blonde poker forum

https://www.wsop.com/pdfs/schedules/schedule_5771.pdf

Kind of cool they have mixed O8, PLO8 and Big O in quick succession.  Think will try to do 2 out of 3 as limited to about a week in total. And likely to miss the Derby too.

Also likely to be 2 weekends needed, so probably not doing the Wynn and paying a bazillion pounds a night.  I got a reasonable offer, for the weekend after, but it just won't work, as PLO8> nice hotel.

Am fully booked 31 May to 7 June. 

Staying at the Horseshoe.  Wynn prices have been near consistently ridiculous, like $400+ a night before resort fe.  Then I got an offer for the Wynn where I could stay Saturday to Wednesday for $1100 including fees/taxes.  Thought couldn't be arsed changing, changed my mind a couple of days later and it was over 2k for the same 4 nights...

I booked 3 weeks ago.economy for about 1k return, and have now upgraded to premium both ways using points and a voucher.  Should definitely have waited until this weekend as I could have got premium both ways fof 60k points (there was no availability when I looked apart from using a bazillion points.  If you are thinking of going using Virgin points, look now, there is a lot of availability.

Schedule will probably be the $600 2 day hold em tournament day 1.  Then 1.5k mixed 08 and then 1.5k PLO8.  Will probably take just one 1.5k rebuy spare.  Think there is a 600 Omaha too while I am there,  but might skip that and try and find some PLO8 elsewhere.  Will just wait on the schedules, but only the PLO8 and mixed O8 are definite.

PS Cheltenham was v good. Went to Neil's do; hi Simon, Rich, Neil and Jen.  Someone mentioned Golden Ace at 50/1 and managed to persuade myself that Bob Olinger's unbeaten record at Cheltenham meant something.  Would have crushed the Cheltenham comp if we had one!

Even had a rare outing at online poker yesterday.  Still got it.

Meant to add Virgin Atlantic is now charging for seat selection.  Feels a bit grim.  You can pay for Premium Economy, but end up in the middle seat in the middle block if you don"t pay another £40/£60.  Think it was the same kind of price to pick seats in economy too.  As it was I only paid for one seat, as could get a decent seat on the way out 

See you out there Doobs
Get there a few days before you, staying horseshoe for convenience more than anything else
I’d expect there to be a lot of PLO8/BIGO options at other casinos on your dates to fill in the gaps
Points were awful when I booked a few weeks ago, I did look as used points to get effectively a £500 flight in December when there was a points sale on and there was another sale on when I was looking to book.  Good to know things do change depending on demand.  £862 BA myself economy  managed to get the earlier flight , I hate the ones that leave at 4pm off and get to vegas 4am UK time , really struggle to adjust first few days after that one .
I always gamble on seats as a solo traveller, check in free as soon as opens 24 hours before the flight usually and have never had a middle seat yet .  I’ve even keep checking after check in on apps and moved seats to maximise the chance of open seat next to me, utterly amazed how often that works too on long hauls. 
Not sure if I’ll bother resuming to blog again here, will see closer to the time .
The only thing I guarantee I’ll play is plo double board bomb pots, my new poker addiction out there after my December trip

Drinking updates at least please

I prefer an aisle seat because I like to get up and stretch my legs often, I don't like climbing over (most) people, and I like to have at least one side of me with nothing pressed against it.

However, I don't like paying for seat selection so what I usually do is tell the checker inner that I have a bladder infection and need to use the loo a lot. It works most times

Very good Sir, very good

Soon be Cuckoo time

Interesting on the flight.  Was thinking if I get there late, will just crawl into bed and it might work. Getting there at 4pm means I have to force myself to stay awake/eat when I just want to sleep.

Am never consistent though, and sometimes I am fine, sometimes I struggle all week.  Am glad I have an extra day before I do the 2pm start/ late finish though. 

Window seat was free on way out, 40 on way back.  Whole thing makes no sense.  On way out, I am in row 4 of 5, but row 3 was £60.  How can that make sense?  Coming back there were only 2 seats left in the two seat combos, so just took one.  Not really that bothered between aisle/window, so long as I don't get the grim seat, and can get some kip at some stage.

