The line is dead. The betting line in the sportsbook has been moved.
You’ve been waiting for the game to end for what feels like an eternity, but it’s finally over. You’re trying to think of the best way to celebrate the end of a game that will live in infamy. Maybe you’ll go for a drink with your teammates or head to the bar to celebrate with your friends. But you know what? You’re in Las Vegas. There’s probably an Irish pub or a Tex-Mex restaurant around the corner. Or maybe you’re not into alcohol. How about a steakhouse? Or maybe you just want to go home. There’s enough time for dinner and maybe even some cocktails before your flight leaves. The point is, there’s plenty of options for you in the city that supposedly never sleeps. So you might as well go for one of the most popular activities in Vegas: gambling.
Gambling is one of the most popular activities in Vegas. In fact, according to a 2020 Caesars analysis, 64.8% of adults in the city had gambled in the past year. And what’s more, 35.2% of those surveyed were regular gamblers. That’s compared to 28% of adults nationally and 20% in Florida.
What does that mean for you as a sports bettor? It means you’ll have your pick of the sports books, which is great because not all of them are created equal. You might have heard of some of the bigger books in Vegas, such as BetOnline or MyBookie being really good, but don’t be fooled. Some of the smaller books can be extremely tricky, especially if you’re playing there regularly.
But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Below we’re going to run down some of the key differences between the major sports books in Vegas, showing you which one is the best fit for your needs. We’ll also go over how to play roulette and blackjack at the best available odds so that you can hit the tables and make the most of your Vegas experience.
Betting Lines
One of the first things that most sports books have in common is the fact that they all offer betting lines. This gives you the opportunity to bet on the winner of a specific game without needing to put down any money yourself. It’s all based on precedent and statistics, so you can essentially bet on the outcome of the game before it even happens. The downside is that in most places, you’ll need to pay to play, so it’s not exactly a freebie.
Each book will have different betting lines, of course, and you’ll have to determine which ones appeal to you the most. But in general, you can expect to see the spread between the two teams (in Vegas, this will be the Vegas team and the visiting team) plus or minus the amount you’d like to bet (in most places, this will be $2).
Why is this important? Well, as we’ve mentioned above, the lines can be tricky to figure out. If you’re not used to betting based on statistics and precedent, it can be hard to know what to expect. You might end up betting on a game you’ve never heard of or one that was previously underwhelming statistics-wise. In most cases, this will be a losing proposition. But with the line moving all the time, this can be a great way to win.
Bonus Games
Every now and again, a book will throw in some extra games for fun. Sometimes this will be in the form of a roulette or blackjack table, but it could also be something more complex, such as a Keno game or a slots-style podium with a progressive jackpot on it.
These are often referred to as “bonus games” because they’re additional games that you’ll play for free when you enter the sports book and make a wager. The catches are that you have to keep playing until a winner is determined or the clock runs out. In most cases, this is where the fun really starts. You get to keep playing because the house always wins in the long run. So you might be thinking to yourself: how can this possibly be a bad thing?
You have to consider the fact that while you’re having fun, you’re also funding the operations of the sports book. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something to keep in mind. If you’re a high-stakes gambler, this can add up quickly.
Types Of Games
Besides the way the bonus games work, the other main way sports books differ is in the types of games they offer. Some books will only have poker, while others might have other options, such as blackjack or roulette, too.
What this means for you as a sports bettor is that in some places, you may only have access to certain kinds of games. But don’t fret – this can be a great way to discover new ways to win. Each game has its perks, and you may surprise yourself with what you learn.
Payouts
Once you’ve started playing and winning at the tables, you’ll start to notice a pattern in the way the house handles your money. Most sports books will have a minimum bet amount before you can win money, plus a 30% gratuity. In most cases, this is going to be subtracted from your winnings.
As for the maximum amount you can win, this will vary from one book to another. But on average, you’ll probably be able to take home a nice chunk of change if you’re playing regularly. In fact, as a new player, you might even get a bonus just for signing up. This part is going to depend on how much you’ve won overall. If you’ve won a large sum of money, you might be able to inquire about a money-back guarantee.
Access
Each sports book is going to have different rules regarding access. Some places will allow you to access only from certain devices, such as mobile phones or tablets. Others may require you to have a computer or some other form of internet access. Still others may allow you to log in from anywhere.
In most cases, you’ll be able to access a sports book directly from your mobile phone. But if you want to play on a computer, you may need to resort to using some kind of internet browser to access the book’s website. In some cases, this may not even be possible. If you have trouble accessing games directly from a mobile phone, you can use an app like JOE to play. This app has been specifically designed for use while on the go. When you download the app and create a free account with a valid email address, you can then link your account to a personal computer or mobile phone and gain full access to play wherever you want.
If you’re looking for a new way to bet that doesn’t require you to be on the move, you could try using an internet browser to access a sports book’s website. But if you really want to play on a mobile phone or tablet, you can’t do much other than download a JOE app and hope for the best. The important thing to keep in mind is that wherever you live, no matter what device you use, you should be able to access a sports book. This will depend on the laws in your state, of course, but legally speaking, this should not be a problem.
Overall Feel
Last but not least, we have the overall feel of the place. Does it have an atmosphere that makes you want to come back regularly or once or twice a year? This is a question that you have to ask yourself because each book is going to be different. Some are going to be relaxed and pleasant, while others may feel a bit more upscale. Some might even smell a bit musty, which can indicate they haven’t been well-maintained. So keep all of this in mind when you’re deciding which book to go with.