Yea I play just about all my mtts at Tampa bay downs just hard rock is 5 minutes away and alot less traffic. The Wednesday night owl tourny isn't bad though just wish there were more

If you are near Disney, I think you can make it to THR in about 45 minutes to an hour. As far as traffic, it may not be that bad heading west on I-4 from there during rush hour as you are still starting from a decent distance west of downtown Orlando.

You may hit some respectable congestion at the interchange of I-4 and I-75, (the exit before the Hillsborough exit, that you want) during the typical rush hour. Still, given the direction that you are travelling, it shouldn't be that bad.

The March promo is out. I briefly read the sheet.
Basically there will be 4 qualify periods, each one is from Tuesday 12:01am to Monday 11:59pm starting on march 1st.
You have to get 35 hours to qualify each week and if you do you get a free entry into the $530 super satty for the 10k WPT main event in Hollywood in April.
every 20 players will add another seat to win.

Being that this isnt just a freeroll and some people will be paying the $530 to try to win a main event seat. Hopefully the structure wont be a joke like the march 11th freeroll or any of the other freerolls the last few months with the exception of the $240 deepstacks.

There will be 4 of these in march so you can qualify for all 4. Or just buy in for $530 or $540 cant remember which.

Did the 400 person freeroll fill yet?

They said there was like 390 this afternoon so its probly done.

what stakes here? im coming down for a week.

wanna play 2/5 and most likley 5/10?

Hey guys, I went to THR last summer and didn't have the best experience with floor rulings and the way the card room was run in general. I understand that they built a new room, which is promising. I have skimmed this thread, but I have some questions that I was hoping any reg could answer as I'm making a decision about where to go for spring break in a couple weeks.

1) Last summer, at peak times there would be a huge line to get on the board. You would literally have to wait 20 minutes to get on a list, and then they were so slow in calling names. Any improvement to that?

2) Another question re: the board. Have they fixed the issue where the Bravo system messed up and sent you to a full table and then when you come back you are off the list?

3) Still rake $5 even without a flop?

4) Do they still require a supervisor when you cash out >$3k?

5) Still no eating at the table?

6) I saw that there's a 5/10/25 game running daily. Is it a mandatory or "suggested" straddle? I ask because we did that last year but a few nits refused to do it and there was no way to make them. Also, what's the buyin for this game?

7) Is the floor still utterly incompetent?

8) Are the Silks and/or Tampa Bay Downs any better in these regards? Also, what high limit games run at these places?

Thanks a lot!

1. It usually does not take 20 minutes to get on the list, but sometimes it does get busy and may be a long time to get a seat. During baseball spring training and spring break, I suspect it could get a lot worse. Best way around this is to come before peak periods start.

2. That only happened to me one time and they put me at the top of list for next available seat (but if you go ballistic and treat them like garbage, they may do the same to you).

3. Not sure about rake before the flop. I was not aware that is any different pre-flop and post-flop.

4. Most I have cashed out is about $1600, so I wouldn't know. I don't see why it would be a problem if they did that. Just be patient.

5. No eating at the table, although if you sneak in an energy bar and don't place the food on the table, I doubt it would be a problem (but not 100% sure). You usually can make a quick trip the food court and leave your chips on the table. They pack 10 people around the tables, so not much room for eating.

6. I believe it is 5/10/20 NL, and I assume the straddle is mandatory, since otherwise it would be same as 5/10 NL.

7. Depends.

8. Don't know.

Buy-in for 2/5 NL is $200 min and $600 max.
Not sure about 5/10 NL, I think it is $500 min and $2500 max.

You can rebuy at table to bring your stack up to the max at any time.

Haven't been in a little while, but you shouldn't have to wait any significant amt of time to get on the list.

Not sure, don't remember this happening. I'm sure they'd put you at the top of the list though.

