Guys I know wanted to bet $40k on Pass Line - denied
The group agreed to bet all $40K on the pass line and let the dice gods do what they wanted to with it. I advised them to call out to the casino they were staying at and get it pre-approved and if not, then try another place. I also advised them a casino would be more open to this if they attempted it early in the trip rather than later.
So, it wasn't a complete surprise to me when they didn't call out early and chose to do this on the last night at Mandalay Bay, that they got denied and held to table maximum ($5k). It apparently pissed a couple of guys off.
They ended up throwing two times at $5k (one won and one lost) and then split the money.
Was my advice correct? Not that this happens very often, but what else would you suggest?
I gather perhaps not all 8 made the trip.
Quote: AZDuffmanShould have bet $5,000 then taken max odds is my suggestion. Or called ahead, there has to be a place that would book it though for such a large bet calling ahead would be smart.
Yes, but I realized that was a moot point. As I understand it, several of them don't gamble much, let alone understand odds. So, they decided to keep it simple by just betting the line.
I don't know if they all made the trip or not. The approach they took was decided ahead of time by the group so I don't know what factored into the decision to put it all on one bet.
Cesars, I understand, would not have blinked. Frankly at 40k I am surprized any casino was unwilling unless they caught wind of this "we" stuff rather than "I" stuff. Casinos don't like that sort of nonsense.Quote: AxiomOfChoiceWhy didn't they just go to a real casino that could handle the action?
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceWhy didn't they just go to a real casino that could handle the action?
Agreed, that's why I suggested calling ahead of time and staying a place that would book it. I think they are fairly novice gamblers (I know my brother in-law is) and naively thought any larger strip casino would take the bet, they didn't do much research and chose not to follow my advice.
Quote: FleaStiffCesars, I understand, would not have blinked. Frankly at 40k I am surprized any casino was unwilling unless they caught wind of this "we" stuff rather than "I" stuff. Casinos don't like that sort of nonsense.
I have no doubt they came across as a group of drunk guys betting a community pile of money. At craps, why would a casino frown on this?
Edit: Again this might have taken a bit of planning because most windows have limits which would take effect on all but the largest of games. But with a call ahead, they could have had really fun watching experience
Quote: NareedIf there were eight of them, why not just bet $5K each??
I can't believe no one else has brought this up because it's a no brainer.
Can't these guys divide $40,000 by 8???
Quote: MidwestAPAgreed, that's why I suggested calling ahead of time and staying a place that would book it. I think they are fairly novice gamblers (I know my brother in-law is) and naively thought any larger strip casino would take the bet, they didn't do much research and chose not to follow my advice.
AFAIK Caesar's has a $100k maximum on their regular craps tables. No calling ahead required.
Most other major casinos have a $10k maximum, but I'm sure that they would book a $40k bet. People get permission to bet above the maximum all the time. It would surprise me if Bellagio, Aria, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Venetian, or Wynn would not take the bet.
For a small low-roller joint though... $40k may be a significant amount of money to them. It's reasonable that they wouldn't book it.
Although... if the guy's wish was that they go to Vegas and have a good time with it... $40k on one bet may not be the best move. I would call ahead, and ask to talk to a host. I'd tell the host the situation, including where the money came from and what your friend's wishes were, and say that you will wire the $40k to the cage ahead of time, as front money, and, in accordance with your friend's wishes, you plan to gamble big (say, $500/hand) until it's all gone or the weekend is over, and you all want to have a good time while you are there. Getting a couple of comped suites (big enough to hold all 8 people), food, show tickets, bottle service at a club, etc, should not be an issue (probably contingent on actually following through with the plans to gamble -- which is fine, since that's what they will actually do)
In the end, they will either get very lucky and win some money or break even, or, more likely lose most or all of the money, but they should be very well taken care of and have a great time.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceAlthough... if the guy's wish was that they go to Vegas and have a good time with it... $40k on one bet may not be the best move. I would call ahead, and ask to talk to a host. I'd tell the host the situation, including where the money came from and what your friend's wishes were, and say that you will wire the $40k to the cage ahead of time, as front money, and, in accordance with your friend's wishes, you plan to gamble big (say, $500/hand) until it's all gone or the weekend is over, and you all want to have a good time while you are there. Getting a couple of comped suites (big enough to hold all 8 people), food, show tickets, bottle service at a club, etc, should not be an issue (probably contingent on actually following through with the plans to gamble -- which is fine, since that's what they will actually do)
In the end, they will either get very lucky and win some money or break even, or, more likely lose most or all of the money, but they should be very well taken care of and have a great time.
