Guest Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 A few weeks ago, I won a satellite tournament into the Scandinavian Open being held this coming weekend in Copenhagan, Denmark. Its a $3600 buy in with 150 players max. Players like Greg Raymer and Dutch Boyd will be there. Im only 19 so I've never played in a casino before. The only live poker I've played is casual games with friends. What's the best advice you could give me? There's no Indian Casinos around here, so there's no way I can practice. Hopefully I can play a little at the casino the night before the tourney. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
Spidurman 0 Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 keep calm and be relaxed - if you are tense, your body language will give information away. I'd also get comfortable holding chips and betting them.oh and congrats on making the tourney Link to post Share on other sites
speedz99 145 Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Be patient. Aggressiveness is great, but make sure you pick your spots, especially if you are a little nervous. Link to post Share on other sites
jayboogie 0 Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 well, no matter what advice anyone gives you, your still going to be nervous as hel, playing against professionals and in your first big live tournament. Just try to concentrate on your cards and your opponents and not let the surroundings affect you, of course easier said than done. Don't give too much respect to your opponents, but don't take them too lightly either. My advice is to just have a good time, of course you go in with the mentality of wanting to win, but above all have a good time and enjoy the experience. Link to post Share on other sites
card79 0 Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 The first big tourney I played the big thing that hit me was that the action seemed so fast and furious. Stop and take a deep breath think things through. Don't just react. I am usually very calm and controlled and for some reason we got going and i was like making split second decisions and things like this. Must have been the Nerves. Don't wait till your first break like me to realize it. Be calm and take your time and do everything the same way everytime. Link to post Share on other sites
Spidurman 0 Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 If you are the reading type - read 'Positively Fifth Street' by Jim McManus. Details his first ever live tournament experience (WSOP) - at the very least you'll be able to relate to his experiences fairly soon. Link to post Share on other sites
Eclypse 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 A few weeks ago, I won a satellite tournament into the Scandinavian Open being held this coming weekend in Copenhagan, Denmark. Its a $3600 buy in with 150 players max. Players like Greg Raymer and Dutch Boyd will be there. Im only 19 so I've never played in a casino before. The only live poker I've played is casual games with friends. What's the best advice you could give me? There's no Indian Casinos around here, so there's no way I can practice. Hopefully I can play a little at the casino the night before the tourney. Thanks.First of all, I don't think we need to give you any advice on how to win at a poker tournament--you've entered our Tuesday night tournament 2 times and won first place both times. So this is the advice I would give you:1. Relax. You obviously know how to play winning poker, so don't sweat that part.2. If you have some time, get a hold of some casino chips and practice stacking, betting, etc.3. If you get nervous about making a mistake, remember that if you do make a mistake and live through it, the nerves usually go away.4. Wear sunglasses. I usually don't, but I did the first time I entered a tournament and it seemed to help with the self-conciousness.Well, that's about it.Hope this helps.GOOD LUCK! Link to post Share on other sites
pogiolithis 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Where at in Colorado do you live? If you don't mind me asking? Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Where at in Colorado do you live? If you don't mind me asking?pueblo. you? Link to post Share on other sites
BPV 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I know exactly what you're feeling. Well, not exactly, because i wasn't again some of the top pros or anything... but it was still my first time in a casino (18+ casino in california)... and i was SO nervous sitting at the tables. I put my hands on the rails, and there was sweat marks when i took my hands away. And when i was in my first hand, forget it, i was nervous as hell.. my hands were shaking so badly, and when i dragged in a huge pot, i could hardly even stack them up, kept knocking chips over...once you're sitting down for 20 minutes, you play a few hands, win a few pots.. the nervousness goes away, and its really exciting. Good luck with the tournament Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 come on guys tell me more. when i get my cards when do i look at them? do i wait till its my turn or anytime? Link to post Share on other sites
Smasharoo 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I assume you've made suer it's not a 21+ event before you end up sitting on your ass in the Copenghagen airport, yes? Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I assume you've made suer it's not a 21+ event before you end up sitting on your ass in the Copenghagen airport, yes?lol yes sir. 18+ Link to post Share on other sites
BPV 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 typically I wait to take my cards until the dealers past out both of them. If you're in late position, take a second to watch other peoples reactions and see if you can pick up an early read on them. If you're under the gun, don't hold up the game by trying to stare down your opponents when its your turn to act, obviously. Then just basic casino rules... no talking about your hand, no helping other players.. don't act out of turn.. Might have some other rules they'll let you know about. I can try to answer any specific questions you have Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 typically I wait to take my cards until the dealers past out both of them. If you're in late position, take a second to watch other peoples reactions and see if you can pick up an early read on them. If you're under the gun, don't hold up the game by trying to stare down your opponents when its your turn to act, obviously. Then just basic casino rules... no talking about your hand, no helping other players.. don't act out of turn.. Might have some other rules they'll let you know about. I can try to answer any specific questions you haveand i should memorize my cards so i dont have to look at them again right? is it ever smart to take a 2nd look at pocket cards after the flop or something? Link to post Share on other sites
bsabres81 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Either look imediately (as TJ Cloutier does) or wait until it is your turn or about to be your turn (as most do). Absolutely memorize what they are. There are times to doublecheck your cards, though rare. My favorite is when I have something like A Q and the flop is 10 5 2 . Most people will think you have one diamond when you do this. The best advice I can give is be respectful to everyone, but intimidated by no one. Congratulations and good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
