I'm off to the European WSOP!!

[stragf]

I'm a bit freaked here. I went through three PP tourneys (satellite qualifiers), and I 've won a seat in the EWSOP in Vienna in March. Now, here is the dilemma for me..
I would appreciate suggestions as to how I might "study up" for my trip. I really am very nervous. I don't want to go thinking I'm in over my head, or I'll be gone real quick, but on the other hand, I'm more of a "feel" player than a "statistical" player, and I don't think that I have nerves of steel. I try to be tight aggressive. I would imagine I'll be going up against some fairly significant talent.

Suggestions?? Thanks all.

[TormentMe]

unregister :P, lol

[Andy Holt]

unregister :P, lol

Or not.

Dude, that is so cool. You have to think of it as more of an experience than anything, and just loosen up and play your game. You're going to Austria, staying at a hotel, playing in a big tourney and having a lot of fun in the process. It's hard to go too wrong thinking of it as more of a vacation than anything else. Just play the best you can and the Poker Gods will do the rest.

Oh yeah, and read Harrington on Hold'em 1 and 2 on the plane. Especially 2.

And keep a diary, and post it all on FTR when you come back. I want to hear about your trip! I'll be pullin' for ya...

[michael1123]

Very cool. Good luck man!

[stragf]

Thanks everybody. I will keep a diary, and Vol. II is on it's way. I'll let you know how it goes if you wish.

Grant
PS: Thanks for the positive words

[PO$$E$$ED]

My advice to you is don't play scared. Just remember it's mostly luck anyway, enjoy yourself and don't let yourself get blinded away waiting for those aces. Good luck.

[Pingviini]

Congratulations!

Also thanks, I didnt even know that there was an euro-trash wsop going on. I think I will start playing some sats too! I wanna play in a bigger live mtt and cant make it to the next medium sized EPT tourneys and monaco is "a bit" too expensive.. Hope to see you in Vienna

[michael1123]

This one is a 2k euro buyin main event, so it may be in the range you're looking for, Ping. And I assume there will also be smaller buyin events before the main event.

[Pingviini]

I am just looking for info and there are lots of nice smaller tournaments! http://www.ccc.co.at/ewsop06.pdf The stupid thing about Party event satellite is that they charge you so much for hotel, 2k€ is ~$2.4k, $1.5k spending money. that makes about $4k but the package is worth $5k.. But I guess if you stay there longer the rest of the nights wouldnt be so incredibly expensive. It is true that the hotel is for two for 5 nights but still, $1k Anyways, I am a cheap bastard This sounds like an event I really wanna play in.

Next bigger event in Finland in propably in June and it is possible that I wont be here then but watching soccer in Germany so I wanna go to Vienna.

Is this too small an event for you Michael?

[Pingviini]

Also, if anybody wants to stake me I am willing to take offers

[michael1123]

Its not too small of an event, I just don't want to fly half way around the world to play in it. I'm more considering staying in the bahamas and playing in the Canadian Poker Championship that starts a couple weeks after the PCA ends.

[SnoT_III]

i'd rather win an entry to the european event than the american one just for the experience. way to go man

[zenbitz]

If it was me (after I woke up in a puddle), I would try to make sure I have some live NL tourney experience. Doesn't have to be against anyone good, just mechanics, poker face stuff, tells. You don't want to start the EWSOP wondering if you should wear sunglasses or listen to your IPOD, or go all unabomber or whatever.

If you are at a table with a "known face" then I would try something like the following:

1) Watch how the rest of the table reacts to him (or her), and when he is out of the pot - what do they do? Are they playing more hands? More aggro?

2) When someone is in a hand against Johnny Chan or whomever it is - they are either probably either scared shitless weak, or super agressive trying to bust him. Assume that JC can deal well with either of these two types, and if you are in a hand against him, do ANYTHING else. I guess I would try to act as normal as possible. Do not assume he would do X/Y/Z unless you read him. I have to believe that a world class player can change his style at will. I would very much suspect my reads vs. a top player, because I have not played much live NLHE (certainly never against anyone above average), and I would be worried that I am getting played with a fake tell.

One thing I would assume is true about any player you have seen on TV (more than once..) is that they are very confident in their skill. They are likely to err on the side of folding because their "superior skill" will tell in the long run. Except Greg Raymer - guy's a fish. Catch a real hand on the flop and bust him <grin>

[stragf]

Thanks Snot and Zenblitz,
Zen..good info thankyou. I play a fair amount of live NLHE tournies. As soon as the first hand is dealt, I'm sure I'll be OK. I want to win it, and I don't want to go first 10 hands. LOL. I don't want to catch the nut flush on the turn like the last night, and make a huge raise instead of pushing all in, and have a board pair hit on the river and lose to the fullhouse. AHHHHH.........The joys of the game. (I had to call the all in based on pot odds)
Anyways, thanks guys....I have my fingures and toes and balls all crossed!
Grant

[Warpe]

GL Grant!!! If you've got internet access from your hotel I'm sure everyone would love it if you could give us daily blow-by-blow, but do whatever it takes to keep your head where you need it be. Knock 'em dead!

[naturaltan]

stragf ... good luck, from one Edmontonian to another. Small world.

[stragf]

If that is your picture, would you like to come? LOL.
Thanks for the well wishes