Three weeks today I will be flying to Vegas to begin my holiday. Is it weird that a man of my age should be getting so excited about a trip to watch baseball, eat ridiculously large portions of calorific food and play poker? I am particularly looking forward to playing some poker. I must say that ever since Sky brought back the SPT’s , playing live poker is so much better than online. Getting to chat to different people, the vast majority of which have been really nice, stacking your chips after winning a pot, the snap of the cards and a springy felt covered table are just some of the things that give me a thrill. I strongly recommended anyone, who has only played online and has been wondering about trying live, to get along to one of the SPT’s, you will not regret it. I am guessing that playing in Vegas will just supersize everything.
Perhaps the only thing I am not looking forward to is the travelling. Going out is not so bad, you have everything to look forward to. Coming home is awful, you are going back to reality, just wish teleportation had been worked out and that a click of the fingers could get you home. I would not describe myself as a great flyer, it’s the take off and landing part for me, as the plane banks, out of the windows you can see the ground way below and the stratosphere way up high. Something primal In my head says * hang on , I don’t have feathers, what the heck am I doing up hear?* Once that is over, and the sucky sweet has enabled the ears to pop, I calm down a little, but only a little as the real problems are about to begin.
The portable torture chambers that are airplane seats, are my greatest fear. If you are five foot something and ten or eleven stone, these seats must seem ok. At six foot two and many stones more than ten , I am left to wonder if the people who designed these perches of pain, have a sadistic side. Within seconds the person in front slams their seat into full recline and what was already an incredibly small space is invaded even more. I have never been able to sleep on an airplane, I look around with envy at the people who can. I try to get through my torment by using the inflight entertainment. Imagine, if you will, the horror on one overnight flight back from JFK, when the stewardess announced that tonight’s movie will be James The Amazing Panda.
I booked my flights a couple of weeks ago. Travelling British Airways, booked through Iberia as it was the same flight but cheaper, from Heathrow to Vegas. The return goes to Gatwick for some reason. As I was lucky enough to win a package through Sky, I got £1000 towards the flights so added some cash and have booked Premium Economy seats. Apparently I get four inches extra leg room. As Tesco says * every little helps.* I leave at 4.40pm and arrive at 7.20pm. Whenever I have followed Tikay’s travels to Vegas ha has had earlier flights, I don’t know if my choice was good or bad but it was cheaper than the other options and every penny saved can be put to use elsewhere. By the time I get to my hotel room it should be quite late and I will be cream crackered, so I am hoping to be able to get into the correct sleep pattern straight away. Oh the plans of mice and men.
I will not be at the tables tonight as I will be at Fratton Park, the Mecca of British football, for the second leg of the semi final playoff against Sunderland. Massive game between two sides who have great support and a desire to play at championship level next season. Night games always seem to have better atmospheres for some reason, tonight could be special. If we get to Wembley for a second time this season it will be great, if we don’t it will not be the end of the world. Pompey nearly went out of existence a few years ago, after years of mismanagement at ownership level, the fans went to the high court, wrestled ownership away from the last corrupt guy in charge and we managed to hop off the train hurtling towards oblivion. We were relegated to league two that year and very nearly out of the football league the season after. Since then a slow but steady progression has taken place . We never want to go back to the days of reckless spending, putting the very club at danger. The fans sold the club two years ago to an American billionaire, his vision of building the club back up, *brick by brick* , never again putting the future in jeopardy, struck a chord with the fans. He has been true to his word, I believe we are ahead of schedule and if we do not win tonight of course there will be disappointment, but I am proud of my team and how they have fought all season. If we win, look out Wembley another blue invasion is coming, ticket allocation permitting and we have a pretty good record at Wembley recently.
Play up Pompey.
I can confirm I am five foot something and absolutely no more than 10 or 11 stone, and I can just about tolerate the seats.
Good call to go premium economy (extra 6 inches, fwiw)
Hi All, No update, just a quick question to Vegas veterans. I was wondering do the casinos take pre paid cards as payment for tournaments or does it have to be cash? My credit card charges every time I use it and I would prefer not having to lug large amounts of folding around on my travels. I’m using an Airbnb in Cincinnati so would have no secure place to put a large amount of cash. Thanks Nick
Hi All, No update, just a quick question to Vegas veterans. I was wondering do the casinos take pre paid cards as payment for tournaments or does it have to be cash? My credit card charges every time I use it and I would prefer not having to lug large amounts of folding around on my travels. I’m using an Airbnb in Cincinnati so would have no secure place to put a large amount of cash. Thanks Nick
Hey Nic Don;'t know about the casinos; in UK they want cash so would guess the same?
