Going to Vegas for the 1st time!

This will be the longest week of my life. I am going to Vegas on the 28th - 4th, for the first time in my life since I turned 21 (Im 25 now). I have stayed a few nights there when I was younger with my family as we were passing through, but never since I started playing poker. I can not even begin to express how pumped up I am, especially after reading all of Jim's posts about Vegas.

The trip was originally planned as a long weekend bachelor party for one of my friends, but I knew that there wouldnt be much poker being played aside from some drunk donkaments, and maybe some drunk lowlimit cash games. So I decided to head down there by myself for a few days so I would be able to get in some solid hours at the felt.

I will be playing mostly tournaments down there, as I dont get to play many tournaments where I live excpet for a pisspoor weekly tournament with a fast structure.

So what Im wondering is if any of you guys know of good daily/nightly tournaments that are definatly worth playing?

I have another question. Do they withhold 30% of all tournament winnings down there? I am from Canada and we dont get taxed on winnings. Is there anyway of me getting around this? Or do I have to submit a claim after I return home? I read online somewhere if you have an ITIN number, you get your totall winnings on the spot. What the hell is a ITIN number and how do you get one?

I'm not sure how taxes work specific to Canadians, except that you'll only have to worry about taxes or withholding if your win is $5000 or more and I seen one guy just the other day win $5350 and after a little debate took a $4950 payday after getting the payouts adjusted to give $400 more to second place. There was originally some objection but they did it for him.

In some countries there are tax treaties. For example players from Ireland win $5K or more and the casino withholds 30%, the fill out a form and get a refund when they get back to Ireland. No idea if Canada has a deal like that or not with US, I tend to guess no but not sure.

As far as good tournaments to play I'm a big fan of Harrah's 8PM tournament:

$150 buy -in $120 goes to prize pool - but tournament staff is paid out of prize pool so don't feel obligated to tip all that much if you win - dealers do okay for these.

Usually 85 - 90 runners - be sure to register by 7PM to avoid being an alternate. All alternates pay when register and are guaranteed to play no matter how long it takes to get a seat (registration opens at 6PM).

10K starting chips and blinds go up every 20 minutes the levels are:
Level 1 25/50
Level 2 50/100
Level 3 75/150
Level 4 100/200
Break - 10 or 15 min I forget
Level 5 200/400
Level 6 300/600
Level 7 400/800
Level 8 500/1000
Break - pretty sure 10 min
Level 9 1000/2000 (crazy jump in blinds but plenty of time to at least have earned chips before the entire tournament has changed from laid back to panic mode.
Level 10 1500/3000
Level 11 2000/4000
Level 12 2500/5000

etc etc.

The prize pool is VERY TOP HEAVY - pays the top 10%ish but its small for the first several people in the $. First place is usually around $5K

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/...106252,00.html





Canadian Tax Treaty
Gambling winnings of Canadian residents are subject to NRA withholding at 30% on the gross proceeds from gambling won in the United States. However, Article XXII of the Canada - U.S. Income tax treaty entitles residents of Canada who are taxable by the United States on gains from wagering transactions to deduct U.S. source losses from U.S. source wagering transactions. Canadian residents should file Form 1040NR (PDF) to obtain a refund of U.S. taxes withheld from the gambling winnings, if applicable.

Originally Posted by Barton

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/...106252,00.html





Canadian Tax Treaty
Gambling winnings of Canadian residents are subject to NRA withholding at 30% on the gross proceeds from gambling won in the United States. However, Article XXII of the Canada - U.S. Income tax treaty entitles residents of Canada who are taxable by the United States on gains from wagering transactions to deduct U.S. source losses from U.S. source wagering transactions. Canadian residents should file Form 1040NR (PDF) to obtain a refund of U.S. taxes withheld from the gambling winnings, if applicable.

I don't see a mention of dollar reference on here. I assume its over $5K though because for wins less they don't have no paperwork or anything - just paid in cash.

I remember a few years ago there was a big stink because they withheld on the payout amount rather than the win. So if you entered a 5K tourney and came in the low overalls and got back 6K they took 30% of the 6k and you didnt even get your buy in back.

Originally Posted by Barton

I remember a few years ago there was a big stink because they withheld on the payout amount rather than the win. So if you entered a 5K tourney and came in the low overalls and got back 6K they took 30% of the 6k and you didnt even get your buy in back.

This is still the case -

This is only Non US players BTW. The casino withholds nothing for US players you can take the entire win in cash (even a million if your dumb enough to do that) or have it wired or a check cut. You just need to fill out tax forms if its over $5K but they don't withhold for US players no matter what the size.

Thanks guys. I will definatly play that Harrah's tournament. As for the tax thing, it probably wont even be an issue, unless I win a tournament. So Ill just cross that bridge when I get to it.

Did you post at any other forums looking for the best Rub and Tug locations?

Originally Posted by Aidan

Did you post at any other forums looking for the best Rub and Tug locations?

On the cab ride to airport on way home I seen a large billboard for an Asian message place and it said "A Happy Ending Everytime" in big letters. no joking

So many drunk girls leaving tomorrow every single night of the week who had that "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" saying drilled into their subconscious so many times.. man I would sure like to buy the guy who invested that ad a beer.. actually forget a bear a car.. umm wait a HOUSE! That guys is my hero!

Originally Posted by Jim

On the cab ride to airport on way home I seen a large billboard for an Asian message place and it said "A Happy Ending Everytime" in big letters. no joking

So many drunk girls leaving tomorrow every single night of the week who had that "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" saying drilled into their subconscious so many times.. man I would sure like to buy the guy who invested that ad a beer.. actually forget a bear a car.. umm wait a HOUSE! That guys is my hero!

