Back To Vegas Race and Sports Book Trip This Fall - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com

BettinBilly · 04-04-2022, 01:33 PM

I am planning on a Return To Vegas trip this Fall. I had been doing this trip annually but skipped the last two years beause of the pandemic.

I am curious to know if any of our members have been to Vegas recently (post pandemic) or are planning to go this year. If so, are there any changes or additions they may have noticed post pandemic? These changes and additions may effect my decision on where to stay.

Of course, and most importantly, I'm most interested in hearing about the Sports Books and Race Books. I assume that large books like The Wynn and South Point and Westgate are operating as they did before, but I would think there have been some additions and changes since last I visited.

Any info for 2022 would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

tbwinner · 04-04-2022, 09:31 PM

What do you want to know? I've been 10 times in the past 18 months.

Everything's back to normal except staffing. If sit down restaurants are your thing make sure you have reservations. And reserve early. Masks are gone. Tons of crowds. Downtown, weed smell everywhere. Mid strip similar.

Wynn still cream of the crop for hotel to stay at. Expensive if not comped. I don't go for racebooks but everyone still says South Point is the best for horseplayers with Wynn a close 2nd. Mirage wasn't too bad either. Never been to Westgate.

BettinBilly · 04-05-2022, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbwinner

What do you want to know? I've been 10 times in the past 18 months.

Everything's back to normal except staffing. If sit down restaurants are your thing make sure you have reservations. And reserve early. Masks are gone. Tons of crowds. Downtown, weed smell everywhere. Mid strip similar.

Wynn still cream of the crop for hotel to stay at. Expensive if not comped. I don't go for racebooks but everyone still says South Point is the best for horseplayers with Wynn a close 2nd. Mirage wasn't too bad either. Never been to Westgate.

Thanks TB. I appreciate the tips. I will probably stay at Wynn. I'll definitely play the Race/Sports Book at Wynn for a while, then hop around to other books. I have not been to South Point in about 6 years. I will probably take a trek down there to play their book for one day. I like the way they separate their Race and Sports books.

My last stay in Vegas was 2019, and I stayed at the Mirage. My standard operating procedure regardless of where I was staying was to get off the plane (always late morning arrival), and cab it to the Mirage so I could hit The Carnegie Deli for a piled-high hot pastrami on rye. I would eat half for lunch and saved the other half for dinner because only those with professional stomachs could eat a whole sandwich in one sitting. But I see they have closed the Carnegie Deli as of last year. Typical. Another tradition gone.

lamboguy · 04-05-2022, 08:03 AM

i saw a review for a restaurant out there that makes me want to go back. It's a place called the Golden Steer. i lived in the Desert for 5 years and never made it there. if i go back someday, i will have dinner there the first night after i arrive

. https://www.goldensteerlasvegas.com/

BettinBilly · 04-05-2022, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamboguy

i saw a review for a restaurant out there that makes me want to go back. It's a place called the Golden Steer. i lived in the Desert for 5 years and never made it there. if i go back someday, i will have dinner there the first night after i arrive

. https://www.goldensteerlasvegas.com/

Thanks! Totally unknown to me, but it is now on the agenda.

The last time I was in Vegas I dined at "Sinatra" at the Encore (Wynn). Fabulous. Lots of Sinatra memorabilia and Sinatra music playing, all sanctioned by the Sinatra family. Great food. This is now a must dine location for me in Vegas. But I'm really looking forward to trying the Golden Steer because it reminds me of the "Sinatra" restaurant at the Encore. I see there is even a "Sinatra Booth" at the Golden Steer. Nice.

burnsy · 04-05-2022, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettinBilly

I am planning on a Return To Vegas trip this Fall. I had been doing this trip annually but skipped the last two years beause of the pandemic.

I am curious to know if any of our members have been to Vegas recently (post pandemic) or are planning to go this year. If so, are there any changes or additions they may have noticed post pandemic? These changes and additions may effect my decision on where to stay.

Of course, and most importantly, I'm most interested in hearing about the Sports Books and Race Books. I assume that large books like The Wynn and South Point and Westgate are operating as they did before, but I would think there have been some additions and changes since last I visited.

Any info for 2022 would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I was out there for the Super Bowl week. Had a blast. The mask �� order was lifted while I was there. So, in one day hardly anyone had a mask. Which was fine , they were all touting the “lower “ Covid numbers and such . Well , they get 300,000 people that weekend and wouldn’t you know it, I went home with Covid. I’m guessing it spreads like hell there. Touching machines, playing black Jack and the place was mobbed. I had both shots and the booster. My girlfriend was with me and never got a sniffle . Maybe those shots work, I don’t know, but I was never that sick. Coughed for two days then slept for 4 more. Was tired as hell. If you go during a peak season just be prepared to be around a lot of people .

BettinBilly · 04-05-2022, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnsy

I was out there for the Super Bowl week. Had a blast. The mask �� order was lifted while I was there. So, in one day hardly anyone had a mask. Which was fine , they were all touting the “lower “ Covid numbers and such . Well , they get 300,000 people that weekend and wouldn’t you know it, I went home with Covid. I’m guessing it spreads like hell there. Touching machines, playing black Jack and the place was mobbed. I had both shots and the booster. My girlfriend was with me and never got a sniffle . Maybe those shots work, I don’t know, but I was never that sick. Coughed for two days then slept for 4 more. Was tired as hell. If you go during a peak season just be prepared to be around a lot of people .

