Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

Hi all,

Long-time lurker here (2+ years).

I've finally decided to take the plunge and move to Vegas to play poker full time. This is a decision I'm confident about, and I have every reason to believe I should do fine. I move in July.

My questions are more about the day-to-day processes of playing poker in Vegas. I've recently started to play at the live 30/60 and 40/80 levels and it's just flat out annoying to carry around enough cash to play at these levels, like when I go on a weekend trip to a casino (there are no B&Ms anywhere near where I currently live). So...

What's the best way to handle money transactions with the casino? Do I open up an account there and EFT money from my bank account there and use it whenever I like? How would I go about doing this, and how much time would I need to give before I can use said funds? Or do I just keep a pile of chips in one of those lock-boxes I see in the cashier's cage? Or Other?

Are the Bellagio and Mirage now giving out regular comps? When I first visited Vegas, they seemed very tight with comps, but on my most recent visit, after the Wynn opened, both seemed a lot more accomodating. I much prefer those two card rooms to the Wynn. What can I expect out of them?

How are the games during the week? Every time I've visited Vegas it's been for a weekend. I would hit up the Thur-Sat night games, 10PM - 6AM and found them to be quite attractive. Are Mon - Wed night games significantly worse?

Also, any other advice/tips/suggestions/etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Re: Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

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How are the games during the week? Every time I've visited Vegas it's been for a weekend. I would hit up the Thur-Sat night games, 10PM - 6AM and found them to be quite attractive. Are Mon - Wed night games significantly worse?

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I don't think you should be asking how the games are after you already made a decision to turn pro. If a couple people say the games are horrible don't play during the week what are you going to do?

Re: Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

Get a safe deposit box or "front money" account.

Jeff

Re: Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think you should be asking how the games are after you already made a decision to turn pro. If a couple people say the games are horrible don't play during the week what are you going to do?

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Hi neotype,

Good point. That question was more idle curiosity on my part. If everyone says the games are horrible, full of top-notch pros, that's not going to change my decision at all. I still make plenty of money playing online and playing live on the weekends (which is what I do now). I'll just know to be more careful during those times when I show up.

But thank you. Honest replies are what I want.

Re: Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

[ QUOTE ]
Get a safe deposit box or "front money" account.

Jeff

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What's a "front money" acct? Any costs involved (with that or safe deposit box)? Do I walk in with a handful of cash, or will I be able to do a direct transfer from a bank account?

Re: Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

Just wondering, why you choose Vegas over LA or another California area.

Re: Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

[ QUOTE ]
What's the best way to handle money transactions with the casino? Do I open up an account there and EFT money from my bank account there and use it whenever I like? How would I go about doing this, and how much time would I need to give before I can use said funds? Or do I just keep a pile of chips in one of those lock-boxes I see in the cashier's cage? Or Other?

[/ QUOTE ]

I tried the wire approach on my last trip. Look at my trip report for the hassle that I went through. Bring enough cash to get you started and then open up a local bank account to get the rest.

A lot of folks rent lockboxes, which is fine if you usually play at 1 place.

Weekend nights the games are the best, but there're usually not bad during the week so long as you can make the adjustments between LA tables and TP ones.

Re: Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

i'm wondering why you selected a new 2+2 alias, if you have been here 2+ years i'm sure you have picked up contacts along the way, maybe those contacts would be proud/excited/happy about your decision to go pro in las vegas.

Re: Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

he said hes a lurker, meaning he doesnt post.

rj

Re: Moving to Vegas, going pro, would like guidance
 

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Just wondering, why you choose Vegas over LA or another California area.

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The main reason is cost of living. California is so unbelieveably expensive. And yet, LA is only a four hour drive from Vegas, so I can go out and play at the Commerce for a weekend whenever I want.

LA is also too big for me. And I enjoy the overall atmosphere of hedomism that is prevalent in LV, at least on the strip.

I've only been to LA once, though, so maybe after living in LV for a year and visting LA a few more times I'll prefer it there. In which case, I'll just pack up and move. I'm in my twenties, single, with no kids. If there's one thing my life has, it's flexibility.