The Sportbook Dilema: Recently, I received an Email about the Bally’s sportbook and one reader’s negative feelings toward the establishment. So I asked Thomas M., A.K.A. T.C. to rate his top five sport books in Las Vegas. T.C. had informed me that a hockey game had been turned off after the second period and I nearly choked. Hockey is sacred and if this was a hockey fan perhaps others would enjoy reading his choices of sportbooks.
The Rating Scale by T.C.: I put a lot of thought into my ratings of the top five books. I based the ratings on several factors that are most important (not in any order). Parking (near/far), Overall atmosphere,
Numbers (lines)/wagers and wager amounts, location of nearest bar/restrooms. Satellite games/screen sizes and if individual monitors are available and guest services.
The Monte Carlo: The number one is the Monte Carlo. Great outstanding atmosphere, classy but not expensive. The M.C. (satellite book of Excalibur) was the only place in the city that took series action on MLB playoff games after the series started. At the M.C. you can park on the south end, hit the restroom and sit in front of the big screen
for MNF (Monday Night Football). Drinks are standard and they have the NHL Satellite package.
The Luxor: Next would be the Luxor, they have individual monitors with volume you can actually hear with headphones. (good place for betting and watching MLB) Parking (westside garage, level 2) is convenient, drinks, like the Monte Carlo are standard, however, it lacks knowledgeable and energetic people behind the counter (they get confused about the simplest thing, as I have many a story from there) but again, it is a satellite book of the Excalibur, so the numbers, TVs, and cocktails work.
The Mandalay Bay: The third spot goes to the Mandalay Bay. Hot cocktail servers, nice seats, big screens. I found guest service is great. Parking is questionable, but the other factors outweigh that.
The Bellagio: Bellagio has unlimited free drinks, super soft chairs, big screens and the hockey package. The two down falls of the Bellagio, the super long walk from the garage to the book, and they don’t control the TVs (They have a copy-cat type system from some other casino).
Green Valley Station: Green Valley has plenty of room and television sets, its comfortable overall. Too bad its location is in Henderson
The Palms: The Palms would have easily made the top 3 (The best overall atmosphere by far), but they don’t offer action on some major sporting events, such as the NBA. Therefore, the Palms is not on any positive list.
The Conclusion: T.C. is obviously dropping a few coins at different places around Las Vegas. Oddly enough he never mentioned two of my favorites, The Stardust or the Las Vegas Hilton. Quite often you can get comfortable with a certain place and ignore what happens around you. We should all thank T.C. the next time we put a few quarters on our favorite team to win the Stanley Cup. In case you needed to know, the safe bet would be the L.A. Kings.
If you find you have suggestions make sure to send them in and I will let you guide the Las Vegas Visitor to your secret spot in the Desert.
