Well, Im Going To Vegas

red+black

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I'm at the Las Vegas Backgammon Club, won my first 2 matches 7-2 and 7-1 against decent opposition. Kenna James is here, and he's attracted a love struck MILF groupie who'd be worth a roll. Haven't been to the Rio yet. Saw Peepshow with Coco Austin a couple nights ago, Ice-T was sitting 2 seats in front of me. Played 2 sessions of poker, won $50 at Flamingo and lost $320 at Planet Hollywood when my nut flush flop re-shove didn't come. 3rd guy almost folded middle set on 875ddd flop. Would have beat other guy with turned Ace. Had dinner at Hooters restaurant last night. How that casino is still in business is a mystery.
 

JuddsABlue

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Reading that article certainly has me inspired to head to the wsop, answered a lot of questions that are hard to get answers for
 

Goodo73

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Glad to hear it.

Back in '09 the TD told me I could get the tax back by submitting a US tax return, but finding out how to do that proved far too mysterious and confusing, so I just let it go (and it was < $200 I 'lost'). On other forums I read that Gary Benson was the resident guru in terms of how to go about it.
 

JuddsABlue

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Yeah Gary Benson does it a lot and makes a decent % for it I'm pretty sure. Also does large currency exchanges etc

Pauls article makes it sound pretty simple though
 

Goodo73

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Assuming the relative simplicity of the process, I guess the question just becomes what's the cost of the tax agent.
 

red+black

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For those that come to Vegas and want phone/data, just unlock your phone and get a SIM from the Cellular store at Fashion Mall. They have 4 telcos including AT&T and T-Mobile, I have a $3 daily plan with T-Mobile which gets me unlimited local calls/text and 200MB 3G data. After the 200MB, it goes back to 2G which is fine. You can get free AT&T wifi at McDonald's, Starbucks or anywhere at Bellagio.

Three musts here are frequent trips to Tix 4 Tonight outlets, checking out Fremont St downtown at night and driving the sports/muscle cars at World Class Driving.

EDIT: Adding link for future reference: http://www.vegashot.com/
 

red+black

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Guns didn't happen, unfortunately the past week has been mostly about what my mate did or didn't want to do. I'm happier now that he's left but I only have 4 more days in LV, then off to Kansas to see rellos.

Vegas tip: Subway is at Casino Royale between Harrah's and Venetian.
 

JuddsABlue

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After re-reading it, I guess the main thing I'd be concerned about is if there is any way for the ATO to find out about it.

As in, you don't pay tax on poker winnings here because you're not a professional. When you file a tax return there to recoup money you're a "professional gambler" which could cause problems if the ATO found out you were listing yourself as one in a different country but not in Australia.

Yeah interesting point

This is why having a face to face discussion with someone whos been over there, won and done it all is worth so much more than a bunch of FAQ on websites or short blog articles
 

Goodo73

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[Hope you don't mind if I repeat a post I just added to the Lifestyle thread]

Was reading about the Jockey Club hotel, which is next to Bellagio, on Trip Adviser. Has anyone stayed there?
 

Vegas.

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Hey guys, been a while since I posted!! Full time work has crushed my poker dream, though it still lies dormant...

Heading to Vegas (among other US cities) for 4 nights in early November for the first time ever.

Going to be myself and 2 mates, so looking to see if any of you guys have advice on hotels you have stayed at or heard about. Weighing up whether to get a big room for all 3 of us, or get 2 rooms or even one each. I'd suggest we'd be willing to part with about $150-200/night each for accommodation.

Any advice would be much appreciated!
 

Chasing the Dream

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Hey guys, been a while since I posted!! Full time work has crushed my poker dream, though it still lies dormant...

Heading to Vegas (among other US cities) for 4 nights in early November for the first time ever.

Going to be myself and 2 mates, so looking to see if any of you guys have advice on hotels you have stayed at or heard about. Weighing up whether to get a big room for all 3 of us, or get 2 rooms or even one each. I'd suggest we'd be willing to part with about $150-200/night each for accommodation.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I'm going to be there at that time too. Best time of the year IMO..