Also when in US of A, I use a prepaid dollar currency card- preload online from UK bank as and when so i can keep tabs on my budget- and I've never had a problem with US hotels accepting it as the payment AND it's cheaper to take cash out of machines
Remember, they don't have chip and pin in US so if you wanna mug an old lady for her credit cards, you don't need to worry about beating the PIN nos out of her..just need to practice her signature and dress like an old lady so you're 50% there....
I've always used cash in Vegas, but I think I'm right in saying that the ATMs there charge an extortionate fee to withdraw $$$ (up to $10 a transaction I believe)
I don't recall ever see anyone pay for an MTT entry using card (pre paid or otherwise), but I'm talking about Strip tournaments rather than stuff at the WSOP which might have more leeway on payment methods.
I also think some places in America are a bit iffy towards the pre paid cards and might not accept them (this is from feedback from my travel money days and could now be outdated info)
The best solution might be to apply for one of the credit cards with tiny/no fees when using it abroad. From memory Halifax do a great one (Clarity card, no fees worldwide), though I appreciate you might not have the time nor inclination to be sourcing a new credit card just for this trip.
Otherwise just take a modest amount of cash and do ATM withdrawals sparingly when you need to top up.
I've always used cash in Vegas, but I think I'm right in saying that the ATMs there charge an extortionate fee to withdraw $$$ (up to $10 a transaction I believe)
I don't recall ever see anyone pay for an MTT entry using card (pre paid or otherwise), but I'm talking about Strip tournaments rather than stuff at the WSOP which might have more leeway on payment methods.
I also think some places in America are a bit iffy towards the pre paid cards and might not accept them (this is from feedback from my travel money days and could now be outdated info)
The best solution might be to apply for one of the credit cards with tiny/no fees when using it abroad. From memory Halifax do a great one (Clarity card, no fees worldwide), though I appreciate you might not have the time nor inclination to be sourcing a new credit card just for this trip.
Otherwise just take a modest amount of cash and do ATM withdrawals sparingly when you need to top up.
Thanks for the reply Hh, My problem with applying for a credit card is I am not currently employed. I tried a couple of years ago and was turned down. I am happy to carry cash in the UK, the chance of coming up against a gun wielding person, demanding everything I own, is, I hope , a lot less than in the good old US of A. I have applied for a pre payment card that is free to withdraw cash as long as it’s over $200. I will check and see if local charges still apply. Thanks again Nick
Thanks Tony, Techno Dinosaur here, I will have a look at it, might be a better way, although knowing Lloyds they will want there pound of flesh to transfer money. Nick
Hi All, No update, just a quick question to Vegas veterans. I was wondering do the casinos take pre paid cards as payment for tournaments or does it have to be cash? My credit card charges every time I use it and I would prefer not having to lug large amounts of folding around on my travels. I’m using an Airbnb in Cincinnati so would have no secure place to put a large amount of cash. Thanks Nick
Hey Nic Don;'t know about the casinos; in UK they want cash so would guess the same?
Also when in US of A, I use a prepaid dollar currency card- preload online from UK bank as and when so i can keep tabs on my budget- and I've never had a problem with US hotels accepting it as the payment AND it's cheaper to take cash out of machines
Remember, they don't have chip and pin in US so if you wanna mug an old lady for her credit cards, you don't need to worry about beating the PIN nos out of her..just need to practice her signature and dress like an old lady so you're 50% there....
They don’t have chip and pin in the US? , better practice my signature let alone Mrs O’Grady little old lady’s.
