Eat, Drink, Gamble, Vegas
The next college basketball season begins in 2016 but the winner isn’t crowned until March Madness in 2017. Confused? I know someone is. I get tweets about it every year. 🙂
Anyway, here are the college basketball futures for next season from William Hill. Who ya got?
Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Boulder Station, Sunset Station, Santa Fe Station will all be upgrading their sports book in time for football season according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Each sports book will include new television screens at individual seats and improved electronic displays for betting lines. Some will receive entirely new viewing screens.
Expect larger sports books like Green Valley Ranch to receive the same beautiful screens that were installed at Red Rock Resort last year. These renovations will begin once March Madness is complete.
Green Valley Ranch won’t be the first Station Casinos sports book to be upgraded. The renovations will roll out beginning this week at Boulder Station where you’ll see new TV screens just in time for the NCAA basketball tournament.
The big change at Palace Station and Boulder Station is that sports book staff will no longer that to update odds and point spreads by hand. Welcome to 1985!
The most interesting note from the article unrelated to the renovations is this: “The growing influence of mobile sports wagering has led to a nearly 53 percent increase in Nevada’s sports betting handle since 2010.”
Visit A Look At The Renovated Red Rock Sports Book for an idea of what the changes will look like at Green Valley Ranch, which has a similar sports book.
Late last year the Revolution Lounge at The Mirage closed. The Still Crafts, Drafts & Eats will take over the space and open in time for the first weekend of March Madness. Here’s a first look at The Still’s beer menu.
The Still will open at 8 am for the first round of the NCAA Tournament and as needed for other rounds of the tournament. The bar and restaurant features 27 TVs in an 8,000 square foot space. For reference, that’s about the same size as the sports book at the Cosmopolitan.
The center bar features over 50 craft beers. The centerpiece of The Still is Bud Bud’s, a refurbished Airstream trailer that was found abandoned in the back hills of Tennessee by the Still crew. You can find more information about The Still on their website, thestillvegas.com.
It seems like every week there’s news about a sports book in Vegas getting an upgrade. That’s wonderful news to me! Last week Station Casinos said that they will be installing the same amazing screens from the Red Rock Resort sports book into another property.
The next Station casino to get the beautiful screen experience is none other than Green Valley Ranch.
Green Valley Ranch is the other top-tier Station property besides Red Rock so this renovation makes sense. The sports book at Green Valley Ranch is already one of the best things about that casino and this upgrade will only make it better. These new screens will probably make the Green Valley Ranch sports book the best you’ll find in the Henderson area.
Station Casinos says that installation on the new screens at the Green Valley Ranch sports book will be in the “near future.”
Each screen at Red Rock took a week to install. I’m not sure I see Green Valley Ranch potentially missing a screen during football season. I’m guessing Green Valley Ranch’s “near future” will be closer to February or March and in time for March Madness, but that’s just a guess.
Not to sound too hyperbolic but between the screen renovations at Red Rock, Green Valley Ranch and Westgate sports books there’s almost no reason to watch a game on the Vegas Strip.
On July 8, I posted the rumor that the Monte Carlo sportsbook would be moving to a new location as MGM Resorts continued construction of park project.
Yesterday Eater Vegas found some renderings of a new restaurant called Sake Rok that gave a little more insight to the Monte Carlo sportsbook moving.
Before the announcement of the Monte Carlo building a $100 million, 5,300 seat, theater and concert hall, Sake Rok was positioned to be built as an addition to the southern side of the resort, taking over space at the rear of their sports book. The renderings also indicate an outdoor dining area was scheduled to The Park, minus the theatrical presentations inside. An official location for the sushi restaurant has yet to be announced.
Sake Rok is scheduled to open in the spring of 2016 but specific details like time and date of Sake Rok construction and sportsbook closure have not been released by MGM Resorts. You can see more renderings of Sake Rok at Ray Design Environments.
A plan for the new sportsbook at Monte Carlo has not been revealed yet. This Covers article about the “Evolution of Sportsbooks” will give you some insight how MGM Resorts has approached their recent sportsbook renovations.
History tells us that MGM Resorts will have a new Monte Carlo sportsbook ready in time for the first weekend of March Madness.
You may remember that The Mirage sportsbook renovations were finished just before March Madness in 2013. Moving the Monte Carlo sportsbook to become a part of The Pub seems more realistic by the day. I’ll share details on that as soon as they’re revealed.
