blonde poker forum

   Hello to the all knowing blonde forum,i'am looking for advice about whether i need an ITIN number for my trip to vegas in april.I've tried the search function,this and my apparent ineptitude in the use of google(i found a fifty page document on how to fill a 1040nr form out)has left me in a slighly more baffled state than usual.
   I intend to play in some tournaments at caesars and alike with buy-ins of $300 and above so if i cash will i need a tax number?My only previous live tourny was the blonde bash in Cardiff where my 7th place winnings didn't require any such shennanigens.So i'am jumping in at the deep end a bit but your not in vegas very often and i've got the cash so what the hell(maybe i'll fluke it).

   One of my mates whose going on the trip is a more than competent live tourny player and he recently got 2nd in the pokerstars million so he will be playng some high buy-in tournys and therefore has a realstic chance of making some money if he runs well.So has anyone got an idiots guide to the the tax situation.
many thanks ,colin

search ITIN on the forum, there's a few good threads.

If you play at the Bellagio they will normally get you an ITIN, I am not sure if the other casinos will do this.

Homer i have tried the forum search function,with limited success.If anyone has a bit of spare time to point an idiot in the right linky direction i would be eternally grateful.

try

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=22352.0 (http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=22352.0)

tyvm neeko,if your at the next b-bash,your first pints free
colin

How much can you win before you need one of these?

Don't think you need to worry about this. As far as I know you don't need to think about it until you're winning $5,000 or more in one pop, although this may be wrong. Just take your passport with you and you'll be OK in my experience.

It used to be a miserly $600,but i read somewhere that it had been raised to $5000,but for the life of me i can't remember where.EDIT just read chompy's post-

just got back from vegas you dont need it below 5k and some dont care

The cardroom manager at the Mirage sorted out my ITIN number free of charge. Do it out there but do get it sorted. Otherwise you will have to make a claim at a later date

Thanks for the answers guys

The Rio sorted mine out, took about 2 days to get the number from the Rio (although took winnings tax free with me) , then US Taxes sent me official letter about 4 months after the visit so its ready for next trip's winnings :)

Got back a month ago. It takes up to 48 hours to get one but according to the TD at the Venetian you have to cash first before you apply, and it has to be over $600. Other places including Caesars don't bother they pay you out in full.

Good luck.

I tried to apply for one via the embassy, they won't give you an ITIN unless you win. If you win cash at the bellagio, mirage or rio you will be fine. When we won in 2005 they tried to hold it back and refused to give us the forms we need. We got round this by getting a player who already had an ITIn to sponsor you.

I was in Vegas from Sat night to Sunday night a few days back.

I played at Caesars and when entering a tourney on Sunday asked the question about any witholding taxes and they said there was no issue (academic question as it turned out).

Have to say that I really liked the card room at Caesars - good range of cash games with no massive wait times - good deep stack tourney structures - very very good experience.

Also, if you popped out for a ciggy you could watch the pussycat dolls dealing blackjack - enjoyed that very much !

Thank for the info,i knew yous lot would have the answers.
   I've found a site which gives tournament listings for the week(all in vegas-please remove if this is spammish),is this a accurate guide and/or are the tournys well publisised over there.

I think the best online resource for Vegas tournaments is at All Vegas Poker (http://www.allvegaspoker.com/tournaments.php), they try and keep it as up to date as possible.

Once you are there, go in any cardroom and pick up a copy of CardPlayer magazine, it has a full tournament schedule in it.

Cheers rio,that was the one i was looking at,plenty to choose from in the $100-$500 category,any recommedations or indeed card rooms to avoid?

Was there a few weeks ago, and can highly recommend the Venetian. Very comfortable card room (height adjustable chairs!), well run, and excellent value tourneys.

Played a number of the 12 noon $150s. 7000 chips and 30 minute levels if I remember correctly.