Hi All, Two weeks today I will be somewhere over The Atlantic heading for Vegas. I really am getting excited, but, I need to hurry up and get organised as I am leaving a few things late as usual. Leaving things till the last minute is typical me . It usually comes back to haunt me.Little did I know that it would cost me physical pain this week. As mentioned before I am awful with technology, so, I have been getting my Niece to help me book things , trawling through deals on the internet etc. She travels all over the world, for work and pleasure, so she was only too happy to help. She actually enjoys all the planning and looking for deals. A couple of times I have gone round her house in the past few weeks, sorting out flights , hotels and such stuff. The last time I didn’t get home til late, so went straight upstairs and put all the paperwork, my passport and documents on the cabinet next to my bed. I was supposed to go round again last Sunday, sort out my Esta, travel insurance, new phone amongst other things. So at 11pm on Saturday night I am looking for my passport for the next day. Do you think I could find it? I knew it had to be in the bedroom, had to be, but by 3.30am Sunday, not only had the bedroom been tossed, in an operation the Sweeney would have been proud of, but kitchen , living room and dining room all now resemble one of those pictures you see after a tornado. I decide it must be in the bedroom, so I trudge back upstairs, lift the bedside cabinet up, as I had already done a couple of times to see if it had fallen off. Surprisingly it hadn’t and I slammed down the cabinet in frustration. Instead of finding the floor I make contact with my big toe instead. Many Anglo Saxon adjectives later , having taken a look to make sure said toe was not throbbing like one of those Tom & Jerry cartoons, I hobble around to the other side of the bed to look, only to stub the very same toe into the bed frame. I sank to the carpet, curled into a ball and , if I’m being honest, a mist must have formed somewhere close to my head as that is the only explanation I can give for the moisture around my eyes. As I lay there wondering just how long that feeling you get in the pit of stomach was going to last, I turned my head .....to come face to face with my passport. How it came to reside under the bed, on the wrong side of the room , is beyond me. So this week I want to get everything done so that the last week before flying out is nice and relaxed. Anyone want to offer me odds? Good luck to all on the tables. Nick.
Under a week to go now, I have still got a few things to sort out..... Surprise.
I have had lots of help from my Niece, without which, I would have struggled to get this far. New phone has arrived, and been played with for hours, I am gradually getting more comfortable with all the apps and what they can do. Still think I prefer paper tickets to the electronic ones currently residing in my space age communication device, though I guess I am in the minority. So far I have booked a few things for my trip. Baseball tickets for all three games in Cincinnati along with a guided walking food and sightseeing tour. Two more games of baseball booked for Texas as well. I have also got a ticket to see Christina Aguilera in concert during my first week in Vegas. I am also looking forward to all the Sky organised events, although I don’t play golf so that will be interesting, I am guessing that my renowned extra cover drive will not translate to hitting a golf ball.
I am hoping to do myself justice in the $40,000 SPT tournament, although a look at the list of fellow qualifiers, tells me I will have my work cut out if I want to cash. Talk about a who’s who of Sky heavy hitters. Having said that I managed to satellite onto the trip in the first place, so miracles do happen. I am also looking forward to playing a little bit of PL08 with @Tikay10 and @Essexphil during that week as well. Cash has never been my game, I have never really got to grips with it, but I may get to watch and learn whilst there, who better to do that from than some of Sky Poker’s best.
I have been dieting like crazy for the last few weeks, managed to lose a bit, which means I am having to do one of my least favourite things in the world, clothes shopping. I find myself in the frustrating position of being “between sizes” at the moment. Some things are a little tight , while others look like one of Demis Roussos’s kaftans. ( if you are of a certain vintage you will know what I mean) I am tending to go with the “ comfortable “ fit , rather than the tighter fitting clothes, as there are some extremely calorific goodies with my name on them, calling to me from over the pond. By the end of my holiday I expect to find my once comfortable clothes will be more like the tight fitting versions I am rejecting at the moment. I googled things to do in Arlington Texas the other day , most of them revolved around either the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers or food of one form or another. I have to find some self control from somewhere.
When I go back to Vegas I am looking forward to playing in some WSOP events. It will be great if I get to feature in @FCHD excellent WSOP thread at the business end of a tournament. The $1500 PL08 is on the agenda , possibly a crack at the Colossus, if I don’t progress in the four card game. There may be others as well, it will depend on how I play in the early tournaments really, if I play as badly as I did last weekend, during Sky’s super Sunday, I may well save my money and look for other things to occupy me. A trip to the Grand Canyon or the Hoover Dam are options. I will try and post some pictures if I can figure out how, maybe some poker stories and interesting things that happen on my travels. Just hope I don’t bore you all to death .
Managed to come second in last nights PL08 bounty hunter, may play a few extra games of the weekend, need the practice and who knows, maybe earn some extra spending money.
Anyway I need to buy travel insurance and a suitcase, so that’s all from me for now.
Wow Nick - I can't believe I've missed this thread up until today - I blame speed reading the forum on a tiny iphone instead of properly digesting the threads on a laptop.
Great read as always - you have such a readable writing style that I really envy.
I hope you have a fantastic USA adventure - and hope to meet up with you on the Friday 7th for drinks on level 3 and I'll be there to rail and take some photos of the SPT tourney itself.
I've just watched a travelogue on you tube and they drove from Vegas to Mt Charleston town, there was about 6 feet of snow, never thought it would be like that, this was about March, he said the drive was only 3/4 of an hour, they went back to Vegas and it looked roastin. They then drove from the start of Downtown to the end of the Strip, everything looks so spread out, I didn't think it was that long but it seemed as if they had been driving for miles.
