Navigating March Madness in Las Vegas

Sunday, March 6, 2016 | 2 a.m.

There’s no denying that Las Vegas can be crazy year-round, but certain events such as March Madness incite an entirely different level of chaos. Sixty-eight NCAA teams will play in the single-elimination tournament. Billions of dollars will be bet. And hoards of people will flock to the valley to get in on the action.

While navigating casinos during the games can be tricky, it’s well worth it. Whether you’re a March Madness veteran or a curious newcomer, follow these tips to guarantee a great time.

Where to watch

From morning to night, there will be multiple games played simultaneously. Because watching the games can be an all-day event and they will be broadcast on thousands of televisions in hundreds of businesses across the valley, it can be fun to hop around to watch.

Spend time at a sports book, snag a ticket to a viewing party, pop over to a restaurant showing the games at lunch, grab a late-afternoon beer at a sports bar, find a blackjack table with a convenient view of a TV. There’s no wrong way to do March Madness. Every casino will have numerous places to watch, so try to enjoy any and all of the available offerings.

How popular is betting during March Madness?

In 2015, the American Gaming Association predicted that Americans would bet $2 billion on 70 million March Madness brackets. The money wagered on brackets is only a piece of the total amount bet, which the AGA estimated would hit $9 billion.

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Tips for betting at the sports book

•Place your bets early

It’s important to place your bets as early as possible — even the day beforehand, if you’re confident in your wager — to avoid long lines at the window. If you’re planning to watch the games at the sports book, show up even earlier if you want a seat. There inevitably will be people who have been camping out for hours, maybe even all night, so if you want a prime spot, you may have to arrive in advance.

•Know the betting number for your team

To further expedite your time spent at the window, be ready with the three-digit betting number for the teams you’re wagering on. The ticket writer and the people behind you in line will appreciate it. The betting number is found on the tote boards in the sports book.

•Check your bets before you leave the window

Particularly if you’re making multiple bets or complicated parlays, always double check your ticket before you walk away. Step aside while you’re checking it to keep the line moving, but don’t leave the window until you’re sure all of your bets are correct.

•Make “quantity” bets in the first round and “quality” bets in the second round

If there’s one thing you can expect from March Madness, it’s plenty of surprising upsets. Go ahead and make a few crazy bets during the first round, but don’t drop too much money on any one wager. By the second round, you’ll have a better idea of how your teams are playing and the ebb and flow of the tournament, making it a better time to place bigger bets.

•Tip the ticket writers

Just as you would with a waitress, bartender or dealer, work a few bucks into your budget to tip the ticket writers. Tipping is polite and offers good karma.

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2016 Schedule

First Round: March 15-16

Second Round: March 17-20

Sweet 16 and Elite 8: March 24-27

Final Four: April 2

Championship: April 4

A March surgery phenomenon

In recent years, the number of men getting vasectomies in the days leading up to March Madness has increased dramatically, according to ESPN. The reason? Getting time off of work and being able to enjoy all four days of the tournament. The increase in vasectomies scheduled during tournament season could be as high as 50 percent. Some urologists even have started offering deals and promotions for “Vas Madness.”