February is my first time in Vegas. Best OTB?

[calltopost]

Just booked a trip to Vegas for three days in February. I have never been there before.

I want to spend my casino time playing horses and I am sure they have some really nice places for it.

Does anyone have some advice or recommendations on where to go?

[Johnny V]

If you do not mind staying off the strip I would recommend either the Orleans, South Point or the Red Rock. I have stayed at all three and they were all horseplayer friendly IMO.

[calltopost]

I am staying at the Travelodge near the MGM and the Harley Cafe. I was more wondering what the coolest betting locations are.

[jdhanover]

"Coolest"? - easy = the ones where you cash winning tickets! :D

[calltopost]

"Coolest"? - easy = the ones where you cash winning tickets! :D

Well I could do that from anywhere... homie.

I just thought there might be a nicer-than-usual parlor to place my bets at.

[HUSKER55]

need to as Dave. He probably knows

[The Hawk]

I would say that most of the newer places are the same inside. That's to say, they're all fabulous. I'm partial to the Bellagio, but you deal with bigger crowds. Even if you don't hang out there, it's a very cool place to visit, and they have that fountain show in the front, so you may as well plan on going there early and getting a seat and spending one day there. Caesar's is cool, too, with some of the best restaurants in Vegas in the Forum area. Places like the Orleans are very horseplayer friendly, though the books are not nearly as nice as places like the Bellagio.

This is just one opinion, and I'm sure the guys who actually live there could help you more.

[Some_One]

I prefer the setups at MGM and Wynn

As for where to stay, I usually always go with Bill's, great location and the rates are really low for a centre strip place, but it's very no frills (but what more do you need other than a bed? lol).

[lamboguy]

the best horse book that was ever in the desert does not exist today, GORDON'S CHURHILL DOWNS was great. i never had a donut their i didn't love. i think its been closed about 20 years and there is some big hotel sitting on top of where it was.

[speed]

the best horse book that was ever in the desert does not exist today, GORDON'S CHURHILL DOWNS was great. i never had a donut their i didn't love. i think its been closed about 20 years and there is some big hotel sitting on top of where it was.
This response will help him a bunch in Feb. Speaking about donuts and more useless information there used to be a topless donut shop in fort lauderdale in the 80's. Talk about enjoying every bite.

[aaron]

I like Bellagio and the Wynn. Both are very comfortable and its easy to place an bet.

[NTamm1215]

For aesthetics, the new book at the Venetian is outstanding. Between the brand new LED screens, the new carrels with built-in LED TVs and the lovely cocktail waitresses, it is a sight.

With that said, Bellagio is great, as is Wynn. I've been treated nicely at the Hilton, even though it's hardly a beautiful hotel/casino.

[bitter]

the book at the MGM isn't that bad. As others mention, the Orleans (off the strip) is a pretty horse player friendly book, you don't have to deal with all the strip traffic, mainly just locals. Balley's is a nice sports atmosphere, but a little on the old side. Caesars also isn't that bad, really high ceilings and its not really closed off from the rest of the casino. Bellagio, though dark as hell (IMO) is the place to be, can't be leather recliners and ponies

[calltopost]

Thanks to everyone so far. Please keep ringing in, I am enjoying reading about everyone's experiences.

I will eventually post the picks I make for that weekend (something to do on the plane) and I'll review all the places I go.

[InControlX]

While we're on the subject, I'm no Vegas racebook expert but I used to really like the old school tables and wide screens layout of the Excalibur before they changed it to the personal secluded monitors layout which seems to be the vogue. The tables allowed more elbow room to spread out the Form and my program printouts and I prefered the placing of wagers by hand to the racebook clerks. The tables also led to more comraderie between players and several times I was fortunate to "build" a winning exacta with neighbors. Does any place still have the older layout?

ICX

[Jay Trotter]

On my recent trip to Vegas we stayed at Ceasar's Palace. Of course the hotel and everything in it is top class including the Race & Sports Book (http://www.caesarspalace.com/casinos/caesars-palace/casino-gambling/race-and-sports-book-detail.html) . If you're looking for a nice atmosphere, with quality optics, drinks and people watching this is a fine place. As a place to focus on the races I found it a bit distracting as it is right in the open with all the non-racing patrons passing buy or sitting down for drinks.

Based on a friend's recommendation, we spent our horse racing gambling time across the street at Bally's Race & Sports Book (http://www.ballyslasvegas.com/casinos/ballys-las-vegas/casino-gambling/race-and-sports-book-detail.html) . This is more like a simulcast theatre you would find at a real race track with tiered rows of seats, off to the side and away from non-racing traffic. It's not as glitzy but offers a comfortable way to focus on the races.

