Dan Druff Vegas Stories Thread

[NickyPipes]

Brother I was listening to your radio show on the jet home last night.

I heard on the program you used to live in Vegas and regularly attended “poker industry” parties

Brother would you mind sharing some stories? There must have been some wild moments during the “poker boom”.

What about living in Vegas? Did you have a nice spot? You were making all your money playing poker back then? I assume you had a big bankroll

[tigerpiper]

In before tomato on the side

[country978]

Brother I was listening to your radio show on the jet home last night.

I heard on the program you used to live in Vegas and regularly attended “poker industry” parties

Brother would you mind sharing some stories? There must have been some wild moments during the “poker boom”.

What about living in Vegas? Did you have a nice spot? You were making all your money playing poker back then? I assume you had a big bankroll

I know the answer to one of these questions: where he lived in vegas was like a super 8 with resident hookers. And, of course, there is a money saving story from his negotiation of the lease.

[Dan Druff]

Brother I was listening to your radio show on the jet home last night.

I heard on the program you used to live in Vegas and regularly attended “poker industry” parties

Brother would you mind sharing some stories? There must have been some wild moments during the “poker boom”.

What about living in Vegas? Did you have a nice spot? You were making all your money playing poker back then? I assume you had a big bankroll

I know the answer to one of these questions: where he lived in vegas was like a super 8 with resident hookers. And, of course, there is a money saving story from his negotiation of the lease.

Actually it wasn't like a Super 8, but there were a ton of "high end" hookers and strippers living there, especially in the first place.

I moved to Vegas in 2004. This was a fairly hasty decision, and I chose a complex which seemed nice, and was close to Bellagio, which was where I'd be doing most of my live play.

I showed up with no furniture, and bought a bed by pulling off the freeway in Vegas, grabbing a phone book (remember those?), driving to the nearest mattress store, and doing Jew-haggling with the guy there. One condition of the purchase was that they had to deliver it same-day, because I wasn't sleeping on the fucking ground. I'm not an animal.

Got some cheapo furniture shipped in a week or so later by a buddy who was moving from an apartment to a house and was going to dump it. Furniture was in good condition but kinda cheap. The whole point was to have stuff I could easily get rid of if I decided I hated Vegas. I left my better stuff in LA with a relative who needed it.

I quickly learned some things about the new place where I lived. First off, the area sucked. It was a nice, gated complex with a guard, and the building itself, while about 12 years old, was one of the nicer apartment complexes in the city. However, even though I was only about 3/4 mile east of Bellagio, the area was ghetto, especially at night.

Second, as country978 mentioned, it was full of strippers and hookers. I'm not talking about the nasty ones who would blow guys for $50 in order to feed their meth habit. I'm referring to the so-called higher end variety, who worked in the better strip clubs and/or charged $1000+ if you wanted to bang them. At first I was thining to myself, "Wow, tons of hot chicks in this building", but then I realized exactly why. They liked the building because it was gated/guarded, wasn't too expensive, and was 3/4 mile from center strip. I would sometimes look at the Craigslist hooker ads for lulz (seriously, I never actually got one), and it was amazing how often I'd see my parts of my complex in the background of the pics they'd post.

Unfortunately I don't have as many crazy Vegas stories as you might hope, because I was in two different long term relationships for almost all the time I was there, so I single for less than a year total. Also, as most of you know, I don't drink or do drugs, so I mostly stayed away from scenes where that was the main thing giong on.

I do have some lol stories about things I witnessed, but I'll have to try and figure out what I can and can't tell, because a lot of it involes people some of you know, or presently-known people in poker, and I don't want to blow up spots just for forum lulz.

I'll get back to you guys on this.

[country978]

Druff, the Vegas history segments of the show are great. And its been quite awhile now since you've done one. Didn't mean to downgrade you to super 8.

[BartHanson]

Actually it wasn't like a Super 8, but there were a ton of "high end" hookers and strippers living there, especially in the first place.

