Photo

Hopefully MD learns and does it better than Charles Town


  • Please log in to reply
17 replies to this topic

#1 Mike in STL

Mike in STL

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 28,346 posts

Posted 11 November 2018 - 01:17 AM

Mentioned in the other thread. Got back from Charles Town, first trip to a sports book in forever. Haven't been to Delaware, not sure how nice it is there.  

 

So we figure we'd get there at 11am, give ourselves an hour to figure out bets for the 12pm games. To our surprise getting there at 10:45am, the line to place bets is a mile long. You can't see the sports book from where the back of the line was. So we go up to get the sheets, stood in line, and never made it up to the window before the 12pm kickoffs. 90 minutes in line. I had 4 games I was gonna play at noon, and would have been 3-1 on them. So that sucked. 

 

Also, can't bet on games involving Rutgers because they are in New Jersey. Never heard that one, didn't want to hold up the line having a conversation, but it saved me money because Michigan didn't cover anyway. 

 

Anyway, I think being a relatively new thing in the area, a lot of people don't know how to bet, the staffing maybe not up to par for the demand either led to the long lines. I hadn't been in six years, but I remember you tell the cashier (??) the number corresponding to the team on the board you want to bet on and how much. So "111 for $20", 111 is team whatever, and they print it right out. On you go. 

 

The closer I got to the window people were asking the staff a lot of questions, whats a money line? How come the spread is different on the board than on the printed sheet? I want this at -3 like on the sheet, not -4.5 (Really?) Someone a couple spots in front of me put in a $2 NFL parlay, on a Saturday, waiting in line for 90 minutes....what?

 

Also, the sports book has some hightop table seating, tons of TVs which is nice. But they allow smoking in there which sucks. It also felt like they just ripped out some slots to make room for the tables and people standing around the area to watch the games. Didn't mind the high tops, but some seat seats like the Vegas books, a real dedicated space would be ideal. Even the "boards" were flat screens placed well behind the cashier which makes it harder to read without being, basically in line for the cashier. Get those big easy to read ones out on the floor.

 

So, I hope MD gets this right when Horseshoe gets it one day, hopefully soon. Larger space. A lot more than 4 cashiers. Printed on the back of the daily sheets directions on how to bet (how to be in and out from the cashier in under 30 seconds). Big boards with the lines visible from a distance. Dedicated space, not adjacent to slots. Seats, real ones. And no smoking. 

 

 


  • BSLChrisStoner, Pedro Cerrano and NewMarketSean like this
@BSLMikeRandall

#2 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 11 November 2018 - 12:19 PM

Yea when I went to New Jersey the lines were bad at the sportsbook by MetLife Stadium -- wasn't as bad as yours but if you weren't in line by 11:30 you weren't getting noon bets in.

 

I don't understand why they can't do kiosks like with horse betting at Laurel, would make a lot more sense.

 

However, on Sunday we went to Monmouth Park and that was a LOT better in terms of the length of the lines. 

 

I was planning to hit up Charles Town some time before the CFB season ended, but if it's that bad I may pass and drive a bit further to Delaware instead. 


There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#3 Mike in STL

Mike in STL

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 28,346 posts

Posted 11 November 2018 - 12:35 PM

Yea when I went to New Jersey the lines were bad at the sportsbook by MetLife Stadium -- wasn't as bad as yours but if you weren't in line by 11:30 you weren't getting noon bets in.

I don't understand why they can't do kiosks like with horse betting at Laurel, would make a lot more sense.

However, on Sunday we went to Monmouth Park and that was a LOT better in terms of the length of the lines.

I was planning to hit up Charles Town some time before the CFB season ended, but if it's that bad I may pass and drive a bit further to Delaware instead.


Kiosks would be best. Haven’t been to Delaware, but I’d say you probably aren’t missing anything at Charles Town.
@BSLMikeRandall

#4 mweb08

mweb08

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 30,295 posts
  • LocationRidgely's Delight

Posted 11 November 2018 - 01:11 PM

Delaware Park has kiosks and the lines aren't bad at all.
  • Mike in STL likes this

#5 JeremyStrain

JeremyStrain

    Moderator

  • Moderators
  • 13,373 posts
  • LocationFormerly known as allstar1579

Posted 11 November 2018 - 01:36 PM

Mentioned in the other thread. Got back from Charles Town, first trip to a sports book in forever. Haven't been to Delaware, not sure how nice it is there.  