@pompeynic was looking forward to updating this diary whilst in Vegas, but unfortunately, players cannot access the Forum on "mobile" from Las Vegas, so he asked me to pass on his apologies.
Hi All, I am back n the UK at long last, I am sorry that I was unable to keep my diary up to date whilst in America, did not realise that restrictions were in place when I started the diary, rules are rules I guess. I got back Saturday, Southern Rail made sure a long day was made even longer with their customary cancellations and delays, and, when I finally got home I found out that my account had been suspended, thankfully I have managed to get everything sorted now. Might post a few bits and pieces from my month long stay, not sure if anyone will be interested though. Looking forward to seeing you all on the tables. Nick
Comments
Good call to go premium economy (extra 6 inches, fwiw)
Should be a great thread this, and enjoy Vegas.
No update, just a quick question to Vegas veterans.
I was wondering do the casinos take pre paid cards as payment for tournaments or does it have to be cash?
My credit card charges every time I use it and I would prefer not having to lug large amounts of folding around on my travels. I’m using an Airbnb in Cincinnati so would have no secure place to put a large amount of cash.
Thanks
Nick
Don;'t know about the casinos; in UK they want cash so would guess the same?
Also when in US of A, I use a prepaid dollar currency card- preload online from UK bank as and when so i can keep tabs on my budget- and I've never had a problem with US hotels accepting it as the payment AND it's cheaper to take cash out of machines
Remember, they don't have chip and pin in US so if you wanna mug an old lady for her credit cards, you don't need to worry about beating the PIN nos out of her..just need to practice her signature and dress like an old lady so you're 50% there....
I don't recall ever see anyone pay for an MTT entry using card (pre paid or otherwise), but I'm talking about Strip tournaments rather than stuff at the WSOP which might have more leeway on payment methods.
I also think some places in America are a bit iffy towards the pre paid cards and might not accept them (this is from feedback from my travel money days and could now be outdated info)
The best solution might be to apply for one of the credit cards with tiny/no fees when using it abroad. From memory Halifax do a great one (Clarity card, no fees worldwide), though I appreciate you might not have the time nor inclination to be sourcing a new credit card just for this trip.
Otherwise just take a modest amount of cash and do ATM withdrawals sparingly when you need to top up.
If you plan to play any WSOP Tournaments, this might help, from the Official WSOP site;
http://www.wsop.com/2019/2019 WSOP Tournament Buy In Account Information.pdf
My problem with applying for a credit card is I am not currently employed. I tried a couple of years ago and was turned down. I am happy to carry cash in the UK, the chance of coming up against a gun wielding person, demanding everything I own, is, I hope , a lot less than in the good old US of A. I have applied for a pre payment card that is free to withdraw cash as long as it’s over $200. I will check and see if local charges still apply.
Thanks again
Nick
Thanks Tony,
Techno Dinosaur here, I will have a look at it, might be a better way, although knowing Lloyds they will want there pound of flesh to transfer money.
Nick
Two weeks today I will be somewhere over The Atlantic heading for Vegas. I really am getting excited, but, I need to hurry up and get organised as I am leaving a few things late as usual. Leaving things till the last minute is typical me . It usually comes back to haunt me.Little did I know that it would cost me physical pain this week.
As mentioned before I am awful with technology, so, I have been getting my Niece to help me book things , trawling through deals on the internet etc. She travels all over the world, for work and pleasure, so she was only too happy to help. She actually enjoys all the planning and looking for deals. A couple of times I have gone round her house in the past few weeks, sorting out flights , hotels and such stuff. The last time I didn’t get home til late, so went straight upstairs and put all the paperwork, my passport and documents on the cabinet next to my bed.
I was supposed to go round again last Sunday, sort out my Esta, travel insurance, new phone amongst other things. So at 11pm on Saturday night I am looking for my passport for the next day. Do you think I could find it? I knew it had to be in the bedroom, had to be, but by 3.30am Sunday, not only had the bedroom been tossed, in an operation the Sweeney would have been proud of, but kitchen , living room and dining room all now resemble one of those pictures you see after a tornado. I decide it must be in the bedroom, so I trudge back upstairs, lift the bedside cabinet up, as I had already done a couple of times to see if it had fallen off. Surprisingly it hadn’t and I slammed down the cabinet in frustration. Instead of finding the floor I make contact with my big toe instead. Many Anglo Saxon adjectives later , having taken a look to make sure said toe was not throbbing like one of those Tom & Jerry cartoons, I hobble around to the other side of the bed to look, only to stub the very same toe into the bed frame. I sank to the carpet, curled into a ball and , if I’m being honest, a mist must have formed somewhere close to my head as that is the only explanation I can give for the moisture around my eyes. As I lay there wondering just how long that feeling you get in the pit of stomach was going to last, I turned my head .....to come face to face with my passport. How it came to reside under the bed, on the wrong side of the room , is beyond me.
