Looking Forward to the WSOP

Every year I look forward to the WSOP.  This year is no different.  I usually start looking for the house I rent for the summer about the time the schedule comes out.  So by now, that has been squared away for a long time.

Most people look at the schedule and pick out the events they are planning to play.  I think about that a little bit differently.  I know I will play 25 or more events, and there are only a few that I am unlikely to play.  I am comfortable and feel plenty competitive in all the different disciplines.  I also know I will be playing poker almost every day during the WSOP. I usually take a break and go home over Father’s Day weekend.  And I will usually take the day off before the main event.  Otherwise, there will be some half days, but I am pretty much playing every day.

So I play to play the noon tournament every day unless I have a reason not to.  Those reasons include things like:

Being in Day 2 of an event from the day before (or the final table)

I plan to play late in a good cash game (I make that choice each night depending on the game I am in, and how much I like the tournament at noon the next day.  Sometimes I decide to just play the afternoon tournament.)

About once a week, I try to relax for half a day. I usually try and do that when there is an afternoon tournament I would rather play.  Sometimes I play golf; sometimes I take my kids to putt-putt or just hang around the house and swim with them.

Most of my days start at the Rio.  I play my tournament until I bag or run out of chips. The days I survive, I head home for a good night’s sleep.  The days I run out of chips, I usually go looking for a cash game.  I start by seeing what is going on at the Rio, then I will check Bravo or text some friends to see what games are going at Bellagio or Aria.

When I play cash, I try to get in the best game I can get in. I am comfortable playing most games; Limit or NL hold-em, PLO or the mix games.  I just try and play where I think I have the highest expectancy.  About once a week, my wife will bring the kids down, and we all have dinner together.

Then I get up the next day and do it again…