Anyone know how to bet on hockey in Vegas?

by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Mar 9, 2010 3:42 PM PST Comment 24 comments

Like, in English. Last time I went, there was a bunch of mumbo jumbo numbers, it was like I was reading French. Whenever I asked anyone for help, they'd get all pissy.

Anyways, I'll be in Vegas by this time tomorrow, and I could use a few bucks. If the San Jose Sharks are a lock, I might as well make a few bucks in the process. Is there a proper way to do this?

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I was actually wondering the same thing, since I’m headed out to Vegas on thursday. I think you can just head up to any sportsbook in any casino and put some money down on whatever game you want. That was going to be my plan, anyways. I’ve never actually looked into it before. If its as confusing as you say it is, maybe some insight would be welcome.

So, yeah, what he said. Any ideas?

"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott

by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 9, 2010 3:53 PM PST reply actions

You goin' for 311 Day? :O

I’m bringing my Thronton jersey. lol

I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.

by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Mar 9, 2010 6:21 PM PST up reply actions

Haha, no, although I am a 311 fan (at least of their older stuff). We actually planned the trip hoping the supposed Mayweather-Pacquiao fight would be this weekend. Instead Pacquiao-Clottey is in Dallas, but Vegas is still fun…and I haven’t been there in like 10 months, which is a long time for me.

"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott

by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 9, 2010 7:14 PM PST up reply actions

I put $100 bones on Sharks-Wings last year, the one that San Jose won 6-5. Great night, even though I got too drunk and couldn’t attend to my then girlfriend. She was pissed, but I was praying to the porcelian gods after fifteen rum and cokes so I didn’t really care.

Just go to a sportsbook, there’s like thirty of them in Vegas. You can bet on two things:

1) Over/Under. This is for the total goals scored in the game, and it’s usually set around 5.5. If you bet the over, you’re hoping for both teams to score six goals or more in total (ex. 4-3, 5-1, 6-0, etc). If you bet the under, you’re hoping for both teams to score less than six goals (3-2, 4-1, 5-0, etc). It doesn’t matter who wins.

2) The winner. I think this is different from football in that there is no spread, but I haven’t been to Vegas all too much so I couldn’t tell you for sure. Either way, you take your pick on a team to win, and there’s odds. If Sharks are playing the Oilers and you bet on San Jose to win, you’ll get less of a payout if the Sharks win when compared to betting on the Oilers to win (if EDM ends up winning). A game between CHI-SJS would probably result in something close to an equal payout.

Seriously though, there’s numerous sportsbooks in the area. You can sit there and watch the game as well, they usually get all the channels and have multiple booths set up where you can watch the game individually on a personal screen if all of the TV’s in the bar are being used. Just go into any casino or hotel and ask around— they’re more than happy to assist you, and will explain how all of the bets work.

"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution

by Mr. Plank on Mar 9, 2010 4:11 PM PST reply actions

More shit

I stayed at the Imperial Palace when I was in town, and the sportsbook is super chill and not very busy. There’s a bar right next door that also doesn’t get a lot of traffic, and the bartender was pretty cool and liked hockey. Now who knows if he still works there, but there shouldn’t be a problem getting the NSH-SJS game on if you get there at least a half hour before the puck drops.

by Mr. Plank on Mar 9, 2010 4:21 PM PST up reply actions

Also, the Imperial Palace is on the main strip, so you’re not going too far out of your way. And make sure to go to an Irish casino that’s close by, called something like “O’Doul’s” or something like that. It gets pretty rowdy and they have midgets dressed up like leprechauns running around. Pretty sweet.

by Mr. Plank on Mar 9, 2010 4:23 PM PST up reply actions

It's called O'Sheas

They have beer pong tournaments there constantly. EPIC memories there from multiple weekends in 2007-2008. It’s the only bar I’ve been to that is adjoined to both a casino and a Burger King franchise, which sounds weird but is actually pretty much the perfect situation for an awesome shitshow. If that’s what you’re looking for.

"It's not so much me as it's Roenick."

by TeemuSucks on Mar 9, 2010 5:18 PM PST up reply actions

I love O'Shea's

Last time I went to Vegas, my buddy needed my ID to buy me a drink, but neglected to take it back (at the Shark Cage in SJC no less – it was the home opener when Heatley popped a hat trick). By the time I got to Vegas, no ID so I wasn’t allowed to play much due to pit bosses who wouldn’t take my word for it (I’m 26).

One dealer at O’Shea’s was cool enough to listen to my plight and I was so happy to gamble when I changed my $100 that I almost plunkered the whole thing on the first hand of Casino War. I eventually chickened out, played like $15 instead, and then I get an Ace. Facepalm. In any case, I still had a blast there – I’d say it’s more like the Frat House casino than an Irish themed casino, but that’s just splitting hairs.