So this week I want to get everything done so that the last week before flying out is nice and relaxed. Anyone want to offer me odds?
Good luck to all on the tables.
Nick.
Very entertaining stuff.
hope you have a blast in Vegas
Under a week to go now, I have still got a few things to sort out..... Surprise.
I have had lots of help from my Niece, without which, I would have struggled to get this far.
New phone has arrived, and been played with for hours, I am gradually getting more comfortable with all the apps and what they can do. Still think I prefer paper tickets to the electronic ones currently residing in my space age communication device, though I guess I am in the minority.
So far I have booked a few things for my trip. Baseball tickets for all three games in Cincinnati along with a guided walking food and sightseeing tour. Two more games of baseball booked for Texas as well. I have also got a ticket to see Christina Aguilera in concert during my first week in Vegas. I am also looking forward to all the Sky organised events, although I don’t play golf so that will be interesting, I am guessing that my renowned extra cover drive will not translate to hitting a golf ball.
I am hoping to do myself justice in the $40,000 SPT tournament, although a look at the list of fellow qualifiers, tells me I will have my work cut out if I want to cash. Talk about a who’s who of Sky heavy hitters. Having said that I managed to satellite onto the trip in the first place, so miracles do happen. I am also looking forward to playing a little bit of PL08 with @Tikay10 and @Essexphil during that week as well. Cash has never been my game, I have never really got to grips with it, but I may get to watch and learn whilst there, who better to do that from than some of Sky Poker’s best.
I have been dieting like crazy for the last few weeks, managed to lose a bit, which means I am having to do one of my least favourite things in the world, clothes shopping. I find myself in the frustrating position of being “between sizes” at the moment. Some things are a little tight , while others look like one of Demis Roussos’s kaftans. ( if you are of a certain vintage you will know what I mean) I am tending to go with the “ comfortable “ fit , rather than the tighter fitting clothes, as there are some extremely calorific goodies with my name on them, calling to me from over the pond. By the end of my holiday I expect to find my once comfortable clothes will be more like the tight fitting versions I am rejecting at the moment. I googled things to do in Arlington Texas the other day , most of them revolved around either the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers or food of one form or another. I have to find some self control from somewhere.
When I go back to Vegas I am looking forward to playing in some WSOP events. It will be great if I get to feature in @FCHD excellent WSOP thread at the business end of a tournament. The $1500 PL08 is on the agenda , possibly a crack at the Colossus, if I don’t progress in the four card game. There may be others as well, it will depend on how I play in the early tournaments really, if I play as badly as I did last weekend, during Sky’s super Sunday, I may well save my money and look for other things to occupy me. A trip to the Grand Canyon or the Hoover Dam are options. I will try and post some pictures if I can figure out how, maybe some poker stories and interesting things that happen on my travels. Just hope I don’t bore you all to death .
Managed to come second in last nights PL08 bounty hunter, may play a few extra games of the weekend, need the practice and who knows, maybe earn some extra spending money.
Anyway I need to buy travel insurance and a suitcase, so that’s all from me for now.
Nick
Great read as always - you have such a readable writing style that I really envy.
I hope you have a fantastic USA adventure - and hope to meet up with you on the Friday 7th for drinks on level 3
They then drove from the start of Downtown to the end of the Strip, everything looks so spread out, I didn't think it was that long but it seemed as if they had been driving for miles.
@pompeynic was looking forward to updating this diary whilst in Vegas, but unfortunately, players cannot access the Forum on "mobile" from Las Vegas, so he asked me to pass on his apologies.
I can tell you I saw him last night at the Welcome Party (photos to follow) & he really has lost a lot of weight & looks great.
Hey TK
Tell Nic to try Hola- its a site that will allow him to access the UK, because it will link up, thinking he is in the UK
I am back n the UK at long last, I am sorry that I was unable to keep my diary up to date whilst in America, did not realise that restrictions were in place when I started the diary, rules are rules I guess.
I got back Saturday, Southern Rail made sure a long day was made even longer with their customary cancellations and delays, and, when I finally got home I found out that my account had been suspended, thankfully I have managed to get everything sorted now.
Might post a few bits and pieces from my month long stay, not sure if anyone will be interested though.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the tables.
Nick