Question of the Day - 12 June 2014

With various factors -- the success of the U.S. women's team and the less-successful but equally pretty presence of David Beckham on American turf being among them -- having contributed to the rising popularity of what the natives here quaintly refer to as "soccer," but which the rest of the known world knows as proper football*, the 2014 FIFA World Cup promises to propel the sport even further into the American public eye.

Being home to both legal sports betting and any excuse for a party, naturally Las Vegas is going all-out this time around, so you have timed your trip perfectly to coincide with more football viewing parties than have ever taken place in the city's history.

As far as the betting action is concerned, gamblers will have a full slate of wagering options, from sides and totals in individual matches, to futures and props. William Hill, with its international pedigree, is particularly engaged, and has set a global goal of a €249.5 million handle, which would obliterate its record of €123 million set during the 2010 World Cup. Will Hill makes the USA 10-1 to advance from group play and 50-1 to win it all. Brazil is the +210 tournament favorite. Argentine phenom Lionel Messi is the 4-1 favorite to lead the tournament in scoring.

Meanwhile here, in no particular order other than the one in which we found them, is our guide to all the best options for catching the games, on and off the Strip. Plus, in deference to all you enthusiastic newbies out there, the Las Vegas Review-Journal has thoughtfully compiled a comprehensive World Cup 101 guide to help you navigate the structure and nuances of what promises to be the most-watched sporting event of all time.

