Im just curious to get some insight on this. After transitioning as a part time 1/2 player to a full time live 2/5 player, some nights (few and far between) I can be walking out to the parkinglot with as much as 5k cash on me. Usually bring 3-4 BI for the game im playing so on nights of a several thousand profit, I start to wonder if this is not such a good idea to be walking 5 min to my car with this much cash on me at night. Do any of you guys that play at these stakes do this regularly? is it wise to have a lockbox at the casino? how much of a life gamble is it to have this much cash on me.

Keep in mind most times I end my session is usually 11pm-5am. Seen some strange characters walking around. Im 6'0 240 fat and only been in one fist fight in my life and got pummeled. FWIW foxwoods is the casino in question.

Thanks guys, very much appreciate whatever feedback I get on this.

I'm not familiar with foxwoods, specifically their parking situation. Most places I play have parking decks and/or valet. I've never carried more than a couple thousand, and never worried about it at all.

I also don't go from the poker table, to the cage, to my car in the span of a few minutes. I'm usually headed for a cigar, or back to the room.

I don't know what the lockbox situation is at FW (or anywhere else), but they might not even have boxes available.

I think you can always ask security to walk you to your car. Unsure if it's proper to tip them when you get there.

You also can ask for a check at most casinos.

There are ppl walking around w/ a lot more than 5K on them. Have there been many robberies at FW's parking lot? Anyway, you can use the valet for the few dollars it may cost you or do some personal security things like I used to do when I gambled big in the pits: Go up/down an escalator, stop for 20 seconds and then go back up/down and watch to see if anybody does the same. Go out a door, turn around and watch who else comes out, go right back in, turn around and watch to see if anybody you've seen go out w/ you comes back in.

I'm going to guess that FW w/ their huge parking lots also has a shuttle so you can at least use that.

This is a good option. Definitely tip if you go this route though.

Valet the car. Take a roundabout route to the valet to make sure you're not being followed.

Size does not necessarily intimidate people who would rob someone.

A couple of guys unsuccessfully tried to rob Greg Raymer:

http://www.pokernews.com/news/2006/1...ns-release.htm

This is a highly subjective question that you'll need to answer for yourself. Some things to consider:

1. How much is 5k worth to you? If robbed, will you end up whoring yourself out for cash, or do you have shoeboxes full of fun tickets at home?

2. How badass or how big of a chump you appear to be is totally irrelevant. Some people think owning guns or knowing kung fu will come in handy. And sure, if you never plan on playing there again and they had selected you randomly, kicking their asses may be a permanent solution. But if you're a reg who they've specifically targeted, it just means they're going to be better prepared the next time. And they'll probably be mad.

3. Consider your family, friends, and people around you. Your laser-triggered fingerprint-scanning adamantium safe is totally vulnerable to someone driving a bulldozer into your house and dragging it down the street when you're at work, and chopping off your daughter's fingers until you give them the code. The amount they think in the safe determines whether they want to go through the trouble. And depending on where you live, 5k or even 50k may be chump change or bulldozer money. Depending on how many leverage points you have in your personal life, you will adjust your risk.

Overall, I don't understand why people don't routinely use the mechanisms that almost any casino has to store money - especially regs who keep regular schedules and are super easy to follow.

But to answer your question directly, if I'm playing at a time where I regularly play, the most I'd carry in and out is probably $500. If I go in at an unexpected time, probably $10,000 or so.

3k.

Yes, it's wise to get yourself a lock box if they're available, so put your name on the list. I have one so I'm never really arriving or departing with wads of cash on me.

However, if someone thinks about robbing you and fails to see that you're using a box, well, you still might get followed, and you could still get held up at gunpoint. And, whether you're physically fit or not, if someone has a gun, then you better have a bigger one and you better be a quicker draw.

If everyone knew the actual amount of money I had on me? No one would ever waste their time.

In the meantime, if you're worried about your safety on the casino property, and especially since you've been noticing some strange dudes lurking about...then at the very least you should use the valet. Failing to do that is neglecting your intuition/gut. I always valet and even then I have an eye in my rear view mirror and I pay extra attention to detail the closer I get to home.

If you're rolled for 2/5 or 5/10, there's no reason to not pay for valet and not worry about this.

+1 to calls for using the valet. Once I started carrying 4 figure sums on me, I started using the valet. Doesn't help if someone wants to follow you home, but does make rolling you require more effort.

Really don't think you need to list the casino... Just asking for someone to keep an eye out for you now. I think you should edit that out OP.

If you're a reg there, lock box is best. Valet the car when you plan on taking a large sum out of the box.

I'm comfortable with carrying 10k+ on me to and from the casino. When I leave I take measures in which to keep myself safe. I go to the private cage, walk around the casino a bit keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious. Go get my car from the valet and go home.

I agree with this for the most part. If I have $5K+ on me, I'll take a stroll through the casino, hit the bathroom, make sure nobody is following me, and take off. And I do this while parking self-park. It's pretty hard for somebody to follow you from the casino floor because they'd have to get on the elevator with you. Somebody waiting inside the garage is the biggest concern, and I always take a check of the lot to make sure there's nobody suspicious lurking around. That's not foolproof, obviously, because there could be somebody hiding, but I think the chances are minimal.

Breaking the money up in multiple pockets is a good way to mitigate losses in a potential robbery, not to mention a decoy wallet. All in all, I feel pretty safe leaving the casino because I'm cautious, and I don't think I look like a guy who would have much money on him. There are plenty of better looking targets at most casinos (guys wearing designer clothing, watches, etc...)

Valet at cedar hotel, or park in rain maker parking garage and only get on elevator if you are alone.

I'm somewhat familiar with FW parking. Where are you parking? Lot J is a short walk to the poker room.

FYI no security anywhere I have ever played has been allowed to accept tips. Conflict of interests.

Not much, since I'm flat poor generally speaking. If I expect to be walking out with lots of $$$, I'll valet. Or if not valet, would have no hesitation asking for a security escort, being that I am a security guard myself currently.

Didn't know this. Makes sense though. Thanks for the info!

Maybe a kind 2+2er in this thread will give you a ride to the Bart station so you don't have to walk to the sketchy shuttle connector after a particular luck box 15/30 run.



(Sadly I'm going to be in Emeryville for work in 2 weeks with a 0.00% chance of getting out to play)

not sure what J lot is. but its an open lot outside that's near the burger king. are you implying this is not a long enough walk to be concerned about?

Does Foxwoods have a membership program that offers free valet as a perk? You should be all over that fairly quickly. Free valet in my room is the nuts, especially when it's -10 out.

Maybe it's not lot J. There's a super close lot if you walk out the poker room doors and go left. Maybe a 2 minute walk to the lot.

Valet is free at FW.