There are plenty of cities around the world that have poker running through their veins — London, Barcelona, and Monaco come to mind — but Las Vegas will always be the game’s spiritual home.
Sin City helped to popularize poker, and today playing in the city is something of a rite of passage for any keen player. While there are plenty of cash games available, participating in a tournament gives players the chance to really put their skills to the test.
And happily, playing in a tournament is a generally achievable aspiration, given the number that take place each week. Still, players will need to prepare properly to ensure they can get the most from the experience, especially if they’re planning to play in one of the larger, more prestigious tournaments. We’ll run through some handy tips for first-time Vegas tournament players below.
Plan Where You’ll Stay Early
Planning on playing in one of the larger tournaments? Then it’s recommended to arrange your accommodation as soon as possible. People travel from far and wide to compete in Vegas’s tournaments, so it’s not uncommon for the best hotels to be snapped up early.
Note that what constitutes the ‘best hotel’ is different for a poker player than a regular Vegas visitor. Anyone playing a multi-day poker tournament will need somewhere quiet and relaxed to stay, which means that many players elect to stay away from The Strip.
Planning on competing in tournaments for weeks on end? You’ll be better off renting a house that provides home comforts — it might just make all the difference when you go deep into a poker tournament.
Have Experience
Las Vegas’s poker tournaments are typically open to all. But just because someone can enter Sin City’s tournaments, that doesn’t mean that they should. You’ll need to not only have a firm grip on poker’s rules and gameplay but also have experience of playing in tournaments. While the version of poker in a tournament is the same as in a cash game, success in tournaments depends on different skills (such as endurance). As such, it’s usually the players who have extensive experience in tournament play that perform best.
Though it can be difficult to get a seat at non-Vegas tournaments, online players do have some options at their disposal. The Power Path promotion is one way for amateur players to get a seat at some of the world’s biggest tournaments. Players who compete in those tournaments will find it easier to handle the intensity of a Vegas tournament.
Be Ready to Play Poker In Vegas
Traveling to Las Vegas via plane? Then it’s recommended to arrive in the city at least a few days before you’re due to play in the poker tournament, especially if you’re traveling from far away. There’s nothing that’ll impact your performance more negatively than having to play while dealing with jet lag, which can drain your energy levels and impact your cognitive thinking skills.
Make Time for Other Activities
You’ll be in Las Vegas primarily to play in the poker tournament, but it’s worthwhile making an effort to see some of the city’s highlights. This approach is about more than simply being a good traveler and making the most of the attractions in front of you. It can also help you to perform better at the poker table. Tournament poker can be intense, and you’ll find it much easier to return to the table feeling refreshed if you’ve spent a few hours having fun — and trust us, there’s nowhere where it’s easier to have fun than Las Vegas!
Analyze and Learn
It’s unlikely that you’ll play the perfect game in Vegas, especially if you’re a relative newcomer to tournament play. You can get the most from your trip by taking the time to analyze what you did well, what you didn’t do so well, and what you can do differently next time. In doing so, you’ll ensure that your second performance is better than your first.
What say you?
Thoughts on these tips for Poker In Vegas?
Let’s hear it!
Cover Photo by Nghia Trinh
