I'm hoping this forum is anonymous enough that people will feel comfortable giving me some tips on this. I've been to Vegas 15-20 times in the past decade as a 1-3NLH poker player. I'll be going to Vegas for the first time shortly as a card counter. Card counting requires a much bigger trip bankroll. How does one safely do this? ATMs really aren't an option because they have daily withdrawal limits. ( I'm flying there as a solo traveler with one carry-on bag.)
You assume something questionable. Does card counting require a much bigger trip bankroll than poker? Need more work on this part.
Furthermore, AFAIK, card counting is not a solo thing.
OP -What specifically concerns you? Getting though TSA? How much of your Bankroll to always carry and how much to store in a safe? When to cash in chips?
Try not to expose your roll of cash in public. If you need to pull out some cash for a table buy-in or consolidate your cash, do it in a restroom in a stall.
To avoid TSA, open a bank account where you reside with a bank that has branches in Las Vegas. Examples being Bank America, Wells Fargo, etc.
What is the specific issue? If you are not crossing international borders, you do not have to declare cash. TSA doesn't care about cash. What is it that you're concerned about?
Many questions but no engagement. This forum has been like this for a long time.
I've heard Richard Munchkin and Bob Nersessian go in detail about this subject. Do a little listening to gambling with an edge and commonly this theme gets brought up. I've heard them mention a few banks historically that you shouldnt use for cash deposits related to gaming. Do a litle digging. I've listened to every episode at this point. Particularly one thing stands out from one of those episodes: If you carry the cash in your carry-on bag, do not double seal it-- theres some legal red tape there for whatever reason. It should be sealed just once in preferably a ziplok baggy. Otherwise it can constitute suspicion by letter of the law. This is the method described by bob nersessian and is completely legal (as he is a lawyer who speciallizes in gaming law). This applies to United States law. Internationally widely varies on its approach.
You mentioned two names above but I only heard of one of them. Do they know Blackjack better than Don does? Ultimately, I find you really well read!
You mentioned two names above but I only heard of one of them. Do they know Blackjack better than Don does? Ultimately, I find you really well read!
Why don't you Google their names and read about them? Bob Nersesian is the foremost gaming attorney in the country (along with Bob Loeb). He's the person people call when they get in trouble in a casino. Lives in Las Vegas, of course. I assume Munchkin (a pseudonym) is the one you may know, from Gambling With an Edge and Blackjack Ball and Hall of Fame involvement.
Whether they know blackjack better than I do is for others to decide. But, I'll happily provide you with a hint: no. 😊
Don
Down your pants! I use this item. It can hold $50K, if you don't mind walking around looking like you have a hard-on.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NS29NHH
Another advantage of this method is if someone were to try to rob me, they would have to put their hands down and their head in a position where they cannot protect it, and they will not like what's next.
OP -What specifically concerns you? Getting though TSA? How much of your Bankroll to always carry and how much to store in a safe? When to cash in chips?
Try not to expose your roll of cash in public. If you need to pull out some cash for a table buy-in or consolidate your cash, do it in a restroom in a stall.
Sorry, I should have responded earlier. My two main concerns are at the airport. Every now and again, TSA will open your carry-on and do a little nosing around. The other potential issue is that the airline might require me to check the bag at the gate if there's not going to be enough room in the overhead bins.
I put cash and chips in my rollaboard or personal item e.g. , backpack, briefcase, purse, when going through TSA. They have opened and examined my bags several times. I keep the cash in a travel wallet and chips in a baggie. They don’t seem to care. Once I was asked if I was a poker player,
Once you go through TSA, go into a restroom stall and transfer the travel wallet back onto your person under your clothes, or into your personal item That way if you have to check your rollaboard, at the gate, you have your cash and chips with you .
If you are going to play rated at a particular casino, I would suggest a front money account. I used this method recently. It was a solo international trip and I just wasn’t comfortable carrying a large amount of cash. I used a front money account and used it as my personal bank while traveling and then wired the money back to my US account. I don’t recommend doing this often as banks may flag this activity has high risk, but in this case it was worth it. However, if you will be playing unrated the whole time, the above advice is excellent.