 

So we figure we'd get there at 11am, give ourselves an hour to figure out bets for the 12pm games. To our surprise getting there at 10:45am, the line to place bets is a mile long. You can't see the sports book from where the back of the line was. So we go up to get the sheets, stood in line, and never made it up to the window before the 12pm kickoffs. 90 minutes in line. I had 4 games I was gonna play at noon, and would have been 3-1 on them. So that sucked. 

 

Also, can't bet on games involving Rutgers because they are in New Jersey. Never heard that one, didn't want to hold up the line having a conversation, but it saved me money because Michigan didn't cover anyway. 

 

Anyway, I think being a relatively new thing in the area, a lot of people don't know how to bet, the staffing maybe not up to par for the demand either led to the long lines. I hadn't been in six years, but I remember you tell the cashier (??) the number corresponding to the team on the board you want to bet on and how much. So "111 for $20", 111 is team whatever, and they print it right out. On you go. 

 

The closer I got to the window people were asking the staff a lot of questions, whats a money line? How come the spread is different on the board than on the printed sheet? I want this at -3 like on the sheet, not -4.5 (Really?) Someone a couple spots in front of me put in a $2 NFL parlay, on a Saturday, waiting in line for 90 minutes....what?

 

Also, the sports book has some hightop table seating, tons of TVs which is nice. But they allow smoking in there which sucks. It also felt like they just ripped out some slots to make room for the tables and people standing around the area to watch the games. Didn't mind the high tops, but some seat seats like the Vegas books, a real dedicated space would be ideal. Even the "boards" were flat screens placed well behind the cashier which makes it harder to read without being, basically in line for the cashier. Get those big easy to read ones out on the floor.

 

So, I hope MD gets this right when Horseshoe gets it one day, hopefully soon. Larger space. A lot more than 4 cashiers. Printed on the back of the daily sheets directions on how to bet (how to be in and out from the cashier in under 30 seconds). Big boards with the lines visible from a distance. Dedicated space, not adjacent to slots. Seats, real ones. And no smoking. 

 

I've heard Laurel Park is supposed to be building out a quality sports book. Haven't seen plans or anything yet, but with a place that size and not much else going on there, it could end up being the gold standard this side of Vegas if they do it right. They are putting a ton of money into bars and restaurants there too, so sounds like they've got big plans coming together.


  • Mike in STL likes this
@JeremyMStrain

#6 Mike in STL

Mike in STL

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 28,346 posts

Posted 11 November 2018 - 01:59 PM

I've heard Laurel Park is supposed to be building out a quality sports book. Haven't seen plans or anything yet, but with a place that size and not much else going on there, it could end up being the gold standard this side of Vegas if they do it right. They are putting a ton of money into bars and restaurants there too, so sounds like they've got big plans coming together.

If Laurel gets that, have to think the Preakness is leaving Baltimore. Seems like it's only a matter of time anyway. 

 

I've also heard that they want to try to extend it to off track betting sites, like Timonium. Buffalo Wild Wings also wants to have it in their restaurants. While the logistics of that seem like a headache, if they pull it off, it would be a game changer. Can't think it's as simple as putting in a keno machine. If they want it to be done through kiosks on the table which some restaurants use now for paying by card, you'd have to team up with credit card companies or banks for debit card deposits to allow that I think. 


@BSLMikeRandall

#7 JeremyStrain

JeremyStrain

    Moderator

  • Moderators
  • 13,373 posts
  • LocationFormerly known as allstar1579

Posted 11 November 2018 - 02:37 PM

If Laurel gets that, have to think the Preakness is leaving Baltimore. Seems like it's only a matter of time anyway. 

 

I've also heard that they want to try to extend it to off track betting sites, like Timonium. Buffalo Wild Wings also wants to have it in their restaurants. While the logistics of that seem like a headache, if they pull it off, it would be a game changer. Can't think it's as simple as putting in a keno machine. If they want it to be done through kiosks on the table which some restaurants use now for paying by card, you'd have to team up with credit card companies or banks for debit card deposits to allow that I think. 

 

Yeah I think that is part of the plan. I should do some digging, I know a couple people with their hands in or around it, cause I think it's fascinating if they pull it off. I mean the place is HUGE if you've ever been there. I went for an event or two in the winter, when it's dead and walking around it gives off like an airport terminal kinda vibe, but just empty. If they fill some of those stalls with restaurants and bars, and then use some of those grand ballrooms they have sitting around as a major sports book, man that place will be REAL fun.


