Sitdown with The Journeyman , would like to welcome poster 'Illini' in for a Q&A

Journeyman · Nov 29, 2005

Illini has decided to take his best shot at Las Vegas !

Feel free to ask him any questions, he will eventually get to them, I would imagine his computer time is limited being on the road.

Illini its good to see you sir. :103631605

I recall a while back you had been pondering a move out to Vegas and I thought you had decided against it, what made you change your mind?

Brock Landers · Nov 29, 2005

I was wondering, what roll did you take with you out there, i mean you must have at least a minimum amount of cash, not credit, just to get by. how has that worked out for you and are you setting daily goals to get to?

Illini · Nov 29, 2005

When I came out here in April, I was really unhappy in my job at the time. I was definitely looking to leave, and had just gotten vested in the retirement plan. But I didn't want to just leave, I wanted to have something in place. I came out here, got lonely, got sick, and finished the trip sitting in my bed for three days. And I had a job to go back to, so it was easy to maintain the status quo and head to my job everyday. I then found what I thought was the perfect job in sales. I left and took that job, but the company trained me to do things that were unethical and taking advantage of senior citizens. I could have turned a blind eye and made great money, but my conscience would not let me do that. So I quit and then interviewed for other jobs that I ended up not getting. I had waited 6 weeks for a job I really wanted and expected to get. After I didn't get it, I was angry and figured I had nothing to lose by heading out here.

Journeyman · Nov 29, 2005

Illini said:
After I didn't get it, I was angry and figured I had nothing to lose by heading out here.

Have you definitely made up your mind to stay this time?

How many posters have you met up with, since you've been out there this time?

Brock Landers · Nov 29, 2005

Sort of like Nick Cage in Leaving Las Vegas..

"We're gunna have to let you go"

"I'm sorry"

"Well Ben, what are you gunna do now?"

"I thought....i thought i'd move out to Las vegas"

oldmanTED · Nov 29, 2005

Illini:

Do you currently envision becoming a long time resident of the Las Vegas area or are you still searching for what you want to do long term?

Illini · Nov 29, 2005

Brock Landers said:
I was wondering, what roll did you take with you out there, i mean you must have at least a minimum amount of cash, not credit, just to get by. how has that worked out for you and are you setting daily goals to get to?

I don't have much "current money." All of my assets are in 401K's and Roth IRA's, and I refuse to touch that money. I came out with about $4,000 in the bank. I try to set daily goals of making $100 a day, but it's tough to set daily goals, because of the variance in returns. I try to make $700 a week though. But I had a terrible weekend, and dropped $500, when everything that could go wrong did. I took yesterday off, and I'll probably take today off and search for permanent housing. I'll be back at it on Wed. I never go on tilt, and you can't force things to happen. It's a grind, mentally.

Journeyman · Nov 29, 2005

You seem to have the right mentality, have you had any desire to take a big shot, what has been the most difficult part of being out there so far this time, besides a losing day and missing home?

Are you eating well?

RobFunk · Nov 29, 2005

Illini is eating well! Trust me on this one. Very healthy looking guy.

If anyone goes to the next bash and he happens to be there, make sure you shake this man's hand and say hi. Very nice guy to talk to.

Wears his orange Illini colors with pride too. Very loser like of him :finger: (j/k man)

Illini · Nov 29, 2005

Journeyman said:
Have you definitely made up your mind to stay this time?

How many posters have you met up with, since you've been out there this time?

I'm just living day by day, and at this time, I plan to go to dealer school. I want to deal craps, because I love the game and can't afford to play it. But poker dealers make much more money starting out, so I'll probably do that. There are so many injustices in poker, where the huge favorite goes down. I love to play, and I am winning, but I don't know if I want to play 70 hours a week and not get a job. Working and playing would be a good mix. I miss home, but I'm making the best of it. I may stay 4-5 years, or I may deal craps and retire as a craps dealer. Just don't know what the future holds. I've met up with Kermit and JeffKSU, and I'm meeting up with Wild Bill this weekend. Green Doberman is a friend I've talked to on the phone, but haven't been able to meet up with him yet. Everybody has been great with helping me in the transition, and I'm thankful to know such quality people on here. World Number One vacationed out here, and I met up with him and his buddies for dinner and poker. And Bigbet is coming in a few weeks, so that will be a lot of fun.

