Ok people, this trip was three weeks ago, so I apologize is some of this is blurry..I wont go into detail that many of you do, I will just try to summarize the main events that this drunk can recall... I think I will break it up into parts- Sportsbook, Poker and Blackjack..

Sportsbook

Brett and I get to the Encore about 11am PST on opening Day of the tourney. We missed the first few games- no biggee we both have bookies and online accounts, we werent going to sweat it, we had ACTION before we left Chicago (layover from Madison). When checking in, the lady says "Hello Mr. Jones, your room is all set. We have you staying three nights, King Suite, non-smoking..wtf?..That didn't sound right to me..I know we are staying Thur until Monday morning..and as much as I like Brett, I hadnt planned on spoonin with the man...Brett attempts to get this all cleared up, and the Encore staff does everything in its power to do so. One problem, they are sold out and there are no rooms left with two beds..Best they can do is a pillow-top roll-away..This room was comped, all because of Brett's high roller status..I was not going to allow Brett to sleep on the roll-away. I told him no problem, I'll take the cot- not a big deal to me..Didn't plan on sleeping too much anyway. Bret would have no part of that, but I insisted..Instead of acting like two old hags, we did the obvious..rock/scissors/paper..The winner gets the King bed..I assumed Bret would do Rock, so of course I picked paper and dominated..haha..I felt guilty, but hey, that's the way it worked.

On to the gambling...WOW. All I can say about Bret is WOW..the man is a sicko. I do not know his complete financial situation, but I do know his net worth/income, etc is very close to what mine is. He does not bet like it- he bets like a maniac. That is contagious, and me being the compulsive person that I am, that could be a good thing, or a very bad thing. Bret did not make ONE sports bet under 1K. Throw in the fact that he bet almost every game, FIRST half and SECOND half- you get the picture. Well, we were on fire. Ive been betting football and basketball for about 20 years, and I honestly cannot remember the opening 4 days of the NCAA tourney being so predictable. Big favorites covering, no MAJOR upsets..it seemed almost too easy..I kept waiting for the tide to turn, for the dogs to start barking..for the upsets to start happening..it NEVER DID. I went 23-7 for the four days, a net profit at the book of about 5k..Brett claims to have made 17k at the book, and I don't doubt it for a minute.

Just a couple of games I can remember that were a bit crazy..I have Texas -2 for the first half vs. Minny..Texas is up by 3 with 9 seconds left in the half..Minny hits a three to tie it..Texas comes down the court, pass pass pass, finally, at the buzzer, they launch a 3, nothing but net..NICE. I have Villanova -15 for the game vs American..big play for me..1K..they are losing at the half by 12?? WTF!!! By this time, its about 5pm Vegas time and I'm half in the bag..I start whining to Brett about how fukin stupid I am, betting so much on those losers..He says, "were in vegas, double down on em 2nd half"..Hey, he did have a point, we were in Vegas..and I loved NOVA for a reason- they are good and I had em coming out of that region. The 2nd half line was -11. Did I think Nova could come back and still win? HELL yes..So, between Brett and I, we put 4K on Nova 2nd half, 2k EACH, biggest bet of my life(If Nova doesnt cover the 2nd half, im down 3300 on one game!) Well, I was sweating it early in the 2nd half, but it turned out to be an EASY cover, NOVA crushed the 2nd half, outscoring American by 24 points- in fact, they damn near covered the game line, but didn't quite pull it off, but hey, i'll take 900 bux profit vs. losing 33hundy!!! Craziest cover the whole trip was the Missouri/Marquette game. I have Missouri -3 vs. Marquette- crazy finish. Missouri had no business covering the game (or even winning for that matter), but with 5.5 seconds left, they take a two point lead..Nice, but I have them -3!? Marquette is inbounding the ball, NO way I can win. there is 5.5 seconds on the clock..pushing the ball up the court by even the quickest guard and getting off a decent shot will take at least 4.5 seconds, there will be no time for Missouri to 1)get the rebound, and 2) get fouled..IM done..but, the fluke of all flukes happens..Marquette steps on the line while passing the ball on the inbound!! That NEVER happens, let alone when you need it to happen in order to cover a spread!! Missouri now gets the ball, marquette fouls and Missouri hits both FTs!! Talk about a fluke cover..You get the picture, the whole trip went our way- in the sportsbook that is.. Looking back, had I really been pressing my bets, I coulda made Brett money..but I can complain, I haven't made that much money betting sports (in one weekend) in my life.

A couple side notes..
-Encore has no sportsbook, just a betting window..the book is at the WYNN. Its nice, but not great..Id take Venetian book or Mandalay Bay any day

-the overall "vibe" of the Encore/Wynn was not my ideal casino "feel", if you will. Almost seemed a bit to stuffy or laid back for me. The place is gorgeous, but just not my style- I just didnt feel the electricity! I like it a bit more rowdy/loud, etc..but hey, beggars cant be choosers-it was FREE, I'd just never pay to stay there...

-Opening weekend for this tourney is INSANE. I love large crowds as much as the next guy, but this might have been too much for even me. The betting lines were crazy, and I actually got shut out of the Arizona game- Got right up to the window, and the betting action was closed..Of course I wanted ZONA, and the Bastards covered EASY!!! I personally think the WYNN didnt have the staff to handle the betting action, that and the fact that so many amateurs had no fucking idea how to place a bet!!! Not sure I will go back during opening weekend, and IF i do, I wont be betting at the WYNN.

-Bobby Knight and Billy Packard were at the Wynn sportsbook the whole weekend, taking questions, chatting and doing trivia..Bobby Knight= I never really liked the guy, but I really started to enjoy the man. He says whats on his mind, and basically doesn't give a shit what people think. Example- a guy got up to the microphone, and said "Hi Mr Knight, my name is blah blah. I am from Hammond, Indiana and attended Purdue University in the 80s. Purdue and Indiana had EPIC battles, such a great rivalry, etc etc..Mr. Knight, although you were the coach of Indiana, who did you respect the most from Purdue, who did you think were the best players from Purdue that you had to face". Without hesitation, Knight says "I hated all the SON OF A BITCHES"..ha, I thought that was funny?!

Next up, some blackjack highlights- and LowLights. Barneys and Big Birds were flyin

DOMINATED!



Good report, keep it coming.

"the overall "vibe" of the Encore/Wynn was not my ideal casino "feel", if you will. Almost seemed a bit to stuffy or laid back for me. The place is gorgeous, but just not my style- I just didnt feel the electricity! I like it a bit more rowdy/loud, etc..but hey, beggars cant be choosers-it was FREE, I'd just never pay to stay there..."

i agree the place has a too hoity toity atmosphere. i feel about as comfortable there as a wet fart in church.


good stuff> betting

Wow Reeds...you should write more often! Good stuff! We have to hang out some day when your in Vegas. Keep the trip report going!

You have it!

Great report Reeds

I know the feeling that can sneak up on ya ---
when your playing/hangin' w/ bigger bettors !
I was on a Crap table w/ ALL big bettors -
after some time I had to check myself.....
I was throwin' around more weight than I ever had !
.
It's sounds like you kicked some serious @ss !
Good for you.

That's a deal Alberta! I wouldnt mind learning the finer points of CRAPS! I've only played it once (on a cruise ship), but I think it would be fun to shoot with an expert such as yourself!

Reeds excellent report! ..I love the detailed betting stories...and MAN you laid your balls on the line with your buddy Brett!

Dude the way you're betting you'll be comped your own suite easily on your next trip.

I want to hear more betting stories from the poker table to the BJ table!

Keep it coming! I like the action.

That's so strange. I was JUST going to say the same thing!