I Won A Seat To A $1500 Wsop Tourney, Need Advice

[Dratj 0]

As a few of you may know, I won a seat on FT a few days ago coupled with $500. I am planning on playing no limit event #41 that is scheduled Aug 5th and 6th. Hopefully some of you guys that have been down there already can give some good advice. Questions:1) Given the structure, it appears to play a little bit like a turbo tournament as the blinds escalate relatively quickly given the stack size. Am I right?2) Where is the best place to stay when I'm down there. I was thinking of just getting a room a the Rio since it would just be more convenient. Suggestions? 3) I won the seat on FT but I would still like to wear FCP gear. Can I do that?4) I register when i get there?5) Anyone else on here playing that touney?ThanksAlex

[Dratj 0]

anyone?

[mx957 0]

I'll bet FT can answer your questions more accurately than anyone. And yes they do have support.

[sandwedge 30]

Dratj,Congrats. I can't answer all the questions, but I won a similar seat into event #37 on Bodog. I decided to stay at the Gold Coast, which is within walking distance of the Rio at half the price. I'm not sure how nice it is.I think you are right about the tournament structure. Either accumulate chips early or become short stacked.As far as wearing FCP attire, I had to sign a form saying that I would wear bodog attire the entire tournament. You'll have to check with FT. (I'm thinking about wearing a sign under the bodog logo that asks "40-1?", since they cost me $2,000 bucks by cancelling the multi bracelet winner bet). Good Luck in your tourney.

[rockytrh 0]

3) I won the seat on FT but I would still like to wear FCP gear. Can I do that?

You will have to look at the FT site for their t&c, if it isn't posted there, email FT about this. (although i would just ask if you have to wear FT gear or not.)

[Woodbelly 0]

Stay at Gold Coast, they have 32" LCDs in the rooms, it's pretty clean and it's right across the street from the Rio (side street too so not much traffic) plus it's only like 50 bucks a night. Don't eat at the buffet there though, sub-par.

[Alpha1494 0]

1. The structure is slow, but the blinds start large compared to your stack, try and accumulate chips early.2. Don't really know about the best place to stay. I got a really fantastic rate at the Royale which is right next to the Rio.3. Full Tilt will not let you wear FCP gear. They will give you FT gear.4. When you get there, you will go to the FT lounge and tell them you are there and they will literally give you 3 $500 casino chips to go buy into your event with.5. I don't know anyone else playing that tourney.Hope that helpsAlpha

[BrandonPL 0]

As a few of you may know, I won a seat on FT a few days ago coupled with $500. I am planning on playing no limit event #41 that is scheduled Aug 5th and 6th. Hopefully some of you guys that have been down there already can give some good advice. Questions:1) Given the structure, it appears to play a little bit like a turbo tournament as the blinds escalate relatively quickly given the stack size. Am I right?A) Although the blinds only move up every 60 minutes, the blinds do still rise fairly quickly when you only start with $1500 chips. YOu MUST accumulate in the first two rounds to have any real chance.2) Where is the best place to stay when I'm down there. I was thinking of just getting a room a the Rio since it would just be more convenient. Suggestions? The Rio is a nice place to stay if it isn't already full. If it is, check out the Gold Coast. Its directly next door and only a few minute walk over the the RIO. Its a fairly nice place also. If you can't stay there, try one ofthe other Harrah's properties (I.E. Bally's) because I'm about 99% sure there is a shuttle that runs between all the Harrah's locations.3) I won the seat on FT but I would still like to wear FCP gear. Can I do that?Yes, you can wear FCP gear. I used buyin chips from FT in event #2 and they don't make you sign anything. They will give you FT clothing but you don't have to wear it. Let me make a suggestion though. If you make a final table go talk to the guy you get your entry chips from in the FT suite. They will pay a nice chunk of cash for you to wear their clothing at the final table (much more than we are going to make from the FCP deal unless DN happens to win the main event).4) I register when i get there?Yes, you have to register after you get there because you need the entry chips.5) Anyone else on here playing that touney?I may play it depending on how the main event goes.ThanksAlex

Answers are above. I hope they help.