  • Mike in STL likes this
@JeremyMStrain

#8 Mike in STL

Mike in STL

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 28,346 posts

Posted 11 November 2018 - 03:17 PM

Yeah I think that is part of the plan. I should do some digging, I know a couple people with their hands in or around it, cause I think it's fascinating if they pull it off. I mean the place is HUGE if you've ever been there. I went for an event or two in the winter, when it's dead and walking around it gives off like an airport terminal kinda vibe, but just empty. If they fill some of those stalls with restaurants and bars, and then use some of those grand ballrooms they have sitting around as a major sports book, man that place will be REAL fun.


Have never been but man that does sound like the ideal spot.
@BSLMikeRandall

#9 Nigel Tufnel

Nigel Tufnel

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,876 posts

Posted 12 December 2018 - 03:53 PM

A Maryland Stadium Authority study recommends demolishing all of Pimlico, and rebuilding.  $424M.

 

https://www.baltimor...1212-story.html


  • BSLChrisStoner likes this

#10 NewMarketSean

NewMarketSean

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 23,462 posts

Posted 12 December 2018 - 04:07 PM

A Maryland Stadium Authority study recommends demolishing all of Pimlico, and rebuilding.  $424M.

 

https://www.baltimor...1212-story.html

I'm going to Preakness this year, so looks like it could be one of the last ones at the original track, if not THE last.


I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?

#11 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 12 December 2018 - 04:18 PM

Oh man.  Lots of people are not going to be happy if this city/state drops close to 1/2 a billion dollars on a race track. 


There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#12 NewMarketSean

NewMarketSean

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 23,462 posts

Posted 12 December 2018 - 04:52 PM

Oh man.  Lots of people are not going to be happy if this city/state drops close to 1/2 a billion dollars on a race track. 

 

And then they'd rag on the city for losing Preakness.

 

Double edged sword for sure.

 

They can at least bill it as an investment into the immediate surroundings...not that people would care about that either.


  • Pedro Cerrano likes this
I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?

#13 mweb08

mweb08

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 30,295 posts
  • LocationRidgely's Delight

Posted 12 December 2018 - 05:20 PM

And then they'd rag on the city for losing Preakness.

Double edged sword for sure.

They can at least bill it as an investment into the immediate surroundings...not that people would care about that either.


I couldn't read the article, but unless there's strong evidence to the contrary, I think that would be a poor argument.

#14 DJ MC

DJ MC

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 23,680 posts
  • LocationBeautiful Bel Air, MD

Posted 12 December 2018 - 07:28 PM

I couldn't read the article, but unless there's strong evidence to the contrary, I think that would be a poor argument.

 

Here's the direct link to where the MSA is going to post the study tomorrow:

 

https://www.mdstad.c...study-phase-1-2


@DJ_McCann

#15 mweb08

mweb08

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 30,295 posts
  • LocationRidgely's Delight

Posted 12 December 2018 - 08:50 PM

Here's the direct link to where the MSA is going to post the study tomorrow:

https://www.mdstad.c...study-phase-1-2


Cool.

I just don't see much reason to be optimistic about this having a worthwhile effect on the surrounding area.

Hopefully if it happens I'm pleasantly surprised.

#16 NewMarketSean

NewMarketSean

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 23,462 posts

Posted 13 December 2018 - 08:50 AM

Cool.

I just don't see much reason to be optimistic about this having a worthwhile effect on the surrounding area.

Hopefully if it happens I'm pleasantly surprised.

It could definitely have a positive impact, but this can't be the only thing they do to try to improve the neighborhood. There needs to be all kinds of other city-wide implementations to help improve the area.


I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?

#17 mweb08

mweb08

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 30,295 posts
  • LocationRidgely's Delight

Posted 13 December 2018 - 10:36 AM

It could definitely have a positive impact, but this can't be the only thing they do to try to improve the neighborhood. There needs to be all kinds of other city-wide implementations to help improve the area.


I don't think there's much evidence to say the investment would be worth it for that community. I think most of the evidence would suggest otherwise.

#18 JeremyStrain

JeremyStrain

    Moderator

  • Moderators
  • 13,373 posts
  • LocationFormerly known as allstar1579

Posted 13 December 2018 - 10:42 AM

I don't think there's much evidence to say the investment would be worth it for that community. I think most of the evidence would suggest otherwise.

 

I'm surprised the stadium authority suggested that, I thought they were pushing for the move to Laurel Park and then sell the other site for residential/commercial.


@JeremyMStrain




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users


Our Sponsors


 width=