Sports Betting Etiquette

I'll be making my first sports bet in a couple of weeks and just wanted to check a couple of things.

1. Are the people who work for the casino in sports better traditionally friendly to new people or will I be expected to walk up to the window - throw down my money - tell them what I want - and get the ticket. If they are like this, what you usually see at craps tables, does anyone offer a free (or maybe where you join their player's club and get lessons such as some casinos do for craps) session?

2. Are electronics allowed in the sports betting room? Such as if I want to talk to a friend about a certain wager to something as innocent as texting a friend about a big win.

On top of this, I would like to thank everyone at this site, especially the Wizard, who has an amazing ability to explain it to the newbies and beyond. Everyone's willingness to freely give out information is very much appreciated.

1. No. In my experience, the tellers at the sports lines are not friendly to new people. The reason is that race/sports bets are in the same window, and if you're going up there when races are going off (There's almost always a race going off) they want you to tell them what you want as quickly as possible. If it's slow, then they'll be friendly enough, but not what you would see at a slow table game.

2. After a long lasting, stupid law that did not allow cell phones in the sportsbook, you're finally allowed to have one in there. However, you can't be talking on the phone while you're in line or close to the window. Texting is fine, but I wouldn't talk about the line you're getting too loud.

I love sports betting when I'm in Vegas. I live in Missouri and have 7 casinos (As of March 4) that are within 30 minutes of my house. But I can't drink for free, or bet on horses/sports there. So that is why I love Vegas. Sports betting is a great way to spend a few hours gambling, and not losing. Good luck!

Quote: ahiromu

1. Are the people who work for the casino in sports better traditionally friendly to new people or will I be expected to walk up to the window - throw down my money - tell them what I want - and get the ticket. If they are like this, what you usually see at craps tables, does anyone offer a free (or maybe where you join their player's club and get lessons such as some casinos do for craps) session?

If you make it over to Caesars Palace, they have a booklet you can pick up that will explain a few basic things about sports betting. It helped me make sense of some things.

Quote: FinsRule

2. After a long lasting, stupid law that did not allow cell phones in the sportsbook, you're finally allowed to have one in there. However, you can't be talking on the phone while you're in line or close to the window. Texting is fine, but I wouldn't talk about the line you're getting too loud.

But don't be too quick to pull your phone out. It might not be totally illegal anymore, but many sports books still don't allow it. You also still have the Wire Act to worry about. There will usually be a sign up that says "No communication devices allowed" or something to that effect. Even if there isn't, ask permission, not forgiveness.

Some good answers already. As was said, lots of places have a sports betting guide to help explain everything. However, while the sports book has the second highest percentage of salty employees in the casino (the poker room being first), not all of them are cranky and irritable. If you ask when nobody is in line, then depending on who you ask, they may be helpful.

About the phones, I agree that some places still have house rules against them. I think the Hilton is one of them.