Hey all, Well, its football season once again (and the NBA just around the corner) and I'm looking to take my annual fall pilgrimage with a buddy for a weekend of craps, poker and sports betting. I have always found the Mirage to be my favorite, (love the Carnegie Deli and its ginormous pastrami and corned beef sandwich) but was wondering if any of you Vegas experts have any other hidden gems we should consider staying at. Order of importance for me: 1. Outstanding sports book 2. $5 minimum bet crap tables 3. Cool/fun amenities. (i.e. food/NFL contests/reserved seating) 4. Fun poker room... (i.e. sit n go's or daily tourneys with buy in's under $100) 5. On strip if possible but will consider off strip. Looking forward to hearing your opinions and suggestions!
I can help you with the Sports Books and Poker: Bellagio - the book used to be crappy, but was recently upgraded. It still has the best selection of limit poker around (4/8, 10/20, 20/40, 50/100 etc) and a plethora of other limit games. Venetian - largest poker room and very modern sports book. MGM - good atmosphere for the book and the poker around the corner is ok. It's slightly outdated...like the Mirage circa 2012. Planet Hollywood - very lively NL poker games full of party donks and people who think they're good. The rake is terrible, but the eye-candy is top notch. The book is also right there and has a big man-cave feel to it. It's big, but not too big. SuperBook at the Hilton/LVH/I don't even know what it's called anymore - pros: the biggest sports book in the world; many many fun promotions cons: sucky poker; off-strip (behind the now demolished Riviera
It's called the Westgate now. I know the serious sportsbook gamers swear by this place. I have also heard this is one of the few spots that wont ask for your SSN if you get a big payout.
I'll be there a week from this weekend. I don't bet much, so we enjoyed Emeril's sports bar in Palazzo/Venetian.
My buddies dragged me out to Westgate last time we went and I was pleasantly surprised at the sportsbook. I think it is worth it if you are big time into sports betting and want to hang out and watch the games. During big game weekends, they open up their theater and run games on a giant screen.
It's not huge, but it's nice. Great atmosphere, and the eye candy is tier 1 along with Planet Hollywood. There's no poker though.
If you're going to eat while you watch there is nothing in Vegas better than Lagasse's Stadium at the Palazzo. Call to make reservations. If you want to bet while you play poker than either Venetian because their room is so big and across from their sports book or Encore because the room has a classier look and they have a sports betting cage inside the poker room. You'll also find an easier game at Encore given the clientele that don't care about losing a few hundred. If you're just going to sit there for a few hours and watch several games at once, I'd say Westgate, but if you want to stay on the strip I'd go with Caesars. It's a big book and the atmosphere is loud and enjoyable. Just remember, if you're not going with reservations with Lagasse you'll need to get to the book by 9:30 in order to get yourself a seat, the books fill up very quick, especially on Sunday. Lines to place bets also can reach to 40-50+ and they don't care if you're 20 seconds late, if they take the game off the board, you waited for nothing. Even smaller books like Aria, PH, MGM, NYNY have lines a few dozen long and they don't move that quick, too many people have no idea how to place a bet and will start asking 20 asking questions. I don't have any advice for $5 craps, I just pull up to any $10 min and give it a go before I lose the buy-in. I'm sure Bally's/NYNY/Luxor has it though, not any place I'd sit and watch a game though, or play poker. All things considered I can't recommend Lagasse's Stadium enough, the food is top notch and the atmosphere is lively. There is a betting counter in the middle so you can get up from your table and walk 20 feet to place a bet.
We got lucky last time we were there that a dumb Saints fan in front of us didn't want a table if they couldn't get sound on the game. So they left and we got their table. This was like 10 minutes before kick-off.
Aria has a small sports book, but really comfy couches if you plan on hanging all day. Only problem is that you have to get there really early to nab seats.
Last time I was in Las Vegas, I stayed at the Palazzo and am familiar with Lagasse's. I agree with the idea its a great place to watch games...but we had a very difficult time getting a table for Saturday college and Sunday NFL games. How did you reserve a table? Is there a fee or anything? Thanks in advance.
Free reservations, you will need to call ahead of time, they don't do online reservations on big sports days. 702-607-2665. Last time I was there was a college football Saturday, got a table for 1130AM I want to say I called Friday to get the reservation. I would suggest calling Wednesday or earlier though just to make sure, they only need your name. I will tell you though, there is a $ minimum to get the table. You either have to spend ($100, $150?) or they'll tack on a fee, but reaching that threshold is fairly easy from what I remember, there was only 2 of us last time and I don't even drink. The money is very well spent given the atmosphere, great service and impeccable food. As long as you call a few days ahead of time to make your table reservation you'll be all set.
Totally forgot about this. And Aria is like babe central too. And the poker is pretty good. It's not a cheap hangout spot though.
The pizza and the girls at the checkout of that pizza place right near the sports book are top notch as well.
I'm with you about this. The taxi ride in is the best. The ride back is the worst. I'll be there this weekend too and at the books. Good luck.
