Las Vegas Racebook Questions
 

I'm going to Vegas later on this month. I used to live and work there in the mid-90s, this will only be my 5th trip back.
Are there self machines in Vegas Racebooks? Do they take 50 cent bets? I ask this because on my most recent visit to the Borgata in AC I wanted to make a 50 cent Pick 4 on my way out, had been using vouchers in self machines, when I said 50 cent P4 the teller immediately was like no no 50 cent bets, I protested that the total amount would be $72 but he still said no and I bought a voucher-fine.
When I arrive in Vegas Santa Anita should be just about starting and I may want to make a P5 wager @50 cents. I don't want to double the size (which would make it real expensive and would be a possible tax messup). I only remember the LV Hilton having self machines way back when and I won't be there. Anyone know? If I have to I will bet through my njbets/TVG account which is not really allowed but I know I did a few years ago.

Also, any books worth going to? How is the DRF process working, free with action? I hear Bellagio is real nice, may not go there everyday but will make an appearance.

I dont remember ever seeing machines for horses in Vegas. Pretty sure you must make all bets with a human...

I'll be at planet Hollywood the 19-23rd...heard southpoint is nice for horseplayer.

Most all casinos have IPT self betting machines, but you have to open an account and deposit funds to bet with.
All the betting menues that you have at the race tracks are available in Las Vegas including 50 cent P3, P4, P5, tri's, 10 cent supers, dollar doubles etc.
Enjoy and good luck.

Vegas needs SAM machines, no reason not to have them.

Some casinos have systems that you can sign up for an account and play from a desk with a computer monitor that you can watch races on.

However, these systems aren't free for the casinos and they pay $$ per day to another company even when they aren't used. Last time I was at Wynn 2 years ago I was told they were ripping out about half of the machines as they were losing money on them.

South Point and Orleans for horse players. I like both but it is a little nicer at South Point.

Went to Vegas last year specifically for the Sports Books.

I asked the group here what they preferred for Casinos. Lots of great answers.

Southpoint is nice because it's way down the strip and is its own world. The sports book there is huge with plenty of seats, but it's a bit "sterile".

On the strip there are so many books it's hard to pull out one, but I prefer Winn's Casino over the others. It's very nice, well appointed, and comfortable.

I'll see if I can find that thread for you and post a link.

-Billy

The Cosmopolitan sports book is on the 2nd floor and has a wing of the book for Horse players using the touch screens. I am always the only player in there when I go so I can't get the races I want to go bigger on the screens (they are tiled so they can use them as like 6 separate monitors or one big monitor).

With that said, it is a pain to get them to open a horse account and put money in it. Each time, even when I say I am putting money in my horse account, they put it in the sports account and I have to have them switch over. They don't listen to you, but the machines listen nicely. You can pull up the totes and probably will pays on the machines, so I always go that route.

I like the Cosmopolitan, and so does my girlfriend. Great casino on many levels. Literally! :)

Here is the thread I started last year on Vegas Books:

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/s...s+sports+books

Here was my "Summation" after the trip:

Gentlemen:

Just returned from Lost Wages. Awesome weekend and a Monday. Three full days of Sports Book investigation and enjoyment.

The Wynn is amazing. Steve Wynn has that hotel absolutely shining in every way and the Sports Book there is luxurious. You think you are in a Board Room when there. Great service. I stayed ONE night and the rooms are top shelf indeed. Makes the Luxor or Excalibur look lack luster in comparison, but I stayed at Luxor two other nights for $29 per night. Wynn was $89 with my Sports Book Stay discount.

LVH (Las Vegas Hilton) is very nice. Great Sports book, easy to get food and drinks and they seem to cater to the HorsePlayer. I felt the same way at Paris, but their Sports Book is much smaller.

SouthPoint has a separate HorsePlayer Sports Book area. If you are just looking for playing the Ponies and want a large dedicated book to do it in, I have to recommend SouthPoint. And, they have Hot Dogs for 50 cents each. You can get a two Hot dogs and a coke for under 3 bucks. I hit a Daily at SouthPoint so it was Steak and Lobster that night for dinner.

Red Rock is nice and out of the way. I had never been there before. Like SouthPoint is not "On the Strip".

The Palms and Aria are excellent. They came highly recommended and I thank the user for sending me a PM. I give Aria a slight edge here. Really nice area for the Book and great service by the ladies. I don't drink, and wanted Lemonade with a spritz of Seven Up. They remembered this and brought me one every 30 minutes like clockwork.

I hit Mandolay, Bellagio, and Orleans on the final day. Not bad.

Overall? It's hard to pick a winner. If you want to feel like an executive high roller, Wynn wins hands down. For a huge dedicated HoresPlayer Sports Book? SouthPoint. And the cheap delicious hot dogs are hard to beat. On the strip? Toss up between Mandolay, Bellagio and Orleans.
Red Rock is great if you want to be away from the buzz. It's really laid back.

I really thank you guys for all the suggestions!

-Billy
__________________

Isn't Wynn like 9,000 dollars a night?

Glad you had fun!!

Yea, for a Penthouse suite!

Standard rooms are $249

I got a super special... I can't remember... "Cheap Tickets"??? for 89 bucks. I jumped on it. In hindsight, I probably should have splurged and stayed the entire visit for that night rate, but I'm too cheap to do that now.

I used to be a James Bond high-roller type and stayed in suites when I was younger, but today, I can't stand spending money on hotel rooms. Don't know why, so I stay at the Luxor or Excalibur (whichever is cheapest at booking) for 29 to 30 bucks a night. I think the rooms are GREAT for THAT price. My girlfriend also loves the Luxor. Anything Egyptian she thinks is awesome.

Cheaptickes sometimes is a huge discount. My girlfriend and I got a room at the GRAND WAILEA on MAUI for $199 a night and the standard at the time of booking was $349. I always check Cheap Tickets. Being a frugal sort. :)

89 a night at Wynn is an amazing price for what they normally cost.

I'll be there 2/15-2/20 if I'm not broke by the 19th I'll send you a PM, if anyone else is there too can have a Vegas meetup.