Male Pattern Badass: Ryda Heatzlaf

by DownRUpLYB on Mar 9, 2010 8:22 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks a bunch dude. I was wondering about this too. Very helpful.

by sharks in oc on Mar 9, 2010 5:36 PM PST up reply actions

Great night, even though I got too drunk and couldn’t attend to my then girlfriend. She was pissed, but I was praying to the porcelian gods after fifteen rum and cokes so I didn’t really care.

15? Pansy… :-P

"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott

by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 9, 2010 7:19 PM PST up reply actions

Nice explanation

Bottom Line: Just put money on the Sharks. Over/Under can either lead to you rooting for your own team or against them.

Plank’s Betting Winner explanation is about right. Just caution that if you put money on the Sharks, the odds for winning will likely be less than what you put in – $100 on Sharks winning might only net you $70 in return, so look out for that.

As for where to watch, I’m still looking for a good place in Vegas to catch a “non-marquee” hockey game. Sharks-Preds likely won’t be a huge draw, so if you want to watch the game, you may have to prepare yourself to watch on a smaller screen, almost guaranteed to be mute. I think NCAA is waiting for March Madness, so the NBA is likely the biggest competitor for screen time. Good luck, and find a good seat!

Male Pattern Badass: Ryda Heatzlaf

by DownRUpLYB on Mar 9, 2010 8:32 PM PST up reply actions

Avoid The Clap

They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn

by ElvisVF101 on Mar 9, 2010 4:17 PM PST reply actions

Here's an OK resource for explaining hockey odds:

http://www.madduxsports.com/hockey-odds.html

"It's not so much me as it's Roenick."

by TeemuSucks on Mar 9, 2010 5:22 PM PST reply actions

The Sharks are a lock tomorrow, right?

I mean, right? hahahaa

I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.

by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Mar 9, 2010 6:22 PM PST reply actions

I’m staying at the Bellagio, so I’ll check out their sportsbook. Or I could go next door to Caesars, which I’m more familiar with. Maybe I’ll put some money on the Sharks on Saturday before their game against Florida.

Thanks for all the info!

"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott

by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 9, 2010 7:19 PM PST reply actions

Ask them if its the real Caesar’s Palace. I bet they get asked that a lot now.

Proud member of the "Don't Trade Marleau" club.
Fear the Fin: Where Sharks Fans Aren't Like Other Sharks Fans.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Mar 10, 2010 7:04 PM PST up reply actions

Haha, I’m not one of “those” guys. :-P

"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott

by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 10, 2010 9:25 PM PST up reply actions

I’d like to think that I’m not one of “those” guys, but I totally would do it.

Proud member of the "Don't Trade Marleau" club.
Fear the Fin: Where Sharks Fans Aren't Like Other Sharks Fans.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Mar 11, 2010 7:40 PM PST up reply actions

I worked at Jack in the Box when the commercial came out where the guy in the drive in asked “Can I talk to Jack?” and they pushed a button inside that put the guy through to Jack.

I was reminded at how not funny the vast majority of Americans were on a daily basis.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda

by Evilducks on Mar 11, 2010 6:04 PM PST up reply actions

I hope GOLG bet on the Sharks and the over...

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda

by Evilducks on Mar 12, 2010 9:58 AM PST reply actions

I thought Zero would bet on the game but it doesn’t seem like he did…oh well they have tomorrow’s game too

"Boys only voluntarily hug when someone scores."

"Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records."—Anonymous

by mssjsclowie29 on Mar 12, 2010 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

you know...

There comes a time in every man’s life when he comes to the realization that THE DICE FUCKING HATE YOU!!! I MEAN, COMEON DICE. I’M GOOD TO YOU. I TAKE CARE OF YOU AND WISH YOU WELL, AND WHAT DO YOU DO??? YOU TAKE MY MONEY!!! WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE GOOD OL DAYS, WHERE WE HAD THIS UNDERSTANDING. I LOOK OUT FOR YOU, YOU WIN ME MONEY.

Sigh, such senseless dice hatred… Eff it, I’m betting on the Sharks tomorrow.

"I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." ~Michael Scott

by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 13, 2010 1:39 AM PST via mobile reply actions

you effin better! Win big buddy

"Boys only voluntarily hug when someone scores."

"Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records."—Anonymous

by mssjsclowie29 on Mar 13, 2010 8:54 AM PST up reply actions

Ended up at the Mandalay Bay Sports Book for the Nashville game.

I went out to Vegas with little to zero money. I was getting by with a lot of help from my friends, and I have to pay a few people back for a lot of shit.

That being said, I put my last 30 bucks down on the Sharks, the only gambling I did whatsoever in Vegas. Daddy almost had a heart attack, but he also got himself a new pair of shoes. Or, daddy would have new shoes, but he spent his winnings on lots of booze and a roller coaster ride @ New York New York. Eheeeh!

I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.

by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Mar 14, 2010 10:43 AM PDT reply actions