Looking for advice. Planning on playing in the wsop

ryhailey

ryhailey

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So I'm looking for some advice from people that have played in really large scale live events preferably wsop. I plan on playing event 56 $1,500 buy in nlh and I have not played in an event of this scale before and any advice in any category would be great. I play monthly tournaments with 200 people and I have won, but this is much larger so any advise would be great.
 
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stg1969

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I'd say just play tight early doors, get a feel for your table, if you get to the bubble and you have a half decent stack, dont freeze up, bully the marginal players who wont want to go out..

PS..

My first ever live tourney, i was nervous, i sat down, and said to myself, ok, dont play any big hands early, i'd be embarrassed to leave so soon.

So i peek at my very first live tourney hand QQ... oh shit.. i'm in mid position, 2 limpers before me, so i raise up 5x blind and the button calls, everyone else folds...
Flop comes Q J 10 (rainbow)... I bet out half the pot, and he shoves... I call and he shows down 10/10... I double up...lol

I still went out before the bubble though, i was so nervous.
 
ryhailey

ryhailey

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Ya I'm pretty excited and nervous. But as I stated before I have played in many live tournaments, so hopefully the nerves don't hit me to bad. But I think that's the game plan to start out tight.
 
Arjonius

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I played a big buyin event a few years ago, about $4500 entry (it was in euros), 600+ players. Doyle and Todd Brunson were the big US names, and the field also included most of the top Europeans.

I busted a few minutes before the end of day 1b, so got to play for nearly 8 hours. During this time, I saw about 17-18 players at my table (I never moved), and was pleasantly surprised to find that only one (a former WPT winner who was on my left fortunately) was obviously way out of my league. I thought two or three others were better than me, but to a smaller degree, one seemed weaker, and the rest were either around my level.

From this experience plus watching parts of days 1a, 2 and 3 from the rail plus talking with various players, one of whom later made a WPT final table, I'd suggest a couple of things. One is that unless you draw a tough table, you won't really be out of your depth on day 1, so don't feel intimidated and don't go in expecting to be overwhelmed.

The second is to know what adaptations you want to make to your normal game because the stacks will probably be deeper than you're used to online.
 
mosq

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Take your time, don't rush into doubling up, and don't worry about how many chips other people have if you get to the point where you're nervous because people have more chips then you, don't worry about it. you'll get there patience
 
MediaBLITZ

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I have not played WSOP but have played "major" TV events of fields exceeding 500.

Uber tight BUT uber aggressive until you can get off the leash a little bit. And what Arj said - you will find just a bunch of normal guys not much different from yourself taking a shot. Don't feel like you have to get all tricky with them - it will mean an early knock-out.
 
ryhailey

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Thanks for the advise everyone. I really appreciate it.
 
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fugitive67

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if feasible and if you haven't already, i would try to play at the same casino running that tourney ... comfort level seems to be so important in live poker

also, i would look at it as a gift to yourself ... have fun with it and try to play your same game .... well the game you would play online with the same tourney structure
 
MediaBLITZ

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Stay relaxed - being tense will only disrupt your process.

Stay focused - lock in on what's going on, looking for chances to exploit.


Now most people think relaxation and concentration are opposites (how can you be both things at the same time?), but here's the secret -

Relaxation is a physical response

Concentration is mental

To get relaxed you have to involve the body - from taking deep breathes to stretching.

To get focused you have use forceful will power. And being relaxed helps you to do that.

So first thing is get relaxed then invoke your focus. You cannot will yourself to be relaxed (not without physical involvement).
 
ryhailey

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also, i would look at it as a gift to yourself ... have fun with it and try to play your same game ....

That's exactly how I am looking at it. Just the fact that I'm going to be playing in it will make me happy.
 
ryhailey

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Stay relaxed - being tense will only disrupt your process.

Stay focused - lock in on what's going on, looking for chances to exploit.


Now most people think relaxation and concentration are opposites (how can you be both things at the same time?), but here's the secret -

Relaxation is a physical response

Concentration is mental

To get relaxed you have to involve the body - from taking deep breathes to stretching.

To get focused you have use forceful will power. And being relaxed helps you to do that.

