I'm planning a 'Poker Road Trip' across the US -- any thoughts? (long)

SFBAY23 · #1 11-20-2006, 07:26 PM

I originally had a similar post in Psychology... they suggested I post in B&M. A few changes here.

I’m planning a road trip that will concentrate on poker, and wanted to see what additional suggestions everyone had. I’m excited to do some detailed trip reports and reviews on all the cardrooms I visit. Closer to the trip I will put together a site/blog page with updates/photos etc.

Poker Road Trip: I've done lots of traveling, but always for a weekend or week. I've always wanted to go on a road trip across the US by myself camping/staying with friends etc. I think 1-2 months would be ideal. My gut is telling me that the timing right now is rather perfect, so I’m planning it. Turning it into a 'poker road trip' if you will... What I mean is using the time to really hone in with no other distractions. No distractions with work, significant other, school etc. I could have the time to really dedicate to crunching through more critical books, play in cash games across the US with different crowds each night, log in some serious online hours via the laptop, and hopefully meet several other 2+2ers along the way. At the same time being completely relaxed with visiting new areas and really seeing the country... I love that type of travel.

I plan to depart in early January from San Diego, and start off with a 3-4 day crunch in Vegas. I will work my way east across the US along the southern states, and then backtrack through some other areas to end back in Vegas for another session. Depending on timing I may try to make it back for a few events at the LA Poker Classic in February.

I have several friends along the way that I will be staying with, and am working out some comps with some of the casinos. I wanted to see though if any of you would be so kind to offer a floor I could lay my sleeping bag on for a night. I’m clean, drug/smoke free, professional, and a very good guest. PM to talk more if you’re in or around the cities below.

I’m still planning out specific locations, but right now the following cities look like they will be stops. I tried to arrange it to make sure they have card rooms close by (according to pokerpages.com etc) so most do. There may be a few that don’t, and I have them down for other reasons.

Nevada: Las Vegas
Arizona: Parker, San Carlos, Prescott, Tucson, Scottsdale/Phoenix
New Mexico: Mescalero, Clovis
Texas: Eagle Pass, Shreveport (this may actually be in Louisiana…on the border)
Louisiana: Shreveport, Kindler, New Orleans, Marksville, Baton Rouge
Mississippi: Biloxi, Tunica

Below is a little background about myself for anyone interested...

Personal: I'm in my mid 20's and have owned two companies over the last several years. The current project that I'm 100% involved in I am in the process of selling in order to move onto to other career paths and work for a larger operation. I have a B.S. in Marketing, and will be re-locating to San Diego in February. By December, my current lease will be up, business will be sold, new job in San Diego can be postponed, just got out of a relationship, and can store personal belongings with family.

Poker: I've been playing for about 5 years, and seriously for about 1.5 years. I've spent a lot of time reading and studying the game, and logging in hours. I still have a long way to go for where I want to be with poker, but just this last 6 months I've seen a significant improvement and am really starting to feel things click. For example, after reading HOH I & II twice through, MTTs are making much more since and the results show. I have not won a HUGE tourney yet, but making some great cashes and progress. With that said, I still need to log in much more time, and know it will be a while until my game is at the next level.

Feel free to post any suggestions about the trip, locations, or anything relevant. Also, please PM me if you have a place I could crash at near the cities above.

Thanks!

LasVegasMichael · #2 11-20-2006, 07:34 PM

Good for you, man. Do it while you're young and foolish (and single, to boot!).

I am assuming that you are good when it comes to bankroll management, handling a possible cold streak, etc, right?

You wouldn't want to plan out this huge trip only to go bust and get stuck in some place called Mescalero.

Good luck!

SFBAY23 · #3 11-20-2006, 07:38 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Good for you, man. Do it while you're young and foolish (and single, to boot!).

I am assuming that you are good when it comes to bankroll management, handling a possible cold streak, etc, right?

You wouldn't want to plan out this huge trip only to go bust and get stuck in some place called Mescalero.

Good luck!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ha... yeah I'm good with BR management... I'll also be playing some lower stakes too and probably won't actually play as much as it sounds like. I'm not looking for 60 days of 12 hours per day. Want to enjoy the trip too and read, see the cities etc. But yeah, don't want to get stranded in Clovis Texas.

jacksquat · #4 11-20-2006, 08:01 PM

clovis is in new mexico...but i digress. i would skip prescott (only time i played there it was pretty lame) and all of new mexico. i don't know anything about texas, but new orleans and tunica are probably must stops on this tour. st. louis and kc may be additional options. what time of year are you going?

SFBAY23 · #5 11-20-2006, 08:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
clovis is in new mexico...but i digress... what time of year are you going?

[/ QUOTE ]

My typo.. yes NM. I'll be going in January, so while it will be cold everywhere, I can at least dodge some extreme with Texas etc.

DeuceHigh13 · #6 11-20-2006, 08:15 PM

Bring the trip all the way out to AC, coast to coast.

TheStation · #7 11-20-2006, 08:39 PM

If you want to swing north. Below is a list of cities you could go to right in a row, all with casinos w. poker rooms.

Tulsa, Okla
St. Louis
Iowa City
Des Moines
Omaha
Kansas City
(back to Okla/Texas)

JP OSU · #8 11-20-2006, 08:48 PM

You should definitely hit Oklahoma, Iit wouldn't be much out of your way at all...

JoeyNoOne · #9 11-20-2006, 09:29 PM

Good luck,

Sounds like a blast. Just to let you know, the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino has closed cardroom. That was the only public cardroom in town. Regardless, if you need a place to crash in BR though let me know.

RUFFNECK · #10 11-20-2006, 09:40 PM

I would also recommend hitting Houston, there are lots of safe backroom games that would add to the story.

This summer another 2+2er and I drove from Chicago to Seattle and hit poker rooms on the trip, if you can some how put it in Deadwood, SD was a seriously great stop, Seattle wasn't too shabby either.