Getting off-topic here, but I'm skeptical you would get lavish treatment (specifically multiple comped suites) for a combined bankroll of $40K between 8 guys. That equals out to $5K/customer, and that's not really a huge bankroll. Would 8 x $5K get better treatment than 1x$5K? Hard to say...I'm not an expert, but like I said I'm skeptical.
Quote: AcesAndEightsGetting off-topic here, but I'm skeptical you would get lavish treatment (specifically multiple comped suites) for a combined bankroll of $40K between 8 guys. That equals out to $5K/customer, and that's not really a huge bankroll. Would 8 x $5K get better treatment than 1x$5K? Hard to say...I'm not an expert, but like I said I'm skeptical.
I was thinking that too, but I think that you will get good treatment because you are splitting the comps.
You are asking for 2 suites, not 8. You are asking for 8 show tickets, not 8 pairs. You are asking for 1 table at a club, not 8.
If one person with $40k in front money, putting in that much action, asked for 2 suites, 8 show tickets, and 1 table at a club, I think he'd get it. This is no different.
Going to a mid-end rather than high-end casino might help. NYNY or Monte Carlo, rather than Wynn or Aria.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceI was thinking that too, but I think that you will get good treatment because you are splitting the comps.
You are asking for 2 suites, not 8. You are asking for 8 show tickets, not 8 pairs. You are asking for 1 table at a club, not 8.
If one person with $40k in front money, putting in that much action, asked for 2 suites, 8 show tickets, and 1 table at a club, I think he'd get it. This is no different.
Going to a mid-end rather than high-end casino might help. NYNY or Monte Carlo, rather than Wynn or Aria.
Yeah, that's a good point. Some day, maybe I'll test this theory :).
$40,000 on an even-money bet is not really an amount you'd have to call ahead for in any decent-sized casino.
Quote: sodawaterWhere did these guys go to play, that casino in Vegas Vacation where you can play Guess Which Hand?
$40,000 on an even-money bet is not really an amount you'd have to call ahead for in any decent-sized casino.
Do you think that the El Cortez will take a $40k pass line bet?
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceDo you think that the El Cortez will take a $40k pass line bet?
as long as you're not dice setting
Like someone else suggested I'd have probably taken the money to the sportsbook and bet it on your late friend's favorite team, golfer, driver, fighter etc. I hope this answers your questions and doesn't seem too critical. Just
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceDo you think that the El Cortez will take a $40k pass line bet?
Do you want to win a property deed if you make a point?
320k provides for a nice Vegas party weekend tribute to a deceased pal
You could deposit it at the cage and draw a marker with less hassle, probably.
Quote: teddysIt would be a pain to buy in with $40k cash as there are all sorts of regulations and paperwork for any buy-in over $10k. .
Really?
The Review journal may have done a piece on the guys as they were doing this in honor of their buddy, exactly like he wanted them to!
It would have been a win/win for both the guys as well as the casino.....and goodness knows MB could use some love right now :)
Curious and math challenged minds want to know !
The friend wanted everyone to have a great time.
You will have a lifetime to piss away money, but 40 grand at a brothel would be something to remember for the rest of your lives.
Quote: IbeatyouracesJust screams of money laundering.
No, it doesn't. If anyone asks, then they just tell the pit the full story. Much like everyone else in this thread has advised.
Quote: petroglyphFor an alternative op.
The friend wanted everyone to have a great time.
I think the whole concept really was a slap in the face of their buddy's dying wish.
I heard from my sister they had a great time nevertheless. Knowing a little about these guys, I know for certain there were some drinks thrown back and some stories told and re-told. If I have some extra money to give to my close friends when my time comes, I might do something similar, all in all, I like the concept.
Quote: pacomartinI think the whole concept really was a slap in the face of their buddy's dying wish.
I would agree, the goal was to have fun...not bet it all on one bet in hope of making it more money. Getting comps for gambling would have been much better and probably far more enjoyable. Even just paying for the good time would have been a better use than a one time bet.