Pretty sure every seat I could see in economy had a price before I upgraded, so had picked none. 

These days that would mean updating more often than poker !

Wynn schedule is out.

Includes at least two lovely looking Big O's ($1,100 each), & two 5 Card PLO. There's a Limit O8 but I never saw any PLO8.

The first Big O is Monday 26th May, the day I had planned to arrive. Might have to move my flight forward a day or two.




https://www.visitwynn.com/documents/wynn_summer_class-schedule.pdf

Venetian schedule is out
Plenty of Big O in there too

https://www.venetianlasvegas.com/resort/casino/poker/deepstack-extravaganza-poker-tournament/dscps-2025.html

Yup, plenty of Big O this year, most of it at the "front end" of the summer as far as I can see.

Here's a great Spready listing all the non-WSOP events, which gets updated as & when the schedules are released;




https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/wizardofviz/viz/AGuidetothe2025SummerLasVegasPokerScene/2025SummerPoker

More importantly when is the Tikay Staking details gonna be released?

He doesn't need staking this year, he's won all his Vegas money playing golf

Robbing bastard

For those planning on going out there for a while.

https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1910745209698189693?t=wJ3waza-F8avzVE-hJK2yw&s=19 (https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1910745209698189693?t=wJ3waza-F8avzVE-hJK2yw&s=19)

 "All foreign nationals present in the United States longer than 30 days must register with the federal government. Failure to comply with this is a crime punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both... If not, you will be arrested, fined, deported, never to return to our country again."

I don't think over zealous American immigration officials is a new thing (I know someone who was sent back on the same day many years ago), but it seems they have more power now.  There are a few UK poker players who spend much of the year there, so it must be a worry for them? 

"must register with the federal government"



I am thinking of going for around 5 weeks, so that would impact me. Any idea how one registers with the Federal Government? Sounds a bit ominous. Might just be easier to reduce it to 4 weeks. 

Ha, I take that as a compliment.

I have been a little fortunate recently, fair to say, though many observers reckon my birdie on the par 3 17th on Friday was one of the best & most skilful things they had ever seen. I did expect my playing partners to congratulate me, or at least acknowledge a wonderfully crafted tee-shot to a difficult pin, but all I got was a hail of abuse & profanities.   


I'm like a late developing 3 year-old in horse racing who is temporarily ahead of the handicapper. Our Handicap Chairman is Mr Giblin (JAKALLY) & in him we trust....

What an eloquent bit of prose that is Trev, short, accurate, all the information we need and no unnecessary waffle.

Knowing this lot, they will change it to 8 weeks tomorrow, and then change it to a fortnight the week after.  Not sure I'd change my plans.

No idea how you go about it yet.  Will keep my eye out. Assume it is straightforward. 

Aria schedule is out.
Pretty meh for non Holdem stuff.
1 or 2 poss plo for me and a poss horse but can just as easily see me not stepping foot in the place.
Such a shame, other than the fruit machine noise and smoke, I really enjoyed playing there with the quality of dealers, waitress service and the drinks options themselves.

I’m hoping MGM will step up to fill some of my gaps.
Orleans and Nugget to come soon too but their high rakes and taxi/uber each way probably means I’ll only head to either if I want a change of scene.

I might wander over for one of the 800 hold'ems at the Aria if I have a gap, as the walk isn't far, and I like it there.

Venetian is badly timed as there is a Big O on the day I am flying out and big O and PLO8 after I have gone. Wynn isn't timed well either, but think there is a big O on my last day.

Orleans is out on twitter now too.
Lots of mix type smaller buy in options.

Yup, here's The Orleans Summer Series schedule.


https://x.com/OrleansPokerRo1



Plenty of Big O, O8 & the like, most of it at the $240 price point. Fun stuff really.  


Just need GN & South Point now.

No trip here, so will be getting my dinero's worth out of my PokerGO subscription this summer!

Look forward to following along here, and hopefuilly some Blondes get scooping!!

Seeing Aria/Wynn gradually creep it up little by little so their cheapest comp is a monkey buyin, I think a stay at the Orleans is in my future next time I go out during the summer!

