A.C. Racebooks

[speedking]

Can anyone tell me if the casinos in AC allow computers in their racebooks? If so, any opinions on which casino has the best facilities and services? Any info is much appreciated. Thanks.

speedking

[shoelessjoe]

I think Borgata has the nicest one but Im not sure about the computers

[speedking]

The Borgata is the only one I stopped at when I visited about 16 months ago. Great looking place with personal tvs and tiny tims, but they did not allow computers back then. They did offer me a 1.5% rebate on my action.

speedking

[Zaf]

I have been to almost to all of them and have never seen a laptop anywhere. Calling ahead would be the best plan of action.

ZAFONIC

[spitthebit]

I've had a laptop at both Sands and Caesars without problems, though I always felt as though I was looking over my shoulder. Sands is a dump, Caesars at least attempts to cater to horseplayers.

[Nickle]

There all bad

Best places are Mohegan and Foxwood for racebooks

[PaceAdvantage]

Don't go to Foxwoods if you want to bet on NYRA....they don't take the NYRA signal...

[toetoe]

I thought AC meant Agua Caliente. :rolleyes:

[speedking]

Thanks for the information. If I head over there I'll post my findings.

speedking

[mudnturf]

Can anyone tell me if the casinos in AC allow computers in their racebooks? If so, any opinions on which casino has the best facilities and services? Any info is much appreciated. Thanks.

speedking

I've found the race book at BALLY'S WILD WEST to be comfortable.
Bally's - Not bad.
Bally's Wild West - Better.

[waterproof]

Borgata's is nice. Showboat has one too. It's small. The Taj's is in the poker room and can get kinda crowded. I wouldn't bring a computer in there. Especially on the weekends...

That's about all I know... I don't know if the Trop has one, but they just added on and it's pretty nice...

Good luck :cool:

[Zaf]

Yes the Trop has one just adjacent to the Poker room. Its average at best.

ZAFONIC

[plainolebill]

I thought AC meant Agua Caliente. :rolleyes:

That's what I thought too.

[cnollfan]

I thought AC meant Agua Caliente. :rolleyes:

I still did -- right up until I read your post! Couldn't figure out why all these answers about New England casinos.

[ryesteve]

Can anyone tell me if the casinos in AC allow computers in their racebooks?
I was in AC this past weekend, and near one of the entrances at Caesar's, I happened to see a sign quoting NJ penal code. Paraphrasing, it said that it was illegal to use a computerized or electronic device to gain a wagering advantage. Now, I'm pretty sure that no one was thinking about laptops in a racebook when they passed this law, but the way it's written, it sure sounds like laptops would fall under this umbrella.

[JackS]

If you could find a pure sports book, I'm sure no one would object to a laptop. However if you enter a casino that has a sport book attached, it would be difficult for a casino to allow them in one part and not the other.
Anyone still interested in using a laptop in a casino sport book should probably ask permission. Who knows? some of them might give the OK.

[speedking]

OK, I'm back from a couple days in AC and have no intention of going back anytime soon. None of the casinos I emailed got back to me about allowing a computer in the racebook. I went down with the laptop, but also brought hard copy of my figs with me. Good thing I did. Caesar's had no idea if I could have or use the computer. Racebook management sent me to security who put me in touch with the guys watching the floor through the cameras and nobody had an answer. The only thing they agreed on was that I could not use it unless someone gave them approval. Exact same problem at Ballys. Borgata was more certain that I could not operate a computer, but confirmation never came down.


Overall, Caesar's was a major disappointment. Only 4 betting terminals which were often backed up by people betting $1 exactas since you had to bet a minimum $10 at the windows. Slot machine noise was constant. Ballys was too small. Borgata was by far the best place to play, offering Tiny Tims along with the personal tv's. Staff was most helpful there and promised to see what they could do about using laptops in the future.

Speedking

[mudnturf]

Speedking
Were you at BALLY'S ---OR--- BALLY'S WILD WEST (which I like better than Bally's)?

[Zaf]

A.C. really caters to the horse player :rolleyes:

ZAFONIC

[PaceAdvantage]

Wow...I find it hard to believe that you were the only guy to venture down there with a laptop in the past few years....LOL

You would think they would have a rock-solid policy in place concerning laptops. It's not as if these things were just invented!!!

Strange....unless of course there are a lot fewer cybercappers out there than I thought.....or maybe the cybercappers have learned to stay home and bet on the internet.....lol

[JustRalph]

..or maybe the cybercappers have learned to stay home and bet on the internet.....lol

Bingo!

