Attending your first live poker event can be a daunting experience, but with a little preparation you’re sure to have a great time. The events are incredibly well run and a mixture of players come together to create a unique atmosphere that is unlike any other.
This isn’t a guide to live poker strategy. It’s a guide to the event itself, covering the practicalities, budgeting, and what to do when you’re there.
How are live events different to online poker?
Many first timers at live events come from the world of online poker. Although it’s the same game with the same rules, live poker is a little bit different in a few ways.
Rather than clicking buttons, you’ll be required to physically handle chips and cards. This includes posting your blind on time, which is important for keeping up the flow of the tournament.
This can sound intimidating. If you’re brand new to live poker, check out a small game at a local casino before attending a major series.
When playing online poker tournaments, you don’t have to worry about physical tells. Hand reading is based purely on betting patterns and sizes, and the decision made by opponents throughout the hand. In live poker, on the other hand, facial expressions and body language can play a role, as skilled players often try to read facial expressions, body language, and other physical cues from their opponents to gain insights into their hand ranges or potential bluffs.
Again, this is nothing to worry about. Physical tells are nowhere near as relevant as you might think. Your skill level online will directly transfer to the live poker event.
The live poker event experience
When you walk in to a major live poker event, immediately you’ll feel the buzz in the room and the concentration of hundreds, if not thousands of players. You’ll hear sound is of shuffling chips and dealer’s shouting “seat open” as players bust.
The venue may be a casino or a hired function room. Either way, it’s an interesting and novel world for a first timer to explore.
Along with huge poker tournaments and side events, organisers often put a lot of effort into activities away from the tables, which can involve exploring the city, tasting local cuisine, watersports and adrenaline fuelled fun, player’s parties and more.
You can also factor in time just to explore a new place. For example, if you’re at a poker festival in Malta, why not spend a day checking out the old town of Valetta.
It’s up to you how you approach the event. You can stick to the poker, or take part in whatever else is going on. In any case, it’s all about having the best experience possible for yourself.
Taking care of the practical stuff
If you’re attending a poker event that’s not in your local area, then you’ll need to take care of the practical elements, just like you would any other trip. This includes booking your flights and hotels. Make sure you have your travel documents in order and if possible find a bed near the venue.
As well as budgeting for the travel costs and accommodation, take into account that you’ll also spend money on food, exploring the city and, of course, the poker.
What stakes to play?
If you want to attend a live poker event, it’s important to make sure you’re always playing responsibly by sticking to your bankroll and only betting with money you can afford to lose.
Poker events usually have tournaments running at different stakes. If the event is a series or festival running over several days, check out the schedule beforehand to plan which games you will play.
Keep in mind that you might bust a tournament, which can quickly change your plan. It’s better to have buy-ins in reserve or a backup plan that involves other activities.
What to eat?
The venue for the live poker event will usually have food options. After all, there’s going to be lots of hungry players. You should be able to find snacks, sandwiches, or hot food.
It’s also enjoyable to get out of the venue and look for local options. No doubt there will be cafes and restaurants nearby that you can head to on the dinner break, which is usually at least 60-minutes.
It can be difficult to eat healthily at poker events, because the temptation is to grab fast food and head back to the tables. However, it’ll be good for performance if you eat a light breakfast, stay hydrated, and eat a balanced diet with fruit and vegetables during the festival.
While you’re there…
Live poker is a game of chance, skill and endurance. The days are long. You could be sitting at the tables playing for ten hours or more per day. For that reason, preparation is key.
We’ve already mentioned eating healthily. You should also aim to get a good night’s sleep before any important tournament, especially if you start getting deep into the money.
Exercise is also important. Without making a deliberate effort, you could end up only walking from the hotel to the venue and back. It’ll be good for the body and mind to take a stroll or hit the gym from time to time while at the festival.
When you’re heading to the venue to play for the first time, you may be worried about knowing where to go and what to do. If you have any problems at all, you can speak to the dealers or floor staff. They are well trained, friendly and will help you find what you need.