I moved to Vegas in 2004. This was a fairly hasty decision, and I chose a complex which seemed nice, and was close to Bellagio, which was where I'd be doing most of my live play.

I showed up with no furniture, and bought a bed by pulling off the freeway in Vegas, grabbing a phone book (remember those?), driving to the nearest mattress store, and doing Jew-haggling with the guy there. One condition of the purchase was that they had to deliver it same-day, because I wasn't sleeping on the fucking ground. I'm not an animal.

Got some cheapo furniture shipped in a week or so later by a buddy who was moving from an apartment to a house and was going to dump it. Furniture was in good condition but kinda cheap. The whole point was to have stuff I could easily get rid of if I decided I hated Vegas. I left my better stuff in LA with a relative who needed it.

I quickly learned some things about the new place where I lived. First off, the area sucked. It was a nice, gated complex with a guard, and the building itself, while about 12 years old, was one of the nicer apartment complexes in the city. However, even though I was only about 3/4 mile east of Bellagio, the area was ghetto, especially at night.

Second, as country978 mentioned, it was full of strippers and hookers. I'm not talking about the nasty ones who would blow guys for $50 in order to feed their meth habit. I'm referring to the so-called higher end variety, who worked in the better strip clubs and/or charged $1000+ if you wanted to bang them. At first I was thining to myself, "Wow, tons of hot chicks in this building", but then I realized exactly why. They liked the building because it was gated/guarded, wasn't too expensive, and was 3/4 mile from center strip. I would sometimes look at the Craigslist hooker ads for lulz (seriously, I never actually got one), and it was amazing how often I'd see my parts of my complex in the background of the pics they'd post.

Was this at the Meridian behind the Linq on Flamingo and Koval?

[DJ_Chaps]

Actually it wasn't like a Super 8, but there were a ton of "high end" hookers and strippers living there, especially in the first place.

I moved to Vegas in 2004. This was a fairly hasty decision, and I chose a complex which seemed nice, and was close to Bellagio, which was where I'd be doing most of my live play.

I showed up with no furniture, and bought a bed by pulling off the freeway in Vegas, grabbing a phone book (remember those?), driving to the nearest mattress store, and doing Jew-haggling with the guy there. One condition of the purchase was that they had to deliver it same-day, because I wasn't sleeping on the fucking ground. I'm not an animal.

Got some cheapo furniture shipped in a week or so later by a buddy who was moving from an apartment to a house and was going to dump it. Furniture was in good condition but kinda cheap. The whole point was to have stuff I could easily get rid of if I decided I hated Vegas. I left my better stuff in LA with a relative who needed it.

I quickly learned some things about the new place where I lived. First off, the area sucked. It was a nice, gated complex with a guard, and the building itself, while about 12 years old, was one of the nicer apartment complexes in the city. However, even though I was only about 3/4 mile east of Bellagio, the area was ghetto, especially at night.

Second, as country978 mentioned, it was full of strippers and hookers. I'm not talking about the nasty ones who would blow guys for $50 in order to feed their meth habit. I'm referring to the so-called higher end variety, who worked in the better strip clubs and/or charged $1000+ if you wanted to bang them. At first I was thining to myself, "Wow, tons of hot chicks in this building", but then I realized exactly why. They liked the building because it was gated/guarded, wasn't too expensive, and was 3/4 mile from center strip. I would sometimes look at the Craigslist hooker ads for lulz (seriously, I never actually got one), and it was amazing how often I'd see my parts of my complex in the background of the pics they'd post.

Was this at the Meridian behind the Linq on Flamingo and Koval?

BART THE GOD HAD A FEW IN-CALLS IN HIS DAY SFO

[FRANKRIZZO]

My fav druff story is where he went for 50 dollars to the end of the earth for tow away monnies. I would have eaten that 50. I realize nothing to do with vegas just a great story

[Dan Druff]

My fav druff story is where he went for 50 dollars to the end of the earth for tow away monnies. I would have eaten that 50. I realize nothing to do with vegas just a great story

Actually that occurred in Vegas, but it was in 2000 so I didn't live there yet.