That was a confusing post, but I think I got your message!

Was to split thoughs - no need to pay for anything sexual in Vegas, other than buying a few beers.

Fair enough. But DrPow is married, so if he got free action it would be cheating right? He would have to pay for it and assume that it's just apart of the Vegas style...ugh I'm going no where with this...

So whats the point of the phrase, "what happens in vegas stays in vegas"? Is this just plain malarky that the media has been feeding me for years?
But alas I am married, which means no fun. Like Ive told Aidan, the only way Id do anything is if it was with like 6 pornstars at once , something that would warrent my divorce.

Originally Posted by DrPow

So whats the point of the phrase, "what happens in vegas stays in vegas"? Is this just plain malarky that the media has been feeding me for years?
But alas I am married, which means no fun. Like Ive told Aidan, the only way Id do anything is if it was with like 6 pornstars at once , something that would warrent my divorce.

A friend had suggested I get a hooker in Vegas, because he was like man you work non stop you haven't even tried to pick up a woman in 3 years and its so much easier than going out to a bar, trying to meet a chick and girls you meet at a bar are just as risky as a hooker anywayas.
I actually was almost convinced, but it just felt like so wrong to me - who knows stupid social programming or w/e. I read a post the other day that said "woman - THEY are SO expensive - you pay on the front end or you pay on the back end, but either way you pay". Probably true but I'm going to stick to the buying a few beers part and then not being around to pay on the back end for a while .

I'm telling another friend this story, and he's like you ever been with a hooker. Actually the answer to that is yes, but it was one time and it was a few days after I walked in on my x-girlfriend I lived with (mother of my at the time infant daughter) in bed with another guy. I was like so crushed and it was a complete mess - I went to bars for a couple nights trying to hook up with someone but no luck. Went to a strip club and got kicked out etc lol I was a mess and hated drugs, didn't drink and was looking for something to turn to - anyways actually it was cool and once I got it out of my system like : "see !! I fucked someone else too ! " lol I felt better - I was 20 in love and totally crushed - I ended up getting a drunk alcholic girlfriend on the rebound who was a total waste and degen but loved gambling and sex (drinking she liked best) and wasted away with her for a year while i got over it.

Eventually I got my life back together and was a single dad raising a small child and didn't ever think about it again..

Anyways just babbling here now to avoid working.. eh i'm major procrastinating - ANYWAYS... so i tell my friend this story and then I'm like man I never new how easy it was to pick up drunk chicks .. add that w/ paying for sex being illegal and I'm pretty sure that time 9 years ago was the first and only time..

Then i was like well wait - If I happened to win the WSOP ME for like 10 million - there might be a chance I decide i never had a 20some before. In that case maybe I'll need to pay - going to be hard to find 19 regular girls to have a 20some w/ me

Originally Posted by DrPow

So whats the point of the phrase, "what happens in vegas stays in vegas"? Is this just plain malarky that the media has been feeding me for years?
But alas I am married, which means no fun. Like Ive told Aidan, the only way Id do anything is if it was with like 6 pornstars at once , something that would warrent my divorce.

The pathetic thing is twice I heard a guy use that on a girl and it worked - one the dealer was begging this chick to show her tits to the table and he was like come on your never going to see any of us again, you go home tomorrow. He's like what happens in Vegas stays in vegas - and she's like I supose your right takes a while then finally does it.

Then this other morning I'm sitting a $10 pai gaw just to order coffee and waters because I'm super hung over. This guy is literally begging this girl to come up to his room and she's like I'm married he's like i am too but we're in vegas. He is wispering all this to her but I'm like hearing the hole thing pretty sure rest of table is an were all just ignoring it. Finally she's like allright good luck everyone picks up her chips - then she's like you coming to the guy - he's like really - she like yeah it vegas why not

Originally Posted by Jim

The pathetic thing is twice I heard a guy use that on a girl and it worked

WOW. I might have to try that...errr dont think so

And pow having a 20some. I totally agree. As if you guys have never watched a porn, and seen a girl giving amazing head, taking 10 inches balls-deep, and thought to your self, "wow, how fucking awesome would it be if my gf/wife didnt have a gag reflex". I know you have all thought it. Im sure 1 outa 20 would have the skills.

Originally Posted by DrPow

WOW. I might have to try that...errr dont think so

And pow having a 20some. I totally agree. As if you guys have never watched a porn, and seen a girl giving amazing head, taking 10 inches balls-deep, and thought to your self, "wow, how fucking awesome would it be if my gf/wife didnt have a gag reflex". I know you have all thought it. Im sure 1 outa 20 would have the skills.

eh i only date girls that don't have Gag reflex..

I must not fit the profile. The only time I got solicited was in an elevator in AC. The girl was about the ugliest thing I ever saw and she wanted $125 for A BJ. At the time the going rate for Junkies back home (who looked far better and were likely more skilled ) was 15-20$

Days away now and Im starting to get very pumped!!! I got my US cash from the bank today, and am ready to go.

Im getting in at about 10pm on Monday night, not sure what Im going to do that night, might play in the midnight-ish bounty tournament that I think is at Harrahs. Tuesday Im gonna play the 550 tourny at Bellagio at 2pm, and then some cash games there after I win . Most likely 15/30 limit, or some 5/10 NL. I hope this day is a good one. I plan on playing the 8pm Harrahs tournament at some point while Im down there too.

Friends of mine (that dont play serious poker) are coming on the Wednesday, which is earlier than I thought, so Im not too sure what will happen once they all get there.

Good Luck! feel free to give updates or a trip report.

DrPow has some good stories that he told me over msn...hopefully he is willing to put them up on our forum.