Las Vegas Preferences

[Hajck Hillstrom]

It appears that I may be relocating from the Emerald City to Sin City. I will be down there next week to do a little recon, and my question of the astute contributors to this forum is this:

When you go to Vegas, what are your preferred Race Books, and why?

I would eventually like to establish a base, and rather than spending the time and energy in discovery, I defer to the wisdom of the board. Any and all perspectives are appreciated.

Also, I read the thread "Best Vegas Racebooks" from last November, and found it informative and useful, so if you posted there, I have read your perspective with appreciation.

My primary question should be this: Which Vegas Race Books allow the use of computers, and which ones forbid them? The sad truth is that I would be better served walking into a Race Book naked, than I would without my database. This should narrow down the search.

I can't fault either The Bellagio or The Wynn as far as comfort, but if they don't allow computers, they might as well be jails. Does anyone know the the computer policies of these two establishments?

Thank you, in advance.

Carry on, Carry on,

Hajck Hillstrom

[ratpack]

I know the RIO allows Computers and more important has a power supply for you to plug in. That was 2 years since I been there so things may have changed.

[cj's dad]

Absolutely the most underrated but one of the best is the one at the Stratosphere at the north end of the strip, just above the Sahara. The Strat is the one with the "space needle" for lack of a better term.

The place is big and the tellers are well versed in betting lingo. If you drink:lol: tip a teller a few $$$ up front, and use the same one each time, and you will get all the drink vouchers you can handle.;)

The rotating bar up top is great at night, BTW.:cool:

[cj's dad]

I don't remember seeing a sign re: laptops, only "no phone calls" from the race book.

[kitts]

Recent 2007 info is the "Coast" and "Station" casinos allow laptops and the "Circus Circus" group do not. However, things change pretty quick up here.

[Hank]

The coast casino's are horesplayer friendly, give comps on your action ect. the Rbook at the Orleans is a dump. I have not been to the gold coast, sun coast ect if one of those has a nice rbook that would be a good spot to make camp.Best of luck in vegas I would love to be there full time too.:ThmbUp:

[facorsig]

MGM Grand Racebook has allowed me to use my laptop for each of the last three visits, most recently last December.

[proffdw]

:) hi .i've never been to las vegas,but i went to reno 10 times during the
1980's,and i never saw anyone with a computer in the race books although
i only went to harrar's,and one i can't think of right now,but it was a big one on a corner,with ham,and eggs for 99 cents.i went on a tour bus,so i didn't get to the race book until arounf 5:30 pm i went once to the other,but didn't like the race book so close to the sports betting place.i see you live in seattle,i live in olympia,have for over 9 years now.many years ago back in the late 1970's i stayed with my brother when he was at mccord air force base.i ived in the bay area from april 1953 until september 1963,and never had anything to do with horse racing,even tho there were two tracks around.i didn't start betting on horses until 1972 at longacres racetrack.i liked that track,then i bet yakima during the winter,and also after they closed longacres i went the first 4 years to emerald downs on the weekends but never did very good there. the best thing i ever used
at longacres,and yakima was a tote board method called"TWINDEX" i still
have a copy around her some place,but i only go to the track 3 or 4
times a year with relatives fro tacoma,as the have a car,and that's the
only way i can get there.on those times i use a computer program that
picks horses in order.and gives an oddsline,i make a few bucks,but i don't
spend a lot,as it is more of a hobby now at my age rather than trying to
make a living.well i think i've said enough,but it's nice talking to someone
about horse racing who lives close to where i do. proffdw@yahoo.com is
my enail address if you want to talk about horse racing,or anything else.
d w stevens

[point given]

1 - Get in touch with Richard Eng who writes a column for the review journal in las vegas. If anyone knows vegas, he does.
2 - I think there was a book written on the subject a couple of years ago, you can prbably find it at gamblers books http://www.gamblersbook.com/weblink.cby/items/THS300.html

carry on ! :cool:

[speedking]

I stayed at the Palms Casino/Resort over the past Thanksgiving holiday. Nice racebook and no problems using my laptop. I ALWAYS prefer having a Tiny Tim type wagering device at my seat and about half the stations there did offer one. They also offered me decent credits on food and drinks based on my handle.

