Playing real live tournaments

[Sale_MLS]

How difficult is to sit in chair at a real table and play the game while others see you, when you have to hide any emotion, reaction...after playing from home?

 

[Lena M]

Hello.
No doubt, it is hard. Obviously, you will feel discomfort and psychological pressure. But I think it is just a matter of habit. With experience, things will change for the better.

 

[Ricardo_lhp]

I never got to play a live tournament yet but I really want to. I believe that it is very difficult to control emotions for people who have never been or do not have so much experience in live tournaments, but it must be a very good feeling that you are sitting at a live poker table and living that experience for the first time, I do not see the time to play a live tournament to feel this sensation.

 

[stormyf]

The live game is much better, more exciting. No software, rifles, analytics ... Knowledge and self-control. Unfortunately, I rarely have the opportunity. That way, the online poker game remains the same.

 

[Sale_MLS]

I'd really like to try, just to see how it feels, and how would I do.

 

[Bee]

Well, I played several times. In one case I had company at the table who all laugh a lot, everyone were relaxed, and it was easy to play. But, once everyone was soooooooo quiet, looked at everyone like they have X-rays in eyes. It was boring long game.......
But yes, you should hide emotions... hard.

 

[ventrolloquist]

How difficult is to sit in chair at a real table and play the game while others see you, when you have to hide any emotion, reaction...after playing from home?

For me it depends on my mood. Confidence is an absolute must for acting cool and not showing anxiety/excitement. If somone more solid / confident is at the table this can mess with your head and make you give off tells. Don't give opponents too much credit to the point you second guess yourself, and just focus on making correct plays without caring so much how good or bad your hand is.

 

[m0t22]

Good morning family,

I believe that the best answer is to practice.
Your first tournament is the same as if you were going to hit a girl at a party, or a boy.

As you go on executing you will have more confidence and that is with time!
If you don't have friends who play or encourage a home game, I advise you to attend freeroll games at poker houses.

 

[gryphon3005]

I have played a number of casino tournaments. Most had around 125-150 players. I noticed that almost all the players did not play like the pros you see on tv. They look at their cards as soon as they are dealt instead of waiting till it's their turn. When I got my cards and kept my head up all I saw were the tops of their heads.

I wasn't sure why until I got a good hand. I didn't look until it was my turn and I am sure I had some tell...some kind of reaction that I couldn't control. I realized then the other players were looking right away so they could compose themselves if a good hand appeared. Since I had not developed a "routine" of how to calmly look at my cards and react the same way every hand I realized I had to do the same as everyone else. It worked for me...I made some final tables and had a lot of fun. The reason it worked is that when I was looking at my cards no one was looking at me because they were all doing the same thing.

If I return to casino play (haven't played live for 2 years) I think I will try to practice in front of a mirror and in a few home games to see if I can copy the pros.

 

[TpaEnforcement]

I played in a live tournament, at casino Niagara, a while ago. I finished 16th, out of 237 players. First time and it was exciting. Some plays I seen through out the tournament ,wow some calls we funny. In my eyes they were bad calls, but they got lucky and won. I would do it again in the future.

 

[nellorossi83]

I m so curious too... i ll try to do it sometimes here in my city.

 

[Phoenix Wright]

Like anything else, you will become more confident and calm with practice/repetition. Once you get to a somewhat comfortable state (if ever possible with so much excitement going on xD), then you will begin to realize what an asset being present in the game really is. "Present" meaning literally being there (unlike online games through a screen), but also meaning "present" as in observant and wary of potential tells from both you and your opponents.
Poker is a crazy game

 

[Poker_Mike]

Focus on Opponent - Talk to Dealer

How difficult is to sit in chair at a real table and play the game while others see you, when you have to hide any emotion, reaction...after playing from home?

Ignore the table.

Focus on your opponent(s) demeaner and reactions.

Talk to the dealer about your actions.

Take your time - don't be rushed.

Only time to pay attention to the table is when your opponent shoves on you and you want to call but the table is looking at you like "you better not call that fool!". LOL

Good luck !

 

[zlajazlaja2]

the huge difference is playing from home and live poker ... you need to stay tuned and calm when you see pocket AAs ... generally speaking, it's a nicer feeling to play live ...