Los Angeles

[dark_horse]

Has any professional poker player moved to LA from a different part of the country because of the poker? Is the bay area significantly worse for poker than LA? Does the presence of internet poker make this conversation moot?

[AKQJ10]

Yes, yes, and no respectively.

I'm most certain about the 3rd answer (there are certainly still B&M pros and will be regardless), least certain about #2 (The Bay Area has some good cardrooms, but seemingly not as many or as big or as famous ones as SoCal -- perhaps that's just my misimpression, though). I really should leave questions like this to the locals. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[surfinillini]

I'm not exactly sure what your question is. If you're asking if there is a difference b/w going pro in LA and nothern CA I would definitely have to say there is a tradeoff.

While there are much more games in LA and the casinos are bigger, I think No Cal is a nicer place to live.

But strictly for poker, LA would blow No Cal out of the water on a action/game consistency scale.

But again, not sure if that was your question?

[dark_horse]

considering relocating to SoCal one day. i live in nyc right now where playing poker for a living is quite difficult if you don't go to AC on a regular basis. the area clubs don't cut it for limit and it's an unregulated environment. i'm sure the minute i move to CA poker will become legal in NYC and we'll have places like commerce right in times square! i can't see myself living in vegas, especially since i'm in a relationship.

[surfinillini]

LA and Vegas poker are completely different.

I would assume you're a live professional, not an online professional, so I could confidently say the vastness of LA poker is most likely greater than that of AC, then again I've never been there.

feel free to pm me if you have any specific questions.

-surf

[BoxTree]

[ QUOTE ]
LA and Vegas poker are completely different.

I would assume you're a live professional, not an online professional, so I could confidently say the vastness of LA poker is most likely greater than that of AC.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been to AC and SoCal many, many times. LA poker scene is much bigger and better than Atlantic City.

If Reno is the redheaded stepchild of Vegas, then AC is the Annie to LA.

[John Bedtelyon]

I'm graduating from Michigan State University in May and I'm planning on moving to LA with hopes of playing poker for most of a supplemental income. If I sleep on my brothers couch I could easily make enough to buy food and pay for my living expenses while looking for a job in the science field.

JMB

[PokerCad]

Here's the deal IMO, I play 20-30 hours per week at Commerce 9-18 & 15-30 at Commerce has a 4 + 1 $ drop and the 20-40 is 5$, all games are generally good, the 20-40 gets you free food. I have found my overall profit better playing 9-18 as opposed to 20-40 Im guessin' 'cause there are as a rule better players playing the 20-40 'though I have had some big nights when I am running good. When it is running, the 15-30 game is the BEST, jackpot + free foodhttp://forumserver.twoplustwo.co...cons/laugh.gif
laugh + weak players who are not use to playing at this limit. I rarely have a losing session when this game is running. Thursday thru Saturday nites this game generally spreads. If you get in at the right time there can be as many as 6 or 7 clueless fish trying there luck at this game ( beware, there are a couple of us who continually scorch this game [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]) James is one of the best floormen in this casino and he keeps this section at its best. As far as variance, I find the variance in this section to be less than any other limits that I have logged substantial time in. Hope this helps,,,good luck and cya at the tables

[ThaHero]

Very very very good break down.

My bankroll isn't quite up to that level yet, but I'm sure I'll see ya soon. There's plenty of fish to go around. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[J.A.Sucker]

I actually know all of the differences between the two, so I will answer your question. The cost of living is higher up north than in LA. Real estate is about 15% higher, on average (more in some places), and rent is also higher (though I don't know how much, probably 10-15%). The traffic and smog are much worse in LA than in the Bay Area. Where you would like to live is personal preference: some people are "LA guys" and some are "Bay guys."

As far as poker goes, the biggest games are at Commerce, of course. The maximum limit in San Jose is 200 bucks, so the biggest that they can spread is 100-200, but actually 80-160 is what is spread. This game always goes, and is very good. At Lucky Chances, they spread a big NL games two/three nights a week. It will always go, but can be a tough game. Personally, I think Bay 101 is the best place to play poker in the country.

The thing is in order to play bigger (and win) you have to be a very good player. There are only a few players who beat the big games at Commerece. If you are a hold em player, the biggest game is usually only 100-200, anyway, so it's not much different. If you play stud, then Commerce is a good spot. If you plan on playing in LA, you NEED to learn both games, at the very least. I'd also learn triple draw lowball games. This is the only way you can count on playing bigger than 100-200. However, you always need to be careful when playing high, no matter where you live. Finally, realize that playing 80/16-0 or 100/200 will get you all the money you'll ever need if you play very well and invest wisely. My suggestion to you is to play both places for a few months and see where you want to live. If you want to play smaller and make a living, either place is great, and the games in Vegas are super soft these days, and the cost of living is much less. Good luck.