Three Years in Las Vegas

[Dynasty]

[ QUOTE ]
I can't help asking though: do you enjoy it? [ QUOTE ]


I've enjoyed playing more in the past three or four months than just about anytime.

[Dynasty]

[ QUOTE ]
What am I missing? How are the day in, day out stud games in LV, inc. the 5-10 at M? I remember in the mid '90s that there would be three-four, 5-10 stud games at M, as well as rammin' 10, 15, & 20 games.

[/ QUOTE ]

You can usually find one 5-10 stud game at the Mirage almost anytime. The 10-20 game is sporadic. The Mirage never has any bigger stud games anymore. The Bellagio will usually have both a 15-30 and 20-40 game but rarely two of either.

[lostinthought]

Very inspiring and entertaining post Dynasty - thanks for sharing.

I've played chess for years informally, but fairly seriously, and poker for one year. It's been great having the challenge and the extra cash. I'm not sure if I am cut out just to up and move like you did, but I have been working and 8-5 for a year after graduating college, and it really ain't pretty. I'll be in Vegas in a couple weeks for vacation (first time) to check out the scene.

thanks again..

[Greg (FossilMan)]

Well, of course, you may have chosen some other job to pay the rent. But, poker dealer is by far the most popular choice amongst failed poker pros. And no matter how much talent and intelligence you have, with only 19 hours of practice there was every reason to believe you would go broke before becoming a long term winner. Clearly you must be pretty good to begin with, and you got lucky to not hit any bad streaks early on.

Later, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)

[lil']

I envy your discipline, beacuse I just don't have it. Well, not yet, anyway, but I don't think it's something that can be taught. You either have it or you don't.

Just wanted to drop you a quick thank you for helping me out when I started playing over two years ago.

There must be days you don't want to play, but you do because it has become your job. Do you find your play suffers when you feel this way? How do you keep the game interesting and fun after so many sessions?

[slogger]

Great post. I'm sure I don't even begin to grasp the level of discipline that it has taken for you to get where you are right now, but I have thought a lot about making a move similar to yours over the past 6 months and your story makes the idea even more intriguing.

Of course, my recent marriage and desire to start a family one of these years will likely leave the poker life in the fantasy category, but I still wonder whether I could make it work and I have a ton of questions about the lifestyle, miscellaneous costs, taxes, etc. Would love to pick your brain and hear how someone like yourself handles the nitty gritty of everyday life out there (PM me if you wouldn't mind discussing some of these types of things).

Anyway, thank you for sharing your story and congratulations on your success! Hope to meet you and some of the other Vegas locals when I'm out there next week.

[MRBAA]

I think Dynasty's point is he had enough money to live on for a year or more and would not have allowed himself to "drift" into a job like dealing. Instead, it sounds like his default plan was to return to some form of corporate life, possibly using his accounting skills.

[eastbay]

You sound like a real whack job. Freaking out and leaving a job over a trivial agreement that means nothing. Moving to Vegas to be a pro with no experience. Not telling anybody about it until you're gone.

Makes for a good story, though! And congratulations that it has worked out for you.

eastbay

[scotnt73]

awesome post! after just a year of about 25 hours a week of online poker i found myself burned out and am on a 2 month break. i still read the forums and will be playing again in a month or 2 when i start WANTING to play again but i have a new respect for guys who can play for 40+ hours a week for years.

if its too personal just dont answer but if you dont mind my asking-How big of a bankroll did you take to Vegas? Sounds like you were not hurting to make money quickly...thanks

[Barry]

Wonderful post Bryan. I see we have another accountant/ poker player.

I hear that I just missed you at the Mirage last night. I got there about 6:30 PM. I hope that we can hook up sometime before next Tues.