So, I would think it all comes down to what your looking for -- casual wagering or serious down and dirty betting. I think you'll find close variations of these two venues throughout the strip.

Enjoy your stay:ThmbUp:

[egreen]

Wynn is hands down the best, IMO. Fabulous facility, great deli next to it that will deliver to your seat, no waiting in line for horseplayers, best selection of Derby futures, top customer service, etc. Off the strip, but close by, I like the Hilton's Superbook. And at the other end, Mandalay Bay has a nice racebook. For a scaled down operation, the Rio has a friendly staff and free drinks for everyone, with no vouchers required.

[JBmadera]

Caesars, as mentioned, is solid. been going there since '84

[jmama62]

The Orleans is great. They even show all races from all tracks in your room.

The other book I really like is Sams Town, but it's a bit off the strip.

Happy New Year!

[calltopost]

More important question:

Do all these places have actual PEOPLE taking your bets? I personally cannot stand using a machine unless it is my home computer.

:)

[NTamm1215]

More important question:

Do all these places have actual PEOPLE taking your bets? I personally cannot stand using a machine unless it is my home computer.

:)

Yes. They all have wagering with a live teller.

The only word of warning on Bally's is that I think it is only open this point during football season.

[amyloo2]

Loved the Paris sportsbook. Its in the corner and secluded from the rest of the casino. Saw the Kentucky Derby when Giacoma won and it got me loving horseracing. It was packed for the race and 1 minute after it was over, me and my buddies were the only ones left. The roar was amazing. Never forget the guy who asked who won and another guy said some blankety blank gicanamo. We still laugh about it. Ceasars and Venetian also top notch. Ballys good but older.

[appistappis]

best book, the hilton

nicest book, the palazzo

[BlueShoe]

In recent years my frequent Nevada trips have been mostly to Laughlin and Lake Tahoe, so am out of touch with conditions in the Las Vegas books and need to catch up. At any location visited prefer practical over glitz. By that, mean patronizing books that have a good comp program. At many of the high end Strip places mentioned in earlier posts, unless you are wagering big bucks you would not get so much as a breakfast buffet. At a good non Strip location they will have some kind of a players card program in which your card is scanned each time you make a bet, and credits are accrued that can be redeemed later for food, gift shop, or toward rooms. Also, and this can be important over a period of time, a few places are generous about Forms. They might offer free Forms outright, sell them to you and redeem the price to you later at the end of the day, or sell them at a discount in a package, like all three of the next day's for 5 bucks, or something similar. From what I can gather and recall, the Station racebooks are reputed to have a good system. The problem is that Las vegas is now so huge and spread out, with dozens of racebooks, that it would take a lot of time, gasoline, and shoe leather to check them all out. Comments? Personal experience? Suggestions?

[tokyo2002]

Stayed at the Mandalay Bay in April and I really enjoyed their Sports Book. It was larger than many of the others I saw and the drink service was great as well.

[joeyp]

i stayed and liked planet hollywood nice racebook with a vip section too

[Uncle Salty]

If you do not mind staying off the strip I would recommend either the Orleans, South Point or the Red Rock. I have stayed at all three and they were all horseplayer friendly IMO.

Off-strip you will find the places that are most accomodating to the horseplayers. The ones Johnny V mentioned are all very good, especially Red Rock. South Point is a little to loud and dirty for me. The Palms is very good too...they have very spacious desks and executive-style chairs to sit in. It's very comfortable there and just across the street from the Rio, which really isn't too off-strip.

On strip the facilities will be nicer but you probably won't be taken care of as well with comps and so forth.

[RaceBookJoe]

As a resident, I am partial to the Station's racebooks, so when i actually go out to play its either Sunset Station or Green Valley Ranch since i live close to both. They both offer tv sets at your seat, easy to make bets, get drinks and if you have a players card, the DRF is $1 or sometimes free. Sam's Town is much better now that they have a newer book...not a station but a good locals place.