Monte Carlo Sportsbook: Vegas Photo Blog
Sake Rok rendering: RAYDE
My non-expert March Madness bracket fueled by coffee and 2 hours of college basketball viewing throughout the year. Go me!
I did this bracket for free at ESPN. No contests, no funny business.
William Hill just released their opening point spreads for the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament aka March Madness. These are already adjusted from some openers released online and in other Vegas sportsbooks (CG Technology was first to release in Vegas).
Expect these lines to move again – some before the night is over. Enjoy!
HAMPTON VS MANHATTAN
MANHATTAN -7.5 (-110)
OLE MISS VS BYU
BYU -2.5 (-110)
ROBERT MORRIS VS NORTH FLORIDA
NORTH FLORIDA -2 (-110)
BOISE STATE VS DAYTON
DAYTON -3.5 (-110)
WOFFORD VS ARKANSAS
ARKANSAS -7.5 (-110)
HARVARD VS NORTH CAROLINA
NORTH CAROLINA -9 (-110)
GEORGIA STATE VS BAYLOR
BAYLOR -8 (-110)
NORTHEASTERN VS NOTRE DAME
NOTRE DAME -12.5 (-110)
TEXAS VS BUTLER
TEXAS
-1 (-110)
LAFAYETTE VS VILLANOVA
VILLANOVA -23 (-110)
LSU VS NC STATE
NC STATE -1.5 (-110)
PURDUE VS CINCINNATI
CINCINNATI -1 (-110)
UAB VS IOWA STATE
IOWA STATE -13.5 (-110)
UCLA VS SMU
SMU -2.5 (-110)
STEPHEN F AUSTIN VS UTAH
UTAH -6 (-110)
EASTERN WASHINGTON VS GEORGETOWN
GEORGETOWN -8.5 (-110)
TEXAS SOUTHERN VS ARIZONA
ARIZONA -22.5 (-110)
OHIO STATE VS VCU
OHIO STATE -2.5 (-110)
BELMONT VS VIRGINIA
VIRGINIA -17 (-110)
GEORGIA VS MICHIGAN STATE
MICHIGAN STATE -5 (-110)
ST. JOHN’S VS SAN DIEGO STATE
SAN DIEGO STATE
-2.5 (-110)
BUFFALO VS WEST VIRGINIA
WEST VIRGINIA -4.5 (-110)
VALPARAISO VS MARYLAND
MARYLAND -4.5 (-110)
ALBANY VS OKLAHOMA
OKLAHOMA -13 (-110)
NEW MEXICO STATE VS KANSAS
KANSAS -12 (-110)
INDIANA VS WICHITA STATE
WICHITA STATE -5.5 (-110)
COASTAL CAROLINA VS WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN -19 (-110)
OKLAHOMA STATE VS OREGON
OKLAHOMA STATE -1 (-110)
WYOMING VS NORTHERN IOWA
NORTHERN IOWA -7.5 (-110)
CAL IRVINE VS LOUISVILLE
LOUISVILLE -9 (-110)
NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS GONZAGA
GONZAGA -17.5 (-110)
DAVIDSON VS IOWA
IOWA -2.5 (-110)
Every Monday Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo will offer a dish that was inspired by each team playing Monday Night Football. I’m not sure why but I find this fun and amusing.
Lagasse’s Stadium is no longer a sportsbook that I’d visit on an NFL Sunday or when there are big events like March Madness but it’s good for a stand alone football game. Here are my current favorite sportsbooks in Las Vegas.
The food at Lagasse’s Stadium is good and the atmosphere is comfortable with plenty of couch seating available. When it’s not too crazy the service is still good. The menu for each game is below. The chef must think that all Jets fans are Italian.
