move to vegas or what?

Ok so I don't get it. Everyone says vegas is tougher than average, get really good before you go to vegas, etc. However I just spent a week there, and to be honest, I am no longer as comfortable as I once was playing online or in local home games, as I feel I have a much higher chance of losing in them despite knowing i'm an overall winner.

The fact is, I never _dreamed_ games could be as soft as they were there. It depended entirely on the casino I also discovered, as I played a few games at the wynn and the mirage that were just as tough as any i've ever played personally, but in the cheaper, less known rooms with less attractive waitresses and dirtier chips, I don't see how you can go wrong.

I tripled my bankroll in about 35 hours of play, and i'm convinced it wasn't a freak occurence, though I certainly am not drunk enough on my success to believe this can be an average expectation, but once again the fact was that I really had no concept of a 'soft game' before this, (in retrospect) it was simply incredible to me how easy it was to take money from these fish, and how rarely they called with even any kind of draw left to them at all... has anyone else had this experience and what should I do before I move out there? Met a guy while there who claims 1/2 NL is better than anything except super high stakes if you can afford it and that he's been playing it exclusively for two years averaging better than 50k which previously i'd have never believed really... either way, vegas kicks major ass and I was considering moving there even before I was up any money.

[Piz0wn0reD!!!!!!]

dont move there.

[Alex/Mugaaz]

You really don't know what you are talking about and will regret it if you go through with this. Maybe eventually this will be a good decision, it isn't now. If you do go through with it let 2+2'ers know, it might help your tips.

Wow you were able to determine so definitely that I have absolutely no clue what i'm talking about from just the information in that post that you could make a completely insulting blanket statement and feel no need to even provide a scrap of reason to your position? Man.

Well, maybe I still really have no clue what i'm talking about after 5 years of serious, profitable play and steadily earning more than I ever have in a 'real' job, but I know enough to think maybe you should give me a little more detail on this insight you seem to have, or else just try and provide some kind of actually useful response, or just shut up in the first place if you haven't got anything... perhaps I should summarize what i'm looking for to help you out:

1. Vegas was not what I expected, in terms of average player competence, and has anyone else found this to be true compared to their home games?

2. Is it possible that a low limit game of 1/2 NL actually contains so very many players of such very poor ability that it might in fact be more profitable than limits up to say 5/10 or 10/20 where several good players are chopping up just one or two fish at the table and trying to squeeze what they can out of each other in the mean time?

3. Pros and cons of living in vegas with soft games as a lifestyle benefit, not a reason to move.

If you haven't got something to say in relation to this, don't bother saying anything at all.

You can do it! -Rob Schneider (watch an Adam Sandler movie)

lol thanks:o oh and incidentally once again i'm not considering moving there to be a pro 1/2 NL player for god's sake, like I said was thinkng of going there anyway, love poker, games were stupid soft, and it got to be an even more attractive idea. Don't really want/need to make a living at it:P

[lefty rosen]

If your willing to live cheap and take a 6 month shot. Go for it. Try to get a roommate and live well below your means and try. The worst you could do is fail. From what I heard the softer games are at the tourist traps and local games are full of rocks. But then again from knowledge of gambling many degenerates are attracted to living in any gambling city and work as cabbies or whatever and donate whenever they can get to a table.... /images/graemlins/blush.gif /images/graemlins/confused.gif /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ThaHero]

If you aren't moving to play poker professionally, and you will have another job, then I say go for it. I'm in Vegas frequently, and I personally love the city.

If you are moving to play pro, I suggest you read Dynasty's posts on his living there, if you haven't already. There's also a couple blogs floating around of players that live in Vegas and are "pros". But as a general rule, if you have to ask if it's a good idea, generally it may not be.

[goofball]

[ QUOTE ]
1. Vegas was not what I expected, in terms of average player competence, and has anyone else found this to be true compared to their home games?

2. Is it possible that a low limit game of 1/2 NL actually contains so very many players of such very poor ability that it might in fact be more profitable than limits up to say 5/10 or 10/20 where several good players are chopping up just one or two fish at the table and trying to squeeze what they can out of each other in the mean time?

3. Pros and cons of living in vegas with soft games as a lifestyle benefit, not a reason to move.

[/ QUOTE ]

1. Vegas games are tougher than almost all home games. They are way way softer than most online game for comensurate levels.

