Five Diamond World Poker Classic

luvrhino · #1 10-11-2004, 09:19 AM

So, this weekend, i somehow managed to win EmpirePoker's <a href="http://www.empirepoker.com/news/TVstar.html">"$17,000 Bellagio TV Star" tournament</a>. This means that i'll be flying out to Vegas in mid-December to claim my $15.3K seat at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic. Do you people have any advice on Las Vegas?

I was there when i was 9, so this is a bit different. I don't know if i have to stay at the Bellagio, but, if not, i'll be looking for something cheaper and not five star. Also, i'd be amenable to finding ways to entertain myself that don't involve hookers.

I don't really know No Limit, even though that's the style of tournament i won Saturday night. Do you people have any links that can explain the game to me?

I mostly played Limit-style poker, with some 3BB pre-Flop bets thrown in. This was good in two ways. First, since i would small bet a monster hand (to keep people in the pot), i was able to bluff later with small bets, which was much cheaper when i got caught. Second, i got to use the handy button to make my bets, rather than have to type in a larger amount. The downside was that it allowed people to draw cheaply on me, allowing them to beat me on the Turn or River.

Finally, i have never played live poker before. Do you it's worthwhile driving 2+ hours to Louisiana (from Houston) to play live poker before the WPT event?

Photoc · #2 10-11-2004, 02:56 PM

Get a few books my friend. Read them over and over, practice in play money or sit and go tournaments online.

Go to the books and software sections for advice on books. Supersystem and Tournament Poker for Advanced Players would be 2 good ones to get to help prepare you.

As for cheaper places to stay, what do you want to do while you're here? Low stakes gambling, shows, hookers (lol), good food, nice rooms, ect...

Frenchie · #3 10-11-2004, 03:05 PM

I won one of those too so I will see you in December. Empire should contact us in the next month or so, but my understanding is that we are on our own for lodging (that is where the $1700 cash should be used for) and I am not planning to stay at the Bellagio either. Probably at New York, New York as that is my usually place and it is 15 minutes to Bellagio.

luvrhino · #4 10-11-2004, 05:28 PM

The Bellagio is have a poker player special in which they quoted me $605 for nights of the 13th-18th. I assume they didn't include the 9% tax in that price, but it's only a little more than what else i could find. It's an extra $10/day to get the internet connection working in one's room.

I e-mailed EmpirePoker about whether i'm required to stay at the Bellagio. My understanding is that for some of these tournaments they require online winners to stay at the hotel. I didn't see anything either way from EmpirePoker.

My name is ken roberts, BTW, in case you see me.

willperkins · #5 10-11-2004, 08:34 PM

Ballys is right accross the street from Belagio. A nice walk on the bridge that crosses over the strip gives you a great view. Ballys/Paris are hooked together and they are very nice places that are much cheaper than Belagio.

Also, if you get there a couple of days early, there are some daily tourneys that are relatively cheap that you can get in some good practice. (Golden Nuggett has two per day, Luxor has one and Sahara has one)

unfrgvn · #6 10-11-2004, 03:54 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Finally, i have never played live poker before. Do you it's worthwhile driving 2+ hours to Louisiana (from Houston) to play live poker before the WPT event?

[/ QUOTE ]

I live in the Dallas area, and the only Hold Em in Shreveport is at the Hollywood. I beleive they spread a 4-8 limit game, and they have a $1000 + 100 tournement. Sounds like an expensive way to get experience. Here in Dallas several of the sports bars have a weekly free tournament. All it costs is what you drink and/or eat. I think you get a gift certificate if you win. The blind structure is such that it's pretty loose but if there is something similiar in Houston might be a cheap way to get a little experience.

Good luck to you.

Dominic · #7 10-11-2004, 05:30 PM

if you received lodging expenses with your entry, stay at the Bellagio! It's awesome. Especially if you'll be bringing a lady friend.

If you're expected to pay for lodgings yourself, try the Westin...it's not expensive, it's just off the strip, and it's world's better than the mid-level strip casino/hotels like Harrah's, Tropicana, etc.

And congrats!

luvrhino · #8 10-11-2004, 07:07 PM

They're giving us $1700 for expenses. Whether that requires a stay at the Bellagio, i'm not sure. If it doesn't, and i can find a nearby hotel/motel that's much cheaper, i'll probably go with that. I don't need a casino onsite, though i wouldn't mind one.

The Westin didn't look that cheap at hotels.com and it was 11 miles away from the Bellagio. Since i won't have a car, that won't work. Thanks, though.

No, i'm not taking a friend and the opulence of the Bellagio is lost on me.

Boris · #9 10-11-2004, 07:56 PM

across the street from the Mirage are the Imperial Palace, Barbay Coast and the Flamingo. They look like real pieces of crap so I'm sure the room rates aren't as exorbitant as the Bellagio. You can easily walk from all three to the Bellagio.

As for practicing, I think you will like the slower pace of B&M play. especially in the big tournies. They really go at a snail's pace. Wear extra baggy clothes and be wary of giving off tells. That is the only aspect that is more difficult in face to face play.

el_grande · #10 10-11-2004, 08:02 PM

Imperial Palace is usually $99 or less on weekends and it's not bad at all. Better than a Motel 6.

You absolutely have to play some live games if you are going to take the thing seriously. You are going to be so nervous playing live NL for the first time that you'll probably play weak-tight.

Congrats, you must be excited.