Learning No-Limit From Scratch ­- The World Series of Poker 2015

One hundred and sixty-five years ago pioneers got into their covered wagons and started their trek across America seeking riches at the California Gold Rush. Starting May 27, and over the following six weeks, tens of thousands more will be traversing America to mine the gold from the 2015 World Series of Poker.

A few will experience the thrill of victory; most will experience the agony of defeat. There are many new tournament formats this year, including a $565 buy-in no-limit hold’em $5 million guaranteed tourney on May 29. Additionally, the enormous flow of poker players floods the other Las Vegas poker rooms with tournaments and cash games, big and small. The action is like no other event in the poker world. It’s just the greatest poker opportunity every year. You can watch the world’s best players play the world’s biggest games or you can entertain yourself playing $1-2 no-limit hold’em. Whatever you choose, it’s going to be a fun and interesting experience.

Serious money will change hands. And if you want to get your mitts on a share, you need a strategy. If you’re coming to change your life, focus on the tournaments. Even if you’re not a great player, a few lucky breaks can change your life. Think of Chris Moneymaker, who parlayed a $39 satellite into $2.5 million and some lucrative corporate sponsorships in the 2003 main event. He then went on to live a celebrity lifestyle. It really can happen to you!

And it’s not just the opportunity of the WSOP main event. Tourneys start every day, cheap satellites are available to those who are “bankroll challenged.” Every year, some unknown wannabe gets hot and goes from being broke to a millionaire in six short weeks. And being a millionaire is much superior to being broke!

That said, if you’re a slow and steady, risk-adverse guy like me, there’s plenty of side action to grind out a significant win. Bellagio has the limit hold’em games, and no-limit is all over Las Vegas. Players from all over the world bring their bankrolls and are looking to play higher than their norm. There are plenty of opportunities to play in some very good games, even at very high limits. Grinding out the side action may not give birth to the glory and adrenaline rushes that tournament play provides, but for an economic upside, overall better edges can generally be found in the side action.

The action is best during the first week, and then the money slowly starts to dry up. The losers tighten up or fade into the night, thereby making the graveyard games superior to the day shift. Weekends are generally better than weekdays. The action erodes until a new influx of players arrives at the start of the main event. It’s mostly a group of recreational players looking to see the celebrity players, observe the huge action, and play a little poker. Then, like the first week, the money slowly evaporates.

Before you arrive, you want to make sure you’re bringing you’re A-game. Study up, read those books. Develop your game to the best it can be and get into a confident mood. Getting your mind right is huge.

If you’re well-bankrolled and looking to take a life-changing shot in the side action, be prepared to play your best when you arrive and take your shot early when the games are the best. If you do well, you might be able to play higher throughout. And a good performance can be life changing!

If you’re on narrow funds, and/or have limited experience, play within your element at the start, build your bankroll and experience, and step up when the main event starts and the new flock of players comes to town. This will give you a better shot to survive the WSOP “test of time” and put you in a position to play in the games when they’re at their best and you are too! Don’t get caught up in the action and put yourself in a bad spot early that you’re unlikely to recover from.

The most important decision is choosing your game. Stay within your element. Select the game type and limits you’re comfortable in playing that contain soft money. And while good players should be avoided, it’s not at all costs. Being in your element, being comfortable with the game and the availability of soft money is more important than avoiding the strong players. The small edges you give up to good players can easily be compensated by the large edges you’ll have over a soft spot or two.

Some Winning Strategies:

If you can come for only a short period, plan your trip around tournaments you want to play or when the action is best, keeping in mind that early and at the start of the main event are the best times. If you’re a specialist in a given game, come when that tournament is scheduled. Not only do you get to play the tourney, but the side action for that game will be at its best too!

Manage your bankroll wisely, and don’t damage it early. The WSOP is a marathon, not a sprint!

Game select. There will be tons of games to choose from, utilize the opportunities.
Don’t let yourself get burned out. Take breaks. Sleep. Exercise. You’ll play better.
Play your best at all times. No tilt, and don’t get sloppy.

Come join the fun and excitement. There’s going to be some great poker action. And last, but not least, it’s poker’s best opportunity for a significant economic upside.
And best of all, the transportation modes, hotel accommodations and beverage service are much better than the covered wagon days! ♠

Roy Cooke played poker professionally for 16 years prior to becoming a successful Las Vegas Real Estate Broker/Salesman. Should you wish any information about Real Estate matters-including purchase, sale or mortgage his office number is 702-376-1515 or Roy’s e-mail is [email protected]. His website is www.RoyCooke.com. You can also find him on Facebook or Twitter @RealRoyCooke