[360f1 0]

As a few of you may know, I won a seat on FT a few days ago coupled with $500. I am planning on playing no limit event #41 that is scheduled Aug 5th and 6th. Hopefully some of you guys that have been down there already can give some good advice. Questions:1) Given the structure, it appears to play a little bit like a turbo tournament as the blinds escalate relatively quickly given the stack size. Am I right?2) Where is the best place to stay when I'm down there. I was thinking of just getting a room a the Rio since it would just be more convenient. Suggestions? 3) I won the seat on FT but I would still like to wear FCP gear. Can I do that?4) I register when i get there?5) Anyone else on here playing that touney?ThanksAlex

1. If it's like the other events I've played, I wouldn't really call it a turbo. You've got time to play.2. I don't know if the Rio will have rooms available. If they do then stay there as it's convinient. The Palms is right across the street so that might be a good option.3. I don't know. I'd suspect they'd make you wear FT gear, but I have no idea how that works. If you make the final table (if its televised) all the sites will offer you $$ to wear their gear. usually its about $12,000. But I'm not sure if those late tourneys are going to be televised.4. Registration is easy when you get there.5. Hopefully I will not be playing in that event, as it would mean that I'm still in the main event. August 5th will be when 600 play down to 300. Otherwise I'll see you at the table on the 5th.

[_OutKicked_ 0]

Staying at the RIO may be convenient but beware:http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/07180...ml?link=rssfeed

[rockytrh 0]

Staying at the RIO may be convenient but beware:http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/07180...ml?link=rssfeed

i hope that this is a sad attempt to bleed money from a casino, and not what actually happened. but how can you make this up?? :shudder:

[Dratj 0]

Stay at Gold Coast, they have 32" LCDs in the rooms, it's pretty clean and it's right across the street from the Rio (side street too so not much traffic) plus it's only like 50 bucks a night. Don't eat at the buffet there though, sub-par.

sounds like good advice, I'm trying to be a true grinder so why splurge on a hotel when I'm just going to sleep there, right? What's the commute like to the strip from there though?

[_OutKicked_ 0]

i hope that this is a sad attempt to bleed money from a casino, and not what actually happened. but how can you make this up?? :shudder:

not to mention, it says this isn't the first time this has happened.2 pieces of advice:1 don't stay at the rio2 don't take your kids to vegas

[rockytrh 0]

2 don't take your kids to vegas

AMEN BROTHER!

[Dratj 0]

1. If it's like the other events I've played, I wouldn't really call it a turbo. You've got time to play.2. I don't know if the Rio will have rooms available. If they do then stay there as it's convinient. The Palms is right across the street so that might be a good option.3. I don't know. I'd suspect they'd make you wear FT gear, but I have no idea how that works. If you make the final table (if its televised) all the sites will offer you $$ to wear their gear. usually its about $12,000. But I'm not sure if those late tourneys are going to be televised.4. Registration is easy when you get there.5. Hopefully I will not be playing in that event, as it would mean that I'm still in the main event. August 5th will be when 600 play down to 300. Otherwise I'll see you at the table on the 5th.

I hope you are right, I'd like skill to be more of a factor than luck. Of course i'd like to play the main event but have not tried to qualify for it and don't have 10k to plop down for it. I hope i dont see you at this event which means you are kicking *** at the main event.

Answers are above. I hope they help.

Thx great advice. I'll try my best to accumulate early but nothing I can do if I'm card dead. I'm thinking of staying at the Gold Coast. 660 bucks canadian for four nights stay and 2 way flight. not bad. It's also convenient. Maybe I'll check into the other Harrah's properties, it would be nice to stay on the strip as well. Which events have you played?

[NoSup4U 0]

My advice on the $1500s...You have a couple of hours of relaxed time where you don't need to get involved if you don't have to. The blinds go 25/25 and 25/50 for the first 2 hours. So there is a lot of play at those levels.I would recommend checking the table break schedule. In the events I've played, they have been starting at the far back corner of the room at table 1 and moving up from there. If it looks like your table won't be broken all afternoon, I would recommend establishing a very tight image for the first couple of hours. That way, when you hit the 50/100 blinds in hour 3, you can pick it up and start picking off pots with little to no resistance.But other than that, everyone is correct. You really need to at least triple up by the end of the 3rd level to feel comfortable. Once antes get involved, its somewhat of a crap shoot. You need to be able to steal at least once a round, and pray you don't lose half your stack running into anything crazy. Don't panic though if things don't go well early. In the $2000NL I was down to 300 chips before the 3rd level, and still came close to making the money. Down is definitely not out at the WSOP...Mark

[Dratj 0]

