Hello Langdon. I certainly appreciate all the hard work you've put into your trip reports and have enjoyed reading them. I'm going to answer your questions in the simplest terms I can altho the best advice here has been stated - consult with your tax professional to ensure accuracy. Sorry for the lengthy post, but this is a somewhat complex situation. This assumes you have a regular job and do not file as a professional gambler

Some background, I am not a CPA but have worked in acct'ng, have extensive knowledge of irs code, have always completed my own tax forms and have been gambling for 35+ years so my returns reflect wins/losses every year. As a disclaimer, I am merely stating the tax code as I interpret it and not providing tax advice

This pertains to 1040 federal filing only (1040A is similar, just reflected on different line numbers than I have noted below)

Technically, all gross gambling income should be reflected on Schedule 1, line 8b. In reality, all degens I know (myself included) only reflect their total W2-G amounts as their gambling income. Your total add'l income from Schedule 1 is then reflected on Form 1040, line 8

If you itemize your deductions, Schedule A line 16 then allows you deduct your total gambling losses against your gross gambling income (line 16 is for 'Other' but you would just type in 'Gambling Losses' on that line). You are only allowed to deduct up to the amount of your noted gambling income. Tourney buy-ins are part of your cost of gambling so they can be added to your loss amount. Your total deductions from Schedule A are then reflected on Form 1040 line 12

It is very unlikely that your return will be questioned but if it is, the proof of your losses can easily be provided by win/loss statements and registration slips from every casino at which you play (assuming you play on a card). Those statements will always reflect a net loss unless you've hit for a substantial amount (5 figures +); therefore, your net gambling income should always be zero and you'll owe no tax on what you have won

If you do not itemize under Schedule A and take the Standard Deduction, there is no way to deduct losses so your W2-G wins just become part of your 1040 total income

Lastly, all states tax gambling income differently so you'll need to check on how yours is handled. Here in NJ, we are only required to reflect our net gambling income on the state form which is almost always zero. Hope this helps

tldr; when it comes to the gubmint, nothing in life is free