• MGM Resorts International restaurants: Specialty menus and brews will be available June 12–July 13 at ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, Luxor and Excalibur.
  • At ARIA, FIVE50 Pizza Bar, handily located next to the race & sports book, will broadcast the games on centrally positioned screens above the main bar, while serving its signature wood-fired pizzas, small plates, and 50 different beers on tap, while Julian Serrano's namesake authentic Spanish tapas restaurant will be honoring the World Cup with half-priced glasses of signature sangria during all games, available in red, white, or sparkling variations.
  • MGM Grand's tavern-style PUB 1842 by Chef Michael Mina will also be celebrating the restaurant’s one-year anniversary, with all burgers and a food-and-beer pairing weekly-special available for $18.42 and a 3-course dinner for $30. TAP Sports Bar at the same hotel features 60 HD flat-screen TVs and a menu of local and seasonal craft beers.
  • At the far-south end of the Strip, Mandalay Bay will be keeping up the hype up all-month long with the Beer Passport Program, featuring beers representing World Cup participating countries available in KUMI, Red Square, Citizens Kitchen & Bar, Mandalay Bay Sports Book, eyecandy sound lounge & bar, Mizuya, and at Mandalay Bay Beach. Guests who purchase these specialty beers will have their "passport" stamped and may enter completed passports into a drawing for a grand prize. As an added bonus, some purchases will be accompanied by giveaways or entry into a raffle. Pick up a passport at any of the participating venues. In addition, House of Blues' Crossroads bar and restaurant will host World Cup Viewing Madness, with a special "Around-the-World" menu of food and drink specials, plus giveaways throughout the games and a 15% discount on select merchandise in the retail store for guests in team jerseys. Fans who attend every match viewing party can also earn entry into a prize drawing for a variety of prizes.
  • The Mirage will celebrate the championship game with a viewing party inside the Terry Fator Theatre, featuring variety of food-and-beverage packages available. BLT Burger will feature a $5 Michelado red-beer special all through the month of June. Made with Corona draft, Clamato juice, lime juice, Tabasco, and pepper, it's served in a salt-rimmed glass with ice and a lime. RHUMBAR will be screening all the games (with the exception of those with 9 a.m. kickoffs) and offering signature drink specials. Plus, to add to the excitement, Funkin Gooaall! shots, described as "a tropical twist on a Tom Collins," will be passed out each time a goal is scored throughout the tournament.
  • With a selection of more than 300 beers and 35 televisions, The Pub at Monte Carlo is a good location to cool down as the soccer frenzy heats up and will be serving various drink specials.
  • Guests of bars at Luxor and Excalibur can enjoy game-time libations, including Patron cocktails and margaritas, beer-and-Patron shot specials, and $25 mix-and-match buckets of beer including Bud, Bud Light, Corona, and Heineken. Public House will offer an international menu of specialty dishes inspired by the teams playing in the tournament. To complement menu selections, guests may sip on $6 Heineken drafts, Patron cocktails and margarita specials, $5 Bud Light drafts and $8 Bud commemorative bottles.
• The Hard Rock Cafe location on Paradise is hosting a free World Cup viewing party on Saturday, with drink specials, a foosball tournament featuring prizes ranging from hosted bar tabs and staycation packages, to Warped Tour tickets, plus there will be an appearance from local soccer team the Las Vegas Legends, who'll be giving away vouchers for their indoor pro-soccer camp. The party will also feature $3 Bud and Bud Light specials, available all day. Arrive early to claim a seat at the bar or outside on the cafe’s covered patio, with more than 15 TVs screening all the games for the duration of the tournament. Sign-up for Saturday's Foosball tourney's at noon, with the action starting at 3 p.m.
• Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will host free World Cup viewing parties throughout the tournament, with drink specials now through July 13 and 20 high-definition TVs throughout the cantina, plus two 180-inch projection screens located on the brand new second level, for your viewing pleasure. Guests who really want to push the boat out may take advantage of a private loft to watch the games, with packages featuring $500 bottle service, beer buckets, and appetizers (call 702/385-2226 or e-mail [email protected] for details and reservations).
• Via Brasil Steakhouse in Summerlin will be opening for the start of the World Cup, Thursday June 12, with special lunch and Sunday brunch opening hours for the duration, and de rigueur food and drink specials. Plus, if your team wins while you're there and you're sporting their jersey, your first drink is on Via Brasil and they'll discount the price on the all-you-can-eat Rodizio Prime dining experience to $29.99. If your team happens to be Brasil ... well, we won't spoil the surprise but they will help you party harder!
• Catch the games at any of the valley's Sierra Gold taverns and PT's pubs and enjoy $3 Miller Lite pints, $4 Belvedere cocktails, and $5.75 Belvedere Bloody Marys, along with a chance to win soccer gear during Team USA games in June.
• Lagasse’s Stadium at Palazzo will have TVs tuned to the action throughout the tournament - walk in, or ensure a seat in advance by calling 702/607-2665 to make reservations. Also, Sushi Samba is truly getting into the spirit of Brasil, with live play-by-play coverage of all the games on big screen, food and drink specials, live samba dancers, and a social media contest with the chance to win a trip to Brasil. Check out their Twitter/Facebook/Instagram, etc. to register.
• Celebrate ‘Soccer on the Strip’ at Caesars Entertainment resorts:
  • TAG Lounge & Bar at The Quad will be offering the complete "Touchline Experience Package" for $25 during all USA matches on June 16, 22, 26, plus the semi-finals and finals. The package includes two free beers, a t-shirt, and a raffle ticket to win a High Roller Package that includes a two-night stay at the Jubilee Tower at Bally’s Las Vegas, two show tickets to Jubilee!, $200 comp dinner for two at BLT Steak, and two High Roller observation wheel passes. The games will be featured on 40 high def TVs, including two 80-inch screens, strategically placed throughout.
  • O’Sheas Casino Irish-inspired bar features 12 TVs, more than 60 kinds of beer, table games, and a lively outdoor bar.
  • Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace has 23 TVs, 36 beers served on tap (and another 63 bottled beers).
  • Rio's iBar has 18 TVs to catch all the soccer action, plus signature tabletop touch-screens to play games on, order drinks, and flirt with your neighbors.
• Book & Stage sports lounge at The Cosmopolitan will be screening all the games, while on July 13 The Chelsea theater will host a Finals party from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with multiple televisions throughout the venue, an international beer garden, and specialty hand-crafted cocktails using ingredients from around the globe. Tickets to the party start at $50 for individuals, with party packages also available.
• Station Casinos' race & sports books will be serving $3 Bud Lights in the specialty aluminum bottles that Bud's featuring for the World Cup. Select games will also feature $2 hot dogs and other stadium food. Plus, they're holding a World Cup Jersey Giveaway: For every $20 wagered on a World Cup soccer match, Boarding Pass members will receive an official drawing ticket, up to a maximum of 10 tickets per day, with drawings held daily from June 12–26 at the conclusion of the last match each day; two winners will be chosen daily and jersey selection is based on availability.
• Attend Brazil/Croatia or any Italy game and get free appetizers with your drinks at Ferraro's restaurant, opposite the Hard Rock.
• Catch the games at any Buffalo Wild Wings location and try the Budweiser Free-kick Game for a chance to win daily prizes.
• The two Crown & Anchor British pubs (located on E. Tropicana and W. Spring Mtn.) describe themselves as "Las Vegas’s home for soccer" with justification. They both offer big selections of draft beers from around the world, plus a full menu of classic British pub grub. In addition to catering to British fans, the west-side venue in particular is also a big favorite with supporters of Mexico and Spain.
• McMullan’s Irish Pub on W. Tropicana Ave. is home to the Las Vegas branch of the American Outlaws football fan club and the owner's expecting 500 patrons when the U.S. plays Ghana on June 16 in its opener. Expect chanting, singing, and generally raucous behavior from a crowd so large that McMullan’s management plans to set up overflow seating outside in the parking lot. The venue also screens the weekly lineup of English Premier League and MLS soccer, in addition to full coverage of all FIFA World Cup events.
• Team Germany fans can catch the action at Hofbräuhaus, located near the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
• Located in the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood, Blondies is a sports bar mecca featuring 40 screens and a happy hour Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with all-you-can-drink domestic drafts and well drinks for $20 per person.
• In a bid to be downtown's soccer central, Golden Gate Casino will stream all the games and offer $2 Budweiser drafts at Bar Prohibition!
• The new Bier Garten at The Plaza, also downtown, will be showing all games on their screens, with a menu of authentic German cuisine and buy one, get one free beers during the matches.
• JW Marriott and Rampart Casino on the west side of the valley are offering a Wold Cup package for $139, which includes a stay in a deluxe room, dinner for two at Brazilian steakhouse night at the Rampart buffet, and one Brazilian wax treatment in the spa. The deal also includes a $25 dining credit for J.C. Wooloughan's Irish Pub, where all the games will be shown. Drink specials at the pub include $2 Coors Light, $3 Heineken drafts, $4 shots of El Jimador blanco tequila, $5 margaritas and $7 Dos Equis beer with an El Jimador shot.

*Disclaimer: This writer is a Brit!