2. I have no idea what the NL games in town are like, however most people buying very deep in 1/2 are good.

3. Pros
-I haven't set an alarmclock in 8 months
-I am free to hang out with friends who come to town
-I don't have to report to anyone or satisfy anyone with my work
-I have lots of free time

Cons
-It's tough when you lose for a long time. It's very very tough. It's harder emotionally and physically than you can imagine and you'll probably at one point lose longer than you can imagine.
-It's tough to meet people and make friends. Most people I meet are in town for the weekend
-Sleeping till 2 and going to bed at dawn tends to make you feel like a degenerate
-I have lots of free time.

[lehighguy]

To much rakes, tips, and other expenses for 1/2 NL to be profitable. Yes they're exceedingly horrible players, but it doesn't matter if your winning 20bb/100. You're playing like 40 hands an hour or something live(maybe less). Plus all those expenses.

2/5 NL is kinduv a money suck. Get good enough to play 5/10 NL if you really want to win money live.

so one couldn't live off 1/2nl? there are so many bad players in that game i can't see why not

I was there over Labor Day and couldn't believe my eyes either... I played the 15 HE @ Bellagio and the 20/40 O8 1/2 kill there as well... Ended up only like 300 after getting cold decked in the greatest O8 casino game I've ever been in... the holdem games were super soft from what I could tell although when I was killing the 15 I didn't see any reason to take my shot @ the 30. If I didn't have a good job and family here, I'd be out to Vegas in a heartbeat...

[dmoney]

Well the 1/2NL games from where im from (Ontario, Canada) are pretty soft filled with young american guys coming across the border cause gambling age here is 19. /images/graemlins/smile.gif so lots of young "STUDS " who think they are hot shots. If u play tight agressive id say avg u can make is 200$ / night. BUT

at 12$ session fees per hour. thats alot of money ur giving up to play here. It almost isnt worth it. Have 1 bad day and it REALLY hurts. At least at raked pots you only pay the rake if u win /images/graemlins/smile.gif when u have a losing day its not as bad.

but hey, thats neither here nor their. 1/2 NL u have to do alot more work to get the same out of it vs a higher limit. The higher limits arnt proportionally larger fees. higher is better if u can afford it.

[okayplayer]

[ QUOTE ]
If you are moving to play pro, I suggest you read Dynasty's posts on his living there, if you haven't already.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you have a link? I searched, but couldn't find it...

[Guthrie]

Move to Vegas.

[Justin A]

[ QUOTE ]
Wow you were able to determine so definitely that I have absolutely no clue what i'm talking about from just the information in that post that you could make a completely insulting blanket statement and feel no need to even provide a scrap of reason to your position? Man.

Well, maybe I still really have no clue what i'm talking about after 5 years of serious, profitable play and steadily earning more than I ever have in a 'real' job, but I know enough to think maybe you should give me a little more detail on this insight you seem to have, or else just try and provide some kind of actually useful response, or just shut up in the first place if you haven't got anything... perhaps I should summarize what i'm looking for to help you out:

1. Vegas was not what I expected, in terms of average player competence, and has anyone else found this to be true compared to their home games?

2. Is it possible that a low limit game of 1/2 NL actually contains so very many players of such very poor ability that it might in fact be more profitable than limits up to say 5/10 or 10/20 where several good players are chopping up just one or two fish at the table and trying to squeeze what they can out of each other in the mean time?

3. Pros and cons of living in vegas with soft games as a lifestyle benefit, not a reason to move.

If you haven't got something to say in relation to this, don't bother saying anything at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

So you have been playing profitably for five years but somehow have such a small bankroll that you tripled it at small stakes games? I don't buy it.

[umdpoker]

i was in vegas about a month ago. the games i played at the mgm were really soft. probably the softest i have ever played in. however, it might have just been good luck that i got seated at the right table.

anyways, hasn't the cost of living in veags gone up a lot recently? according to the in-flight magazine i read on the way out there, vegas properties have tripled in value the last few years. however, since it was in a magazine filled with real estate ads, it is very possible that they just hyped it up.

