WSOP Circuit Commerce

[spennywins]

Hi Todd,

I'm playing the wsop toc in LA in a few weeks. Do you have any general tips of the Jewish variety for LA/Commerce this time of year. I'm staying at the casino.

There are two of us flying in so we will probably just uber from the airport but I would welcome any advice/best practices. Thanks.

[Dan Druff]

Here are my Jew tips regarding staying at Commerce:

1) If you don't have a poker rate for the room, ask if one exists. I'm not sure if it applies to tournament players, but I think it does. There is also a trick to book the Commerce hotel via Hotwire, because it's the only property in the area with a casino. That can also save you money, though you have to prepay.

2) The food situation at Commerce, which was once great (free food for all middle and high stakes players, cheap food for everyone else, huge menu) has become shit. The menu is small, and the food is expensive. You might want to consider eating elsewhere if you can.


Regarding the tourney itself, expect a tougher field than at usual circuit events. That's because LA has a lot of very good poker players, and the WSOP ring factor brings them out. It also brings out "ring circuit" players who travel around to play these events. I'm not saying it will be all crushers, because you'll get a lot of rec players taking shots, but just be aware that this will be no cakewalk. With that said, it should be a weaker field than the typical WSOP event in the summer.

gl

[spennywins]

Here are my Jew tips regarding staying at Commerce:

1) If you don't have a poker rate for the room, ask if one exists. I'm not sure if it applies to tournament players, but I think it does. There is also a trick to book the Commerce hotel via Hotwire, because it's the only property in the area with a casino. That can also save you money, though you have to prepay.

2) The food situation at Commerce, which was once great (free food for all middle and high stakes players, cheap food for everyone else, huge menu) has become shit. The menu is small, and the food is expensive. You might want to consider eating elsewhere if you can.


Regarding the tourney itself, expect a tougher field than at usual circuit events. That's because LA has a lot of very good poker players, and the WSOP ring factor brings them out. It also brings out "ring circuit" players who travel around to play these events. I'm not saying it will be all crushers, because you'll get a lot of rec players taking shots, but just be aware that this will be no cakewalk. With that said, it should be a weaker field than the typical WSOP event in the summer.

gl

Thanks for the tips. I did end up getting a good rate for the commerce which included breakfast and waived the resort fee so that was nice.

I will actually only be playing the Tournament of Champions for the freeroll and maybe some cash games. Quick question about cashouts, is there a threshold for cashouts where they make you fill out a tax form? I'm from Canada so withholding tax is a pain in the ass. Thanks Todd

[Dan Druff]

At Commerce, I believe they ask for ID or a players card when you buy in or cash out $2000 or more, but they don't report it anywhere. Not 100% sure on the $2000 number but that's what I've noticed.

If your buyins or cashouts equal $10k or more in a given day, they will make you fill out a CTR form. Otherwise they won't bother you or report anything anywhere.

Tournaments are a different story. I'm not sure of their policy on that.