[dwai]

DAN DRUFF IS GOD

[NickyPipes]

You were living there to grind poker full time right? What was your mix of live and online poker?

What was your daily schedule like during that time period? When I was trying to “grind” live poker my schedule was backwards. A lot of days I’d wake up in the afternoon, get a sandwich and a coffee then work out shower up and go play poker all night. Many nights I’d stay until 9am. Usually would get to casino sometime between 5-9pm

Did these women you dated live with you?

Were you making good money playing poker back then? Big numbers like $500k year? Or more on the smaller end? When I was playing cash right out of college I would aim to make $300 a day playing 2/5. I am sure you were playing higher stakes

The story you posted was very interesting, that’s why I asked all these follow up questions so you can keep going.

I am sure you look back at the adventure of moving into that apartment very fondly. I was the same way when I was younger, just getting in my car or on a plane and moving somewhere. Grab a mattress from a local store and maybe a few plastics crates at Walmart for clothes you’re good to go at 22. I got my couch for my first apartment at goodwill for $20. I brought a big booty blonde to buy it with me lol, she thought I was nuts but didn’t seem to mind.

Would you consider that era the “peak of your life”?

[NickyPipes]

Actually it wasn't like a Super 8, but there were a ton of "high end" hookers and strippers living there, especially in the first place.

I moved to Vegas in 2004. This was a fairly hasty decision, and I chose a complex which seemed nice, and was close to Bellagio, which was where I'd be doing most of my live play.

I showed up with no furniture, and bought a bed by pulling off the freeway in Vegas, grabbing a phone book (remember those?), driving to the nearest mattress store, and doing Jew-haggling with the guy there. One condition of the purchase was that they had to deliver it same-day, because I wasn't sleeping on the fucking ground. I'm not an animal.

Got some cheapo furniture shipped in a week or so later by a buddy who was moving from an apartment to a house and was going to dump it. Furniture was in good condition but kinda cheap. The whole point was to have stuff I could easily get rid of if I decided I hated Vegas. I left my better stuff in LA with a relative who needed it.

I quickly learned some things about the new place where I lived. First off, the area sucked. It was a nice, gated complex with a guard, and the building itself, while about 12 years old, was one of the nicer apartment complexes in the city. However, even though I was only about 3/4 mile east of Bellagio, the area was ghetto, especially at night.

Second, as country978 mentioned, it was full of strippers and hookers. I'm not talking about the nasty ones who would blow guys for $50 in order to feed their meth habit. I'm referring to the so-called higher end variety, who worked in the better strip clubs and/or charged $1000+ if you wanted to bang them. At first I was thining to myself, "Wow, tons of hot chicks in this building", but then I realized exactly why. They liked the building because it was gated/guarded, wasn't too expensive, and was 3/4 mile from center strip. I would sometimes look at the Craigslist hooker ads for lulz (seriously, I never actually got one), and it was amazing how often I'd see my parts of my complex in the background of the pics they'd post.

Was this at the Meridian behind the Linq on Flamingo and Koval?

Bart what about you? You live in LA or Vegas right? Did you move to whichever location you live at to play poker?

[dwai]

Was this at the Meridian behind the Linq on Flamingo and Koval?

Bart what about you? You live in LA or Vegas right? Did you move to whichever location you live at to play poker?

Bart moved to Texas like any other smart lib who ruined his state(California) by voting blue and will ruin Texas by voting blue

[Dan Druff]

You were living there to grind poker full time right? What was your mix of live and online poker?

What was your daily schedule like during that time period? When I was trying to “grind” live poker my schedule was backwards. A lot of days I’d wake up in the afternoon, get a sandwich and a coffee then work out shower up and go play poker all night. Many nights I’d stay until 9am. Usually would get to casino sometime between 5-9pm

Did these women you dated live with you?

Were you making good money playing poker back then? Big numbers like $500k year? Or more on the smaller end? When I was playing cash right out of college I would aim to make $300 a day playing 2/5. I am sure you were playing higher stakes

The story you posted was very interesting, that’s why I asked all these follow up questions so you can keep going.