LV Hilton is a classic sportbooks and probably my favorite 'original'. Been to a few on the strip, dont like the newer ones so much. Imperial Palace is old, but usually quiet which is nice. My top3 on the strip, not counting the IP would probably be...Ceasars,MGM and Mandalay Bay( havent been to that one in a long time though)

South/West : South Point is decent, also some good food there.
Palms is decent, popular hotel so it can get busy at times.
Orleans is small but player friendly...and like the stations, they offer betting from home via telephone.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Vegas. rbj

[Some_One]

In recent years my frequent Nevada trips have been mostly to Laughlin and Lake Tahoe, so am out of touch with conditions in the Las Vegas books and need to catch up. At any location visited prefer practical over glitz. By that, mean patronizing books that have a good comp program. At many of the high end Strip places mentioned in earlier posts, unless you are wagering big bucks you would not get so much as a breakfast buffet. At a good non Strip location they will have some kind of a players card program in which your card is scanned each time you make a bet, and credits are accrued that can be redeemed later for food, gift shop, or toward rooms. Also, and this can be important over a period of time, a few places are generous about Forms. They might offer free Forms outright, sell them to you and redeem the price to you later at the end of the day, or sell them at a discount in a package, like all three of the next day's for 5 bucks, or something similar. From what I can gather and recall, the Station racebooks are reputed to have a good system. The problem is that Las vegas is now so huge and spread out, with dozens of racebooks, that it would take a lot of time, gasoline, and shoe leather to check them all out. Comments? Personal experience? Suggestions?

MGM will give you free forms if you are staying there (and produce your keycard)

[mannyberrios]

MGM will give you free forms if you are staying there (and produce your keycard)I did not stay at the MGM, but they gave a free racing form for free everyday for 3 weeks straight

[Donnie]

Just out of curiosity, what days in Feb will you be there? The Horse Players World Series is Feb 23-25th at the Orleans. Would give you cause to go eyeball the setup of a large tournament and see one of the previously recommended racebooks, The Orleans. You can take a free shuttle from over at the Strip out to either the Orleans or the Gold Coast. Get down to Bill's Casino, north across the street from Bally's...the shuttle stand is on the South side of the building. Free buses come by about every 20 minutes!

[fast4522]

calltopost,
I have been there 20 + times and it never gets old. Bring your best sneakers, get up early with your wife and see some things. New sneakers can not be trusted, ones you trust that provide comfortable miles per day are the best bet. Staying center strip first trip is best for hitting more places first go around. Race books with laptop the Palms is top choice, Paris is always good for one afternoon of racing, both have power plugs. You want to catch the Bellagio & Mirage for the volcano and water shows at night, also TI has a pirate show (all free). Do the front pocket pants with Velcro there are pick pocket folks who are the best in the country there. Always take a cab to your hotel from the airport and do not forget to tell the driver (do not take the tunnel).

[Donnie]

Unless of course you buy the sneakers now and get them broken in before your trip!! But sage advice either way!!!!

Be careful of taking cabs....seems anywhere you want to go will be $20....one time I got a rental car for $8 a day. If you go with a rental, NEVER try to drive the Strip at night!! Daytime, not so bad. Nighttime....furgetaboutit!!!

They do have bus shuttles to and from the airport. $12 or $14 each way, I believe. But you are at the mercy of their order of stops! Worth the cab ride to your destination. Unless you want to split a limo with others.....arrive in style!!

[bbopjz]

curious about racebooks policy toward laptops and ipads-which racebooks are most computer friendly?

[Run Nicholas Run]

stay away from any place that caters to locals as those
who live here can attest to the low life scumbags that
permeate those places( palace station, orleans, south point,
both cannerys).
Your best bet nowadays is the Venetian or if on the other
end the Tropicana.
Wont see too many Jim Ignitowski's wandering around.

[Some_One]

curious about racebooks policy toward laptops and ipads-which racebooks are most computer friendly?

Wynn seemed ok with it, but remember NV laws saying you can't transmit in a sportsbook, eventhough you can pickup a wireless signal in there, you can't surf sites like covers.com in there.

[DigitalDownsJoe]

I enjoyed the Orleans as well. Very friendly competent staff. You dont get the same wow factor as some of the fancier hotels, but very solid, and less crowded. Worth the taking a trip off the strip for sure. They have a good turf club with rewards too.

[Spiderman]

No mention of race book at Treasure Island. Anyone been there?

[cj's dad]

The Stratosphere

[BlueShoe]

I enjoyed the Orleans as well. Very friendly competent staff. You dont get the same wow factor as some of the fancier hotels, but very solid, and less crowded. Worth the taking a trip off the strip for sure. They have a good turf club with rewards too.
Have heard others say this. Orleans and Sams Town are part of the Coast family of casinos. Both the Coast and Station families of racebooks are said to be good places to play, with good service and rewards for players. As to which is better, Station or Coast, this might be better answered by locals and recent frequent visitors. Likely will come down to personal preference for a particular book, plain old just who do I like.

