February is my first time in Vegas. Best OTB?
 

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?

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.

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

"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.

need to as Dave. He probably knows

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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