The World Series of Poker is unlike any other poker event in the world. Many people go into the WSOP not knowing what to expect of how to prepare for it. If you have never been to the World Series of Poker, here are a few things that you should do to help prepare yourself for the event as well as a few things to do while you are there.
First, get plenty of rest before going in to play. Many people that have never been to Vegas before will want to spend every waking moment inside of a casino either gambling or playing poker and end up exhausting themselves. It is imperative that you be at your best when playing at the WSOP. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before.
Next, be sure to plan your day around the event you are going to play. What time is your event? Where are you located in relation to the Rio? Have you already bought into the event or do you need to register. In regards to registration, I recommend registering the day before or even a few days ahead to avoid long lines. Plan to wake up no less than two hours ahead of your event if you are not located at the Rio. This will give you plenty of time to prepare and arrive at the Rio.
Prepare to spend a long day at the tables. If you are someone that likes to listen to music while playing, take your headphones and walkman with you. Do you need snacks through the day? If so, take those with you. Do not make any solid plans for the day that you are playing. Some players make plans “in case” they don’t last long and sometimes that will affect their play. If someone has made plans to go somewhere at 6pm and they are short stacked at 5pm, sometimes they will make an ill advised move to make their plans.
Be aware that there may be a lot of media coverage, especially if you have a pro at your table. The very first event I played at the World Series of Poker, I had both Erik Seidel and Richard Brodie at my table. As a result, a lot of media and TV crews came around at different times. Phil Ivey was at the table behind me. Some people let the media get to them. Think of the media as another type of staff person that works at the event. They are a part of the event as any other worker. Try and tune them out.
Spectators and railbirds can cause serious distractions. Since the WSOP tries to be fan friendly, there may be times where the fans and railbirds are almost on top of you. This can be a major distraction. Try to work with it. If the fans are too overbearing, call the floor over and they will handle the situation.
The above are just a few tips of things to expect at the WSOP. Of course, there is nothing like the real thing. If you get the chance, head out and experience it live.
The World Series of Poker is currently held every year at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. For those of you that never have been to the World Series of Poker, you may wonder what you will be in store for if you actually attend the event. First, realize that you are not just attending a set of poker tournaments, but instead you are attending a major event. The crowds will be larger, the competition tougher, and the experience awe inspiring.
When you first turn into the Rio from Flamingo, you will want to keep right and drive by the Hotel entrance. There will be signs pointing your way to the World Series of Poker. You will arrive to the convention center parking lot. If you are driving, you have an option of parking in the free parking area or using Valet. Valet is free, but a tip is expected and deserved. If you are in a cab, they will take you to the front of the convention center.
You will notice first a tarped off walkway with red carpet and mist blowing units to cool off guests. This looks cute, but you do not have to use that walkway. Go up the steps and enter the front doors of the convention center. As you enter the doorway, take a right. You will then begin to walk down a long hallway towards the convention center. Along the way you may see different booths for online sites or other merchants that setup during the World Series. As you get closer to the actual Amazon Room, you will notice monitors welcoming you to the World Series of Poker. One monitor will likely be continuously playing ESPN broadcast from past years.
Just before you reach these monitors, you may notice a good size room with a lot of tables and players. This room looks like it could be the World Series, but don’t be fooled. This is the Brasilia Room. The Brasilia room is part of the World Series, but it is not where the bulk of the events are held. Brasilia is where evening non-bracelet tournaments and Day 2’s of bracelet events are held.
Just beyond the monitors you will notice a desk with a Total Rewards Sign on it. If you have never played at a Harrahs property or if you never signed up for a Total Rewards Card, you need to sign up for one. This card is required to play in any event or satellite at the World Series of Poker.
After getting your cards, you notice you have three directions to go. Do not go right as this area is primarily for media and television. You will want to go left. You will notice several booths including massage therapists, a gift stand, and other poker related booths. The main WSOP gift shop is the first door you pass down this hallway. As you turn, you should notice the Players Entrance for the World Series of Poker. Next time, we will actually go inside and check out the main areas of the World Series of Poker.
Binion’s Horseshoe – The Original Home of the World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) originally started back in 1968 as an invitational event at the Holiday Hotel and Casino in Reno, NV. The event was won by Crandell Addington. The World Series of Poker as we know it today started back in 1970 as a set of cash games that drew the best Poker players in the world together to compete for the title of WSOP. Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas, NV was the venue for this new World Series of Poker. The champion was determined by a vote and Johnny Moss emerged as the winner. For his win, Moss received a silver cup.
The next year, the champion was determined by a freezeout tournament and Johnny Moss again emerged the victor. 1973 saw the introduction of the first preliminary WSOP tournament. Bill Boyd won the Five Card Stud event for a grand prize of $20,000. Every year through 2003, the event was held at Binions. Many champions emerged victorious throughout the years including Doyle Brunson, Stu Unger, “Amarillo Slim” Preston, Johnny Chan, and Phil Hellmuth.
The Main Event was not the only poker tournament held at the World Series of Poker. Over the years bracelet events have been held in all forms of poker including Seven Card Stud, Pot Limit Omaha, H.O.R.S.E. and Lowball. Some games that have come and gone over the years include Five Card Stud, Five Card Draw, Ace to Five Draw, Match Play, Mixed Doubles, and Women’s Seven Card Stud.
The Rio – Home of the World Series of Poker
In 2004, Harrah’s Entertainment purchased the Horseshoe and the rights to the World Series of Poker. The event was then moved to the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino with the last two days played at Binions downtown. 2004 was the last year that any portion of the WSOP was held at Binions. Since then, the even has been held at the Rio. 2004 also saw Chris Moneymaker parlay an online satellite into a world title. Since then, the popularity of poker has exploded and ushered in the current Poker Boom.
By the time of the 2006 World Series of Poker, the fields had grown to such epic size that the Main Event was view much like a lottery. A new event was created to showcase the elite of the poker world and try and bring back some of the old school luster of the World Series of Poker. This event was the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event. Chip Reese emerged as the first champion of the event and since then the event has showcased the best of the poker world.
The Main Event is still the World Championship of Poker. Each year thousands of players make the journey out to Vegas to try and put their name in the record books. This year’s World Champion is still to be determined. Harrah’s decided to delay the final table until November to allow for increased coverage of the event. The “November Nine” will reconvene on November 9th and play down to the final two. Those players will return on November 10th to play for the title and the $9 Million top prize.