[dogmeat]

[ QUOTE ]
To much rakes, tips, and other expenses for 1/2 NL to be profitable. Yes they're exceedingly horrible players, but it doesn't matter if your winning 20bb/100. You're playing like 40 hands an hour or something live(maybe less). Plus all those expenses.

2/5 NL is kinduv a money suck. Get good enough to play 5/10 NL if you really want to win money live.

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. There is a rake online, and the rake with a tip in the $1/$2 is not considerably different. I don't doubt $50,000 at the $1/$2 NL is possible.

As for the $2/$5 NL games, I find them to be very soft. In fact, I see no reason to move to the $5/$10 or $10/$25 NL games - the return/bankroll requirements are not worth it. The $2/$5 NL is a steady $25 to $50 an hour, depending on the casino and the table you get lucky (or unlucky) enough to hit, and of course, your ability.

FWIW, I see the best of both worlds as playing the live games during weekends and playing online much of the rest of the time...........Sould be $100K in there on a shoestring budget for a year's play. Then you can see if you should move up and try for a higher annual income.

Dogmeat /images/graemlins/spade.gif

[jman220]

[ QUOTE ]
I tripled my bankroll in about 35 hours of play

[/ QUOTE ]

Your bankroll is too small by a factor of about 10.

[zuluking]

After reading some of your other posts, I'd say you are not even close to being ready for a shot as a Vegas pro. That and the fact that your bankroll is way too small.

[theben]

i think you clearly are ready for it based on that fact you tripled your BR in 35 hours of play

[spaminator101]

i couldn't triple my play money BR in 35 hours

The vast majority of people that I've seen turn pro have came back to Reno with their tails between their legs or are now professional dealers in Vegas.

[TheBlueMonster]

[ QUOTE ]
dont move there.

[/ QUOTE ]
It's seriously way too hot in the summer.

lol good point however I live in florida now, and it's much worse here honestly.

move to vegas. you're single i take it. if you do move, with a small bankroll, you will surely go busted. but so what. vegas is great & if you have the desire and talent, you'll eventually make it. but you can't if you don't go.

[spaminator101]

odd first post

[James282]

Do you think I could triple my bankroll in 35 hours of play if I went to Vegas too>>???
-James

[Sponger15SB]

[ QUOTE ]
Move to Vegas.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol, awesome post

[XXXNoahXXX]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wow you were able to determine so definitely that I have absolutely no clue what i'm talking about from just the information in that post that you could make a completely insulting blanket statement and feel no need to even provide a scrap of reason to your position? Man.

Well, maybe I still really have no clue what i'm talking about after 5 years of serious, profitable play and steadily earning more than I ever have in a 'real' job, but I know enough to think maybe you should give me a little more detail on this insight you seem to have, or else just try and provide some kind of actually useful response, or just shut up in the first place if you haven't got anything... perhaps I should summarize what i'm looking for to help you out:

1. Vegas was not what I expected, in terms of average player competence, and has anyone else found this to be true compared to their home games?

2. Is it possible that a low limit game of 1/2 NL actually contains so very many players of such very poor ability that it might in fact be more profitable than limits up to say 5/10 or 10/20 where several good players are chopping up just one or two fish at the table and trying to squeeze what they can out of each other in the mean time?

3. Pros and cons of living in vegas with soft games as a lifestyle benefit, not a reason to move.

If you haven't got something to say in relation to this, don't bother saying anything at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

So you have been playing profitably for five years but somehow have such a small bankroll that you tripled it at small stakes games? I don't buy it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe he's like my girlfriend who called me on the way back from Foxwoods at 6am and told me "I made a killing playing craps, and I kept the chips for you to bring down with a play poker." I ask how much and she said she "made 10x what she gambled with" Well I was with her when she stopped at the ATM and took out $250. I had visions of her 2K gift to me, only to be dashed when she had $200. Apparently ($250-$40 gas-$50 B-day gift to friend-$30 dinner-$15 bar cover-$50 drinks-$45 pocket money= $20 gambling bankroll.)

So she had made 10x her $20...not exactly the windfall I was hoping for. Maybe he pushed all in with his $20 bankroll, tripled up and then sat out for 34 hours.

[kantu]

to quote the butthole surfers:

"i'd rather regret something i did, than to regret something i didn't do."

go for it!