Main Event Strategy

This thread is directed towards anyone who has played the Main Event previously.

I'll be playing for the first time this year and it will be the first live tournament I have played that has a significant number on entrants. Perhaps the largest live I've played is 100 people.

Obviously I know how to play tournaments, but let's face it... the Main Event is something a little bit extraordinary. I am interested to hear if there are any particular points of advice to help a first timer at least succeed in making the first day alive or even the money.

Of course, playing tight, avoiding coin flips, don't get your stack in the middle without the best hand will be the main suggestions... but is there anything specific to THIS tournament.

I guess I'm thinking along the lines of... imagine you make the Superbowl for the first time. Its just another football game right? Yes... and no. The environment of this particular event alone is so much different from the run of the mill games.

What would be some of the common mistakes players make at this tournament?

I considered registering for a smaller wsop tournament before the Main Event, purely for the "lose the nerves" factor".

Hopefully you'll all understand what I'm trying to get at....

Thanks.

I've never played anything close to this so I can't offer you any specific advice but I have questions for you!

Are you buying in? Are you backed? Did you win your seat? Is this none of my business?

It's really interesting to think about your first big tournament to be a multiple day (hopefully!) huge field. Good luck to you no matter what!

Hi Vel,

Well all three options are applicable:

1. Satellites - still trying to win a seat online... if not see option 2!!
2. Buy-in - If unsuccessful in winning a seat, I am currently rounding up backers - I am putting up some money (between 25-40%) and have agreement from 3 parties to fund most of the remainder (10% still unaccounted for. I will still relinquish up to 15% of my own share if someone wants to invest 25%.

Thanks for the support... will certainly need some good luck!!! Will you be playing Vel?

From my experience in deep stack big money tournaments most players are scared shitless for the first few blind levels. Especially level one. I have played in 2 majors and for the first blind level you really see a flop and a showdown is unheard of. Take advantage of this and small ball from lat position with almost anything. C-Bet, C-Bet, C-Bet. After the first few hours things start to change, Players will pick up on this strategy and you have to change tactics to tight solid play. By the end of day one people start to get a bit crazy with the long hours of play and you can take advantage of this. Don't let the fear get to you and come out of the gates early with an aggressive but disciplined small ball strategy.

I suggest starting off with some other event from WSOP than the main event unless its your specific dream. With the same effort that it takes to make the final table you could win a couple bracelets and a whole lot of cash.

The main event comes down to two things: luck and skill. And you need the luck more than skill in a event that size.

Only advice I can give is that if you are sitting across from a recognized Pro, remember that they only have two cards, and they come from the same deck that you are drawing from.

IOW - don't be intimidated.

arahel_jazz said:

Only advice I can give is that if you are sitting across from a recognized Pro, remember that they only have two cards, and they come from the same deck that you are drawing from.

IOW - don't be intimidated.

Click to expand...

Watch the movie Hoosiers before you go.

I've never played the WSOP... but I know what you mean... I've played in two high school basketball state championship games and I can tell you that you can't be afraid... you can't make your decisions based on fear... don't fear the moment and trust yourself. Play your game.

I was realy close

I reached the final twice and stay away. Perhaps by being aware of all the time it takes to get there that made me nervous and stop seeing things that had to do at the moment. In 3 or 4 hours you can sure win a round ticket 2 playing a lots of tournamets 225 players. In round 2, it's a long way to qualify, every one play more carefuly with better hands. In the final you probably never saw comunity cards, thats make it so hard.