 Can't blame them, as they're the best cardrooms, but would eat too much into my food budget :)

The Wynn old duffers game is $1,600.  Would definitely have preferred $1K, as 1.6 makes it more expensive than the standard WSOP games I am playing, which feels the wrong way round.  Would be happy with more games around $500.  Like $1,100 for a turbo big O also feels too much.  Though the fact $1,100 now probably isn't far off what $800 was 3 or 4 years ago, so probably isn't so bad.

Sadly these turbo events are all too frequent now and I’m the same as you where I’d rather not be paying over 1000 for such events.
Need so much more luck and it’s very easy to quickly rack up a large hole, especially if you’re open to re entry after an early cooler type bust.
Do you know if any other casino takes debit card entry yet too ?  If I don’t run good early in the trip I’ll be looking at making daily withdrawals from 3 debits cards at atms to facilitate those sort of buy ins .
WSOP I don’t mind absorbing the debit card fee as using a currency card for a decent rate means it isn’t a silly amount when you compare it to ordering and taking huge sums of cash $ from home which i will have changed at a worse rate.  In hindsight i should have not sold $10k at spot out there and just left it in my WSOP tournament account, I did leave some but at the time I wasn’t 100% confident you were allowed to . Hopefully the bit I did leave won’t have disappeared .

I have never used debit cards for entries and have just taken cash.  I don't like using ATMs out there as the fees can be horrendous. Also my bank is getting arsey with pokerstars (tend to block over £150, RIP SCOOP), so don't think using a debit card for cash withdrawals will be easy.  I think it is the bank, but may be the site?  Maybe I'll look at currency cards later?

I have recycled my cash for many years, but need some new cash after a dismal showing last time.  Think I'd always keep the cash up to 10k or so, before I try and offload any.

My question would be not whether I can get cash with Debit Cards over there, but can I buy-in at the various venues using a Debit Card?

Fairly sure WSOP now accept Debit Cards, but struggling to find out if that's the case at Venetian, GN, Wynn, Orleans & South Point? It really would simplify matters if we could.

Seems you are right at the WSOP.  Both credit and debit cards


https://www.wsop.com/registration/#:~:text=Credit%20Card%20%E2%80%93%20Accepted%20card%20payment,at%20the%20WSOP%20Verification%20Area. (https://www.wsop.com/registration/#:~:text=Credit%20Card%20%E2%80%93%20Accepted%20card%20payment,at%20the%20WSOP%20Verification%20Area.)

Assume this doesn't get stopped by the rules on using credit cards for gambling in the UK, as it is a different jurisdiction.

Yeh I didn’t phrase that all too well ( I blame the hangover from our pool presentation night )
I meant the buying in via debit card at other casinos question, USA so far behind when comes to debit card.

I generally take under 10k too to start with, the border agent actually reminded me that I’m allowed to take more on my Xmas visit as I guess their system shows I’ve reported it before which I found amusing.   Very rare to get a kind polite and informative border agent normally .

The ATM thing isn’t a silly hassle as I just make my exercise that day to walk to M & Ms world where the top floor has a flat fee ( think it’s $3 ) for each withdrawal .  I’ve heard that sometimes there’s a cheap ATM in the grocery stores , walgreens , CVS ? But I’ve never actively searched for these or come across one yet .  Might have a Quick Look now and report if I find any info .

I believe the credit card is a don’t use it option as it charges it as a cash advance so you get charged loads by your credit card provider .  Might be wrong though , not looked for years at that option .  Yes debit at WSOP fine , can do all on bravo and avoid queues too , I’ve used it for 2-3years now . .

The price of poker is definitely going up :D

I've got an ITIN, so could just stay at the Nugget and play there when I do go back.

I'll only be doing 1-2 weeks going forward anyway, I get too tired for the longer trips, and can't work as easily away anymore.

MGM schedule is out (was on Facebook so I don’t have a link)
They have stepped up on the mix game stuff, especially big O and plo8
Plenty to choose from in the 250-600 range

It's on Twitter, & might be easier to read on there. Here's the link yo.


https://x.com/mgmgrandpoker/status/1914428652814787017?s=46&t=FICveHwr8Thtvdws6J54Ew

Very good timing on these.  Running practice games for mixed O8 and PLO8 before the WSOP games at a cheaper buy in.  Like this a lot. 

