WSOP Keys To Success
DON’T
Don’t run a lot of bluffs.
Rarely do I suggest such a black-and-white strategy, however I never cease to be amazed at some of the plays I see being made. Bluffs only work if your opponent is a good player, and let’s face it – most players in these fi elds will be very unpredictable, to say the least.
Don’t register late with your friends.
Once a tournament begins, late registrants fi ll tables in the order in which they paid. This means that if you wake up late and get a ride down to the Rio with three friends, you’ll be sitting at the same starting table for who knows how long. Save yourself an awkward situation and just register the night before the tournament.
Don’t play cash games after you bust out.
Seems obvious, but trust me, a lot of times there’s an incredibly strong urge to play poker immediately following a bust out. Don’t give in! Go home, get some rest, and if you still need to scratch that itch in the morning, then drive back to the casino in time to play against the guys that are in that situation but don’t have your discipline.
Don’t forget to bring your beanie.
No joke. However ironic it may seem in the middle of the desert, you should remember to bring warm clothes with you because the Amazon Room is ridiculously cold. Long sleeves are a must, and some of you may even want to bring gloves.
Don’t go to In-N-Out.
The Las Vegas In-N-Out isn’t the same. Instead, give Fat Burger a shot, but make sure you aren’t in a hurry because you can sometimes wait up to fi fteen minutes for your food. It’s defi nitely the better of the two though, so it’s worth the wait.
DO
Rent a speedboat at Lake Mead for the day.
One of the best parts of summer in Vegas is going out on the lake with a bunch of friends and a bunch of beer. The rental offi ces offer wave runners and speedboats with all the extras you could want, including tubes, wakeboards, and even a place to plug in your iPod (you need to bring the male to male adapter, though). While you’re out, have lunch over by Hoover Dam. One word of caution: Make sure your boat has a canopy.
Stay in a poker house.
Back in 2006 I stayed in a house with a bunch of other poker players fi fteen minutes from the strip. I met some really cool people, most of whom I’m still friends with. Being able to get away from the Rio craziness on a daily basis is a must in order to keep your sanity throughout the summer.
Play the fi rst NL Hold’em event.
The fi rst NL event always gets a lot of players and big payouts. You might see more questionable play in the fi rst tournament because of all the excitement, and some of your opponents may be intimidated if this happens to be their fi rst tournament in the WSOP. Cashing in this fi rst event will get your Series off to a great start.
Hit up the spa.
Nothing relieves the stress of enduring the horrifi c beats that you’re sure to encounter like going to the spa. Don’t just stay for the massage. Make sure you take in the full experience, with the steam room and Jacuzzis. One tip: just get the basic massage package, you can customize once you meet your massage therapist. Also, be sure to make an appointment.
Play the Main Event.
Right now, fi gure out a way to get your seat. Whether you buy-in directly, play a live or online satellite, or set up a home game tourney, you should do everything you can to get your seat. The WSOP Main Event has the best equity of any poker tournament in the world. Good luck!
