If I quit my job and move to Vegas to take my shot at grinding 1/2 with my $340 roll (I usually have about $300, but I won almost $40 last night which is what started me down this path) and get two full time jobs to support myself as soon as I arrive, would the IP be good enough to stay at if I use the $20 trick to get an upgraded room, or would I be better off to get 5 jobs here at home, save up $775,000 or so for a comfortable 1/2 roll, then go to Vegas and stay at the Mandalay bay spa? I assume if I'm staying at the spa there they'll give me a cash box for my 3/4 of a mega, ya?

I'm not a winning player yet, but I know that I've got what it takes, and I'm very tight with my money (I don't tip for water for example). I'm not worried about getting around, as the IP is centrally located (short walk the back way to the V obv), plus I've heard that there's a free bike I can use if I can get the lock off of it.

Any help would be appreciated...I'm really looking to take in all advice given and give it due consideration, as I'm very open minded and have not at all already made up my mind on this.

Thanks.

If you go the spa route, remember that complimentary juice is no longer offered.

lolz. Do it do it do it! Sounds like a solid plan IMO.

That's ok, Ihatejuice.


(ucwidt? I know...I'm an idiot today...)

i left a room key (good for one year) locked to a bike rack. Sounds weird and shady, but it's true! I put your life on it!

Have fun, and make sure you don't get longhauled coming from the airport and that you go to In 'n Out, Chipotle and the various Harrah's buffets for all your meals. If you need any help with that I'm pretty sure JayLV can hook you up.

For fine dining you absolutely have to go to/avoid at all costs Ellis Island and/or Grand Luxe.

Don't forget that if you are not American you can only stay for 90 days and cannot work legally without the appropriate visa.

I will be in vegas at the same time to watch the Superbowl in a strip club, maybe the rhino, certainly not fully nude, as i want to compare some different vodkas. PM me if you want to meet up!

I'm American, so no problem there. That does remind me though...if I decide to do the roll building option, can I fly with that much money on me? I've heard stories where people fly on domestic flights and have the TSA take their money.

That would suck.

The vodka comparo thing sounds like fun though...I personally will only drink Dostoevsky Punishment Reserve. To me, no other vodka comes close.

hahahahahaha

Good info...thanks for that.

I will make sure that any cabbies take me directly to the freeway if I'm going to the strip...I'm not just some tourist who is perfectly happy sitting in all of that construction traffic.

Ellis Island is a perfect option, as it's right on the way when you walk the back way from IP to the V, or so I hear.

Best post ever! Good luck at the tables and make sure to look up Tony Big Charles.

just to let you know about tipping, i refused to tip $1 for water and when i ordered a blue moon next, instead of an orange i got a turd

fyp

Remember that Venetian poker rate is somewhere between 5.9 and 6.1 hours of play per day (play can be divided between all hookers staying with you), one Deepstack entry, 1.5 Mediumstack entry, or 2 Smallstack entries. And make sure you check out the free, open premium tables at Lagasse Stadium for free during the BCS Championship.

oh god...

I actually played some 1/2 with him at Bally's on my last 2 trips...true story!

Sit near him?

If you get longhauled from the airport, tell the cabbie to go straight to his favorite strip club. All strip club doormen are deputized as Taxi Commission agents and they will stiff the cabbie for you. When you get to your hotel, use the $20 trick to get a room near the ice machine so your drinks will always be fresh. Book the largest suite you can get at the Venetian, and it will be comped with 2 hours of poker play. If you forget your player card, just call in the number when you get back to your room. When in your room, make sure you jiggle all the items in the minibar so the liquor stays fresh. The best way to secure your cash in the room safe is to close your eyes and select a combination at random. If you need anything, just press the gray button on the telephone marked "Hookers & Blow."

This is all good information...thanks everybody!

Here's the thing. I see you all here encouraging me, but I'm just not sure that this is a good idea. I've talked to everyone in my family, every friend I have, and everyone I've ever met on the forums, and without exception everyone is telling me that this move is exactly the right thing for me, and the right time is now. But I'm just not sure that I should listen to all of that advice.

What do you all think?

I recommend asking the same questions over again to the same people, that way you can see if they know what they are talking about. If they do give you the same advice and consistent information, I recommend ignoring it all as they are obviously part of a gigantic conspiracy against you fulfilling your potential.
Instead go with your gut, do what you want to do anyway, I mean what is the worst that could happen????
Always remember that there is a pot of gold waiting at the end of every dark, dingy alley in a bad part of any town!! or under the beds at the IP!!!

Make sure you don't get spooked by people talking about the hidden costs of becoming a grinder. You won't miss the medical insurance, the exercise, the social interaction, the girlfriend, or the normal hours. Plus there are plenty of great jobs dealing and bartending in Vegas right now if variance hits. Which it won't.

Make sure to get a player card wherever you go, so the casino will pay for all your meals and drinks. If you can, play enough poker to get 100,000 tier points so you can make supernova at Harrah's (they just changed to Ceasar's). Then you can skip the lines and get free chicken wings and drinks in the VIP lounge. It's totally worth it, no matter how much variance you get. Before that, you can get plenty of drinks by collecting drink tickets at the sportsbook and look like you are betting.

Try to live close to the monorail so you can get around Vegas easily. The apartments near the stops are more expensive, but they are worth it. When you negotiate your lease, try to get the best available unit with the $20 trick. You get what you pay for! If everything works out perfectly, you can join a local poker house and learn everything you need to know about poker and how to pick up girls from the other house members.

If you run low on funds, stop by the nearest business and start working that afternoon. Work for a week or two until you get a poker stake, quit, and try to build that roll up. If you go broke, just rinse and repeat. EZ game!

Parking isn't really a problem in Vegas, just pull up to the curb at your favorite casino and put a quarter in the meter. But don't let it expire, or the meter maids will be quick to write you a ticket. This is pretty common, so don't let it happen to you.

See you soon!

I appreciate all of the great advice I'm getting in this thread. I am, however, more convinced than ever that I'm not ready to take this step even though everyone I've ever talked to about it says that it is a great idea.

Boo!!!!