For those with access to a OTB tell me about it.........

This isn't about Vegas sportsbooks.

I want to know what it is like at your OTB where you live. What kind of monitors do they have, how big is it, do they play sound for the races. What do they offer in form of drinks/food?

Just curious to see what options are out there around the country.

Thanks

Well locally most have been closed in the past few years. When they were open it was an average age of about 65yrs old, with everyone "I should have had it" all day long..more $2 dollar social guys then actual hardcore gamblers. Food and drink available but rarely saw anyone do either...typical squatters, 10% signers and thieves. Most interested in cashing tix and not making money...couple sharp guys who made big scores but mainly hopeless losers. 99% men and occasional wife but that's it.

on derby day its the opposite of everything above.

I mainly play adw now but I truly miss the otb experience...its a real life let it ride scene every damn day

My favorite small local bar has OTB right there. The bar side has a machine with a few T.Vs around the bar with 4-5 races going and 2 others showing games, The lounge side has another machine with 7-8 T.V.s

Sure you have the few degens who have $5 burning a hole in their pocket with a horse that's a "lock" but for the most part its a mix of both older and younger guys looking to make a few dollars or just betting some action to pass the time while having a few drinks

There are 5 huge rooms inside the one that's 5 minutes from my house.......& 1 big bar......one of the rooms are closed off for nonsmoking people.

Every room has wall to wall LCD/LED tvs & all have tables.....

The menu use to be a lot bigger than it is now......the first 10 years that place use to get packed Thurs thru Sunday..........its not as busy anymore.......but the triple crown races it still gets really busy.

Some high rollers still go in there......my cousin isn't a high roller, but he gets racing forms, & admission for free 365 days a year because hes one of their best customers......

I go in there to hang out once in a while but its nothing like it use to be.

I believe they have closed down 3 other OTB's that are in other local towns around us.

I have 4 OTB`s in my county.

Plenty of TV`s in each....All races going on that day......No food.

http://www.stoneypointgrill.com/kd08.asp

this is my 2nd home...hahaha

BEST OTB...and FOOD (GREAT) ..For sure...few dg... more upscale

The OTB's in Northern California are very good; free parking, decent (and cheap) food and drink and plenty of TV monitors. In Arizona, all the OTB's are in bars; some upscale, some downscale.

I went to an OTB for the Preakness. The place has a ton of screens and a bar in the center of it, serves some food. They had special $1 pizza, hot dogs and nachos and some $3.25 beer specials.

The crowd was definitely older and for the most part quiet and having fun with who they came with.

I went to bet on the Preakness and bet on Pimlico 11th cashed a small ticket and bet the 12th and left well before it started. I can't say I've been to an OTB where none of the TV's were playing any sound at all, some screens were blurry or snowy and I kid you not, the TV's looked like they were from the 80's outside of the bigger screens they had.

It was quiet in the whole place, no one was rooting for their horses except one obnoxious as hell guy who was upset his 90-1 wager ran last and was going on and on and on using foul language as if it was all he knew. Typically I don't pay those guys no mind but you had no choice to hear it.

I got up and left and will cash in my tickets and remaining voucher at another time.

Outside of the obnoxious guy, it was a morgue in this place and it was packed. I've been to a lot of OTBs around the country but this one by far was the oddest. Maybe people just don't cheer or get excited anymore or maybe it was just the lack of the sound of the races not being broadcast.

Almost forgot, I saw a table with 1 guy and there's two TV's there for anyone to watch not just for the table. I ask the guy out of courtesy if I could sit there and first thing out of his mouth was "What for?" I answer politely to handicap some races and he goes, well I am betting the dogs and don't bet horses. I look up at the tv monitors and there is two dog tracks. Here it is Preakness Day and this guy is betting .50 trifectas at Flagler and some other greyhound place. I just laugh and wish him luck and remind him it's Preakness Day. He muttered something, he wasn't doing well, he had losing tickets all over but whatever.

It can't be like this everywhere anymore or is it?

Thanks for prior answers if you can elaborate on sound and if people get into the races still. I'd be happy to read your replies.