I'm looking forward to going back there this year again:jump:

speedking

[Light]

The Palms has the best buffet deal. Lunch about $8. Other places are twice as much or more.

[DanG]

SpeedKing ~ I stayed at the Palms Casino/Resort over the past Thanksgiving holiday. Nice racebook and no problems using my laptop. I ALWAYS prefer having a Tiny Tim type wagering device at my seat and about half the stations there did offer one. They also offered me decent credits on food and drinks based on my handle.

Hajck,

I played at The Palms for several years and recommend it highly. A lot depends on where you live. I was literally right down the street and never had to deal with the strip unless it was by choice. My last remaining partner who lives there is moving to Tahoe because of the congestion / traffic etc…. The Palms is very convenient as are many of the Coast casino’s that as Hank mentioned treat the local player well.

I can’t stress enough how important the getting to and from will become over time. The Hilton is another one where at least the race book is first door from the parking lot. (As is The Palms BTW) I’m not a big fan of having to walk 3 miles through tourist while they donate to the medal vacuum cleaners every day, :eek:…but that’s just me. That was such an appeal of the Stardust in the old days. You could literally leave your car running, bolt in and bet / grab a danish on your way out…but those days are just sweet memories in the mind of ‘Lefty Rosenthal…;)

Best of luck in your move…It’s reassuring to know for the next several years Las Vegas will…”Carry on” :jump:

[Dan Montilion]

Get a bag of rubber bands. Shove your wallet in your front pocket and take one of said rubber bands and wrap it around the outside of the pocket creating a secure area for your wallet.

Be prepared for everybody wanting something for nothing and bitching about it if they don't get it.

Buffet is short for "leftovers from the other restaurants, covered with sauce".
Breakfast excluded, save the hash.

Consider a garage air conditioner. This way you can go from air conditioned house to air conditioned garage to air conditioned car without spontaneously combusting.

Consider a generator so when the rolling blackouts hit you can run your air conditioner.

If you sit down at a poker table and you look around and can't figure out who the chump is. Then you are the chump.

[DanG]

Get a bag of rubber bands. Shove your wallet in your front pocket and take one of said rubber bands and wrap it around the outside of the pocket creating a secure area for your wallet.

Be prepared for everybody wanting something for nothing and bitching about it if they don't get it.

Buffet is short for "leftovers from the other restaurants, covered with sauce".
Breakfast excluded, save the hash.

Consider a garage air conditioner. This way you can go from air conditioned house to air conditioned garage to air conditioned car without spontaneously combusting.

Consider a generator so when the rolling blackouts hit you can run your air conditioner.

If you sit down at a poker table and you look around and can't figure out who the chump is. Then you are the chump.
Brought to you by the Las Vegas chamber of Commerce…:jump:

Dan, I cracked up at that line in red. :D

Short story…

It’s the middle of summer and about ‘190 in the shade. My brother was in from California and had his maxima parked outside the Hilton in un-covered parking. He got out to his car and a quarter had literally melted into the dashboard! :eek:

[Ivan]

Hard Rock is my fav


Small sportsbook, but they do have seating reserved just for horseplayers with betting terminals at each booth



:cool:

[DanG]

Hard Rock is my fav

Small sportsbook, but they do have seating reserved just for horseplayers with betting terminals at each booth

:cool:
Come clean Ivan…

You love strolling by the pool between races. ;) :jump: :ThmbUp:

[speedking]

Come clean Ivan…

You love strolling by the pool between races. ;) :jump:


That's a good enough reason for me, Dan. :):jump: I sure can't fault the scenery at the Palms either; at the pool or in the nightspots:jump:


speedking

[bigmack]

HRH has a pool cam. Weekends are vibrant with activity.

