Atlantic City I: Before the Flop

The Bellagio in Las Vegas is considered by some to be the Mecca of poker. I haven’t played there just yet, but one day I will. Anyway, since I’m out here on the East Coast, I thought it would be awesome if I could somehow make my way to the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, which I consider to be the Jerusalem. Ever since seeing that memorable scene from Rounders, I’ve wondered just what it’s like playing at those legendary tables. Many professionals once called the Taj home. Phil Ivey got his start there. As my trip to the East Coast approached, I fell more and more in love with the idea of a pilgrimage to the Taj. I could already imagine the stacks and towers of checks I would barely be able to see over, and check-raising stupid tourists and taking huge pots off ‘em.

By the time I got on the plane leaving Los Angeles, I was (pot) committed.

It hasn’t been an easy feat getting there. Ever seen the movie Planes, Trains & Automobiles? Well that’s what today has been for me. I headed out at 7am on a three-hour drive from Charleston, SC to Charlotte NC. From there, it was a two-hour flight to Newark, NJ. Now I’m on the train to Atlantic City, and I have to say, this is the most comfortable I’ve been on this trip to date. If I weren’t blogging, I could probably catch a little nap now, letting the gentle rocking motion of the train lull me to sleep. I could probably use the sleep, given the marathon session I have planned.

I originally wanted to visit NYC for New Year’s Eve. And I’m still going to do that. But today is Wednesday, and I don’t have a hotel booked until Friday night. I have a short bankroll (about $360) that has to last me until Friday morning. If I lose my stake, I’ll be stuck in the cold in Atlantic City until Friday. I haven’t yet booked a hotel in Jersey, so that would really, really, really, really suck. If I do well, then I’ll have some extra spending money for the weekend and a barrel-full of stories for my friends and the blog. It’s a gamble. Go big or go homeless.

I couldn’t be more thrilled.

I’m not interested in any of Atlantic City’s attractions other than the cardrooms. I’m there to play poker and for no other reason. If I don’t go bust in the first few hours, then this session could be as long as 36 hours. I’ve read about players doing that kind of thing. But the closest I’ve ever come was 8 solid hours at the Commerce. Of course, I will take breaks. But still, by the end I should be able to write a book about all the people I meet and hands I see. Even better, I’ll get a flavor of what it’s like to be a local rounder in a tourism casino town.

So I’m on the train, about two hours away from the one of the most storied cardrooms in the world. I'm tingling with anticipation ...