Going To Play In A Major Tourney?

Going To Play In A Major Tourney?

I was asked "I think u should write a first time article about newbies going to play in major tourneys. Advice", so with that said here it is.

As some might know I've only been playing Hold'em since July 2008. Like most I watched it on TV for a couple of years. Then one day, a buddy of mine while at a casino encouraged me to play a tourney. The experience was awesome and have never looked back. It helps to make the final table your first time but thats a whole different story.

Before I knew it I had a library of poker books, became a member of a poker forum, signed up to play online, and continued to play live tourneys with some success. I wanted to learn and master the game of Texas Holdem.

After 6 months in to this new found hobby of mine and still green as can be, the WSOP Circuit came to Harrahs Rincon in San Diego. In which I took a leap of faith and played a few events.

I figured if you want to learn the game right you need to play with the big boys. So off I went with money in my pocket and a stomach full of butterflies.

My advice before playing a major tourney:

1. Learn to play something else other then Holdem such as PLO H/L, or Stud H/L. This will actually make you a better player. They will improve your hand reading ability. Even if its online for play money. Invest some time in them.

2. Play a lot of live tournaments. Online is ok but you need to get used to being at a table and seeing the cards. The more table time you have the better.

3. Take a WSOP Academy class or Deepstacks Live event. Its a well worth the investment that you need to make. Thats if you really want to compete at a high level. It will break down the game and teach you a ton of things to look for.

4. Play the single table Satellites or the Mega's. Its part of the experience and the same dealers that deal during the tournament will deal at these tables. Its a great way to get to know them, and also get to know the other playes.

5. Play more then one event. The WSOP Circuit has great buy in's of $230, $560, $1080, and their main event of $5k. Its a bargain compared to the WSOP where their buy ins start at $1500. Last year I played in 2, and this year I plan on playing 5 or 6 and tone of satellites.

6. Leave the ipod at home. You are not that good as it its. You don't need any other distractions. I even think a lot of the pros that wear headphones might not even be listening to music, but rather have them on so you don't talk to them. Leave the distractions at home.

7. Bring a backpack with you and make sure you have water, snacks, lunch, etc. During the tournament when everyone breaks for lunch guess where they all go? yep, the the restaurant or the rest room. And trust me there will be in line in both and only one of them is worth the wait. Be smart, pack a lunch and relax.

8. Make sure you bring a card protector. A lot of players like to think they are all that and say "I use my chips" yeah well like a lot of us saw this past WSOP where this player went all in, put ALL her chips in front, then the dealer mucked her cards! This was the main event of the wsop! She goes all in and the dealer still took her cards? yes it happens. First time caught on TV but you don't want to be that person that looses a lot of chips because you were careless. This happens a lot so be ready.

9. Get a reservation at the casino where the tournament is at. You won't have to worry about getting a cab to your hotel, and you can focus more on poker.

10. Enjoy the experience. If you get knocked out on a bad beat be professional about it. The poker community is a small place. I met so many players in those events that I keep crossing paths with in other tournaments. I had a very good player knock me out of one event, since then I have played him twice and knocked him out once. That was my "revenge" but most important I made a friend that respects me and likes my style. In this game all you have is money, honor and respect. You loose your money and you're still welcomed. You loose your honor or respect, and I can guarantee you won't be.

11. Update your twitter on your breaks. You don't need the distraction while at the table.

12. Go with friends that you can turn to for advice. Its always nice to have that support you can count on when you have a bad beat. Trust me, all of my lost pots end in a bad beat =)

13. When you are done with the tournament don't play any cash games. You might be on tilt and in a bad mood. Go out and enjoy a few.

Thats all I have for now. If I missed something please let me know. I will add more as I recall them.