This previous week I took my first trip to Las Vegas with my family. The expectation going into the trip was one of wonder. I had seen the movies, shows and heard the stories about Vegas, but I didn’t realize what a true playground it was. Think Dave and Busters but for adults only and you lose your money at a much faster rate. One thing, in particular, I was looking forward to was the sportsbook or where you place sports bets. For the longest time, I have been in the world of sports betting, following lines, enjoying bad beats I placed no money on, using sketchy websites, and more. But in Vegas, it was time for the big leagues. 

Two casinos I felt I needed to go to were the Bellagio and the MGM Grand. My father noted these were necessary stops due to their supreme quality. MGM Grand was the one I stepped foot in first. A casino of grandeur and prestige, all walks of life wandered around losing money. Suit wearers, those in sweatpants and from t-shirts to ties, I found myself realizing everyone fits in at a Vegas casino. Beginners, veterans, we're all the same, looking for the rush of earning money for no work. Scents varied from cigar smoke to fresh Thai food being cooked up at a restaurant 30 feet from the tables. Cocktail waitresses scoured the floor, tasked with intoxicating gamblers to have them loosen their principles and spend more money.

This first trip to the sportsbook was intimidating even for someone who is inundated in the culture of gambling and sports. Sports lines covering nearly an entire wall draw comparisons to a departing train schedule at Penn Station in New York. Large lines leading to machines waiting to accept your money for bets unlikely to hit. The sportsbook itself is similar to someone’s insane man-cave, but scaled infinitely and designed to take as much money as you’re willing to spend. Large couches, tables, and TVs littered the room, which may as well put some comfort in losing your money. The lights don’t feel artificial and the couches are nice and soft, but there’s a certain knowledge that is understood that you could spend your entire life in the sportsbook similar to the Truman Show. 

I decided I would try my luck at some official sports betting, placing some wagers on NFL games, a non-hit of course, thanks to Lamar Jackson. So all told Vegas wins round one, MGM Grand sportsbook wins along with it. 

Six days removed from my last foray with sports betting I decided to try my luck again. This time, the target was the Bellagio. The sportsbook was similar to the one at the MGM Grand yet with less tobacco in the air and a vibe I can only describe as chill, likely a result of fewer games and NFL games not taking place the next day, limiting the number of bets being placed. 

 While last time I sought out the sportsbook alone, this time I was accompanied by my father as we were keen to watch the Yankees take on the Red Sox, in a crucial matchup for playoff livelihood. In a celebratory turn of events, I won. A small bet on the Moneyline and the total runs over bet parlayed together was looking solid following the Yankees taking a six-run lead early in the game against the Red Sox. Armoring myself with a couple of beers, I decided to indulge as I spied on other games that caught my interest. There’s a certain overwhelming nature watching four baseball games, three college football games, and some horse races all at the same time. But in the same overwhelming nature, pure joy as the stream of sports never stops. Attempting to follow these games regularly is moot due to so many things happening at the same time, the best thing to do is to keep your head on a swivel and make sure you know which screens to prioritize. 

For a first-time experience, it was a fantastic one. Heading back home having more money than you arrived with is thrilling. It’s a feeling of luck mixed with a veiled feeling of expertise. For those curious, whilst I couldn’t suggest it enough, make sure you understand your limits and make sure to set walk-away points that don’t cause a second mortgage to be taken out due to losses. Drink lots of water, have a full stomach, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself. If you’re not winning money and not having a good time, what’s the point?  If you lose money, you can always use the easy excuse of “it’s worth the price of admission”, I use it all the time in hyperbole, even though losing a sports bet no matter how small will always hurt me.