Yep, 10% up to $5 pre-flop

Yep

No food at the table

It's a mandatory straddle. I also hated when they had the "rock" games because it wasn't made mandatory if one person didn't want to put the rock out. But when they start a 5/10/20 list it's mandatory, but the buy-in is the same as the 5/10, $500 to $5,000

Pretty much

Not sure about TBD, but Silks has a 5/10 going more often than not. They also have 25/50 and other higher games that run somewhat often, but they are private games. Generally they will allow new players to come in if they're short, and you can get invited back if you're not a nit. It's generally a better run room. And for rake they do time pots (I think $7/down) for $5/10

You can't bring a backpack in, so your limited on the # of energy bars

I haven't played 5/10 at the hard rock in a while, but did they change the buy in? I remember it being $500-$2000.

Thanks a lot guys. One more question I thought of: do they make you provide any info when you cash out a high amount, or is it just to verify that you are getting paid the proper amount?

Does this casino get any Fixed Limit holdem games higher than 2/4 on Saturdays? Deciding between Tampa and Hollywood for my trip to florida this weekend.

Just to be clear, the 5/10/20 NL is actually a three blind game, not a mandatory straddle. Players can still straddle for $40, and often they do.

Yep, they changed the buyin for their 5/10 to 500 to 5,000.

I don't think there's any difference. Even in a 5/10 game if somebody straddles to 20, somebody can double straddle to 40

Im pretty sure they dont allow double straddles at HR. The 2nd straddle would not be live, just a blind raise.
Unless this is something special for the 5/10 game.

In the 5/10/20nl game someone can mississippi straddle to $40.

yeah double straddles aren't allowed in thr. i've tried many times, its just a blind raise.

No double straddles, which is odd because they let you straddle from any position. You would think that if they allowed that, they would let you re-straddle if UTG straddles

Cashing out in cash games and tournaments are different:

Cash games, you will have to do a CTR (cash transaction report) for any amount of money over 10k in 24hrs. Examples: you buy in once for 9k and once for 2k, CTR. You buy in for 2k and cash out 11k, CTR. You do not have to cash all of your money in at once obviously so you can avoid the recording of your cashes by staggering your cashouts or having a buddy cash them in too.
Some places are now making you do a CTR for 5k.

Tournaments, you will have two options if you cash for 5k more than the buy-in, not including vig. Example: $500+50+10, you cash for $5012, you're filling out paperwork.

Option one: fill out the paperwork and pay the tax at the end of the year. Professionals will be able to itemize their deductions and pay the appropriate tax rate based on income. Amatures will pay the tax rate for the tax bracket they fall into based on the combination of poker+work earnings.

Option two: withhold your social and they will take a flat 28% on the spot and you're done.

Please note, I am not a tax consultant, nor am I even remotely smart enough to understand this stuff, that is why I pay someone to do it. What I have stated above is only from personal experience and it could be incorrect.

Just for clarification, any cash transaction of $10K or more (per day) must be reported to the Federal government. This is to primarily to assist in money laundering investigations dealing with drugs, terrorism, etc.

I would assume that if you give them your social security number, and the amount is over some clip level, they will send you (and the IRS) a 1099 Misc Income statement. Any gambling winnings made during a tax year can be offset by gambling losses, but you should keep records of this throughout the year, and remember that the IRS can review you bank account statements to verify withdrawals you claim as losses.

I could be incorrect but as of Jan 1, 2010 that is not true. Only professionals can deduct their losses. Amatures must pay, even if you lose it all the next day. This was a highly controversial addition to the tax code in 2010.

Where are you getting this from?

This is to primarily to assist in money laundering investigations dealing with drugs, terrorism, etc.



if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you

Do you have a link about the new rule you mentioned (I couldn't find one). My understanding is that you are able to deduct losses to offset any winnings, but you cannot have a net loss for the year to offset other income (unless you are a professional).
http://www.wndu.com/tax/headlines/Ho...113949924.html

In order to support the amount of income and/or loss you are claiming on your return, adequate records must be available to support the positions taken. It is recommended that a diary of your gambling activities is maintained. This diary should also have supporting evidence that includes but is not limited to:

•Date and type of specific wager or wagering activity
•Name of gambling establishment
•Address or location of gambling establishment
•Name of any other persons present at the establishment with the taxpayer
•Amount won or lost