sevencard2003's blog--back in Vegas...again

[LasVegasMichael]

Hi. many of u may have seen me playing around vegas, or maybe even in another part of the country. been playing "professionally" for over 20 years. (by that i use the word loosely--simply that its what i do to earn my money--and that i win overall even if its not all that much.) i do know however if i used better management, and could learn to just stick to poker and play nothing else, and not try and chase losses and expenses back immediately, id have a far more decent size roll. still ive made progress. years ago i often used to be so low of bankroll, id often sleep outside to save money for the poker game. (but then that was way before i owned a laptop i would carry everywhere). back then, i seldom had any belongings except some clothes. now my roll is usually not less than about $1500, and sometimes is around $5000 or more maybe even close to $10,000. and $1-2 NL is certainly far easier to win $75-100 a day in than $1-5 stud used to be. (my main game for all the oldtimers who seen me over 10 yrs ago). playing live is much much easier to win at than online play. online play is getting harder and harder as loose fish quit playing and only the winners survive. at least in the casinos people are mostly just out to have fun, and not to win. u can tell that from the hands most live players will stay in with. still i do miss $1-5 stud, and will often play it if i ever get a chance which is rare in this part of the USA.
This is my life story about grinding at low stakes poker--and trying to be as successful at it as possible. and also about my struggles with tilt issues, problems in my life, and problems playing things i shouldnt. i still think i can make a success of poker though in the next few years--and dont really know how to do much else. because of autism i have a hard time relating to people socially and seeing life as most people do. thats why i have no real girlfriends in person, only online. please do not post if u cant say anything constructive.


Mod Note: This blog was originally posted as an "advice" thread, then it turned into a long blog/saga. In its present form, it is the combination of two different threads that chronicle the entire saga. This blog is given significantly more leeway with regards to posting than most other threads due to the nature of the OP and the blog itself. Having said that, we still ask that everyone remain respectful of each other, and to enjoy the ride. --LVM

[Karapet]

My first piece of advice would be to forget buying in for $50. The average preflop raise in these games is $12-15 so you'd have no room to manouver it's either shove or fold. That is a playable style I suppose but it's really not all that suitable for those kind of games. I usually play off a BR of $4K and have no qualms about buying in for the max $300 although it's true I'm only there for 1.5 - 2.5 weeks. I find this coupled with some patience is quite lucrative since it makes sure I get payed off when I hit. I would suggest you buyin for an absolute minimum of $100 but if you find you're in a soft game then top it up by at least another $100.

I also don't like the 'win 50% of buyin, quit and start over' idea. Poker is all one long session, how long you play should be down to how the table is and how you feel with the accent on the table. Why would you leave a nice juicy table and go to another where the game might easily be tougher?

I'd suggest you play mostly on the strip as that's where the softer games tend to be. That's only an average, you'll still find the odd tough game but if you do, just leave and walk next door. Make sure you always get players cards as comps will cover a lot of your food.

I was there in November and met a German guy staying at the IP who spent a couple of days lounging around with his wife at the pool at the Golden Nugget. I don't know how they got in or what or if they had to pay but that might be a chance to sleep during the day.

I leave for my next trip tomorrow, staying at the IP and will certainly be playing the mixed game on Sunday. Listen for the Brit accent from the guy who looks a bit like David Sklansky.

[mauihaole]

MGM has a min 1/2 buy-in of $40 as does Boulder Station. MGM is better though cause they have 6-9 NL games going depending on which night whereas Boulder gets 1-2 games. You also might want to check out the e-tables at Excal. As much as I hate those things, they are perfect for a guy on your bankroll. You could play .50/1 NL where the max buy-in is $50. Its a really soft game from what I experienced (albeit that was back in September, but its .50/1 so its not like you're gonna find a bunch of grinders). I'm not too fond of your buy-in plan of 50,100,200. That means if you have a bad day (trust me they do happen) then you'll lose 350 which is more than 10% of your bankroll. With your roll, I think you'd be better off just bringing two buy-ins of $100 and calling it a day if you lose those.

One last thing...pray to the poker gods nightly, cause you're gonna need some luck.

[pk]

[/quote] still barred at more about 10 or so places but all the barrings took place 10-15 yrs ago, its just its a pain trying to ever lift one.


hi sevencard, good luck with your trip.

just wondering why you got banned?

[Nash_equilibria]

while im in vegas, if im not in a stations casino (where the internet is covered when im in a comped room) i will mostly use the 2 free internet places outside the fitzgeralds and in the lobby of main st station downtown.

Where exactly is the free Internet place outside Fitzgeralds? I was looking for Internet access last month when I stayed at Binion's, but never knew that there is free Internet access at Fitzgeralds and Main Street Station. If I bring a laptop during the WSOP, where can I get free wireless Internet access?

but im wondering about where to play, and what to buyin for.

Since you are greatly under rolled even for 1/2 NL, Bill's Gambling Hall may be your best option. Its $1 NL game has a minimum of only $20 ($200 maximum). Get its thick Fun Book, which includes a $5 match play coupon and other discount coupons that you will need to survive. You will be comped $2/hour, so your meals can be virtually free in combination with discount coupons. If you play betwen 11 AM - 2 PM, you can get your Aces cracked for $100 and Kings cracked for $50. If you are really lucky, then you can get the High Hand bonus of up to $250 (Royal Flush).

You will need to take advantage of as many casino promotions as possible, so be sure to read the excellent thread about match play coupons and Win cards. Another option is to play at Harrah's starting on February 1 and be a super-nit to make your bankroll last long enough to collect the maximum rakeback cash on March 6.

now my goal will be to get $10,000 together, come home to KS, and cut off my SSI, so i wont be dependent on the govt anymore, and can have my FREEDOM for once.