Have you looked into getting something like a card from Chase bank?
I have one for the states as it works as a debit card, at the mid market rate and doesn't charge fees as far as I now, when using it in the states

GN schedule is out....


https://x.com/GNLVpoker/status/1914826137756426638?s=19


Bit hard to read via Twitter, but the PDF will be published tomorrow.

Lovely low-stakes blend of Mixed Games.

Wow, it’s more appealing than last year to me for sure .  I like that some are 400 buy ins too when I factor in the extra effort and cost to get down there.  

What I will say is this “wait until other schedules are out to release ours is nonsense”   They clash with others holding the same game a few times , especially MGM ones.   I’ve got some fun choices on a few days , examples below :

Friday 6th June
Noon Wsop plo double board bomb pot 1500
Noon Nugget big O 400
1pm Wynn big O 1100
2pm MGM big O / PLO8 300


Tuesday 3rd June
10am Wsop plo deep stack 600
Noon Nugget big O / PLO8 400
2pm MGM PLO8 600
4pm Orleans PLO8 / BIG O / O8

I’ve not stepped foot in the nugget since a bad ruling on me some years ago, but it was never a matter of principle, I just found their rake too high along with the extra hassle of getting there.  I’d be surprised if I don’t make it there this trip.

Also, for the 22 full days I’m there now I can see 17 days where I will definitely play a tournament .  Very impressed with the amount of choice, hardly any plo in there too as there’s so much pot limit split games options to choose from .

Golden Nugget have changed a few of the Mixed Games dates & details in response to feedback. I've not looked at what's what yet, but worth checking.

The revised schedule is on Twitter, here...



https://x.com/GNLVpoker/status/1915527605908103328

Thanks, was just about to do a similar post.  Moved a few horsey and big O types about at the very least and fits a bit better.

Great, Kessler has had the Big O moved to before I have arrived. Back to the more expensive Big O at the Wynn then :/

To be fair, am still holding a grudge against the GN for the tax issues a few years ago, and their rake has been at the extreme end for a while.  Also, not a big fan of them offering seats as part of prize money on top of the high rake.

I don't like their cardroom staff, on the tourney side of things and hever have.

The guys & girls that run the cash room are great, but it's team shifty up at the top end in the summer.

I wouldn't play there if I didn't have an ITIN, as they're shithouses.

Probably already been discussed but some interesting points here.https://www.legaluspokersites.com/news/should-non-americans-be-wary-of-travelling-to-wsop-2025/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ9-W5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyU3Z5SWxYamJIazNqS3FPAR6PjH9XtH1geDNUzFDmkF15KoCsPKrNftV8Ng352BdVp0wAqr5tScGXlz8qiQ_aem_MdD-bnLEaikY7GKlqxZACw

Payment Methods for WSOP continued...

https://pokerfuse.com/news/live-and-online/222122-phones-electronic-devices-banned-during-WSOP-2025/ (https://pokerfuse.com/news/live-and-online/222122-phones-electronic-devices-banned-during-WSOP-2025/)

No electronics in later stages of tournament.

Does anyone know how this Luxon Pay works?  Do I only pay 2% total here including exchange fees or do I get mugged somewhere else?

Might well be worth it as then don't have to carry dollars and don't have to worry bringing big wins back.

Hi David,

I use Luxon Pay all the time at DTD, it's very useful & convenient.

However, it's not available in the USA, presumably for regulatory/compliance reasons or somesuch.

What does this mean then? It is in the link.

No fees will apply when purchasing tournament entries using ACH, PayPal, Luxon Pay, or Paris Tournament Accounts. (http://No fees will apply when purchasing tournament entries using ACH, PayPal, Luxon Pay, or Paris Tournament Accounts.)

Oh, it isn't available to people living in the USA but it says this on the Luxon pay site.

Yes, only to the bank account that accepts USD. Please make sure you have provided the US Correspondent Bank details on your withdrawal. Fees may be applicable, see fees.

Ah, it was my understanding that Luxon was not (yet?) Licensed for use in the USA. I might have gotten confused but I'm sure Nick Whiten told me that, as I asked him about funding it for use in Vegas.