Quote: pacomartinI think the whole concept really was a slap in the face of their buddy's dying wish.
I'd have paid bills / invested it. That, to me, would've been a "good time" that would last... forever, maybe. Peace of mind.
If I had to go to Vegas, per buddy's wishes, then I'd have had a $70 steak, and jumped off the Strat, and hiked Zion, and rented a supercar as Las Vegas Speedway, and did one of those air combat ride-alongs... you know, "have a good time". Pissing it away in 38 seconds just seems...filthy.
Quote: TranscendI would agree, the goal was to have fun...not bet it all on one bet in hope of making it more money. Getting comps for gambling would have been much better and probably far more enjoyable. Even just paying for the good time would have been a better use than a one time bet.
They did have fun, and this trip wouldn't have happened if not for his generosity.
As I posted, I don't know what went into the decision to do it like they did, but I don't think they would have taken an action that was disrespectful to their friend, this was a pretty tight group of guys. Maybe he was a craps player and had a dream to make a monster bet? Maybe they had specific conversations with him and he asked them to do it this way? I really don't know, but I don't think the decision was out of greed at all.
Quote: MidwestAPThey did have fun, and this trip wouldn't have happened if not for his generosity.
As I posted, I don't know what went into the decision to do it like they did, but I don't think they would have taken an action that was disrespectful to their friend, this was a pretty tight group of guys. Maybe he was a craps player and had a dream to make a monster bet? Maybe they had specific conversations with him and he asked them to do it this way? I really don't know, but I don't think the decision was out of greed at all.
I could understand if they used the money for everything and whatever was left at the end they bet it...I'm sure there is more too it than what I stated...it just seems like a very odd way of doing things
Quote: TranscendI could understand if they used the money for everything and whatever was left at the end they bet it...I'm sure there is more too it than what I stated...it just seems like a very odd way of doing things
I'm sure there is more to it than I was told. I was getting the cliff notes version from my sister and brother in-law.
Quote: TomspurI used to work at MB and the action there isn't huge anymore. All the HL clientele have migrated over to Aria (on purpose of course). If 8 guys stood around one game and all of them bought in for $5k and placed the bet on the PL, it would raise suspision in any place I think. If the guys had called in I'm sure they would have organised a table for them, treated them really well and made a big deal of it. I mean it isn't every day that a bunch of novice gamblers decide to come to your casino and each bet $5k on the roll of a dice.
The Review journal may have done a piece on the guys as they were doing this in honor of their buddy, exactly like he wanted them to!
It would have been a win/win for both the guys as well as the casino.....and goodness knows MB could use some love right now :)
I agree and they could have set it up where they might have made a deal for a 10% rebate and comps of some sort.
Quote: FaceI'd have paid bills / invested it. That, to me, would've been a "good time" that would last... forever, maybe. Peace of mind.
If I had to go to Vegas, per buddy's wishes, then I'd have had a $70 steak, and jumped off the Strat, and hiked Zion, and rented a supercar as Las Vegas Speedway, and did one of those air combat ride-alongs... you know, "have a good time". Pissing it away in 38 seconds just seems...filthy.
My son and I just did this in Dec.
But we had to use our own cash.
However, Who here has the pockets to make a 40K bet?
Not to many.
I get a rush standing at the craps table with $100 on the felt...
I can't even imagine the rush with $40K on the line...
SFB
Quote: SFB
I get a rush standing at the craps table with $100 on the felt...
I can't even imagine the rush with $40K on the line...
SFB
I don't think it is that different. If $100 of your own money is a, "big" bet, risking $40k of someone else's won't push more adrenaline into your system. Bravo to your Brother-In-Law's friend for his generosity. We should all be so blessed.
Quote: AyecarumbaI don't think it is that different. If $100 of your own money is a, "big" bet, risking $40k of someone else's won't push more adrenaline into your system. Bravo to your Brother-In-Law's friend for his generosity. We should all be so blessed.
Aye:
Even IF it was someone else's money...
That is a lot of dinero on the line.
It would be interesting to discuss with the actual bettors how it went down.
There have been some great idea's on this thread already. I like the one about calling ahead to the hotel and maybe getting comped rooms/meals and shows.
SFB