I am sure you look back at the adventure of moving into that apartment very fondly. I was the same way when I was younger, just getting in my car or on a plane and moving somewhere. Grab a mattress from a local store and maybe a few plastics crates at Walmart for clothes you’re good to go at 22. I got my couch for my first apartment at goodwill for $20. I brought a big booty blonde to buy it with me lol, she thought I was nuts but didn’t seem to mind.

Would you consider that era the “peak of your life”?

There was no peak of my life. Every era of my life had some good things I miss and some bad things I am glad are in the past.

Yes, I was making very good money playing poker back then. One of my regrets was actually that I didn't exploit the poker boom more. I should have played more tournaments and learned to get better at them at the time (they were very soft), and I should have exploited my WSOP bracelet and notoriety on Pokerstars into making some kind of training material. I also should haee run an affiliate program, as that was like printing money back then.

Yes, I played a combination of online and live.

Neither girlfriend lived with me there full time. Most of the time in that period it was the first of the two girlfriends, and she did spend long periods of time in Vegas, but also had a place in LA she kept. That's actually how I got to know that whole crowd involving Joy Miller (RIP). My girlfriend had befriended them while spending a lot of time in Vegas with me, but I never felt like I clicked with those people, so I mostly stuck to my own friends and also spent a ton of time grinding poker.

I will say that Vegas is a great place to live if you like younger women, and if you're not young yourself. It's pretty much embedded in the culture there that big age difference relationships are okay (at least in the female-male direction). Way different than a place like LA where most chicks in their early 20s find guys over 35 to be gross. It's not even a gold digger thing (though it's sometimes that, too). A lot of the women there simply prefer (or at least are open to dating) older guys. However, this won't happen for you if you're just visiting. Local chicks hate tourists. Many guys have the fantasy that they're going to visit Vegas and pick up a local chick to bang for the weekend. Rarely happens. If you're a tourist who hooks up on a Vegas trip, it's usually with another tourist.

Well, at least for straight people. I can't comment on the gay scene. Maybe OSA can help with that one.

[Sloppy Joe]

Brother I was listening to your radio show on the jet home last night.

I heard on the program you used to live in Vegas and regularly attended “poker industry” parties

Brother would you mind sharing some stories? There must have been some wild moments during the “poker boom”.

What about living in Vegas? Did you have a nice spot? You were making all your money playing poker back then? I assume you had a big bankroll

I think he was in LA brother but did you see the video when he ate like 4 plates of food simultaneously?

Brother Druff owned heads while putting away more than double of what I would eat at Thanksgiving. Unsure how one can focus on poker after ingesting 4,000+ calories.

[NickyPipes]

Brother you ever heard of capitalizing on momentum?

You run a gossip forum and still “thinking” about what stories you can post?

Crowd fell asleep brother, another missed opportunity for Druff (not surprised!)

Micon would have had a few hits posted by now with a video full of laughs. Not everyone is born with “it” so don’t feel too bad

[Texter]

Bart what about you? You live in LA or Vegas right? Did you move to whichever location you live at to play poker?

Bart moved to Texas like any other smart lib who ruined his state(California) by voting blue and will ruin Texas by voting blue

Joe Rogans vote will offset Bart.

[Pokehermaniac]

Actually it wasn't like a Super 8, but there were a ton of "high end" hookers and strippers living there, especially in the first place.

I moved to Vegas in 2004. This was a fairly hasty decision, and I chose a complex which seemed nice, and was close to Bellagio, which was where I'd be doing most of my live play.

I showed up with no furniture, and bought a bed by pulling off the freeway in Vegas, grabbing a phone book (remember those?), driving to the nearest mattress store, and doing Jew-haggling with the guy there. One condition of the purchase was that they had to deliver it same-day, because I wasn't sleeping on the fucking ground. I'm not an animal.

