Vegas anyone?

[warriors05]

Just wondering if anyone is going to be in Vegas for the first weekend of the tourney or knows the best place to watch the warriors on thursday and saturday?

[ONeills Barstool]

I did Vegas for the first weekend a few years back....really great times!  It is definitely something that should be experienced  by all diehard college basketball fans - have fun.

We jumped around between the Bellagio, Paris, and others.  ALL of the sports books were packed full well in advance of the first game of the morning.  If you want to spend time in the actual sports book - GET THERE EARLY.

We spent most of our time at the Paris 'cause they had a great setup that I'm sure is repeated elsewhere.  Their large auditorium was setup for game viewing - 4 huge screens with all games shown.  They had an overflow sports book to get your wagering $$ in the auditorium lobby along with various beverage and food offerings.  You could come and go as you please without fearing seat availability upon your return.

One of the best parts of being in the auditorium with a bunch of other fans is that even a 20 point blowout could have people screaming on every basket - 'cause it might be hovering at the spread.

I don't think it will matter much where you watch the Warriors - it'll be a blast anywhere on the strip. 

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN. 

[mugoose]

Bellagio and ceasers are the only two books you will get complimentary drinks. At least on the strip.

If you want to sit, plan on getting to a book around 6AM VegaS TIME.

Suggestion - get a ton of beer and sit in your room - at least for the MU game. The books will be sooooo freakin crowded, you know what to do.

OR

strip it up at Club Paradise.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Word of advice...if you plan on watching the games at a sportsbook, you better wake up about 2:00am on Thursday morning to get a seat otherwise you have no chance.

Been there, done it.  Will never do it again.

[milkbone]

I got free drinks at TI last year for the 3rd round.

[jpvegas]

I vote for the Hilton as the best Sports book on the strip, or at least the largest.  Mandalay Bay is also good.    A new locals bar with a good sports book is Red Rock Station on West Charleston.  If you want to go to a Green Bay Packer/Wisconsin pub, (not a sportsbook) to watch the games go to The Draft House on Rancho Drive, they serve brats and walleye.  You can usually get free drinks at any of the sports books but they require a bet to be placed and they'll give you a coupon.

Hope this helps.

[Pakuni]

It's a little dumpy (OK ... a lot dumpy), but the Imperial Palace is a good place to watch games. They set up a large conference room about 50 yards from the sports book with tables and about 8-10 big-screen TVs. There's food and a couple bars in the room. Not complimentary, but pretty cheap. Get there about an hour before the first games and you'll get a table at or near the front.

I was in Vegas in '96 (I think it was '96) when they lost to 12th seeded Arkanas.
I was in Vegas in '02 when they lost to 12th seeded Tulsa.
I was in Vegas in '06 when they lost to 10th seeded Alabama.

I may never go to Vegas for the opening weekend again.

Edit: I'm home in Illinois this weekend, so you can all rest easy.

[Henry Sugar]

I'll be out there for Thu and Fri.  Our group always watches at Caesar's, and the plan is literally to stay up all night in shifts.

My current plan is to bet against all Big 10 teams and Kansas, and to bet for all Big East teams.

[warriors05]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I'll probably try them all throughout the weekend (assuming I'm sober enough to move from one place to the next).  Enjoy the games!