I took a fantastic sum of money across country on a plane (my wife's bankroll, not mine). She was not nervous, I was. It was incredibly easy and we just kept it in her computer case (6 figures) and nothing came up. Good luck.

Does anybody see the irony in a guy with the screen name Jihad taking 6 figures in cash across country on an air plane?

+1

BS, my personal favorites are Aria and Venetian.

Aria: nice poker room, albeit a bit cramped. Good lighting, good service, fills up quick on the weekends so unless you don't mind waiting 45 mins for a seat, call or text ahead. Seems to be a handful of 5/10 games on any given evening.

Venetian: My favorite poker room in Vegas. Arguably the biggest poker room. Always a ton of 1/3 & 2/5 games. For some reason, they have trouble getting 5/10 games going. I was there about 3 weeks ago and they barely had 1 5/10 game (maybe 5 plyrs if that) each night. Also V poker room is catered by Grand Lux, which is also arguably the best casino food in Vegas.

Bellagio: best selection of higher limit games overall.

Good luck, keep us posted!!

When you hitting LV, BS?

Thanks for all the great advice about taking a stack of high society on a plane. Out of all the options given, I believe I'm gonna go w @liveactionpro's suggestion ^.
I was planning on just checking my one piece of luggage, and not taking a carry on. But now it looks like I may hv to change that, and take something to carry on.
Thanks and Gl

I will try to do more of this. It helps me just as much. It's great to hear everyone's insights. Kind of been slacking w posting hands, but I'll try to do more of it. Prolly can't do every session just because it's time consuming, but will try to post more hands to discuss. Not a problem.
Thanks and Gl


Gonna b flying out May 27 and returning June 5th.
Stayin solo at Ballys27, and 28th. Then meeting @hello7027 at Rio 5/29-6/3. Then staying solo again 6/3-6/5.

I've read a lot of great recommendations on here on where to play, and I'll try to play all the places u guys mentioned. Looking forward to sm run gd, and hoping the negative variance doesn't get the best of me!
I don't take these kind of shots often, so please Poker God no coolers at these stakes!!!

I heard upon checking in at the hotel that if u slide a $20 to the person at the front desk, then they may be able to upgrade ur room or waive resort fees. @hello7027 informed me today that ther are threads on here about this this. Any validity to this, or hogwash? Regardless, I'm going to try and see what happens .

Currently in Cincy playing 2/5 and trying to dig out of an April hole.

This works. I used to do it at the Imperial Palace when I would go out to Vegas. I learned it from my friends at All Vegas Poker (A site similar to this one that is no longer up).

Rayz, thanks for the advice on HSI. Sorry to hear that you've got a temporary ban on it, but you gotta do what you gotta do. From someone that rarely gets to go play live, this was a great experience. I actually chopped the midnight tourney five-way for $517 + 6-$10 Bounties after being up $275 in cash for two hours prior. I was going to play in the Saturday tourney, but opted not to after only seeing three tables. My friend from work that accompanied me chopped it up heads up. I wish i would've played because instead i went to $1/$2 and got on a table with "Wild Bill". I'm not sure, but you may have mentioned him before, old guy, glasses, baseball cap, and ponytail. Anyways, he was straddling at least every other hand $20 or $25. I seen this guy call a $100+ All in bet on a flop of 6/7/9 rainbow with J-4 Off.....J-4 Off!!! So i waited for a solid starting hand, got pocket 10's, and after a limp on the $25 straddle, i shoved for $140, and he called (as he had been with any two cards) with K-J, and pairs up. I ended up busting again with pocket 10's on his straddle again, but this time ran into pocket Kings from another player. Moral to the story: Don't let Wild Bill drastically change how you play.

Overall, i came out a few hundred ahead on the weekend, played whatever i could (tourney, 1/2, 1/5 PLO, and 3/6 Limit), and tried to make the most of it.

By the way, i mentioned i was from Nashville, when actually i live in Murfreesboro because i wasn't sure if people knew about the Boro. I don't go much anymore, but many of the places you mentioned i use to enjoy. My favorite was Flying Saucer. Thanks again and best of luck (as in no coolers) in Vegas. Maybe one day (after your HSI ban) we can get on a table and chat up NashVegas and i'll just avoid getting in a hand with you.

If your platinum they waive your resort fees. And why upgrade the room? Your there to play poker, not be in your room. I would definitely recommend the 2/5 or 5/10 at Venetian. Great action there. And from my small sample size 5/10 at the bellagio was very nitty with some solid players. GL out there. Wish I could go but new job and a house have me occupied this summer.

