Favorite race book in Vegas
 

I'm headed to Vegas next week, but with it on my mind I just want to throw out the question to everyone: What is your favorite race book in Vegas?

Of the ones I've been to I'd say Bellagio for luxury, Mandalay Bay for sheer size and atmosphere.

What are your thoughts?

NT

Bellagio is relaxing. Comfortable chairs.

I'd take it if just for horses.

I really like Caesars. One of the few places that I have been that even when other sports are on they don't treat horse players like second class citizens...

I'd like to hear some more opinions, this is a good thread that I will take into consideration when I make my first trip to Vegas May 1st for my 21st B-day, I will def. be hitting up some racebooks!

Bellagio/Ballys/Caesers....Wynn was extremely small but has a nice set up for horse players. Palms is bootleg, Mirage looks like NASA...

I'm not an expert or anything of the like, but last time out, due to come business committements, I stayed at The Venetian.

I was all set to visit some other race/sports books, and ultimately did, but I really enjoyed the race/sports book at the Venetian. Good size (relatively speaking), they treated me well, very good service, etc. They had plenty of big screens, nice private cubicles where you could watch multiple races -- just a nice set up.

Enjoy.

Eric

For horses:
Caesars #1, Mandalay #2, Bellagio #3.

racebooks
 

As Far As I Am Concerned, Vegas Sucks For Playing Horses. I Am Used To Using The Machines To Punch In My Own Bets And Vegas Has None! If Anyone Knows Who Has Them Let Me Know.

Couldn't agree more, it drives me nuts when I am out there, no machines, straight tellers

we're staying at Barbary Coast in april. we've played in gold coast and rio were comfortable.
harrah's is small but not bad, they even serve food. barbary coast looked interesting last year. the day we were there, a group of old dudes were playing that looked pretty hardcore.

The MGM Grand and is the worst Sports book on the strip. It's just like setting in the first two rows at the movies. The Hilton still has a large sports book and was one of the best, but it is getting alittle dated.

Mandalay Bay is great, although they usually only have a few tellers, and you'll get shut out if you wait too long to bet on a big race day.

Completely agree and you are in even bigger trouble when it's a big sports day. We were there during the Final Four a couple years ago and you barely had a chance to get a horse bet in. One of the funnier parts of it though was that the non-horse players would sit down at the individual television monitors that were clearly labeled "race players only" and go berserk when they couldn't find the channel with the basketball game.

NT

i like mandally bay.....but go to the luxor and ask for mike or nyny and ask for rafiel pm me if you want

I agree, when we stayed there, I was very disappointed. My favorite spot is at the Bellagio, back row of that 2nd column, can see EVERY screen. Absolutely love it. Thing is a horse player has to be putting through 5-7k a day to get comped there (if just playing the horses) and I get around 3-4k, if I am winning. Ballys treats me like a king with that kind of action. Their sportsbook is the definition of bootleg (as far as seating/TV's) but I am guessing they will update that soon, especially with Paris's book so close, they could easily close that book and update it so ballers will feel comfortable

Best Sports on the srtip
 

Without question..... The best sports book in the Las Vegas Hilton!!!!!!!

bellagio, by five lengths - followed by mirage

bet 1k - 1.5k per day and they will throw in a buffet for two.. no waiting in line either

Harrah's is a bit on the small side, but I don't mind that. Seemed like it was easier to find someone to BS with there than in the bigger places, but no question the bigger places like the Mirage are way more comfortable. Another thing about Harrahs was that if you tip the cashiers, they sometimes will give you some good tips too. Like others here said though, I would prefer to not have cashiers at all. I've lost a few dollars because the cashiers at the sportsbook had a poor command of English. Still trying to figure out how they got Aqueduct out of Oaklawn. Guess I need speech therapy. As machine oriented as Vegas is you would think it would occur to them that machines are the way to go in the sportsbook too or at least a combination of machines and live tellers.

I have a buddy who is a vegas junkie and goes almost monthly. He said that Treasure Island has been redone and has a good sportsbook now.

Scavs - Whatcha mean by the Palms being "bootleg"? I personally love the Palms' book. :confused:

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebadbeast As Far As I Am Concerned, Vegas Sucks For Playing Horses. I Am Used To Using The Machines To Punch In My Own Bets And Vegas Has None! If Anyone Knows Who Has Them Let Me Know.

And when betting in a sports book with a live ticket seller, DOUBLE CHECK and TRIPLE CHECK your tickets!

We've had this conversation either on this board, or the old ESPN board before, but ticket mistakes are MUCH more prevalent when betting at a casino. In defense of the casino workers, they are taking money on lots of different sporting events, and aren't always focused and attentive on the horses. I'm an experienced and veteran player and just last year I threw down a quick $20 for fun, thought I had the winner, and then realized the ticket in my hand was on the wrong race or track. That was at Hardrock, for the record.

And if you are accustomed to "calling" your plays a certain way just plan on having to do a little more explaining to get the right ticket.

Personally, if I'm in a casino I'd rather spend my time playing blackjack. The only time I wander into the race book is to take a break and make some fun little win and place bets just to have some easy action. Or, if I've about reached my loss limit at blackjack and just want to stretch time and still have fun.

Racebooks
 

For My Money. The Best Place To Bet Horses Is The Del Mar Raceplace In San Diego. This Satellite Has It All. Tons Of Machines To Make Your Bets, Lots Of Tv Screens, Etc. I Am Spoiled After This Place. Had To Move To Illinois And Cant Wait To Get Back There!

Can anyone clarify which books have self betting machines.....I can not STAND betting with some of these braindead tellers.

Vegas Racebooks
 

I Dont Think Vegas Has Caught Up With California Technology At All Yet. They Dont Have Any Machines, Anywhere!!! I Have Never Hit A Bet When Placing With A Teller. Just A Bad Omen For Me.

Wow, really????

Bally's takes good care of horse players, and has a good staff. I usually stay there. I was at Mandalay Bay for 5 days last summer for a convention, and of course, ended up playing a lot of horses that week. They're OK, but they don't cater to the horse better like Ballys.
Also, if you're off the strip, check out the new horse book at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson. Supposed to be really, really great.

I stayed at the Red Rock Casino a couple of months ago and thought the Sports&Race Book was one of the best I've been to in Vegas. It's off the strip and the food(in the racebook) stinks but it's a great place for horseplayers. I'm also a big fan of the autotote machines and don't think they had them. The lines were short and they had windows for playing just horses so it was easy to check your tickets.