Advice for my first WSOP tourney?

[gbpoker]

I've decided to go ahead and go to the WSOP ME next week. Room at the Rio, flight and money arranged.

What tips do you more experienced players have that have that would make it easier and more enjoyable all around?

It's the little things you pick up from experience. What to wear; how much sleep to get; what/where to eat; things to avoid; if you need a backpack to carry things around; how to manage breaks or - anything.

What advice do you have for a noob going to the WSOP (the main event, no less), for the first time? I'd appreciate anything, not matter how minor.

[THAY3R]

Try not to laugh at how bad live players are, it's kind of rude.

[mtgordon]

Dress in layers. It seems like there have been some very hot (temperature wise) seats in the tent and other really cold ones. I would suggest something like a T-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, and possibly a light jacket.

Anyone who has been this year want to confirm/deny?

[Your Mom]

try to win all the monies

[Adam D]

[ QUOTE ]
Dress in layers. It seems like there have been some very hot (temperature wise) seats in the tent and other really cold ones. I would suggest something like a T-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, and possibly a light jacket.

Anyone who has been this year want to confirm/deny?

[/ QUOTE ]

The tent can get very hot during the day and freezing once the sun goes down/the tables start to break and there are less bodies in there. In general casinos are cold so prepare accordingly. As far as where to eat, the poker kitchen, which is the closest, is over-priced and the food is average. The buffet is good, the all american burger place is good. good luck

[beermankirk]

yeah wear a hockey jersey or pullover / hoodie, you can always take it off. The 2 buffets are awesome at the Rio. Avoid the $10 hot dog next to the sportsbook.

If you wanna relax goto the pool and have a swim, than shower up, and head down for your event. This kept me quite refreshed. Sleep is always a good idea.

The poker kitchen has $5 wings and $7 sandwiches. Avoid the pizza there. The hidden gem are the Wasabi/soy sauce blue diamond almonds for $1.50 / pack.

All your booze and beverages are free, when playing your event.

Good luck!

[StuckaRack]

Dont be afraid to overbet your good hands in the early rounds. With 20k starting stacks bad players will gamble and draw on you, make em pay.

If your cabbing it to the Rio, get dropped off at the convention center entrance, not the main entrance.

Bring a couple filling snack bars like Cliff bars with you in case you get hungry between breaks.

Be ready to play 14 or 15 hours the first day. If you have'nt done that for awhile, do it before the ME.

[coderiver]

DO NOT put your chips in your pockets! /images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[Dynasty]

Your First World Series of Poker (http://www.twoplustwo.com/magazine/current/brokos0707.html) by Andrew Brokos

[Temp Hutter]

[ QUOTE ]
Your First World Series of Poker (http://www.twoplustwo.com/magazine/current/brokos0707.html) by Andrew Brokos

[/ QUOTE ]

The writer seems to be rather weak/tight. I would not recommend playing this way since there are too many people preying on those players. The Vehedi quote about being willing to die is better advice. Do not play scared because a good player will smell it and exploit you.

[regression]

[ QUOTE ]
Dress in layers. It seems like there have been some very hot (temperature wise) seats in the tent and other really cold ones. I would suggest something like a T-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, and possibly a light jacket.

Anyone who has been this year want to confirm/deny?

[/ QUOTE ]

I was out early to pick up the cash for my ME buyin. I alternately sweltered (in the tent) and froze (in the Amazon room). For the ME and cash action this week and next I am wearing pants (not shorts) and a t-shirt under a sweatshirt or sweater.

I figure two layers is enough. One layer ought to be comfortable at normal room temperatures and slightly higher, and the outer layer ought to be comfortable at like, 60 degrees F. Good luck -- hope to see you at the final table.

[Cat]

Adam D - you avatar thief!!! /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/mad.gif

[Solitare]

Stay hydrated. Last year it wasn't too hot, but it was VERY dry. I got dehydrated during the first two levels and got a huge headache. Started ordering non stop bottles of water and got better.

Oh, and flop good.

[dogsballs]

yeah, its ridiculously dry. Grab 2 bottles of water off the servers every time. Always carry a bunch of singles to tip em.

Take a sweatshirt/hoodie; it's cold in there.

Play the cash games and win money if you're not playing a tourney.

They closed my favourite eating spot from previous years (the mexican place upstairs; the mobs never got there). Poker kitchen is ok and right there - philly cheese steak was a good fill up and they have some healthier options. The curry restaurant in teh casino is decent, if you like that kinda thing.

