For years now the men in my family have traveled to Vegas for the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. It’s without a doubt my favorite family tradition – a yearly celebration of the beginning of spring – highlighted by betting on and watching every possible NCAA tournament game, with the occasional side trip to the craps table mixed in (and as a public safety warning to basically everyone in Vegas, if you happen to be at a craps table with Conor – make sure you are standing up-wind, the dice are likely to go anywhere and hit anyone).
So with the economic climate the way that it is, I know many are wondering, should I go to Vegas or should I skip it this year? Unless you are in a dire situation, or I guess especially if you are in a dire situation, now is the time to hit Vegas. It’s as cheap as it has been in years. Hotel rooms at even the best places are going for less than half what you would have paid in years past. Even more importantly, however, is the availability of low limit tables. On a recent weekend you could find $5 craps tables at Mandalay on Friday and Saturday nights, I can’t think of a single time I’ve seen that in the past 5 years. Buffets are less crowded, the taxi line at the airport was a reasonable length, and reservations at top restaurants are not a problem to get even on late notice.
It’s not all good news, however, tour operators are more aggressive than they’ve ever been, I was practically tackled by a guy trying to force me into a helicopter tour and the “street vendors” offering “business cards” for in room “dancers” are more willing than ever to knock over an 80 year old woman to flick a card 2 inches from your chest.
All things considered, if you’ve still got a job and money to spend, there’s no time like the present to visit an old friend.
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That dice strength just runs in the family. Ever seen my mom throw those things? She’s hit people in the pool before.
I’m actually headed to Vegas for the first weekend of March Madness this year (March 18-23) and you’re right — rooms are dirt cheap. Too bad we won’t be there at the same time …
@ Matt–sorry to be missing you. Would have been great to meet you.
I took my first trip to Vegas a few years ago with four high school buddies. In the years leading up this trip, I was encouraged by other friends to visit Vegas through their stories of epic proportions.
So my first trip to Vegas, as expected, was probably the funnest trip of my life. Most of our gambling in Vegas revolved around the Ceaser’s Sports Book. While we sat at our little table complete with a flatscreen TV, I began to wonder how exciting it would be to return during the first week of the NCAA tournament – to experience four days straight of excitement, betting, and adult beverages.
While I have not returned for March Madness, and probably will not this year, I plan to in the near future.
How much more crowded is Vegas, and more specifically the casino’s Sportsbooks during March Madness compared to other times of the year?
Also, in your trips to Vegas, which Sportsbook do you prefer?
In my opinion Mandalay has the best sportsbook, but that may be at least partially influenced by the fact that I like staying at THE Hotel, so it’s nice and close.
The second weekend of the tournament is supposed to be one of the busiest of the year in Vegas (along with a couple of the major conventions,from what I’ve heard) definitely more crowded than average and typically much more expensive.
March Madness is crowded, but not the normal party crowded. There are a lot more smelly dudes wearing jerseys and baseball caps than the other bigger weekends when it is more focused around partying. But the excitement in the sportsbook during a close game is unmatched.
I was just in Vegas from Feb. 11-15 and it was a ghost town. Never have seen the place so empty. And it is true what they say about the abundance of $5 tables…at least one everyday all hours at the Tropicana…fun times.
To me, the best sports book is Ceasar’s…the service is unmatched…the girls keep the drinks flowing.
Also, the line for the buffet at The Rio on a weekend was less than half an hour…amazing…both the short wait and the buffet…
If you get a chance, check out the Palazzo for a cush Sportsbook. Up the strip, closer to Treasure Island… former site of Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club. Has the feel of a SoCal indoor/outdoor bar. You can actually get an outdoor cove with a TV and couches. Watching sports outside in Vegas with real oxygen? Unheard of! Not a singular auditorium, a la Mandalay Bay, but good if you’re looking to catch one or two specific games from a couch that may have had bottle service at one time… Palazzo’s your spot.
Also, a good alternative to THEHotel is MGM Grand’s Signature. Doesn’t offer the locale that THEHotel does (5 min indoor walk to MGM Casino and brutal Sportsbook), but the suites are bigger, and have kitchens and balconies.