Careful, John Entwistle was reportedly looking at the pool scenery when he had a heart attack.

http://www.hardrockhotel.com/peep_poolcams.php

[Storm Cadet]

The Orleans used to be good. It is pretty shabby right now. Lower class horse player there now. They allow lap tops but will NOT let you plug in for power. I asked their reasoning for this and their race book manager said they were afraid of people placing wages using their laptops. I showed him mine with no wireless card, only Pace figs program up and running but he said no dice. There are NOT even any power areas to plug into at Orleans. Ran with 2 battery packs while I was there.

Last time I go there for horses.

[DanG]

Careful, John Entwistle was reportedly looking at the pool scenery when he had a heart attack.

LOL Mack! :lol:

[cato]

I've been to the Bellagio each of the last two years and was able to use my computer both times. I always go to the manager/assistant manager before I start to show them I have a computer and make sure it is okay to use.

Hilton is also a great book

Gold Coast is no place you would want to spend much time at if you have other choices

Cato

[Ivan]

Come clean Ivan…

You love strolling by the pool between races. ;) :jump: :ThmbUp:


Ok....You got me :D

There is DEFINiTELY no shortage of good looking women there

Can you a imagine a poolside OTB with some Bikini clad Tellers??? :jump:

[Ivan]

The Orleans used to be good. It is pretty shabby right now. Lower class horse player there now. They allow lap tops but will NOT let you plug in for power. I asked their reasoning for this and their race book manager said they were afraid of people placing wages using their laptops. I showed him mine with no wireless card, only Pace figs program up and running but he said no dice. There are NOT even any power areas to plug into at Orleans. Ran with 2 battery packs while I was there.

Last time I go there for horses.

Me too.

Thanks for the Warning.

[richrosa]

Any of the MGM owned hotels (Mirage, Treasure Island, MGM) are not laptop friendly, although the Nevada law is clear. You are allowed to have a laptop so long as it does not communicate with the outside world. I've often found, as others have suggested, checking with the sports book manager, gets you acceptance. The challenge is to watch out for the thug security people who don't understand common sense.

[winbets]

Rampart Casin in Summerlin section of LV has plug ins at the seats that have TV's. They put them in especially for laptop users. The also have the best race comps in Las Vegas. $1 for every $30 bet. Suncoast does not allow laptops because they are really mixed up there. Gold Coast welcomes Laptops but I do not know about plugs. I have not been to the Hilton lately but they had a number of spots with plug ins the last time I was there. I think Coast and Stations casinos give $1 in comps per $50 bet. I have never had a problem with a laptop in a Stations casino. If you go to Texas Station you can bring a double outlet plug and unplug their monitor, put in your double outlet plug and then reconnect their monitor and your laptop. Cheers

[BillW]

Alternate solution for no wall plug syndrome - I've had mine since Red Knave turned me on to it last year at Saratoga. Works great - extends my laptop from 1 hour to 4.5 hours (I have the 80Wh). Fits comfortably into the laptop carrying bag with a power cable long enough to reach a tabletop from the floor.

http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=358

[Ivan]

Alternate solution for no wall plug syndrome - I've had mine since Red Knave turned me on to it last year at Saratoga. Works great - extends my laptop from 1 hour to 4.5 hours (I have the 80Wh). Fits comfortably into the laptop carrying bag with a power cable long enough to reach a tabletop from the floor.

http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=358

Thanks BillW

[Storm Cadet]

Alternate solution for no wall plug syndrome - I've had mine since Red Knave turned me on to it last year at Saratoga. Works great - extends my laptop from 1 hour to 4.5 hours (I have the 80Wh). Fits comfortably into the laptop carrying bag with a power cable long enough to reach a tabletop from the floor.

http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=358

Beware...its the size of an car battery and it leaks acid all over...only kidding. BillW had it a Keeneland and it worked great! :jump:

[cnollfan]

I like the Mirage race book. It is not computer-friendly, but there is something intangible about the place that makes me feel good.