For that price range you could stay at a great place. The only issue you may have is the SEMA Car show which is Nov 5-8. Prices are generally a little higher then.

I am staying at the Flamingo this time. It is about $100 a night and right in the middle of the Strip which is what I like.

Others I have stayed at before that are good are MGM and Planet Hollywood, mid week the prices are really good there too.

Personally I wouldn't stay any further than the MGM. Luxor and Mandalay Bay are nice enough but everything is a bus ride away pretty much.

World Series Final Table is the 4th, I have stayed at the RIo before, which is also pretty good, but off the Strip which isn't ideal IMO.

Enjoy your trip!!
 

Chasing the Dream

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Wow, I just saw you would spend that money each for a room... Your options at $300ish a night would be pretty darn good.
 

Vegas.

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^^ Much appreciated.

I have actually looked into a suite at PH, but it seems to be fully booked out unfortunately.

Had no idea about that car show, was wondering why that week seemed more expensive than the others!
 

Chasing the Dream

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^^ Much appreciated.

I have actually looked into a suite at PH, but it seems to be fully booked out unfortunately.

Had no idea about that car show, was wondering why that week seemed more expensive than the others!

Sema is huge over there. I usually go a week before Sema and you could get a flash room at PH for around $200 then and double it during Sema.

Does have a special buzz during Sema, flash cars everywhere you go.

What other cities you going to?
 

Vegas.

Norm Smith Medallist
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Sema is huge over there. I usually go a week before Sema and you could get a flash room at PH for around $200 then and double it during Sema.

Does have a special buzz during Sema, flash cars everywhere you go.

What other cities you going to?
NYC, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Vegas, then a roadtrip to SF. Bit over 5 weeks in all. First trip to the States, and being a US sports junkie, it's been a long time coming!
 

JuddsABlue

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I think finding rooms for 3 people is fairly tricky and only certain hotels offer them

I'd probably just try to find 2 rooms in a nice hotel (aria is my favourite in that price range) and flip roshambo for whoever gets one on their own

Have a look at encore or Wynn because they can offer specials in your price range and its levels above the rest for luxury

Don't go near the top end of the strip (stratosphere, riveria, circus circus etc). Try and find as hotel starting from MGM/NYNY upto the encore and you won't go wrong position wise

Nice hotels are: Wynn encore, palazzo Venetian, aria, ceasers, the cosmopolitan (def fun as well)

Fun hotels are: planet Hollywood, treasure island, MGM, bellagio (could be nice as well)

Budget options: NYNY, treasure island, quad, Monte Carlo
 

Vegas.

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Love your work JAB. Had a flick through your WSOP trip report today actually, living the dream!

As you say, getting a room for 3 is difficult (most other cities we are getting apartments etc., but prefer a hotel for Vegas). 2 rooms may be the way we end up going.

Stupid question - how accessible are the pools for hotels if you aren't actually staying there?
 

Chasing the Dream

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NYC, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Vegas, then a roadtrip to SF. Bit over 5 weeks in all. First trip to the States, and being a US sports junkie, it's been a long time coming!
Awesome.... nothing like a weekend in Vegas and hit up the sports bars.

Wynn's casino apparently has the best sports area now, am looking forward to getting to see it. It is seriously amazing looking at countless televisions with countless NFL or NBA games on, a few screens with other sports, whether it is NASCAR, golf, horse racing. Sports betting everywhere, and on everything. If you are in Vegas on the weekends, some of the Casino's encourage the dealers to wear their teams guernseys, adds to the atmosphere.

This trip I am taking is predominately for Mrs Chasing the Dream, so sports was technically not an option (although it is a surprise trip for her and she doesn't know yet). However, how can you go to the US and not see some sports??

I have locked in tickets to see USC v Stanford at the Coliseum, absolute dream come true. Will also try to go to see the Golden State Warriors, I think they are playing Detroit when I am in San Francisco. The last link might be a trip to see the LA Kings. The good wife loves the violence of the hockey.
 
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