World Series of Poker Preview and FAQs

"I'm a professional cynic but my heart's not in it." --- Damon Albarn

So I'm off to Vegas on Tuesday for my first ever World Series of Poker. I'm admittedly quite excited about it. It should be a great time. I've been answering a lot of questions about this lately, so I thought I'd throw together a little post about it here in question and answer format."

1. What event are you playing and when does it start?

I'm playing event #4. It's $1500 limit hold 'em and it begins on Thursday, June 29th.

2. Is that the main event? Will you be on TV?

No, it is not the main event that Chris Moneymaker or Greg Raymer won. That event is a $10,000 buy-in much later on. Clearly, I'm not rolling there yet. However, I may be on to TV if I make the final table. Last year's final table was televised with Eric Froehlich becoming the youngest World Series bracelet winner ever.

3. Who are you going with and where are you staying?

I am meeting a crew of fellow aspiring young men from Phoenix, Mark Swartz, Chad Mattox, and James McNamara. Those three are all playing Event #2 which starts Tuesday. It's $1500 no limit hold 'em. I'll be their photographer for a while and relax before I start playing. Hopefully, we'll all have success and get some silly ESPN footage out of the deal. Somehow, I doubt it though. We are staying at the Venetian, thanks to Chad.

4. How could one follow your progress?

The best coverage every year is on cardplayer.com. What you'll want to do is click on my event or the event of my comrades which should be right on the home page and then go to "chip count". That's the best way to see how we are doing. If we are the chipleader or something, it will be much easier to find us. If we make it to day two or three, we should be really easy to find.

5. Do you realistically think you can win?

I can't speak for my comrades and their confidence. I know that Swartz could take this down if he brings his 'A game' though. I think it is possible that I can win. It will take the best poker of my life, insane concentration, and some luck. It's possible though, or I wouldn't be there. There will be a ton of great players, including all of the stars of the game. It will be a tough field to get through. Last year it was 1,049 players. This year, I'm betting on more.

6. Do you have any goals outside of winning?

Not really. It would be great to make the money but I'm not going to go in with that as a goal. Playing to make the money isn't the way to become a successful tournament player. All of the money is weighted to the top of the pyramid. I don't want to play for 3 days just to profit $250 when I could have done that in 4 hours at the Mirage. I don't get my name in the poker history books for beating a game at the Mirage though, so there is some benefit. Don't get me wrong there. Still, I'm playing to win. The top 10% isn't my goal. If I make the money playing to win though, I'll be ecstatic regardless of where I finish. Really my only goal is to get some great experience. I'd like to be playing in the WSOP every year and maybe more than just one event. Being a part of the atmosphere and taking it all in, sitting with the greats of the game, and figuring out where I stand and what I need to do to improve are my real goals. Having a great time is inevitable. If I get bounced in 20 minutes, I'll still be happy I was there and hopefully, I could get a good lesson out of that.

7. Will you play any differently against the pros? Do you fear them?

I think you always have to take your opponent into account. I'm not going to play an insane draw just to suck out on a pro like some players would. I'm going to play my game. I'm more the unknown in that situation though which might work to my advantage a little. A pro player is thinking on many different levels and if I'm in a pot with them, I'll try to get inside their head and figure out what they are doing. I would do that with any opponent. There is just more going on in say Howard Lederer's head. I'm not afraid of anyone though. Will I look to play more pots against weaker players and less pots against stronger ones? Sure. That's just good strategy. It's not my dream to beat Doyle Brunson in a pot. It's my dream to beat Doyle Brunson and every other mother f%&*$# in the tournament, hoist my bracelet, and fall into a big pile of cash while my crew runs out to tackle me. Winning a battle is nice. Winning a war is history.

8. When are you flying home?

The final table is Saturday, my flight is for late Friday. If I make the final table, I have no problem changing my flight. In fact, if I make the final table, I'll be flying at least a couple of people out just to cheer me on on Saturday. Good Karma, love, and support can't be underestimated at times like these.

9. How will you win? What is your tournament strategy?

I can't get into everything obviously but I will toss a few things out there. I'm thinking about this one level at a time. With blinds starting at $25/$50 and only $1500 in starting chips, I'll need to catch some cards early or at a minimum steal several pots to keep up with the escalating blind structure. Still, there is enough "play" that I won't have to get too crazy and desperate. I plan on playing mostly my tight aggressive style early as I hear there are many loose players early on in tournaments structured this way. I think my natural style fits nicely against those types of players. After the first few levels though, I'll have to change gears at least a little to avoid becoming too predictable. I'll probably employ a Liz Lieu strategy of raising with suited connectors, especially in position, now and again to disguise my pre-flop play and also mix in a few moves post-flop. I'll look to do this primarily against weaker players and players I feel that I can take a pot away from without the best hand. If conditions aren't what I expect though, I'll clearly adjust to that. If I can hammer the blinds consistently, I'll do that. If everyone is folding without the nuts, I'll get into more pots. Pretty standard stuff. My primary goals are to stay entirely focused, have a purpose for everything I do, and don't do anything too stupid. Having fun is the other primary goal, of course.

10. Will you wear sunglasses?

I'm hoping not to go there. I'll save that for $2/$4 table at the Monte Carlo. If I feel like hiding though, or that I'm being read like an open book, I'll mix it up with the shades maybe. I will probably wear my iPod for parts of the day. Some people like soothing music when they play. I'm a rap guy.

11. Any final table plans?

If I were to make the final table, I am wearing my yellow "Cobra Kai Never Dies" t-shirt just because I would love to hear what Norman Chad would have to say about that. That is, unless one of the online sites offers me something to wear one of their shirts. I can be bribed. There is no doubt there.

Wish us all luck. I'll try to post updates as the tournament goes on but I can't guarantee it. I'll rap it all up when I get home though, to be sure. Your support is appreciated. I'll be calling many of your throughtout also, I'm sure.