Sports Books

Sports Books change all the time in Las Vegas, just like everything else. So this list may be a bit old. Here's my opinion of some of the sports books in Vegas:

• The Westgate used to have the best sports book in town when it was the Hilton. It's starting to show its age, but I heard it is being refreshed now that the Westgate owns the property. It has the most big screen TV's, a decent amount of seating, and more prop bets than you can shake a stick at (who will win more games in the tourney, the ACC or the Big Ten?). The betting board is huge (several screens) with lots of options, and you get free drinks.     Note: Free drinks may or may not be available. Sports books change the rules all the time and some even have different rules during March Madness because of the volume. Ask about drink tickets at the betting window or ask a waitress before things get too busy.


• Caesars Palace is my second choice, but I think the betting lines are a bit worse than the Hilton. You also don't get free drinks - ask for drink tickets when placing a bet. But the big screens are laid out nicely, so it's easy to watch the games.


• The Mirage is all right (and recently went through a renovation that I haven't seen), but the layout isn't as good as the Westgate – if you're not in the right spot your view is limited to at most 2 games.


• The MGM Grand is another one where the layout for sports betting isn't as good as others.


• The Riviera recently spent a lot to upgrade their sports book. All the TV's (20-30) are flat screen HD. I only saw it during baseball season, so I'm sure things are different during March Madness. There were a few rows of comfy chairs (about 20 or so) and that was it - pretty small.


• The sports book at the Wynn is very nice. I haven't been there for March Madness, but some people swear by it.


• I haven't checked out the hotel Aliante in downtown with a supposedly nice sports book.


• I also haven't been to the SLS Las Vegas which supposedly has a nice sports book.


• Another one I haven't seen yet, but sounds interesting, is the M Resort a few miles south of Mandalay Bay. They have something called in-running wagering where you can place a bet on a game even after it has started.