For those Vegas Vets

[Zybomb]

How much $$$ do I need to bring down with me for a 9 day trip during the main event? Also, How much money will I spend goin out at night (Im a big partier)

[PShabi]

A lot and a lot. I guess it depends on what games you want to play. I'm assuming you're up for NL cash games, and most places I've been do not have a max buy-in. Obviously, you plan on winning at the table. So, find out what games you want to play and where they are spread. is a good place to start.

I'd bring 4-5 buy-ins, around $600-$700 for partying, and my ATM card.

[New Guy]

Bring a million you should be fine.

[Zybomb]

I've went to this site (thanks btw) -- and some of these spreads are ridiculous for NL games. 2/5 blinds with a $300 max buy in??? 2/5 NL with $200 max buy in???? I've found some with a normal ($500) max buy in, but I cant see how the game is played with a 200 max buy in. An average 2/5 open is $25-$35 thats 1/8 - 1/6 of your max buy in.

My other issue comes with game selection -- it seems 2/5 is the most common game out there, but Im thinking of giving 5/10 a shot. It's bigger than I've ever played before, but technically not really, as the game Im used to playing is a 5/5 NL with a 1k max buy in, and an average open of $30 - $40, and depending on the table straddles can be fairly common. So it's definately a bigger game than the 2/5 games, but I don't think wuitoe as big as the 5/10 games.

Im probably gunna stick to 2/5 and if I go on a nice streak, and my bankroll gets a bit swoll, I'll jump up

$600- $700 for partyin should be enough?

If I get a seat (still hoping) I wont be goin out (hardcore at least) nights before I have to play -- and at the same time even if I don't I dont think my friend is gunna go out (hardcore) nights b4 he has to play.... but outside of that I plan on not wasting any time down there.

Im thinking Im gunna have about $3500 to bring down with me... (unless JD feels like lending me 1% of his bankroll, $5k ) I just wanna make sure thats enough

[PShabi]

$600-$700 was a very conservative estimate. $100/night is probably a good place to start. $3500 sounds like a good starting point. Hopefully, you dominate the tables and end up drinking for free every night. But, like I said, bring your ATM card.

[Zybomb]

TP, how much are you bring down with you and how is that split amoungst gambling money and other money.... also what activities do u plan on doing while out there outside of poker.

[Talking Poker]

Fine questions.

I've done the whole Vegas thing many times before, so it's not like I'm dying to do it all again. This trip is going to be about the WSOP for me - going into it anyway, that's my focus. I doubt I'll even play poker before Sunday (althought I'm sure I could be talking into joining you/others for a while in some sort of cash game somewhere). After I bust out, I'll either play some cash games or maybe get in one of the $1000 or $1500 second chance tourneys - that went well for me last year.

For non-poker, I'm doing NOTHING on Saturday night, but for Thursday/Friday, I'd definitely be up for going out. Hopefully there will be some cool WSOP type parties to go to (UB's was a lot of fun last year), and drinking with a bunch of TPers sounds AWESOME.

Really, once I bust out of the Main Event, all rules are off. I'm just planning on playing it by ear, I guess. I have friend who live in Vegas - I'm going to be staying with them for part of the time I'm out there, and I have a room at the Hilton (long story) for Sat-Sat. I'd like to spend some time with them and maybe catch a good show, but really, I'll be up for whatever.

As for $$ - I'll put hotel, car rental and lots of other stuff on a credit card, so I won't need cash for that. For poker and daily spending money, I haven't really thought about it yet, but I'll probably only take $1000 with me to start (maybe a bit more) - and as pshabi said, the old ATM card. I don't mind making daily $500 withdraws from casino ATMs - these are good records to help document your "losses" come income tax time.