Independent books are great for the modest betting pro. These are books that deal a line that they've derived on their own, or at least didn't strictly copy from another source, and are typically operated and managed by a "locals" casino.
Jerry's Nugget in North Las Vegas, along with Treasure Island, are two of the remaining independents in Las Vegas (along with Aliante now) that conform to the definition above. You can find some great rogue lines at these books, along with pretty darn good promos at times. For as long as I can remember, Jerry's has paid off-the-board parlays at rates that are generally higher than any other book in Nevada. You can't bet $1,000 there, but if you're a $20-$200 parlay better, why play anyplace else?
A larger independent book is the Wynn, where Johnny Avello does a masterful job of putting up the first lines on many events. He was the first to put up a hypothetical Notre Dame/Alabama line at 9 a good week before the game was even set … and took wagers on it. Amazingly, after Alabama beat Georgia the following week, the line settled into his line of AL -9! Whenever I get a chance, I park at Wynn and check out what they're dealing -- then walk over to Treasure Island to see if there's something there that's out of whack.
South Point has become a local's favorite book, with satellites in Cannery and Eastside Cannery. This is essentially an independent, and I love it that they never deal a money line on football sides. Rather, they make the line 3 or 3.5 -- none of this +3.5/-118 BS.
If you live in, or can travel to, Reno, you can bet the independent books at Peppermill and Atlantis. Both will take a real bet, and as Forest Gump might say, "these books are like a box of chocolates … you never know what's inside." (Unless you have them on yours odds screen). Both can be counted on to have special parlay cards, progressive promos, etc. that have their own touches on them.
Contrast these independents to the "chain books," like Coast, Caesars, etc. Sure, you might get a unique number at one of them, but typically, they all deal the same stuff with the same lines. I'd much rather be at the Wynn.
