's, computerized betting..and, yes, dinner as a comp.

As to level of $$$...that can vary with each book. VIP status at Bellagio is WAY different than VIP status at Paris (if, indeed, Paris has VIP status).....ALSO...and this is a fairly large "also"...It's not just the amount of your bet...it's the amount of bets. Just as it is in the casino, they want to see ACTION...not just plunking down a dime on black or red. They don't care if you win or lose (for the most part), they do care about the length of your stay at the tables....Same, in essence, about sports betting..

Simply put, the more bets you make, the more the house can win your money....and that is what they are looking for. If you bet $2200 to win $2000 5 times then you will be looked at in a better light than if you plunk down $11,000 to win $10,000 as a one-shot deal.

 

thanks guys for all the help.

 

As always, thanks for the thorough response. .  One more question - you mentioned having money in your account at the cage.  In your e.g. you mentioned 50k but could I do this with 5k so I wasn't walking around with cash?  Will the money basically be added to my players card to use wherever I'm at?  Lastly, if this is the case, if I loaded up at a Harrahs property (Paris) - could I then use the funds at Caesars?

I'm a HUGE fan of Caesar's Sportsbook...but you really DO have to show up early to get a seat.  I'm a firm believer that it's totally worth getting there at 5-6 am to get the best seat for the entire day!  If you want to try in-game betting, Lagasse's Stadium at the Palazzo is the place for you...but wouldn't really recommend it during the Madness.

sims there will not be alot of seats during the games, it will be pretty packed, and don't make your bets 10 minutes before gametime, there may be a chance you won't get them in.  The line is going to be ridiculous, the busiest time of the year in Vegas. 

thanks yikes.

what time do you have to get to the ballrooms to get a good seat?