[speedking]

or maybe the cybercappers have learned to stay home and bet on the internet.....lol

You can now add me to this club. The track I have done substantial business with on a daily basis over the past few years just downgraded my betting vouchers/rebates from a premium level to 2%. I'll be starting another thread on setting up a home parimutuel investing office.

speedking

[speedking]

Speedking
Were you at BALLY'S ---OR--- BALLY'S WILD WEST (which I like better than Bally's)?

Lee,

While at the Caesar's race book I noticed an entranceway to the Wild West casino, but I was already settled in for the day. The next day I went to Bally's and then headed to the Borgata. Never gave the Wild West race book a try, though I do remember you recommending it. If we go down for a show I'll check it out.

speedking

[PaceAdvantage]

Whenever the horseplayers I know talk about AC, they always mention the horse room at Billy's @ Bally's or something like that (I've never been there). Apparently, it is on the 6th floor next to the poker room.

There is a consensus that this is the best place to play horses in AC, although the Borgata may have eclipsed it by now....

[JackS]

While we're on the subject, what are opinions of LV casino books? I havent' been back for several years but always appreciated the Stardust more than any other. The SB is off to one side with a minimum of slot noise in the background, a sandwich shoppe across the isle, and if your a coffee drinker like I am , a Mc Donalds a few steps out the side door.
In Laughlin, believe it or not, Sams Town with its fairly isolated seperate room. Nothing too fancy maybe but very utilitarian in my view.
In Stateline- I can't remember the name of the casino but, it's the last one on the left before entering California. Small ,cozy and comfortable.
Never been to Reno so maybe someone with a few opinions about this city would be helpful.
Also opinions on LV for those who frequent this city would be interesting as well as continuing AC opinions.
Many of us will have the opportunity to visit one or more of these areas in the coming year so as much info as possible should be helpful.

[cj]

I liked MGM Grand, the room is completely isolated, even from the sports book.

[rastajenk]

Do casino hotels have WI-FI? I wonder if you could sit in a racebook in front of a wall of monitors and still bet online.

[speedking]

Had tickets to see George Carlin in AC last night so my girlfriend took the day off and we went down early. She hit the outlet shops ( at least 50 upscale manufacturer outlets within 2 blocks of Caesars and Ballys), while I went to the Wild West racebook at Ballys. The place was empty when I arrived about 11am and this time I did not ask if computers were allowed. Just opened mine up and plugged in. Within 10 minutes a security guard came over and told me she did not THINK that laptops were allowed and asked me to shut down. I asked if she would confirm her opinion and she left and never returned. As the area filled up, I opened things up again about noontime and was never approached again. The facility itself is set up nicely and workers are a bit more socialable. Slots are not too far away, but never were an issue. The constant country music played at a loud volume was. There are 6 wagering machines which accept vouchers and 2 of them were broken. (On, but the mechanisms would not accept the vouchers).
3 tellers were available most of the time and just sat there staring out on the floor since most players used vouchers. Odd thing about this racebook, at least 50% of the players used only free scratch sheets or newspaper handicappers. Only a couple people in the entire room had Racing Forms and a few more had Sports Eye racing programs. Nobody appeared to have any computer hard copy. Did catch a lot of derisive comments because of the computer. Mostly comments about horses don't run on paper or according to figures and at least 10 people came over and asked who the computer said would win a certain race. Typical comments I often here at the racebooks from the clowns who don't even buy a program. I don't think I'll be back in AC for quite a while.

As for the show, if we were not in such a tight spot in the front of the room, we would have walked out. Ive seen Carlin a few times over the years and pretty much knew what to expect, but he went overboard this time with his scathing commentary of America, our government and the present administration. He should be packed up with John Dean and shipped off to France, but I doubt if they will pay $50 and up to listen to him rant.

speedking

[Zaf]

Doesn't surprise me you weren't approached again. If guys can consistently p*ss under the tables there, how could they stop someone from using a laptop.


Z

[speedking]

[QUOTE=speedking] He should be packed up with John Dean and shipped off to France, but I doubt if they will pay $50 and up to listen to him rant.

Meant to write Howard Dean, not John.

speedking

[Buckeye]

The Borgata is teeny tiny and a joke compared to Bally's 6th floor.

So are the rest of them (a joke).

Wild Wild West is probably #2 because it's ok and the drinks are free.

I know what I'm talking about as usual.