Got some cheapo furniture shipped in a week or so later by a buddy who was moving from an apartment to a house and was going to dump it. Furniture was in good condition but kinda cheap. The whole point was to have stuff I could easily get rid of if I decided I hated Vegas. I left my better stuff in LA with a relative who needed it.

I quickly learned some things about the new place where I lived. First off, the area sucked. It was a nice, gated complex with a guard, and the building itself, while about 12 years old, was one of the nicer apartment complexes in the city. However, even though I was only about 3/4 mile east of Bellagio, the area was ghetto, especially at night.

Second, as country978 mentioned, it was full of strippers and hookers. I'm not talking about the nasty ones who would blow guys for $50 in order to feed their meth habit. I'm referring to the so-called higher end variety, who worked in the better strip clubs and/or charged $1000+ if you wanted to bang them. At first I was thining to myself, "Wow, tons of hot chicks in this building", but then I realized exactly why. They liked the building because it was gated/guarded, wasn't too expensive, and was 3/4 mile from center strip. I would sometimes look at the Craigslist hooker ads for lulz (seriously, I never actually got one), and it was amazing how often I'd see my parts of my complex in the background of the pics they'd post.

Was this at the Meridian behind the Linq on Flamingo and Koval?

Druff said he was renting an apartment, the Meridian is a condo complex, I lived there for 8 months during 2020. A ton of poker players rented there during WSOP and were gone by the end of the event..but yes, it was full of high end hookers who lived there year round.
We know a guy who owns a high-end resale shop off Sahara near the Golden Steer, the hookers aka escorts wouldn’t exchange money but wold go to high-end stores; ie Gucci, Chanel, Prada and get their “dates” to buy them high end “gifts”. After the “date” they would head to the resale shop and walk out with cash. This is how the transactions were legitimized and lucky for me, I have found great deals on basically new high end merchandise. As a resident..these are the type of things you hear about..an ah-ha moment in this case. I’m going on three years living here..and the stories I hear still amaze me🤔

[limitles]

Was this at the Meridian behind the Linq on Flamingo and Koval?

Druff said he was renting an apartment, the Meridian is a condo complex, I lived there for 8 months during 2020. A ton of poker players rented there during WSOP and were gone by the end of the event..but yes, it was full of high end hookers who lived there year round.
We know a guy who owns a high-end resale shop off Sahara near the Golden Steer, the hookers aka escorts wouldn’t exchange money but wold go to high-end stores; ie Gucci, Chanel, Prada and get their “dates” to buy them high end “gifts”. After the “date” they would head to the resale shop and walk out with cash. This is how the transactions were legitimized and lucky for me, I have found great deals on basically new high end merchandise. As a resident..these are the type of things you hear about..an ah-ha moment in this case. I’m going on three years living here..and the stories I hear still amaze me🤔

oh boy, immediately in the running for longest running thread

[Dan Druff]

Was this at the Meridian behind the Linq on Flamingo and Koval?

Druff said he was renting an apartment, the Meridian is a condo complex, I lived there for 8 months during 2020. A ton of poker players rented there during WSOP and were gone by the end of the event..but yes, it was full of high end hookers who lived there year round.
We know a guy who owns a high-end resale shop off Sahara near the Golden Steer, the hookers aka escorts wouldn’t exchange money but wold go to high-end stores; ie Gucci, Chanel, Prada and get their “dates” to buy them high end “gifts”. After the “date” they would head to the resale shop and walk out with cash. This is how the transactions were legitimized and lucky for me, I have found great deals on basically new high end merchandise. As a resident..these are the type of things you hear about..an ah-ha moment in this case. I’m going on three years living here..and the stories I hear still amaze me🤔

Close.

The Meridian IS a condo complex.

Up until mid-2007, it WAS an apartment complex.

Yes, it was the Meridian.

One of the guys at my Main Event table today (a young Asian guy) lives there right now, and we talked about it. He said the place has gotten run down and has maintenance problems, which isn't surprising, given the complex's age (29) and history.

Later on I'll post the sad story of the Meridian in the late 2000s.