Search the (temporary memory loss) thread in Las Vegas Lifestyle forum here on 2+2 for "room upgrade" or similar and you should get hundreds of hits. It's asked in that thread biweekly.

Edit: can't seem to find thread! Google upgrade hotel trick las vegas.

Platinum members now have to pay the resort fee : (
I've been to Vegas the same week OP is going the past 3 years. Great time, but if I've ever learned anything it's do NOT play the same day you get there. Get a car rental. Don't leave anything of significant value in your room, schedule multiple things you want to do besides poker. Work out and eat right, what ever it takes to be sharp. I know some of this is of course Duh, but it doesn't hurt to remind your self every now And then.

The limit games out there are great! Omaha hi low 10-20 or higher, I suggest one session of it while you are out there.

This just in:
Got halfway to Cincy today and cold decked on the highway.
Cruising along doing 80 and then I start to see many break lights up in front on me. That's always a bad sign! 80mph goes to 70pmh...40mph...20,10,5, 1mph, and 0. Zero then goes to turning the key to off position. So I'm hoping this is just a temporary traffic jam, and then I notice it's pretty peculiar that no cars are driving in the opposite direction. Weird! Middle of the day, and no cars are driving in the opposite direction??? This can't be gd! For more minutes go by, and I see people getting out of their car, stretching, talking on phones, smoking cigarettes, all the makings of getting 1 outed while traveling. I see an elderly couple getting out and switching positions from driver to passenger....I guess its gramps turn to sleep. Then in my rear view I see some college age kids huddling outside their car for a little hacky sack session. In the meantime, I'm just chilling debating on my options. Either wait it out, or take the bad beat and u turn it???
A few more minutes go by and I see 2 ambulances driving the opposite direction down the highway to what I'm assuming is a big ass wreck. I say a prayer for those involved, and realize my situation is peanuts compared to what the unknown is a mile up the highway.
My truck has been turned off for a gd 30 minutes before I decided to get out and check the grass situation in the middle of the 2 highways. It's been raining all day, and I don't want to compound my troubles w getting stuck in the mud if I take the Uturn option. I walk up a few hundred feet up the highway to what I think is the most flat area to attempt the Uuueey. I walk through and observe the grassy area like I'm some kind of scientist testing soils. Up ahead I see a Toyota Corolla cutting across and barely make it through, so I'm thinking its a possible +EV play. I walk back to my truck and get a little wave from a couple ladies who seem to b enjoying sitting in traffic. Now the pressure is really on... I can't fail now that I got a wave from my new highway lady friends. I put my 2wd truck in gear 2, and attempt the Uuueey. I slowly drive past a few cars on the left to the level grassy area and use my "one time". It's do or die, I'm all in! Im either heading back home, or getting stuck trying. It starts off really gd, and then a slight climb up to to highway. At this point the wheels are spinning more than it should, but I'm still moving forward. I manage to get to the top w all 4 wheels on pavement, and let out big sigh of relief. Now the journey back home.

This highway bad beat ranks up there w the many I hv had this month.
What can I say this is all part of the #pokerlife. Not as glamorous as many tend to believe. Don't quit your day job folks.
*HSI is looking more tempting by the moment.

Getting kicked in the balls this month, will only strengthen me for the future.
No quit.

@emptinpockets how's the games up there? I bet u never lose! Keep a seat open. Miss ya dude.

God is gd.

Lol, that's how a poker player should tell a story about being stuck in traffic and turning around to other poker players. I laughed a few times Haha

Story relating to the cold deck traffic jam from earlier:

http://m.wave3.com/wave/db/336805/co...tguid=pzhpYMtt

Doesn't seem to b any fatalities, so prayers answered.

Diamond Status Update:

The pro move is to ask a trucker what's causing the jam.

How are you doing Rayz? You tearing it up this last week of April?

Sometimes Everything is Wrong....

The whole month has been one big traffic jam.

The poker is hurting, and unless I hit a bad beat jackpot today, I will be experiencing my first losing month of the year. Another goal will move from blue to red.
I'm trying to do my best to stay positive, but man it's tough. Nothing worse than these poker lows. You start second guessing, the enjoyment withers away, self confidence gets shattered, and the drives to the poker room get longer and longer. I keep thinking this will all turn around, and continue to grind through the storm. But, everyday it feels like one step forward and 2 steps backwards.

I need to realize I'm not playing my best at these moments, and playing more like buttered ass.

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Lets get this turned around. My will to succeed won't be defeated.

For now...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijZRCIrTgQc

Well said.

Know that we're all rooting for ya BS...post some hands or something to help getcha outta the muck.

GL!

Take a few days off, maybe even a week to reset.

