Living in Cambodia and turning Pro
This is my story and if anyone wants advice on joining me then let me know.
I’m originally from the UK, London and have been playing poker for around 6 years to varying success but as it was to secondary work never really committed. Then the economic down turn happened I sold business (a night club) and I thought I’d take a couple of years out in a cheap foreign country.
I live on the Cambodian coast in a place called Sihanoukville, about four hours drive from the capital Phnom Peng. It’s a beautiful little spot with 5 beaches and with the Thai border 4 hours drive to the west and Vietnam about 5 hours to the east. It has a vibrant night life, with a number of clubs, beach bars and western and local restaurants (and 3 casinos). The sex trade is a lot less prevalent than Thailand and the place has a mixture of backpackers passing through, holiday makers from Phnom Peng and a large friendly expat community.
So why Cambodia.
• It’s cheap (half the price of Thailand), I stay in a 2 bedroom western style apartment, all mod cons, 24 hour security sea views $340 a month. A one bedroom bedsit in the same building is $120 a month. A meal out varies from $3.50 – about $7 for top end, beer is 50c-$1 a glass.
• Language isn’t a problem most Cambodians in the major cities speak English.
• Visas, unlike Thailand you can extend your visa indefinitely without leaving the country $250 a year.
• Internet, now is fine, i have ½ a mega bite which is $60 a month and a 3g card for back up should either the internet go down while playing or a power occurs. Power cuts do happen infrequently but all that’s needed is a back up battery or a laptop.
• It’s safe, like any major city anywhere in the world there is crime, just don’t wonder down dark streets at 4am you wouldn’t in New York!
• The people are lovely, not yet obliterated by western values or capitalism.
• The expat community is varied and very friendly to new comers.
• The currency is the Riel but the dollar is more widely used
• No tax
• Live poker is available in casinos and a few low homegames
• The weather is hot from October to June, June to September is the wet season which while still hot it rains to varying degrees.
I think Pro maybe a little strong, I play 3 hours a day mainly in the morning (+7 GMT) and last month 90 hours made me $900, mainly I play SnG. $900 is hefty amount here, waitress earn around $100 a month and western bar managers around $400 a month. In the UK i would have to earn $3000 a month and have a fraction of the life style. I normally finish with poker by 10am and this leaves me the rest of the day to visit the beach, take a boat ride to Island, ride my bike, watch movies, study poker, or just visit friends for a beer.
I have yet to find anyone else out here who is supporting their lifestyle from internet and poker and would either like to find someone who is or encourage someone to come and join and me. I’d be happy to help anyone thinking of making the move and it would be great to have someone to speak poker with, especially if they were at a more advanced level than me
It could be ideal for someone who can make $1-2000 a month but not enough for Pro and a decent western lifestyle, or someone who has to grind silly hours to make a western style wage.
So ask me anything about me, my poker or living in Cambodia
Iao
Will there be any 5-card PLO cash games during the WPT at NagaWorld or will it pretty much only be 4-card PLO?
I see there are two 5-card PLO events on the schedule so I would hope at least those days will also have some 5-card PLO cash.
I'm thinking about heading over to PP from BKK for a week or 2, but it kinda hinges on how much 5-card I'd be able to play.
The last few series had some 5/5 5 card and the WPT is looking to be bigger than the last.
You can always check the action yourself on Pokeratlas.
Can anyone tell me if there is smoking alowed in the tournaments? I am thinking of coming for the WPT at Nagaworld
Thanks bro!
There are 2 PLO5 tournaments scheduled and I'm planning to play both. I'm pretty rusty these days in PLO4, but I guess if I get hot in cash games or bink a decent score in a PLO5 tourney then maybe I'll take a few chances in PLO4 tournies as well.
For your calendar
Hi everyone,
I will be in Sihanoukville soon to play live cash but I read about collusion on this forum so I'm a bit worried.
Any advice on where to go to avoid that?
Thanks a lot !
Hi everyone,
I will be in Sihanoukville soon to play live cash but I read about collusion on this forum so I'm a bit worried.
Any advice on where to go to avoid that?
Thanks a lot !
Last couple times I played DV the games were good enough a little soft play between regs didn't matter. Also games busy enough the house playing owners didn't stay in the game long. I only play peak hours though.