No idea.  Will work it out before I go.

Strong rumour that there’s no 3% on C/C transactions this year at WSOP.  
Please be the case, currency card being so close to spot rate and no charge would save me $45 per $1500 buyin .  
Hell I might even take less cash out there this trip, as still had 1 lot to order to get to my usual amount .  Obviously need more cash for other casinos though and cash games .   Think I recall seeing card option somewhere else but no fee detail, maybe nugget ?

Animal, please consider the drinking updates at least please

Leaning towards twitter updates at the moment .  Final decision at weekend/early next week.  Will post a link in my thread if I bother .

This would be really useful. I have some cash coming, but not enough.  Could just do the rest on credit card.  I don't get currency loadings, but will pay 2% on cash withdrawals.  Probably worth it to save the hassle.  Don't know how likely you are to get knocked back by the credit card company paying $1,500 on card in the USA though.

They aren’t guarantee that the 3% won’t come back on as a charge at their end again sometime during the series.
I wouldn’t use it for a regular £ credit card unless desperate, as I understand yes it would be a cash advance and then you’d be hit by currency fees and I doubt that good an exchange rate either .

I used my currency card the last couple of years to buy in to some wsop events and just had a near spot rate with 3% fee, which didn’t work out too bad compared to taking physical cash bought at a worse rate .  So if the 3% stays off it’s a huge difference for me.   That’s said I’m reluctant to buy in now in advance as I should have 6k ish left in my wsop tournament account from last year to use first.

FWIW, I tried to buy-in to the $600 Big O at Venetian this morning with a Debit or Credit Card but they were not having it - "cash or casino chips Sir".

What is your Twitter handle please?

Really enjoy your updates too - I hope you run well so there are more of them

@animalpoker99

WSOP have now amended their Registration process to include this....


Methods of payment for online registration


Luxon Pay (Non-US Participants only)


First time Luxon Pay registration requires an in-person verification process. After registering, Participants must present a valid ID at the WSOP Verification area. The name on the ID must match the name on the tournament registration and the Luxon Pay account used to execute the Luxon Pay transaction. Please allow at least one hour prior to the WSOP Event start time for first-time Luxon Pay registrations. Once a Participant (i) has completed their initial online registration and paid via Luxon Pay transaction and (ii) has completed their initial in-person identification verification at the Champagne Ballroom in the Paris convention center area, the Participant may register for additional WSOP Events online using the PayPal transaction method. Once registered, a Participant may access their ticket in the WSOP+ application, or have their ticket printed at the Verification Desk or WSOP Main Cage.




Which is terrific, except that I don't have enough in my LuxonPay to cover all my 2025 WSOP entries, & when I tried to transfer cash into it the transaction was declined.

So I visited my Bank to enquire why, & the fella, who seemed somewhat vague & dibby, suggested with no great conviction that it was because it was deemed to be a gambling transaction.

Anyway, it may help some of you guys to buy-in easier.

Also, don't forget that to register for any WSOP event you MUST have..


a) A Caesars Reward Card

b) Have installed the WSOP+ app (whatever that is).




If planning to head across to Paris/Horseshoe this morning to see if I can get all this sorted. Not looking forward to that one bit.

Here's the Official "WSOP Registration" jobbie;




https://www.wsop.com/registration/

[[[Shudder]]]

I hate all that, "You MUST sign up to this and download that before we will allow you to pay us an exorbitant amount of rake"

Likewise Tom.

I'm just steeling myself to head across & start the process. I've already downloaded the WSOP+ App (which is really called WSOPPLUS App) & clicked loads of CONSENT & AGREE buttons, & in the process, I seem to have signed up to GG Poker.

Now I have to go across to Paris/Horseshoe get my Rewards Card issued or renewed, then I have to get verified, & we haven't even got to how to actually pay in.

I'm a very lucky boy indeed to be here living the dream, don't get me wrong, but this morning is going to be the nadar of the entire trip. 

Incidentally, I tried to renew my long-lost Caesars Reward Card this morning & it rejected me, saying my e-Mail address was already showing as registered. I so wanted to say "well great, let's use that then" but it's an Online form where there's no facility for such comments.