NorthPacific 25 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I was reading a blog on the 2004 WSOP. There was a line that stuck with me because it made so much sense. I don't know if it will help but I'll tell it anyway.It went like this. JV I was so nervouse watching all the action on the final table that I didn't even see the flop for the first 12 hands or so. But thats when I noticed something very important, Greg Raymer was seeing any of the flops either, He was looking at each of the players, looking for some reaction to the flop before he even bother to wonder what the cards were. Link to post Share on other sites
BPV 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I do that all the time. I look at the other players before i look at the flop. Sometimes I don't look at my cards, just other peoples reactions to the cards. But it gets me into trouble last night. In a tournament last night, down to last 3 people, and I tried to do that with a relatively new player.... turns out he had AA and he hit his set on the flop, followed by a boat on the turn... that took about 60% of my chips... but I came back and won the tournament anyway Link to post Share on other sites
dna4ever 2 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 First of all, I don't think we need to give you any advice on how to win at a poker tournament--you've entered our Tuesday night tournament 2 times and won first place both times.First of all congratulations x3000gtx! I agree 100% with what Ecylpse, you obviously have a good poker game. People are going to strongly disagree with this next statement and by every book I have ever read what I am about to say is false, but it was true for me. My very first live tournament was last year at the Imperial Palace. I cant remember the exact details, but it was a rebuy with addon and about 50 people, around $50 buyin. I ended up placing 2nd and took a nice prize home cause there were several rebuys and nearly everyone added on. The one main thing I remember about my first live tourny was I never once noticed/looked for tells mainly because I didnt know how to. I simply played my cards, position, and odds as if I were online. I did do a couple of what I thought at the time were 'intimidating' verbal things like "how much is left in your stack" or things like that which surprisingly worked well.Since that tourny I have read most of Caro's Book of Tells and watched "Howard Lederer Tells All" DVD which I found to be pretty helpful and can only do good things for your game.The bottom line is you obviously know how to play poker and that goes a long way. Although tells and live game experience are definitely important you can most definitely win this thing without having that experience! GOOD LUCK! Link to post Share on other sites
The Sheriff JBJ 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I have to agree to with many posters. Relax and play your normal game.This may sound silly, but try playing some on-line hands like it were live. ie be aware of how you are acting even though no one can see you.If your cheeks go blood red when bluffing thats not an on-line issue, but a massive live one.However, maybe its better I leave the poker advice to the more experienced amongst the forum, I can however, offer some travel advice.I have been to Denmark. (Copenhagne) on a pre season tour with my football team (Soccer) a few years ago. I went for my first drink with a friend in the main square. 18 years for alcohol BTW. I ordered a pint of lager and a pint of guiness. It cost almost £9 for two beers. Now in $ thats $16. Everything is very expensive.Public transport is fantastic and the train to most places is always the best option.I have a number of friends in Copenhagen too. So just send a PM to me if you are mega stuck with something and we'll get it sorted for you.Take time out if you can to soak up some of the culture. Birth place of Hans Christian Anderson. Great boat tours and a fantastic city. Reccommend the John Bull Pub next to the Mermaid Hotel off the main square. Tivoli Gardens is also a good shout too.Are your expenses paid for this too ie flight, hotel, food etc?I will find a link to my copenhagen pictures and post it for you and any other forum members interested in taking a look! Link to post Share on other sites
The Sheriff JBJ 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 A few weeks ago, I won a satellite tournament into the Scandinavian Open being held this coming weekend in Copenhagan, Denmark. Its a $3600 buy in with 150 players max. Players like Greg Raymer and Dutch Boyd will be there. Im only 19 so I've never played in a casino before. The only live poker I've played is casual games with friends. What's the best advice you could give me? There's no Indian Casinos around here, so there's no way I can practice. Hopefully I can play a little at the casino the night before the tourney. Thanks. http://www.baggies.com/gallery/?gallery=2Pictures of me in Denmark 2001. Im the rather chunky fellow by the name of Matt Wright / Wrighty Link to post Share on other sites
justblaze 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 also big buyin tourneys play much different than the crapshoots you are used to online. I would recommend buying Wilson's Poker Pro or whatever its called, finding out the format for the tourney, punching that into the software and running a few simulation tourneys. the strategies are much different. Link to post Share on other sites
benhoug 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Not that I have ever played in a "big" tournament, so take my advice for what it's worth, but play the same game that got you there. You obviously did something right to win your way into this tournament, so just keep doing it. If you're solid, play a solid game, if you're aggressive, play aggressive... but don't forget to mix things up too. Play the same hand differently and don't let anyone bully you around b/c they've got a big table image. In addition to reading Positively 5th Street (as an earlier post suggested) I'd reccommend reading or re-reading TJ's book "Championship Pot-Limit and No Limit Hold 'Em."Good luck... And have fun. Link to post Share on other sites
Ramocita 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Please take note of what Daniel said in his Journal today.....In an important hand, with a decision to go all in... he asked the raiser if he played on-line and the response was "unfortunately I do"... at that moment that was all Daniel had to know.... he went all in and busted him.... Link to post Share on other sites
thedude 0 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Odds are you wont get playable cards your first hand, but unless its rockets..... fold. There is just too much going on in your mind for the first little while to play competently. Oh ya, and wear an under-shirt, your gonna sweat, and thats normal. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
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