My advice on the $1500s...You have a couple of hours of relaxed time where you don't need to get involved if you don't have to. The blinds go 25/25 and 25/50 for the first 2 hours. So there is a lot of play at those levels.I would recommend checking the table break schedule. In the events I've played, they have been starting at the far back corner of the room at table 1 and moving up from there. If it looks like your table won't be broken all afternoon, I would recommend establishing a very tight image for the first couple of hours. That way, when you hit the 50/100 blinds in hour 3, you can pick it up and start picking off pots with little to no resistance.But other than that, everyone is correct. You really need to at least triple up by the end of the 3rd level to feel comfortable. Once antes get involved, its somewhat of a crap shoot. You need to be able to steal at least once a round, and pray you don't lose half your stack running into anything crazy. Don't panic though if things don't go well early. In the $2000NL I was down to 300 chips before the 3rd level, and still came close to making the money. Down is definitely not out at the WSOP...Mark

do you find the players quite strong or do you see quite a number of donkeys?

[Griphin 0]

Quit, I mean it's not like you'll even place in the Top 20 anyways.

[Fatty McSlim 0]

Dratj,Congrats. I can't answer all the questions, but I won a similar seat into event #37 on Bodog. I decided to stay at the Gold Coast, which is within walking distance of the Rio at half the price. I'm not sure how nice it is.I think you are right about the tournament structure. Either accumulate chips early or become short stacked.As far as wearing FCP attire, I had to sign a form saying that I would wear bodog attire the entire tournament. You'll have to check with FT. (I'm thinking about wearing a sign under the bodog logo that asks "40-1?", since they cost me $2,000 bucks by cancelling the multi bracelet winner bet). Good Luck in your tourney.

I won my seat and am playing in that too. Not ironically, I'm also staying at the Gold Coast.

sounds like good advice, I'm trying to be a true grinder so why splurge on a hotel when I'm just going to sleep there, right? What's the commute like to the strip from there though?

Fantastic if you stay at the Gold Coast--they provide shuttle service

[NoSup4U 0]

do you find the players quite strong or do you see quite a number of donkeys?

I played in Event 2, which had 2776 players in it, so needless to say, they were quite weak. Every time I got up to talk to my friends on the rail, I found myself telling them: I'm so lucky, this table is rediculously easy.Obviously, thats a big luck of the draw thing...but my experience was that in general before the dinner break, my tables were full of either: Calling stations, who played way too many hands passivly, or 'book smart' players who were inexperienced and weak.Again though, I feel like I had rediculously good table draws, so your mileage may vary. Any $1500 event with over 1500 people in it though will have its good share of donks though...I actually expect this to increase around the week of the ME, because thats when all the donks want to be up there to rail, and most joes can plunk down the $1500 to play...Mark

[Othafa9 0]

And another thing they might not tell you, is you don't even have play a tournament, they will pay you in RIO chips and you can just cash it out and leave right there, if you are so inclined.

[Dratj 0]

You will have to look at the FT site for their t&c, if it isn't posted there, email FT about this. (although i would just ask if you have to wear FT gear or not.)

Apparently i can wear whatever I want, so I'm going to represent FCP. Hopefully I can do well.

[Stylin_Fish 0]

Go into the tournament with the idea like you're playing in the $80 dollar tournaments at Binions, Plaza, etc. If you get early on KJs, raise and then with a call behind you, you get reraised, call him and watch as the other guy calls. Flop comes J-X-X with two spades, push and watch as the guy behind you calls with pocket Queens and the guy who reraised calls with pocket Aces and then continue to watch as you don't win. Walk away and say, "well, better to double/triple up early then sit here short stacked for 5 hours to not even place in the top 10,000"

[Dratj 0]

Go into the tournament with the idea like you're playing in the $80 dollar tournaments at Binions, Plaza, etc. If you get early on KJs, raise and then with a call behind you, you get reraised, call him and watch as the other guy calls. Flop comes J-X-X with two spades, push and watch as the guy behind you calls with pocket Queens and the guy who reraised calls with pocket Aces and then continue to watch as you don't win. Walk away and say, "well, better to double/triple up early then sit here short stacked for 5 hours to not even place in the top 10,000"

sw?

[Stylin_Fish 0]

sw?

No, I really did that in a Binions tournament a few months ago. Starting stacks so low, make a move or do something else. I lasted 7 minutes.