Do any barangs work in snooky as dealers or in the casino, and if they don't could they... if they were a specialist for example
Do any barangs work in snooky as dealers or in the casino, and if they don't could they... if they were a specialist for example
There are some Russian and Pinay dealers, if they are going to bring in a specialist they will generally bring in a Chinese dealer to cater to VIPs.
WPT is starting up tomorrow and it looks like it's going to be a really nice event. Huione will have an event in Sihanoukville afterwards with a big GTD too.
If you're looking for a budget hotel near Naga, I recommend Bridge Club (Gym & Pool) or Ibis Budget Hotel (Smaller rooms but can be nicer).
At Noble Poker (Mingmen) our regular hours will still play 2pm 5/10 PLO and ~6pm for 1/3 PLO. Maybe holdem 1/3 or 2/5 after Chinese New year
Arriving tomorrow and staying for 15 days. Staying at an AirBNB at one of the newer buildings near Bridge Club.
Checked Poker Atlas tonight and it wasn't too promising. WPT is officially underway but 1/3 and 2/5 NLHE were the only things running. Waitlists for PLO4 and a 5/10 PLO5, but don't think any of them got over 5.
Arriving tomorrow and staying for 15 days. Staying at an AirBNB at one of the newer buildings near Bridge Club.
Checked Poker Atlas tonight and it wasn't too promising. WPT is officially underway but 1/3 and 2/5 NLHE were the only things running. Waitlists for PLO4 and a 5/10 PLO5, but don't think any of them got over 5.
A lot of people don't arrive the first few days, esp now that there are so many events that overlapping. PokerStars Live, APT, Poker Dream, Player Series
I still regret not seeing Angor Wat. And now Bluegrassplayer isn't around to tell my why this sense of regret is valid. Double regret!
I still regret not seeing Angor Wat. And now Bluegrassplayer isn't around to tell my why this sense of regret is valid. Double regret!
If it makes you feel better doc, I thought it was overrated... That being said, I am quite jaded after visiting more than my share of ruins in LATAM, so there is that...
Really, self ban ehhh!!! I wonder how 2 + 2 can be so negative in one's life where he opts to do so... I can envision X, FB and IG being more toxic than this forum... The only notable negatives that I encountered on this forum over the past decade+, has been a few arguments with a fellow that physically threatened me (he knows who I am IRL) and dumb arse Mod that abused of his powers and thus temporally banned me...
moderating the israel palestine thread can do bad things to good people
Ah God/Allah, I can only imagine... :(. I just avoid politics for the most important, even though I am not arrogant enough to take my political POV's as truth and totally respect others perspectives and I in fact love politics, the world is already overly politicized as it is, imho...
He fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'never get involved in a land war in Asia. The second is "never moderate a politics discussion on a poker forum".
Uuuufff, poor fellow, I hope he is feeling better...
Someone post bar girls in ktvs, to save thread
Re: the self banning, I've thought about doing it myself. Not b/c of toxicity or anything, but I've gone thru periods of wanting to be completely cut off from social media and forums b/c I'm too susceptible to popping in here or YT shorts or IG reels or whatever and getting sucked in a time drain for 3 hrs, then being mad at myself after. I'm a bit better about it now.
I'm married, but wife and I often check out RLDs in SEA and sometimes people watch for the hell of it. Wife isn't here, but decided to check out the riverside streets with all the hostess bars. Damn, it's pretty intimidating there. As a somewhat introverted and shy guy, I don't think would be my scene at all. There must be hundreds of girls there among the 3 main streets, and many shouting "hellllooooooooooooo!" as soon as they see you.
It does seem like there are some pretty good looking girls there, but I'm too shy and start walking a bit faster once they yell at me. They're sitting in rows of 5 about 3 deep and it seems like there are way more girls than clients, even on a Friday night. It's also interesting seeing them in little cocktail dresses contrasted with right over on riverside, where it seems like almost all locals are wearing long pants and sleeves. I actually kinda felt like a douche wearing shorts around earlier in the day as only tourists seem to do it.
Heading down to WPT this week. I took the hotel deal at Nagaworld for the first 7 days. Bad choice? I can still cancel or move after the first week. I looked at Bridge Club, but didn't want to end up in a smoking room.
