1st week of NCAA tourney

I plan on being in Vegas for the 1st week for the tourney. What will Vegas be like? Overcrowded? What can I expect?

I was there for it back in 2011.  Sportsbooks are crowded as darn and it is a sausage fest in Vegas.  Guys outnumber the girls, and most of the girls that are there came with their boyfriends.  Expect long lines at the book causing you to miss some plays.  It is the epitome of meat-head central. 

However, I may go again this year for one reason.  With all the sports betters there for the opening weekend, it brings a lot of fish into the Poker rooms. 

Dont want to be a buzz kill but probably worst week of the year to be in vegas.....LONG lines in sportsbooks ... Like an hour or 2 is not out of question......LOTS OF GAMES and TV's but everything else is horribly crowded. Golf Courses, Restaurants, Books......

Cocky24, I will give you a different perspective. It a great time to be in Vegas, IF you like the energy it brings. Tables are crowded like any big week/weekend in Vegas. As far as hour or 2 long lines at the books...i have been to at least 6 first rounds and have never had anything like that, not even close. Maybe I'm at different books then refer but I have been at quite a few. Not sure your age but plenty of college girls there on spring break so not a total sausage fest. Plus always 30-40 year olds looking for some fun as well.

If you are a moody gambler that doesn't like people around go in Feb and bet the hoops games. If you want to enjoy Vegas for what it is then I don't think there is a better time to go. Figure out what you want out of Vegas and pick your time to go. Hope this helps and good luck,

Thanks for the info fellas been to Vegas 4 times but never for a big time event going on when I've been there

Been there for the first round of the tourney as well as conference tourney week.  Actually preferred conference tourney week a little more. 

Be patient at the window because these weeks bring out the amatuers.  Nothing worse than being in line behind the guy trying to figure out how to bet his $10 three team teaser.

Two hour line @ the window??? Walk next door.. It's crowded, but the books aren't that bad - just don't sleep in until 5 mins before the first game tips if you want to get it in.

I've been for both the opening weekend (th/f/sa/sun) and last year we went for the 2nd week (sweet 16/final8). 

1st week (round 64/32) the lines at all casino's do get LONG.  So, you absolutely must account for that.  Figure at least 45 mins and I also suggest being organized so you can play all in 1 shot.  In addition, everyone runs up to cash in right after the games, so just wait 20 mins after a game ends and you can wait much less.

2nd week (round 16/8).  I really like this week much better.  The lines are more manageable and it's not "amateur hour" with all the ignorant people.  Plus, you've already had a chance to see the teams play 2 games in the tourney and you get a better feel for how they're looking so generally it's a more profitable situation too.

Just a side note, last year we were at the Venetian (great great sportsbook) and for saturday and sunday, if you get there early enough you can get a seat in the very comfortable chairs they have in their sportsbook.  I highly recommend it.

A few years back, when I was there for the 1st 2 rounds we went to the stadium seating viewings at Paris and it was pretty cool too.

I absolutely do not recommend Mandalay Bay.  Their setup sucked and their lines were way too long.

I'll be there for the sweet 16/final 8 again this year and we liked the Venetian setup so much last year that we are going to do it again this year.

I went last year for the first time and mixed it up and had a great time. Often the games make the day as often as the company.

Day 1 - Mandalay Bay - probably the worst of the 4 days but may have been a product of the games (no big upsets). I just didn't like the vibe there. Lines were moderately long.

Day 2 - LVH - Sportsbook seats were gone by 4:45AM. I watched in the theatre. Cheap beer, lots of cheering (1500+ pple?). Good vibe. Long lines (1/2 hour) because of the #s.

Day 3 - TI Ballroom - Smaller environment. Good fun being seated at tables with passionate fans (Wisky 1 game, Indiana another). Shorter lines and pretty easy to bet at the satellite book.

Day 4 - Ceasars - Good fun again. A bit of a subdued crowd. May have been a factor of Sunday and pple coming and going (mostly going).

Can't make it this year but I liked mixing it up each day and each day I tried something a little different. I think LVH was the best and would do that again for sure. Personally, to try something new again, I would look at a day on Fremont too.

Enjoy!