Newbie question, WPT Legends 8/26-8/30

Hi new to this forum but have been playing online poker for a while. At Paradise Poker I entered and won a $12 satellite to get a seat at the $500 WPT Legends event with a $12K prize ($10K buy in & $2K expenses). I won the event and a $12K package.

I never played at a real table, much less against the WPT level of competition. I'm only 25 miles from the Bike Casino so I think I'll enter a couple of cheap tourneys and get some table experience.

I would deeply appreciate any advice on what I can expect, any pointers and any site I can go to, to find more info about the WPT rules and such. Sorry if this is old hat for you but I'd like to make a respectable showing.

Thank you

Well first off Congrats on your victory! That's a hell of a prize. The only advise I could give you would be #1. Don't Drink when playing and #2. Play tight and have fun!

There is lots of information around the site relating in how to handle yourself at a live tournament. Play your normal tight aggressive game, it seems to be successful.

The only advise is can give you it table etiquette. Be careful not to spash the pot/string bet, accidently expose your cards etc. Learn how to bet correctly, read and re-read the rules. There is nothing worse than losing a pot over an unnecessary mistake.

Congrats on the win.

Dont string raise. If you want to bet or raise, think for a second then announce 'bet' or 'raise' and clearly how much. Do not annouce and then start to move chips.

Dont obscure your cards from the dealers view (eg behind your chips).

Dont lift your cards beyond the edge of the table.

Keep track of when you need to post blinds. No-one wants to remind you every other time.

Try to follow the betting and pot size closely. No-one (again) wants to have to tell you how much more it is to call etc.

Watch your chips. Make sure you dont get screwed on a count for various split pots. Dealers make mistakes, and in smaller live tourneys you won't even have a dealer to do it.

Act when it is your turn to act. Try to follow when the action is on you. If they are all staring at you, it is probably on you . Dont act too early, this will be frowned upon.

Remember your chips dont go into the pot until all action for that round of betting is complete. The bets first go over the line, and then into the center of the table once all action is complete.

Remember the burns. You dont see the burn cards online. Dont freak just because the turn isnt the next card from the deck. And if it is a smaller tourney then remember when dealing to do the burns yourself.

Try to remember exactly your cards. Do not relook at them (unless you are doing it to mislead).

If you are being moved to another table, dont put your chips in your pocket to move them, use a rack if one is available.

Be friendly, but remember dont give away too much info. If your opponent knows the buy-in means alot to you then you will become a target (they will know you are likely to have come with a "play tight" mentality).

Show class. This isnt a table of kids betting there mum's milk money. If you lose a large stack to a horrible beat shrug it off with a smile.

Anyway, there's a few

Enjoy it,

Welly

Thank you for your support, especially Welly. I don't drink so that won't be a problem. I'm on the learning fastlane

Played at the Bike Casino today, NL Holdem game (not a tourney), it's definately a different animal. I'll play more live games to get the "feel". I even took a course they offered so I wouldn't screw up.

The place is plastered with "$10,000,000 Legends of Poker" banners everywhere. Kind of intimidated at first but settled in. Playing in a $10K seat will be different.

well done on the win mate.....which site did u play on?

as far as tips go just know whats going on around you mate..and be patient i think patience is a major key in higher end tourneys...although it would be awesome to double up real quick there is no hurry..Last of all just play your game and dont let no one throw u of it. GL

Thanks MG, I think I just answered your post, I play at Paradise Poker