That is an unrealistic goal. I've had big win streaks like that where friends say that I have horseshoes up my ass, but it was always with extra money that won't impact my life if I lost all of it. In your case, you are gambling with money that you cannot afford to lose.

anyone wanna go halves at any casinos that i can trust? (u sleep in the room 12 hours totally alone, and then i sleep in the room 12 hours totally alone) that way we can both not worry about getting killed in our sleep. much safer than 2 people sharing a room together.

If you don't know anybody that you trust enough to share a room with, then it's pointless to have a 12-hour split shift since I can sneak in anytime and kill you in your sleep!

any questions or advice welcome as long as it doesnt involve telling me not to come.

You remind me of a friend who is a gambling addict and I made the horrible mistake of lending him money over a year ago which will probably never get repaid. Since I already know you won't listen to common sense advice like my friend, all I can say is GOOD LUCK, you will need a lot of it! Try to post your progress through the free Internet access.

[djpeteski]

to start off, i wont have to worry about becoming homeless again....
but i do get ssi of $606....
i do know i need to stay off the VP machines and the BJ machines 100% and that has always been my downfall in the past.....
still barred at more about 10 or so places..........
now i have 25-30 buyins of $100 (which most bankroll managers claim is enough)......

[x] Failure in the making.

[rlloydevans]

If you are coming and looking to limit your losses, then buying in for $50 is okay. If you are buying in to make money, you really need to buy in for $100 or preferably $200. As far as soft, non-MGM properties I'd say IP, Harrah's and Bally's would top the list. Lots of drunken hellions at night there, lots of action, and if you play a disciplined game you should cream them. If you do play a good game, then winning $20/hour is reasonable, which means if you are playing 50 hours a week for 8 weeks is a reasonable making 8000. That is assuming you don't have a significant run of bad luck and lose and don't spend any of your winnings.

Finally, a warning. While many people go thinking they are going to play, playing poker for extended times is work, and tiring. I have seen many with your plan who are burnt out within a week or two because they are pulling 18 hour sessions 7 days a week. Then you are not playing your best and your expected return of $20/hour turns to a -$50/hour! To do this you will need to play smart, work smart and get lucky.

BTW, have to hear the story. How did you get 86'd at 10 properties???????

Please???

Pretty Please?????

Tell us, oh PLEEEAASE?????

[AlaskaGal]

Is this post for real?

There is a guy that regularly buys in for the $40 min at the MGM. He seems to be an effective short stack player and he often leaves with 3 - 5 times his investment.

[sevencard2003]

hey update, am still over $200 mmore better off, found out where in wichita i can buy the allaccess prepaid visa to fund my empty stars account, and they have omaha hilow NL games here in the wichita poker club, $200-1000 buyin. like that better than playing in the casino. my trip to vegas is slightly delayed, cause winning here is so easy, but ill probably be going thursday.

[stuartk27]

Before reading this post, I would say that the Iron Man of Poker Challenge trip by the group from Iowa post's are the all time best. But so far I am enjoying this one much more. Keep um coming. Glad to see you are off the streets. "Internet, no home required".

[j20a00g]

hahahaha, this post is awesome!

[Suited_Up]

You guys are way too nice.




Advice: Don't go, you're a degenerate and you will lose it all. Quit making excuses. You obviously suck at poker. The end.

[AlaskaGal]

It sounds fake to me. Can one of the mods run the IP address? LOL

If it is accurate I think a custom title is in order.

[Clem2754]

I think this has Yappy writen all over it. If not props to the person who started this one. WELL DONE....

[loose cannon]

I'm not sure who I feel worse for; the originator of this post (if true), or the people who took time to give legitimate answers. I threw the bs flag on first read - before the first reply floated in. I'm sure others "smelled" this one out also.

[Bobcat11]

I really hope this thread is a joke...if not...good luck sir?!??

[sevencard2003]

started out tonite playing KANDU (a weird form of holdem only legal in KS) invented by the amateur poker league, which makes cash games legal in wichita. (they turn the deck upside down and show the order of the cards) no [censored], search KANDU on 2+2 or google to read about it. anyway i made $300 tonite, which will make my life a little easier, and recovers todays expenses, and also grow the roll back and now im ready to see about online reservations (if they are still not sold out for today). not only that a very nice elderly female dealer drove me back to my motel for gas saving me a big cab fee, and also now i know where theyres a decent motel for a very good price much much closer to the poker club here in wichita. $200 a week at a value place INN. (national chain)includes free wireless.

so things are at least starting off on a good note. still really would appreciate advice on getting old 86s lifted from 10-15 yrs ago, i could certainly use being able to play in a ton of extra heavy filled tourist rooms on the strip.

[sevencard2003]

scroll up a little bit, i accidently edited an old post instead of typing a newer one. and im not as underrolled as i was, now that ive won at least $500 in wichita in the last 3 days, i might be able to make it to vegas with over $3500, which is more than plenty for $1-2 $100 buyins. but id still like to get enough for $200 buyins. had 3 outta 3 winning sessions here in wichita would no losses. am wondering if i should just stay here. at least here slots arent legal.

[loose cannon]

If you stay there, you won't have to click your heels together and wish you were back home after a bad Vegas beat down.

[xxx]

To the people thinking this is fake- I don't.

In fact, I think I know who it is. If this is Tony Bigcharles posting -- best wishes, man. And stay off those table games and slots!!!