I'm gonna start playing live poker again.

[FrankWhite]

I used to play a lot live poker and did quite well. I even moved to vegas to play professionally. I did well there as well when I was sober. But drinking and gambling were my downfall.

About 5 years have passed since I last stepped foot in a casino. And I'm ready to give it another shot.

My plan is to start taking trips to AC.

For my first trip I need to save up $800.

$116 for a round trip bus ticket to AC if I book seven days in advance. Cheapest method possible from NC and the station is two blocks from the boardwalk. (Near Ceasers Palace if I looked at the map correctly)

Two nights midweek at the Showboat will be less that $60 bucks if I go through the total rewards site and will come with a $20 food and beverage comp. (That is without any activity within the last 5 years on my card, so anyone can get that rate. And, as long as you play at a total rewards casino [Ceasers, Harrah's, Bally's, ect ect] every six months or less your points, comps, offers, and such stay up to date. So the rates should get better and better until my rooms are free. (at least during the week, apart from holidays)

$100 for my room deposit. As long as you pay the deposit in cash when you arrive they give it back at checkout so that will ensure that if I go bust I don't travel home broke. (If you pay with your credit/debit card they have 30 days to refund your money back to your card and will often take their sweet time)

$400 for poker. I will try to break this up into 3 or 4 buy ins. (I'll go into more detail about how I will pick my games in another post)

$100 spending money. Food, entertainment, tipping, incredibly inexpensive hooker, you know just whatever...

Currently I have -$500 (yea, that's negative) Priorities first, I have a dog that needs to go to the vet. But, my current living situation leaves me with close to zero obligatory expenses. And I have a part time bartending gig where I work 3 nights a week but could probably pull some extra shifts to push things along. That, living frugally, and an upcoming tax return makes me think I can do this sooner than later.

My tentative date for leaving is the 9th of febuary. I'm almost positive that will get pushed back, but no worries. When I do get up there if I bust, I will immediately start saving for another try and set a goal of returning in 2 - 3 month. If I do well I will try to return in 2-6 weeks and go from there.

I'll post more soon. I'm excited!

[FrankWhite]

In an effort to prepare myself I'm actively trying to take my online games much more seriously. I've never really played consistently well at micro stakes because I don't take it seriously. But my new stance has already paid off twice. In the Bovada FR yesterday to the tune of one dollar. And then later, I took that dollar and grinded it for over six hours at the 5c/10c limit game. The outcome was a 500% gain. It was good for my confidence and good to see that I still can do well when I apply myself. Shout out to Deuce who spent an few hours there with me; I enjoyed your company sir.

[poophead]

Good luck with all that! I also want to play a lot smarter, even though it wont matter because I'm very unlucky on Carbon/Merge Poker

[WILD]

If you're able to go, have fun. And maybe take a little bit more money just in case you know.

[FrankWhite]

If you're able to go, have fun. And maybe take a little bit more money just in case you know.

This is not a "for fun" trip, but I'm sure I will enjoy it a little even if I do bust early. Living in vegas I know how to spend very little. So if I were to bust the first day, I could drink for the next two for way less than my $100 spending money. Also the room will be already paid for, and the trip home, and I will still have another $100 coming back to me when I check out. So I'm not worried, I would like to have more poker money, but I'm ready to give this a shot. And like I said, if it doesn't work this time, I'll be saving for the next trip as soon as I get back.

[FrankWhite]

Just played my third PO freeroll since resolving to approach all my games as worthy of my best efforts. I made the final table with one lucky hand (My A 10 suited vs a cripple stack [about 7bbs] who had AK off, which if I had lost would have taken me to about 3k with 100/200 blinds - so not a big deal, but still I recognize I got lucky. Either way, without knowing the player I felt my call was right [or at least not terribe] as his range was fairly open.) Aside from that I played well; Patiently, but still making a few hero calls. I ended up losing my connection with about 7-8 players left while in a decent pot I suspect I was winning. Alas, I didn't make it back until I had gone out 3 or fourth. I would have preferred to play but I'll take it. I am now 2 for 3 in placing. And don't mind my loss as I know it was variance. Cheers to a level head! I'm excited to go to work tomorrow and put a little money in my AC fund! I also three a little spare cash in there today. Current total -$450 (yea, it's sill negative; priorities)

[nab76]

Just out of curiosity and self interest, how much poker do you have to play at one property to get a free nights stay? i understand there probably isn't an exact answer here but just generally, how much do you have to play to get a comped room? i am asking because i am taking a trip to vegas in the summer and would be nice to get a free hotel room from time to time.

[FrankWhite]

Just out of curiosity and self interest, how much poker do you have to play at one property to get a free nights stay? i understand there probably isn't an exact answer here but just generally, how much do you have to play to get a comped room? i am asking because i am taking a trip to vegas in the summer and would be nice to get a free hotel room from time to time.

It depends on the property. Most major casinos are part of a chain, so you can play at any of the connected properties and gain comps and offers throughout. Usually with better deals at the lower rated offerings. Most times the offers and comped rooms are for your next visit. (Which isn't to say your next visit couldn't be the next day. But I don't know if offers will post that swiftly) To get a room comped that night you generally have to lose or win a large sum of money. (ie, they either want to keep you happy, or keep you playing) To gain a room playing poker is not easy to do in one day. You would generally have to be playing extremely high stakes, or make friends with a pitboss. Sometimes if you get to drunk and the pitboss likes you they will offer you a room just to keep you from going and getting hurt and them being liable. (That would be his reason for doing it if he liked you, they're generally not to worried about this type of thing.)

[DocHo11idaze]

Just out of curiosity and self interest, how much poker do you have to play at one property to get a free nights stay? i understand there probably isn't an exact answer here but just generally, how much do you have to play to get a comped room? i am asking because i am taking a trip to vegas in the summer and would be nice to get a free hotel room from time to time.

You wont get any comps playing poker, there is somewhat of an equation they use to factor these types of things. Mainly playing for extended periods of time. Such as, you are better off playing black jack at 25-50 dollars a bet for 2 or 3 hours VS making 1 bet of 1000. Its about your theoretical losses per hour (what they assume your going to lose an hour) There is a good thread on 2p2, ill try ot find it and link it

[FrankWhite]

You wont get any comps playing poker, there is somewhat of an equation they use to factor these types of things. Mainly playing for extended periods of time. Such as, you are better off playing black jack at 25-50 dollars a bet for 2 or 3 hours VS making 1 bet of 1000. Its about your theoretical losses per hour (what they assume your going to lose an hour) There is a good thread on 2p2, ill try ot find it and link it

I certainly can't speak for all casinos, but in the Harrah's circuit (I believe it may be called Ceaser's Entertainment now) they scan your card when you sit down and log your time at the poker tables. You do earn points and offers (for the rake; like doc said, it's a theoretical amount they've gained from your play) though much more slowly than what you would gain from playing at any other table game. Still, with consistent play, you might be surprised at how many comp points and offers you can gain. Of course, it is a fraction of what you would earn playing anything else and if you don't go into it knowing that you would definitely be UNpleasantly surprised.