It Begins…Soon
Friday, July 3, 2009 - Gene Bromberg
You know something’s up when Media Row at the World Series of Poker is jam-packed at 10:30AM. This, after an industry party at a strip club with an open bar. Which I attended and enjoyed within strictly-enforced personal guidelines. I knew I’d have to get up early to re-secure my usual spot so I had a 2AM curfew, which I followed in a stunning display of self-restraint.
So We the Media are here, as are a surprising number of poker players, who are milling about the Amazon Room looking the place over and wandering around the tables. I can imagine that the adrenaline runs high before you play in the Main Event, especially when it’s your first time, but if I have any advice for WSOP newbies it’d be this–players who arrive an hour before the tournament and try to take their seats are NOT going to win the tournament. It’s good to be excited, but try not to let excitement morph into anxiety.
You won’t miss any hands, they won’t give your seat to someone else. Get your sleep. Have a protein-rich breakfast. Arrive in time to weave through traffic and negotiate the crowded hallways. But don’t be the guy wandering aimlessly around the halls at 10:30AM with an empty Starbucks cup. You’re going to wear yourself out with worry before you play a hand. You’re going to be tired before you take your seat. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt–you’re gonna be fine. You’re gonna play well. When the time comes. And it doesn’t come till high noon–THAT’S when you need to be ready to play poker. No one won the Main Event at 10:30 in the morning on Day 1, but I’ll bet quite a few players who arrive that early are beaten before the show up. Relax…
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Tags: 2009 world series of poker, 2009 wsop, world series of poker, WSOP