Hey BS I have been following you for a while and have asked you a couple questions here and there. I know that poker is tough, but if you really believe that God is your all and everything then pray about it man. Keep your hope in God not in your results.

You need some tennis.

MY 10 POKER GOALS FOR 2015.

-Be up 6 stacks of high society by the end of 2015 playing 1/2nl up to 10/20nl. $60,000.
-No Losing Months. (*April lost -$2,528).
-Log an average of 25/hrs a week.
-Come in top 3 in the WSOP League Finale. Getting top 3 will win me a Las Vegas tourney package. (WSOP Packages are: $11k, $4k, $1,500. Finale is April 11, 2015). (*ended up getting 5th in Finale )
-Log 1,000+ hours at Horseshoe Southern Indiana's poker room. This feat will take me from platinum to diamond card. (1,000hr requirement in a year to get diamond).
-Log 200 hrs in Jan and get the $400 promotional bonus HSI is offering. (HSI rake back promotion for Jan rewards a player $2 x hrs logged. 200+hrs requirement). (*Logged 202 hrs in Jan)
-Have a $10k winning month. (*January +$10,151 Overall)
-Have a $5k winning session playing 2/5nl or higher.
-Have a $2k winning session playing 1/2nl.
-Play a 24hr session.

All 2015 goals will b posted in blue. If I complete a goal, I will move it from blue to green. If a goal fails, I will move it from blue to red.

I greatly appreciate everyone for keeping me focused and motivated.

April Stats (tourney/cash combined):



2015 Overall:



Now on pace for $51,999.

Hello May

Best ending to your post....(Hello May and you're on pace for $52k). Love the PMA. And think about this.....holy schnikes you are on pace for $52K!!

Handle your downcycle and it looks like that's exactly what you're doing. We can't always be "on" 24/7 although we wish we could. Obviously we always hear about switching gears and adapting to the players, but you don't want to adapt in a negative way. "Well everyone else is limping with big cards maybe i should....everyone else plays **** cards maybe i should...everyone else floats maybe i should." Play YOUR game and adapt accordingly to YOUR style, not everyone else's play. I've gone on my share of bad runs and sometimes it's good to take a break. I went from playing 6 days a week down to 2x/week and you'd be amazed at the focus. Then i'd play my cycle and gear back up to getting more sessions in. You can't play effectively 52 weeks/year. Everyone needs a break from time to time and if the big name players take breaks, well we surely can heed their advice. 9-5'ers all have vacation time and PTO time and try to use that effectively so when they get back to work, they are back on and ready to hit the ground running and are focused.

I know it can be tough especially when you take bad beat after bad beat. I was running into that in tourneys and Jason Somerville gave me some great advice...."jump in the next tourney. Keep doing what you're doing, it will pan out in the long run, but hold on to that long run. Be in this for the long run not the short, quick, hit and run scenario. This isn't a short term goal, you're in to win the war although you may lose some battles..."

I got faith in you brother!

Now win a seat to the HPO in Columbus and come chop this thing with me!

Rayz,

The graph kinda looks like abnormal variance at first glance, BUT breakeven stretches are fairly standard obv. Looks like you had a breakeven stretch at 14k it just wasn't so flattened out over a sustained period. (not telling u anything u don't know)

Sometimes when I'm on a bad downswing or frustrating breakeven stretch I find a nice break to be helpful and refreshing (as has already been suggested, and as you already know. sometimes I think its just helpful to see things we already know, written out)

Do you care to comment at all about what the downswing has mostly consisted of?? Just bad beats & coolers or spew & tilt?

Just my opinion, but it seems like one of the very few leaks you MIGHT have (and this may be a rookie trying to give a veteran advice) is sort of like martingaling it when you run bad. It usually seems to work out ok, but on the few occasions it doesn't maybe it compounds various negative factors... and I could be wrong.. just tossing out ideas.

I feel like my trying to offer any kind of advice, no matter how constructive, when you're on a swong is sort of kicking a man when he's down, so sorry about that.

You know it will work itself out eventually, it's just a pain waiting out the storm sometimes. The sun will come out again soon my man. Be strong and let God take care of the rest. GL

Really excited to hear about the Knights of Columbus 5-10 nl game. From my experience playing higher limits adjustment is critical. Some you can triple barrel over and over and just take it down. A Knights of Columbus crowd sounds more like an honest game where you want to check back big draws and value town when you hit and muck for cheap when you miss. Stay positive and the results will come. Still think it's a +EV play to take a shot in Vegas at bigger games. My most recent trip to Vegas proved to me that the better players aren't necessarily at bigger stakes... Most just have more money and want to play limits where the swings have some sort of significance of 'feeling' to them. Glglglglglgl