So first thing is get relaxed then invoke your focus. You cannot will yourself to be relaxed (not without physical involvement).
That is some fantastic advise.
 
ryhailey

ryhailey

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I will be there too at that time - feel free to get my number so we can say hi if you want!

Awesome will do. Are you playing in that event (56) or just taking a trip down there?
 
Arjonius

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A couple of other things. If possible, get there a day or two early so you can get any first-day gawking out of the way before you start play.

Try to behave in a way that is less likely to help the good live players build their reads on you. For example, don't look at your cards until it's your turn to act. If you do, you may give away what you're likely to do, like by showing disinterest when you see rags, or interest by unthinkingly reaching for chips before it's your turn. Instead, try to watch the other players, the ones who do look right away. Also, don't be too eager to talk while playing. The more you talk, the more likely you are to give away info that someone can use against you. There will be plenty of opportunity to talk poker when you're not playing.

If you want to look like you may not be completely new to live play, take a few minutes before you go to learn to shuffle chips.
 
MediaBLITZ

MediaBLITZ

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And DO NOT under any circumstances show your cards. Somebody at that table has a brain like a Rolodex (probably more than one) and is cataloging any information they can gather. Yeah, you'll be a nice and friendly guy for showing but not showing forces them to continue to guess about how you play instead of KNOWING. Don't show your pocket rockets - don't show your set - don't show your straight flush - continue to disappoint them rather than fulfilling their wishes.
"Well I wanted to show I wasn't bluffing." I totally understand BUT WRONG - Make them continue to expend time and energy to figure you out - don't hand them a map. Make them have to work harder at it than you.


Also - your own energy - take along a shoulder bag filled with some energy food (raw almonds and jerky is my fave), maybe some aspirin or other drugs should a headache, backache, neck strain start distracting you and of course a bottle of water or two. Hydration is critical to optimum brain function. I also carry a small notebook and take notes on anything from the game to a to do list that floated through while I was bored. This helps to keep your mind clear - if you write it down you don't have to worry about it anymore.
 
ryhailey

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don't look at your cards until it's your turn to act

That is interesting I never thought of that lol. It's funny something as little as that could make a huge difference.
 
Debi

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Awesome will do. Are you playing in that event (56) or just taking a trip down there?

I will be there from June 25-July 7. The only WSOP event I will be playing in is the Ladie's event. But I will be playing in the 2pm Rio deepstack most days so will be there a lot.

It is not that hard to say hi if you have a way to contact someone. Will pm you my number.
 
dj11

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Didn't see this mentioned. I expect that it will be a very big tourney, and that means several days sitting and boredom will reign supreme. The 200 player games you talk about will not start until at least the second day, maybe the 3rd...obviously depends.

Compared to those 200 player games this could be a marathon. Be prepared. Eat well, sleep well, no liquor till u go busto. Know where the bathrooms are and the fastest route to/from. Hydrate but don't over hydrate for 2 reasons, it could become a tell, and too much will make you want that bathroom. Missing the big hand won't be an issue because if you have to get up, u will get dealt cards, antes/blinds taken, and you won't even get to see what you missed.
 
MediaBLITZ

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Hydrate but don't over hydrate for 2 reasons, it could become a tell, and too much will make you want that bathroom. Missing the big hand won't be an issue because if you have to get up, u will get dealt cards, antes/blinds taken, and you won't even get to see what you missed.

Agreed but can you explain the tell - never heard this one before. Although with me it could be a false tell as I stomp and jiggle my feet trying to hold it.
 
Matt Vaughan

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Agreed but can you explain the tell - never heard this one before. Although with me it could be a false tell as I stomp and jiggle my feet trying to hold it.

I think he just meant how often you are drinking from your water bottle (drink every time you get QQ+ or something).

Also, subbin' in. I'm hoping to hit up the WSOP next year if all goes well for me before then, and there's a goldmine of advice here!
 
dj11

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Agreed but can you explain the tell - never heard this one before. Although with me it could be a false tell as I stomp and jiggle my feet trying to hold it.

LOL at the stomping. I don't play enough live to be definite. But as in the old days, how, and when, and how often one goes for a smoke could be a tell, so it might go with a water bottle.
 
fletchdad

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Cant give any advice, but I can - and do - wish you luck!
 
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