This doesn't surprise me burnsy. Hopefully the virus will be even more calmed down by the time I get there this fall. I've had Covid, so at least I know what I'm in for should I get it again.

burnsy · 04-05-2022, 09:52 PM

Yeah, I had a great time. Wasn’t sick til the day I left. You should be fine. It was one of the busiest weeks when I was there. The Sports Books were very crowded. If you weren’t using the App for which ever one you were betting with the lines for a window went out the door during that weekend. I can hardly wait to go back. Have fun, good luck.

BettinBilly · 04-06-2022, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnsy

Yeah, I had a great time. Wasn’t sick til the day I left. You should be fine. It was one of the busiest weeks when I was there. The Sports Books were very crowded. If you weren’t using the App for which ever one you were betting with the lines for a window went out the door during that weekend. I can hardly wait to go back. Have fun, good luck.

That's great, biurnsy. I'm glad you enjoyed it and glad you recoverd from the virus.

I've seen Vegas sports books crazy busy. I remember my first Saturday during a heavy sports betting weekend at Wynn's book. Line out the door from the right side of the book windows just to place a bet. I'm standing in line and say to the guy in front of me, "I'm never gonna' get this bet in before the race goes off." He says, "You're betting a horse race? You don't have to stand in line. This line is for sports betting. You can just walk up to one of the far left open windows for a horse wager."

I didn't know that Wynn did that. But honestly, I no longer go to sports books on heavy play days for college/pro sports. It's just too busy. I'm strickly a horseplayer. I don't bet on other sports. That's one reason why I like South Point and their separation of sports and race books. But that casino is so far away from anything else in Vegas, it's just too isolated for me.

tbwinner · 04-06-2022, 04:57 PM

Ha, that's a funny reminder. We had another couple in town with us and we stayed at the Wynn. The guy was getting frustrated because he was betting some games and guys kept cutting in line saying "Sorry, horses!" ...this was three months ago so looks like they still follow that!

lamboguy · 04-06-2022, 05:18 PM

Michael's when it was located at The Barbary Coast was the best restaurant i have ever eaten at anywhere. today its at a place called South Point. its probably still great.

https://www.opentable.com/michaels-south-point-casino

BettinBilly · 04-06-2022, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbwinner

Ha, that's a funny reminder. We had another couple in town with us and we stayed at the Wynn. The guy was getting frustrated because he was betting some games and guys kept cutting in line saying "Sorry, horses!" ...this was three months ago so looks like they still follow that!

Smart move for Wynn. Obviously, most horseplayers aren't going to place all their bets at once for the whole day in the morning, and we can't wait for 15 minutes or more standing in line just to place a wager 15 or more times a day. Whereas game betting guys typically have much more time to get their bet down. What they were doing when I was there on that super busy Saturday was they had sports book players lined up on the far right side of the book and out the door. This line fed open windows from right to left. As a race book horseplayer, you stood toward the far left windows and took priority over the sports book players on the right. I was impressed. But that day was still so crazy busy and crowded, I left fairly early. I usually stay most of the day concluding races at Santa Anita. It was so busy on that particular day that there was absolutely no place to sit and very little room to stand. That's too crazy busy for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamboguy

Michael's when it was located at The Barbary Coast was the best restaurant i have ever eaten at anywhere. today its at a place called South Point. its probably still great.

https://www.opentable.com/michaels-south-point-casino

Thanks. I don't know Michael's. I have not been to South Point in many years. It's just too far down Las Vegas Blvd. and too isolated for me, but I will make it a point to spend one full day there this upcoming trip. And I will enjoy a few of their legendary 75 cent hot dogs from the casino floor hot dog cart. Although they are probably $1.75 these days. I'll definitely try Michael's for dinner.

tbwinner · 04-08-2022, 07:37 PM

South Point I believe is $1.25 now for their hot dog cart. Still a great value!

If you're looking for a great steakhouse, look no further than Bavette's which is at Park MGM. Funny enough I've actually never had steak there but have been with guests who've had. 3 or 4 of 5 times I've had their burger, which I added a fried egg and bacon to, and it's the best burger I've ever had. Lifetime. Better than the steak. My wife eventually tried it there too and there's no going back for anything else. First visit, try the steak, just to try it, second, just stick with the burger!

BettinBilly · 04-11-2022, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbwinner

South Point I believe is $1.25 now for their hot dog cart. Still a great value!

If you're looking for a great steakhouse, look no further than Bavette's which is at Park MGM. Funny enough I've actually never had steak there but have been with guests who've had. 3 or 4 of 5 times I've had their burger, which I added a fried egg and bacon to, and it's the best burger I've ever had. Lifetime. Better than the steak. My wife eventually tried it there too and there's no going back for anything else. First visit, try the steak, just to try it, second, just stick with the burger!

You know, I've been to Vegas dozens of times, but I have never been to MGM. I've walked past it many times, but never went in. Well, at least as far as I can remember anyway.

I am a bit of an egg slut, and do like a fried egg on my cheeseburger. I pass on the bacon only because it tends to overpower the burger IMO. I love bacon, just not on a cheeseburger. I'll put this restaurant on the list. Thanks for the tip.

BettinBilly · 04-11-2022, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbwinner

South Point I believe is $1.25 now for their hot dog cart. Still a great value!

If you're looking for a great steakhouse, look no further than Bavette's which is at Park MGM. Funny enough I've actually never had steak there but have been with guests who've had. 3 or 4 of 5 times I've had their burger, which I added a fried egg and bacon to, and it's the best burger I've ever had. Lifetime. Better than the steak. My wife eventually tried it there too and there's no going back for anything else. First visit, try the steak, just to try it, second, just stick with the burger!

EDIT:

My mistake. I went to the website and saw that "Eataly" is in Park MGM. Of course I've been there. SWMBO loves "Eataly". I just don't remember "Bavette's". So I'll go back and try "Bavette's".