Im going out there with large group of dudes (a couple different bachelor parties) and am looking for some advice from people that have done the same thing. Basically, I would like to know where the best spots are to watch the games. I would assume the books are probably going to be a nightmare but I could be wrong. If the books aren't an option, what's the next best option? Thanks

Books will be packed. I say pay someone poor in your group to go down and reserve a table - this worked for me at Caesar's a few years ago.

I'm assuming you can't call and reserve and that you have to sit there all ****ing day? In my opinion, the Hilton has a the best book to sweat games, anyone agree/disagree? Better options?

The Venetian's book is nice too. Your best bet might be to go to some of the less popular, off strip books. Plaza, Sam's Town, some place like that. I would think the strip and popular locals casinos are going to be insane.

If you are not stuck on being at a book, there are lots of locals bars that are huge and cannot possibly fill up. Check out PTs. Several of them have large, almost completely closed areas. If you had enough people you might could reserve a room. The one near me has a dining room with many TVs that is almost never used after the smoking ban got reversed. They also have sports betting kiosks in them so you can bet as you go.

That sounds like a great idea. Can you give me any names of these sports bars with betting kiosks? How far off the strip are some of these places?

AFAIK all PTs have betting kiosks. The PTs Gold are bigger and more modern. They tend to have the separate dining areas which are empty nearly 100% of the time post smoking ban. When there was a smoking ban where food was served you would be forced by law to eat in the walled off dining room (although most ignored it) so bars that were built or remodeled during that time created separate rooms that are no longer used. Here is a link:

http://ptstaverns.com/

They are as close or as far from the strip as you want. There are 30-40 of them. When you call, make sure you do not have to be a NV resident to bet on sports at the kiosks. That is the rule for other remote gambling but I don't think it applies to kiosks. The kiosks also go down from time to time so you might want to make some bets at a casino before getting there and use the kiosks as a back up. You will also be required to punch in your SSN before making your first bet, the law requires it.

I would imagine if you called now and talked to the PTs managers now you could get something set up without problems. When you click "Find locations" on PTs sites, call the ones with the gold logos on the map. They are bigger than the standard PTs.

Another idea, although it will likely be crowded, is Buffalo Wild Wing. If the smoke will bother anyone in your group BWW may be the way to go, they are non smoking except on grave. They have sports kiosks too.

thanks

At the bigger casinos, the books are so crowded that it was easier to watch the games from the poker table. It's a problem if they won't or can't show the game you want to watch though. If you have a favorite team(s) you want to follow, it usually sucks watching them in sports books because the sound is only on for one game.

I may be doing this as well. The poker tables should be pretty packed too, I'm assuming?

I would suggest going to a smaller room like Tropicana where there are several TVs, the book is right there, but the room is never busy. Playing somewhere like Venetian might be a problem with the big book and big poker rooms close together.

Do hotels setup viewing areas in convention rooms like they do for the Superbowl?

Thanks for the suggestion, I had not thought of that. I was really just confirmed if Vegas would be rockin' during this time period, but it seems like that is implied. Having waited for long period of time during wsop at Aria, I can definitely see the pros of playing at a smaller joint. Thanks.

I know that Golden Nugget and Freemont Casino do downtown. I thought Freemont had better deals.

Did the guys trip last year for March Madness, except went the second weekend of games. Was awesome and would definitely do again. Stayed at the Planet Hollywod Towers - basically the time share condos. Got the 2BR/2Bath condo with kitchen - although didn't use the kitchen at all. There's a DLP projector that basically turns an entire wall from floor to ceiling into a TV - that was pretty cool to watch the games until we headed to the casino. With 5 guys per suite, was pretty affordable.

A couple of sports books set up theatre / stadium style seating. I think MGM and the V did something like that. And yes, the poker tables were packed, with great action and juicy games. 1/2 at PH and Bally's was particularly fun and profitable. 2/5 at the V and Bellagio was crazy. I recall the V being the most comfortable and I was able to watch all the games while playing.

gonna be my second time going this year. you pretty much have to get to the book super early to get a table if you want to sit and watch the games. There are pretty big lines to bet and everyone just ends up standing around in a huge mob and watching the games.

what I found I enjoyed the most was going to some of the smaller casinos downtown and watching the games. they were no where near as crowded and didn't take long to get bets in.

but if you plan on playing a lot of poker stay on the strip obv and fight the masses. it is a fun trip though.