Anyway, Paris/Horseshoe here I come, with a bucket full of patience & a goof book, as there'll be queues galore.

I think you just reprint a card at a machine or rewards desk .  Plenty of people lose them so it makes sense it doesn’t let you sign up again.
Gonna try all my stuff later , will report back if I’m not too distracted and tired .

Tempted to play to 2pm mgm limit 08
Nugget has a big O 5pm I think but not heading there today

Customs queue right now

Quickest border guard ever, didn’t ask me where staying, how long , or how much $ I had on me !
From seatbelt sign off at gate to hotel was 65mins and I was sat about 1/4 the way into economy.

WSOP stuff bit more dodgy but I waited until line was only 4 long to verify around 8pm .  If I’d done it earlier it definitely was 30mins+ and heard some waited 2 hours this morning .

Rakes up on 1/2/5 big O to 10 every half hour

Same when I went to Florida earlier in teh year. Guy seemed disinterested, quick look at passport and sent on our way

Customs quick as was in premium.  Just finished my WSOP+ registration at 11pm.  Glad I did it then.  Went straight to a window, but she was obviously new, so it must have took 10 minutes including a 3k deposit. It must be horrid about midday, so glad I got it over with.

Might go nuts and get the monorail to MGM. Sure I can walk it, but never done it before and Horseshoe and MGM are both stops.  And realised today how horribly hot it is with a walk from Horseshoe to the CVS at the end of the drive. Went from perfectly fine to gasping for a drink in a few hundred yards.

Was gonna say I’d walk up with you but I guess you’re going up for the 2pm and I’ve got the noon restart there ( thin brag ) so too early for you. 
Catch you there though as I’ll be in the 2pm ( unless do a spin up in day 2 in same room )
Still never used the monorail, I enjoy that walk especially knowing I’m sat down the rest of the day .
Should be a fun couple of days, I love plo8/big O/Omaha8 rotation especially the WSOP one .

Went across to WSOP Registration at 7am sharp this morning to reg for tomorrow's $1,500 Omaha Mix. I was already verified for the WSOP+ App but still had to get my Debit Card verified.

All sorted, so I'm regged for tomorrow, & for future WSOP registrations, now my Devit Card is verified, I can do it from my room, so that's saved a lot of hassle.

You playing anything today David? I planned to play the $600 MGM Omaha Mix but I'm not feeling great so may just play the Orleans $240 Big O @ 6pm. If not, I'll see you tomorrow. 

Noon restart in what? Whatever it is, GL GL

Best game $600
Played big O Friday and got through but under 50% of average chips.
Day 1A was plo, day 1C was plo8.  Play a round of each today if I survive .
Should be 20 or less left all in the money, can’t find any restart details yet or prize pool but guessing about $15k up top. 

Am going over for the 2pm start

See you soon
Early double here .  240k , average 358k.  15 players left .  179 total entrants .  $24k up top

See you in a bit.  About to head off.

Just for info.  Pads is down to the last 4 of the heads up.  Depending how it goes, I might pop down to watch that later. 

Also.  Am at the Horseshoe.  Don't know if my room is unusual, but if it is perfectly fine.  Would stay here again on current experience.
 Obviously not the same as the Wynn, but got a view of the sphere, monorail and wheel too, so that is decent too. 

good luck doobs , animal , tikay and the others

would love to get out there one day , enjoy yourselves

consoling myself with lamb chops , mint sauce  and jersey royals with ton of butter

Thank you
I busted 20 mins ago
Had an interesting hand 2 hands earlier to have gone to 450k, but no joy . 13th of 178.
Haven’t seen doobs yet , about to start next one ….edit doobs in the room

Done my first 600.  Re-entered level 4

Unlucky David.

Hopefully Bullet # 2 goes better, but if you should meet with an unfortunism, there's a nice little $240 Big O at Orleans at 6pm with Late Reg up to 9.50pm.

Out again.  One of those days.  Going to rest up as the big one is tomorrow.  Used all my run bad already.

Bumped into Stuart downstairs, and Mike Matusow went past on a scooter moaning away.  Hard to believe, I know.  Will probably now find out he is chip leader.