My idea/plan for a Poker Roadtrip.... any thoughts? (kinda long)

[SFBAY23]

I have this idea for a poker road trip and wanted to get some thoughts. A little background first...

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 when I'm ready to do so. I have a few job offers there that can be postponed. Basically, as of December I have no commitments. My lease is up, business will be sold, job can be postponed or started in Jan, phasing out of a relationship etc.

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 practice hours. I still have a huge way to go for where I want to be with poker, but just this last 6 months I've seen a complete improvement and really feel things clicking. 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 more time and practice.

Road Trip Idea: I've done lots of traveling, but always for a weekend or week etc. 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 this will be one of the only times in my life I can actually budget out this time to do so -- and the timing does seem rather perfect right now. So 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 many 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 possibly 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’m wondering if any of you have any thoughts or suggestions… would you all agree that having the concentrated time would be a great way to take my game to a next level? Any input would be appreciated.

[Big Bend]

Man, you and I have the same plans!

Few differences. One, I'm older, 42, with kids, and plan to do it on a motorcycle. My job is telecommuting so I can work from anywhere.. But ya the idea of riding the motorcycle a few hours, setting up camp somewhere, doing some work with a notebook that has a cellular card in it, then heading into town for a few hours of poker.. wow does that sound fun or what?

Ya, I say go for it! I live in Houston and plan to travel up to Seattle and back, hitting as many cardrooms as possible, probably Summer of 2008 (next year is booked). If you have this opportunity you simply must go for it, cause it could be years and years before another chance like this comes along again.

Good luck.. BB

[Maize]

Before you plan your itinerary, call ahead to the
prospective card rooms, ask to speak to the manager;
& ask him about comps. Depending upon how many hours
you expect to play, and whether or not you're there
on weekends, most casino card rooms give reduced rates
on rooms, & free food. Some even give FREE rooms to
players. If it were me, and I'm retired, this is exactly
what I do with my time now; this is how I determine
where to go.

[SFBAY23]

Big Bend: Glad we're on the same page... we'll have to compare notes when the trips happen. If I do this one, I'm sure I'll have some lengthy trip reports…

Maize: Great idea... that would save a bunch on lodging. I have not started mapping locations out yet, and weather will also be a factor: I'd prefer not heavy snow areas.. Once I decide 100% to do this, I may have another posting seeing if any 2+2ers would be able to provide a floor for me to camp out on for a night or two in their town... could meet some folks, talk some poker etc.

[Lunger]

I had a similar idea to yours. Only I picured buying a used RV or renting one and doing a tour of various poker rooms. Some of the casinos even have RV hookups(Pechanga for example) you could use.

[SFBAY23]

[ QUOTE ]
I had a similar idea to yours. Only I picured buying a used RV or renting one and doing a tour of various poker rooms. Some of the casinos even have RV hookups(Pechanga for example) you could use.

[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting thought.... this would save on lodging etc, but my new car gets great fuel effeciency... 35-44 on the highway.

[JJNJustin]

I've always wanted to go on a road trip and/or road trips. Even to AC for a week. Problem is I can never get any of the locals to go with me, and gas and lodging adds up when you dont have anyone to split it with.

-J

[Lunger]

[ QUOTE ]
Interesting thought.... this would save on lodging etc, but my new car gets great fuel effeciency... 35-44 on the highway.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess it is a matter of preference and cost. Do you really want to put all those miles on a brand new car? There were some deals on RV rentals for $49 per night plus $0.29 / mile plus gas cost. I guess I like the convenience of coming and going as I please. I don't have to conform to the check in and out times of hotels to avoid paying for an extra day when I need a few more hours of sleep. Also, I don't like the idea of packing and unpacking that many times.

My original plan was to do a tour of the 85 or so poker rooms in California. If you do a tour, maybe you could do a break down of your expenses. My car also gets great mileage and if it costs less than renting the RV, I may just go that route.

[JJNJustin]

The problem with RV's is that they cost tons of gas money to tow around or drive. The money you save on hotel you will spend triple on gas. Also, most places you have to pay a nightly fee for parking it there, as well as gas, water, and electric, and you end up paying $65 a night anyway. You might as well get a hotel room.

I think the cheapest option is prolly a motorcycle with a tent/sleeping bag option. This is not the safest option, however, as motorcycles are dangerous and sleeping in campgrounds in a tent you can get robbed, injured, or mauled by wild animals.

The cheapest and safest option is to drive a car (preferably hybrid) with a pal and find cheaper hotels and split the cost. Tunica, MS you can get rooms for like almost nothing.

-J

[SFBAY23]

[ QUOTE ]
The cheapest and safest option is to drive a car (preferably hybrid) with a pal and find cheaper hotels and split the cost. Tunica, MS you can get rooms for like almost nothing.

-J

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, my car isn't hybrid but good on gas in the 35+ range. I want to go alone, so won't have the savings of split hotels etc. That's fine. I do have some freinds randomly scattered around the US, so will be able to bum a few stays. Camping is also an option, though during Jan-Feb it will be cold... so still sorting out some options.