WSOP 2009! A Good Strategy Needs A Good Plan!

[Andreas Kythreotis]

It’s that time of the year once again, so we thought you might appreciate some info about getting to Las Vegas & the WSOP. Now many of you have probably been before so you know how it works & what to do, but you also know how confusing & intimidating it can be for someone there for the first time & especially if you are alone. Don’t let this put you off because the truth is, you will probably play a better game if you don’t have distractions from your friends or the girlfriend moaning that she is all alone. Trust me, if she is anything like mine, leave her at home! If you have won a seat to the WSOP online or at your local poker room then definitely don’t miss the opportunity.

Most people try to book at the Reo because that is where the event is, but I prefer to stay on the strip because the Reo is in effect alone on the other side of the freeway. You can’t walk or cross the freeway so you will continuously need a taxi or the shuttle bus. By staying on the strip your close to the best Las Vegas has to offer so you can get away from the WSOP frenzy to clear your head by walking along the strip watching the street artists, buskers and other Las Vegas crazies. All of Harrah hotels run WSOP shuttle busses all day to the event so it’s easy to get back n forth.

Accommodation depends on your budget and preferences so have a good look at the options before you buy. We offer a detailed look at all Las Vegas hotel casinos on the Las Vegas section of our site. Remember, we all hate to think about it but if you were to get knocked out on day one, the last thing you will want is to spend the rest of the week watching everyone else play & be always in the middle of all the WSOP excitement. I have two personal favourites when staying in Vegas, The Mirage & The Bellagio. During WSOP I will often stay at the Harrah hotel casino because of one simple reason, room service & amenities. The hotel offers an excellent home entertainment & on demand movies with the latest releases, old classics & they have adult movies too! (So I have been told. Honest!) Also the room service food is awesome, so if you know you want to relax in the evenings & get to the event in the morning fresh & relaxed, then room service & amenities may be important to you.

Something I like to do is take snacks & water with me to the event when I’m playing. I have a small cool bag and just slip it under my chair when I take my seat. It’s very busy there & the short breaks can often be spent in line for the toilet or to get food n drinks. Most of the time its fine but it’s good to have a few cards up your sleeve! There is table service but I hate spending 15 min looking around the room for a waitress because the whole time I’m looking the other way I’m not getting info on the players at my table. You could miss the opportunity to get a read or spot a tell.

My final tip & the one I feel is the most important, if it’s your first time, then get there early! Get to Vegas at least one day early so you can look around get into the swing of things & find your way around. Go to the event & hangout for a few hours. See where things are, what’s there, who is selling what & generally get a feel for the place as it can be very overwhelming first time round. You need to be relaxed & focused when you sit at the table & that’s hard to do if you just walk in & sit down, even for a regular or an experienced player.

If you have any worries or just want to ask a question please just post & I’ll be happy to try and help.

Andy