Never Played in a Live Tourney

[dowen111]

I am a long time internet player but I never played in a live tournament. I have had my eye on a local tournament its a $50 dollar buy in and around 90 people join. Anyone have some tips so I dont go in and make a big noobish fool out of myself?

[005Pete]

Don't get involved in too many hands. Most of these people have played with each other for a long time and know what each other play. Play postion. I suggest a tight/aggressive type of style. Also use patience. But find out the blind structure. Sometimes they go very quick and you may be forced to make a move. Do not be afraid to get your money in with the best hand. You would be suprised what they call you with. Of course, the luck factor comes into play. Always.

Good Luck.

[Stray]

don't forget to be careful of your facial expressions! I've taken alot of money off new live players because they either forget to bring their 'poker face' or they can't stop themselves from giving away their hand in other ways...

[silverstone]

dont drink the water...

[imnumber01]

Be careful handling chips for the first time, its a whole different game when its IRL.

[Arjonius]

I've only played one live tournament, which happened to be the $4.5 million Irish Open last month. One thing I noticed right away is that you need to adjust your game to the tournament structure. In my case, it was deeper stacks than in most internet tournaments, which allowed for more play; the guys at my table who played fast, internet-style poker busted out quickly, although some at other tables accumulated nice stacks. In a small local tournament, I suspect the structure will be faster, which will require ramping up your aggression factor.

[vger76]

If you cant do chip tricks, I was told by a semi-pro, dont touch your chips unless you are betting. Watch ur tells. Put a mirror on ur puter and practice when you play online.

Use a cardprotector...............
Dont lift your cards over the rail..

Pay attention to the action and when it is your turn to act. FOCUS!!!

OH and make sure that your cards are not reflecting in your glasses.. Happened to me; thank goodness I had the nuts that hand, but later one of the regulars told me.

There are so many differences, I am sure others have more insite than these few and the reasoning.

[dowen111]

Thanks vger, thanks for the tips. You are lucky one of the players was honest and told you they could see your cards! I find it amazing when the pros get pocket aces and sit there cool as a cucumber while they are probably dancing the jig inside!

Why would you use a cardprotector?

[drkneenie]

i have never played live either and really need to cause i am going to try to make my way out to vegas in june to play in the WSOP (one of the smaller buyins). those are some pretty good tips. my biggest problem will probably be keeping my cool. i have been playing online fulltime for over 3 years now and i am still a very emotional player. it will probably be hard to keep my cool after a bad beat. i always imagined myself diving over the table and beating the @#$% out of the person that just knocked me out with 82os. dont know how people can be so calm, shake the persons hand, and say "good game" after a terrible suckout or bad beat in live tournaments. but then again, i am a very sore loser.

[SMOKEDU]

yeah just watch the first couple hand try to make some reads dont play any hand you cant raise with ,never call anyone allin preflop unless you have aces patient