Brock Landers · Nov 29, 2005

Are you betting on sports at all while out there? How about Illinois tonight in the big rematch with UNC?

Journeyman · Nov 29, 2005

I think its great so many posters have already met up with you out there, did you meet Kiss1 as well?

Does it ever get boring out there?

What other things are you doing, besides gambling to keep you occupied, getting any exercise in?

Journeyman · Nov 29, 2005

Brock Landers said:
Are you betting on sports at all while out there? How about Illinois tonight in the big rematch with UNC?

It was about this time last year you guys pounded :toast: Illinios over Wake Forest.

Brock Landers · Nov 29, 2005

Journeyman said:
It was about this time last year you guys pounded :toast: Illinios over Wake Forest.

Damn right it was, my biggest single score ever, that was a game to have been at like i was, nothing will top it. Game was over before it began.

Dante · Nov 29, 2005

What are you paying for Rent either at the hotel or Apt at this current time?

Illini · Nov 29, 2005

oldmanTED said:
Illini:

Do you currently envision becoming a long time resident of the Las Vegas area or are you still searching for what you want to do long term?

I don't know for sure. Life is a journey, and you never know what will happen. I'm just trying to be content right now with where I am at, and see what happens. My father has a love for investments that he has been trying to pass onto me. If I make enough money to build up a big bankroll, I may head back to Illinois, work a modest job, and really pour myself into investments and make that a career. Or I may be a craps dealer and do that for the rest of my life here in Vegas. To be honest, I'm really on a spiritual journey as well. I definitely believe in God, and lean towards Christianity, but I have so many unanswered questions. But I believe that this world cannot ultimately satisfy a person no matter how much success, money, or friends that they have. And this life ends for all of us, no matter who you are. The U2 song is my life motto, because I still haven't found what I'm looking for. I've read a lot on Bono, and I'm in probably the same place as he is spiritually. I believe in heaven, and I surely want to go there. The answer may or may not be Christ, but I know that God knows my heart, and that I am searching for the truth.
I'm an open book, so feel free to criticize my thoughts, but this is the place that I am at.

Insiders · Nov 29, 2005

Okay am i missing something here? What are you playing if not sports?

Kornholio · Nov 29, 2005

Have you considered scalping and middling as opposed to Poker? Surely that grind would be easier.

Illini · Nov 29, 2005

Journeyman said:
You seem to have the right mentality, have you had any desire to take a big shot, what has been the most difficult part of being out there so far this time, besides a losing day and missing home?

Are you eating well?

Take a big shot? You mean like the WSOP? No way. I am not that good of a player, and really have no feel whatsoever for the NL game. I simply do what David Sklansky taught me in his limit books, and I'm playing against brain dead tourists. I really haven't made a good effort at being healthy yet. No excuse for it, but I'm weak.

oldmanTED · Nov 29, 2005

Illini said:
I don't know for sure. Life is a journey, and you never know what will happen. I'm just trying to be content right now with where I am at, and see what happens. My father has a love for investments that he has been trying to pass onto me. If I make enough money to build up a big bankroll, I may head back to Illinois, work a modest job, and really pour myself into investments and make that a career. Or I may be a craps dealer and do that for the rest of my life here in Vegas. To be honest, I'm really on a spiritual journey as well. I definitely believe in God, and lean towards Christianity, but I have so many unanswered questions. But I believe that this world cannot ultimately satisfy a person no matter how much success, money, or friends that they have. And this life ends for all of us, no matter who you are. The U2 song is my life motto, because I still haven't found what I'm looking for. I've read a lot on Bono, and I'm in probably the same place as he is spiritually. I believe in heaven, and I surely want to go there. The answer may or may not be Christ, but I know that God knows my heart, and that I am searching for the truth.
I'm an open book, so feel free to criticize my thoughts, but this is the place that I am at.

No criticism here. You are a very thoughtful young man and that will serve you well. BTW, I play that song by U2 many times everyday as it grants me peace. Imagine that as we are at least a generation apart. Trust your instincts and listen and follow your inner self and you will find your path will take you in many directions. Always wishing well.