Vegas trip for March Madness - Higher Minimums at Craps tables?

I am super excited to be going to Vegas for the first weekend of March Madness (3/18-3/21)! I'll be staying at Paris (which, based on several forums I've read, has really great craps tables?). This is my 3rd time going to Vegas, first time going for March Madness, and the first time I plan to dedicate a majority of my trip to craps! (in addition to the Sportsbooks, of course).

I understand MM is the busiest time for Vegas and I am a little worried that table minimums will be jacked up because of it. Can any of you offer insight on this? On some forums, I've read that you should definitely be able to find $5 tables at most places on the strip (little variance from other times in the year). However I've also read that it's difficult to find any $5, $10 or even $15 minimums (most of them are at $25 because it is so busy). I was hoping to find some $5 or $10 tables early in the day, play conservatively for a few hours, and get "gradfathered" in to the lower minimums if they do decide to increase them. Any insight you guys/gals can offer is much appreciated!

I was there last year and it was hard finding a low limit table during marchmadness. If you are gambling in the early am, like breakfast time you find some...maybe Cosmo(which some other forum member mentioned which I missed) or casino royals, or harrahs, Bally's. Your best bet for a better time is off strip like palms,.redrock, silver 7s etc.

Wolf,

Bally is connected via internal passage to Paris, and their games tend to be at least 1 denom cheaper than Paris' games any time of day. Both TR properties. (You may know all this). It's very easy to check their games while staying at Paris, compared to nearly anywhere else. There's also a shuttle from Bally's to the other TR properties, and Harrah's is a pretty easy walk anyway. They have 6 crap tables there, and in April (not March Madness, I realize) this year $5 mins from at least 2am to noon or so on weeknights.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Wolf,

Bally is connected via internal passage to Paris, and their games tend to be at least 1 denom cheaper than Paris' games any time of day. Both TR properties. (You may know all this). It's very easy to check their games while staying at Paris, compared to nearly anywhere else. There's also a shuttle from Bally's to the other TR properties, and Harrah's is a pretty easy walk anyway. They have 6 crap tables there, and in April (not March Madness, I realize) this year $5 mins from at least 2am to noon or so on weeknights.

I agree, played craps at Ballys.
Generally 5 bucks in the morning and afternoon, 10 bucks in the evening and weekends.

And if you do go to Harrahs then you're right next door to Casino Royale. They will definitely have $5 craps. And I believe they have 10 times odds (maybe even 100 times odds).

With Casino Royale being down to only one craps table (as of last spring) I can foresee difficulty finding an open spot there at the rail on the craps table, especially during MM.

Thanks for the feedback! I will definitely check out Bally's tables since they are next door to Paris. I'm glad we are staying in the middle of the strip, as it will be much easier to get around to other casinos. I appreciate the suggestions for the old strip Casinos, but I don't think I'll venture over there much.

I'd settle for $10 games if I had to. Hopefully that will be the standard minimums at most of the casinos on the strip during the day. Anything over that gets me a little nervous, especially with a session bankroll of around $400. I'm a pretty conservative player and this will be my first time playing a Don't strategy (maybe 2 DC bets when I'm not the shooter, or a PL + place 6/8 when I am shooting).

Since no one else mentioned, just to be safe... The $5 blackjack games you'll find on the strip are all 6/5 garbage, usually found in each of the casino's "pleasure pits." Do not play them. If you want to play BJ go downtown, or off the strip, and definitely consult the Wizards Vegas Survey. If you want craps, as was suggested Casino Royal has a great low limit game (as well as downtown).

Fun Fact: You can take the deuce downtown for just a few bucks (24 pass is like $7 i believe - which of course gets you there and back).

Quote: Romes

Fun Fact: You can take the deuce downtown for just a few bucks (24 pass is like $7 i believe - which of course gets you there and back).

Fun cheap fact. Can take the Westcliffe express bus from Downtown to the MGM/Trop for just 2 bucks . one way, no ticket needed, just two 1 dollar bills.

Quote: terapined

Fun cheap fact. Can take the Westcliffe express bus from Downtown to the MGM/Trop for just 2 bucks . one way, no ticket needed, just two 1 dollar bills.

Where do you pick that up downtown?

Bus stop next to Binions for the Westcliffe express, just one stop on the strip, MGM. Only 2 bills one way.
When I arrive at the Vegas airport, go straight to ground floor under baggage floor, 2 bucks cash, no ticket needed, express to Downtown.
Can also pick up the SDX (express to the strip, only 3 Strip stops) next to Binions. Same price as Deuce.
The Deuce that makes all stops on the strip, you get on next to neonopolis.

Warning about the WAX: weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM (towards the Strip) and from 9 AM to 2 PM (towards downtown), and after 6 PM (both directions), as well as all day on weekends, the WAX only runs one bus per hour. Also, the last bus each day leaves downtown at about 10:30 PM, and leaves the Strip at about 11:30 PM.

Get the current guide (with timetables) and map here.

You could just play the higher minimums for less time.

You'll end up with the same -EV either way.

I've been to Vegas for MM each of the last 3 years and will be going again from 3/17 to 3/25 this year.

I've always been able to find $5 craps tables, but usually only in the morning. Shockingly, the Cosmo had their main table at $5 around 9am last year on the Sunday of MM. They raised it quickly, but grandfathered us in.

Aria had a super fun $10 craps table on Saturday night of MM last year.

Planet Hollywood had $5 craps, also in the morning. El Cortez (downtown) had $5 on Thursday night and Friday nights, when I was there.

When Casino Royale had two tables, they had at least one $3 craps all weekend, but that ended in 2013. They are likely to have $5 at night now, but it's only one table now and the line will be crazy.

PM me if you want to try to meet up for craps. I'm a Pitt alumn and fan, 38, sometimes play with my girlfriend, but often not. I'm downtown until Sunday morning, then at the Delano.