September 15
Philadelphia Eagles at Indianapolis Colts
Philly Cheese Steak & French Fries ($17)/Breaded Pork Loin Sandwich & French Fries ($14)
September 22
Chicago Bears at New York Jets
Chicago Dog & French Fries ($10)/Meatball Sub & French Fries ($12)
September 29
New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs
Lobster Sliders ($17)/Burnt Ends & BBQ Sauce ($15)
October 6
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins
Fresh Shucked Oysters with Champagne Mignonette ($18)
Grilled Pork Loin on Smoked Ham Black Bean Chili, Green Onion Rice ($20)
October 13
San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams
Cioppino ($24)/Deep Fried Three Cheese Ravioli & Marinara Sauce ($13)
October 20
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers
BBQ Brisket Sandwich & French Fries ($15)/Primanti Brothers Italian Style Sandwich & French fries ($14)
October 27
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
Grilled Pork Loin on Bacon & Beer Braised Cabbage with Creole Mustard Sauce ($20)
Chicken Fried Steak Dinner ($16)
November 3
Indianapolis Colts at NY Giants
Breaded Pork Loin Sandwich & French Fries ($14)/ Manhattan Clam Chowder ($7)
November 10
Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles
Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sandwich & French Fries ($14)/Philly Cheese Steak Pizza ($19)
November 17
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans
Turkey BLT Primanti Brothers Style Sandwich ($13)
1Ž2 Rack of Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce Glazed Pork Ribs with Corn Bread ($13)
November 24
Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints
Crab Cakes ($15)/ Turkey Po-Boy & Sweet Potato Fries ($16)
December 1
Miami Dolphins at NY Jets
Fish & Shrimp Ceviche ($15)/Shrimp Scampi & Linguini ($24)
December 8
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers
Fried Chicken & Waffle ($15)/Bacon Potato & Cheese Soup in Sourdough Bread Bowl ($10)
December 15
New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears
Shrimp & Chicken Gumbo ($10)/Italian Beef Sandwich with Giardiniera & French Fries ($17)
December 22
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
Lamb Sirloin Sandwich & French Fries ($16)/Cincinnati Chili Spaghetti ($16)
In case you didn’t hear the news, LVH was sold last week to Westgate. LVH is no longer but the SuperBook will continue and become better than ever!
he (Westgate CEO, David Seagel) vows to make Las Vegas’ largest race and sports book the best in the market with new video screens and other comforts.
This is great new for a legendary sportsbook. I’ve never been a fan of the Hilton or LVH sportsbook because it’s old and makes me feel dirty. That said I think I’ll like the newly renovated Westgate SuperBook when the work is done.
There are no dates for renovations but don’t expect anything before football season later this year or March Madness next year.
UPDATE: Since you’ve asked, SuperContest will not be affected by the sale of LVH to Westgate.
Betting on sports probably makes up the majority of my gaming. I usually play video poker, craps and blackjack when I’m in a casino but with apps from William Hill and Station Casinos (I don’t bet with Cantor Gaming) I can bet on sports anywhere and I do.
Baseball is my game of choice when I’m at the sportsbook. I’ve loved baseball for my whole life. I play multiple games a week, in part, because it’s nice having a little action while I’m watching the games. When football season gets here I’ll be playing college and pro and when the NBA season kicks off I’ll play that. All of these sports give me a major sport, that I enjoy, to wager on all year around.
I step outside of the sports that I like every now and again when there are major events that I know I’ll be reading about and be curious to watch. I’ll wager on March Madness, Daytona 500 and some of the major Golf tournaments throughout the year. This year I bet on Jason Day to win The Masters. He hung around for the entire tournament and forced me to watch the whole tournament before finally losing. I had a bet on Graeme McDowell to win The British Open and he was out before the first day was even over. Losing stinks but I was able to enjoy my weekend.
Last weekend, at the PGA Championship, I had Henrik Stenson (25-1) and he made me miserable. I couldn’t turn away from the tournament but I couldn’t watch it because I didn’t really care about anything but my bet. He was in and out of contention all weekend making me curious enough to stay near a TV so I could always keep an eye on the bet. The odds for most of these players are somewhere between 20-1 and 50-1 so there is potential to collect a nice win on the line.
I used to play golf pretty often but haven’t played in a while. At this rate I’m not sure I’ll pick up the sticks any time soon. The longer it is since the last time I played golf the less interested in watching the pro game I am. Still, I have a little curiosity about gambling on these tournaments because it’s nice to hit a relatively long shot regardless of my enjoyment watching the game.
Betting on golf can be awful because of that. If my player has an awful first day or two then I have no hope to win my bet. If the player does well I’m stuck watching. Wagering on golf a lose-lose proposition – especially because I can’t pick a winner.
Betting on golf can be great for some people who enjoy the game because you can spend 4 days in a sportsbook rooting for a $5 bet which may pay as much as $500. I’m not one of those people and I think I’m done betting on golf…until the next time I can bet on Jason Day at 20-1. Damn, I think I’m already back.
Photo: CBSÂ