[elhelmete]

I've always been partial to the LV Hilton (actually tomorrow they lose their Hilton franchise, but I digress). Huge room, no seat fees, as many screens as anywhere I've seen. The tellers are very good if you get a horse-only window (i.e., no sports betting), I think those are to the right.

The sandwich shop in the book is pretty darn good too.

Parking is super easy and convenient.

[Bettowin]

No mention of race book at Treasure Island. Anyone been there?

I stayed at TI over Christmas and walked over to the Mirage sports book to play the horses. IMO, the Mirage was solid with adequate tables and individual TV's. If you like a drink or 5 while playing the Mirage gives out vouchers for every $5 bet. The tellers were very friendly and competent (albeit old) after 3 or 4 bets they would recognize and acknowledge me and give me as many drink tickets as I wanted. Had enough at the end of the day to share with everyone in the area:) Restrooms are also right at the sportsbook so very convenient.

The TI on the other hand would only give a drink ticket for every $100+ sports bet so I didn't even ask about the horses. Restrooms are quite a hike from the sportsbook also.

Played a poker tournament at the Venetian and made a bet in the sportsbook. It was much more modern than the Mirage or TI and the scenery was much better also. Didn't play the horses there but from a "wow factor" the Venetian stood out.

[Spiderman]

I stayed at TI over Christmas and walked over to the Mirage sports book to play the horses. IMO, the Mirage was solid with adequate tables and individual TV's. If you like a drink or 5 while playing the Mirage gives out vouchers for every $5 bet. The tellers were very friendly and competent (albeit old) after 3 or 4 bets they would recognize and acknowledge me and give me as many drink tickets as I wanted. Had enough at the end of the day to share with everyone in the area:) Restrooms are also right at the sportsbook so very convenient.

The TI on the other hand would only give a drink ticket for every $100+ sports bet so I didn't even ask about the horses. Restrooms are quite a hike from the sportsbook also.

Played a poker tournament at the Venetian and made a bet in the sportsbook. It was much more modern than the Mirage or TI and the scenery was much better also. Didn't play the horses there but from a "wow factor" the Venetian stood out.

Thanks for reply. I will be at TI for NTRA tournament, Jan 26-29. Was concerned more about seating and getting a personal TV than anything else.

[Bettowin]

Thanks for reply. I will be at TI for NTRA tournament, Jan 26-29. Was concerned more about seating and getting a personal TV than anything else.

The TI sportsbook is small so I would imagine the tournament would be in a large ballroom but not sure. The TI room we had was very nice. Got comped up to a large 2 bathroom suite. Not for what we played but who we knew:)
On positive side the clientele at the TI sportsbook was top notch. Nobody sleeping in the corner or low lifes hanging around looking to con someone.

[shots]

Like the Bellagio, made some nice scores there.

[olddaddy]

I have been going to race books for awhile in vegas, started going to churcill and the rose bowl. (that was before casinos had race books) The 1st race book I remember was at the stardust. Recently I have been to the race books at the orleans, gold coast, south point and red rock. Orleans and gold coast are similar , both have individual screens, charge $3 for a form which you get back when you return it and have drink coupons which you have to ask the teller for. I was there this year in the fall and wanted to play some .20 pk4s at WO. The teller told me they dont take those bets and other low minimum bets. He seemed happy that he doesnt have to be bothered with those bets until I told him hand held devices and machines will be very accommodating for taking all bets there.

Red Rock is very nice and cleaner than orleans and gold coast but is far away. South Point dont have dividers between places where you sit but do have individual screens. The drink service was very good and didnt have the drink coupon system, which to me is degrading. I had a form when I went to these books so I dont know their policy on this.

As you have noticed I stay away from the strip at all costs.

[Striker]

Mandalay Bay is my favorite sportsbook/racebook hangout whenever I'm in Vegas.

[David-LV]

Thanks for reply. I will be at TI for NTRA tournament, Jan 26-29. Was concerned more about seating and getting a personal TV than anything else.

The NTRA Tournament is being held in a large ballroom with plenty of TV'S, but they are not set up for personal TV'S.

_________
David-LV

[bob77713]

The first thing you need to do is cancel travelodge. Do a Internet search for casino hotel deals.

The coolest by far is hardrock. They have a screen which extends across the sports book. Definitely setup for younger crowd.

[calltopost]

I am going to visit the Orleans and Wynn I think.

My friends have a room at the MGM Grand. I got one at the Travelodge to save money. I will have them get me a racing form.

The only person I know in Las Vegas is a cab driver so I have a ride all set.

I get there Friday Feb 17 and leave Monday Feb 20.