Every break, I turbo walk down into the main casino & back via the outside route - get some outside air, a wee bit of heat & also stretch the legs. Plus the bathrooms aren't mobbed.

The rio has free shuttles to the strip if you wanna go there (from teh side entrance of the main casino). Sometimes I just walk it, though.

Live players in teh tourneys really do suck. Lots weak tight and loose passive, esp early. Watch out for the odd tough aggro internet type and adjust to each accordingly.

[dogsballs]

if oyu havent played much live before, its prolly best to be methodical about taking action/handling your chips, ie verbally declare your action, eg say "Raise", then put the chips out for the call first and then you can figure out your raise and put that out.

Know what teh rules are. DON'T put tourney chips in your pockets if you move table or whatever; if you throw out a big chip without stating "Raise", then it's deemed a call... etc etc...

Players give off tells all teh time. A big one is to see who behind you looks at their cards as soon as they're dealt. very often you can figure out by body language whether they're ready to insta-fold; this helps with stealing decisions. The other one is when they look then start closely watching the action go round the table (when they don't usually); then they're likely wanting to play that hand.

[Beachman42]

A few random thoughts (from playing event 35)

- a backpack for your crap is a good idea. Keep it around one leg while seated to keep it out of the way and safe. Plus, you cannot forget it if you trip over it getting up!

- have a plan for every hand you play, even the freebies when in the BB

- when you get to <= 10BBs, get a beer. Your thinking is over for the day.

- Appreciate the moment while it happens. Anticipation is awesome, but when you get there, live in the moment and take as many memories for later recollection as possible. I'll never forget open-pushing J6o into the table CL AND LAGs BB from the Button, watching him hem & haw, finally fold, and sh*t a brick when I showed. It was the only hand I voluntarily showed all day execpt for my two all-ins.

- Be at least courteous if not friendly. It doesn't cost anything to be pleasant to be around. Most players are too weak to give you props for being better than you are.

- Accept that if it isn't your day, then there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. 9 out of 10 will go home with nada but the experience.

- Go down swinging. If you do get below 10BBs, you are no threat to your table. Take a stand while you still have some FE.

- Above ALL else get AT LEAST ONE freakin' hand higher than 99 in the first 4 levels. In my case, the post tourney analysis was < 1 beer - no cards, no flops, no chance.

[ahnuld]

[ QUOTE ]
Try not to laugh at how bad live players are, it's kind of rude.

[/ QUOTE ]

word

[gbpoker]

Thanks for the tips, guys! Please keep it coming. Any advice on making it past day 1?

[zuluking]

[ QUOTE ]
Mate just have FUN

[/ QUOTE ]

So true. ENJOY the moment. You're playing in the biggest tournament in the world. Have fun, because the more fun you have, the more relaxed you'll be, the more relaxed, the better you'll play.

My first WSOP ME I made it to day 3, and developed an ulcer like you wouldn't believe. I was eating tums, rolaids, and pepcid like it was candy.

Now it can be the ME or a local $100 tourney, I treat them all the same, play my best but have FUN while doing it.

Oh, and don't be afraid to lose either. Good luck!

[beermankirk]

Enjoy the horrible players playing 2/5 NL at the Rio cash games, and also 2 words....

Mississippi Straddle!

[woodguy]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the tips, guys! Please keep it coming. Any advice on making it past day 1?

[/ QUOTE ]

Raise.

Regards,
Woodguy

[pacecar86]

have fun, play your game & GL....outside temp next week expected to be 115+, so, insta-smoke time...and, oh, don't underestimate the older Soparano type NJ guy at 2/5 nl who tables a little sign "Welcome to the Snake Pit" and puts 2 little plastic cobras on top of his chip towers

[Foucault]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Your First World Series of Poker (http://www.twoplustwo.com/magazine/current/brokos0707.html) by Andrew Brokos

[/ QUOTE ]

The writer seems to be rather weak/tight. I would not recommend playing this way since there are too many people preying on those players. The Vehedi quote about being willing to die is better advice. Do not play scared because a good player will smell it and exploit you.

[/ QUOTE ]

FYI, the author also (correctly) called off 25% of his stack with KQ high on the river in level 1. :-)

But yes, I do advocate avoiding tricky spots at certain stages of the tournament. If you're going to be weak tight, it's better to do it preflop than on the river.