Wireless access on Holiday in Chicago

[Mackas]

I am travelling to Chicago on holidays for three weeks in July and wanted to continue playing whilst staying with relatives there. They have internet access but to be honest I would rather not play on the family computer so as to avoid having to explain how I play so much but don't have a gambling problem. Nor do I want to set up a wireless network in someone else's home. I have a Dell Inspiron 9100 Laptop with a wireless network card running Windows XP.

What is my best way to use my laptop whilst there? Can I join a wireless network for access anywhere for just that month. If so do I need any other software or hardware, cards etc and what network/subscription would you recommend ? Can I set all this up when I get there or should I be sorting things out now?

Finally if anyone is feeling uberhelpful where are the nearest poker rooms or casinos that spread holdem?

Thanks in advance

Mackas

[SharkBait]

Mackas-

There are T-Mobile HotSpots at numerous locations such as Starbucks coffee shops and many hotels. If you do a search on yahoo maps there is an icon you can click that shows where the hotspots are located. I believe you can pay as you go for about $10 a day but I'm not positive. If you will be in the city Verizon has been advertising some sort of wireless access that supposedly works "throughout the city" rather than just at hotspots. Don't know if this is up and running or what the cost is.

Live play there are casinos (Trump and Harrahs) in NW Indiana which is about 30-45 minutes from downtown. If you are west of the city there is a casino in Aurora (60+ minutes west of downtown). I've never played there. I primarily play tournaments so my personal favorite is www.rockfordcharitablegames.com. They have SNGs and a $150 buyin MTT that usually draws b/t 80 and 120 people. They run games in the NW suburbs a few times a month at various locations. The blind structures are not great but for live tournaments in the area I'm not aware of anything better.

PM me if you want more info.

[AncientPC]

http://www.jiwire.com/