A Time to Grind

Okay poker sickos. Its time to concentrate and grind out some study time.

Its World Series of Poker Time

Where to start? For me, it is time to recommit myself to tournament poker. For the next five weeks, I will eat, sleep and live tournament poker when I am not working on a project at work. Sick, I know. But if you are going to swim with the sharks and minnows, you better damn well know which is which.

My Steps to Prepare:

1. Tournament Practice. A tournament player cannot expect to perform at his/her best in a poker tournament if the player does not have sufficient practice. I have been playing four tournaments each night this week. I have used some very small entry fee tournaments to try different ideas. The sandwich raise. The slow played monster. The min-raise bluff. The check raise semi bluff with a nut draw. etc, etc, etc. It has my mind working a million miles an hour. I have also broke out my ear buds to simulate the WSOP as best as possible during my tournaments.

2. Physical Preparation. Don't overlook this. If you are going to make it deep in a WSOP event, you have to be committed to sitting for 14 hours of reasonably intense work. I went to the eye doctor yesterday, got my prescription updated and got better contacts so I can wear them longer. I have also lost six pounds with fourteen more to go to my goal prior to the WSOP. It also makes you feel better, a bonus.

3. Focus Training. You must, MUST, work on your focus prior to entering the WSOP arena. One mistake and you can be toast. Reading situations takes concentration. Messing around, drinking alcohol, talking too much (I know most of you think I talk incessantly at the table), staring at those short skirts on the cocktail waitresses. Well ok, a little leg stare is ok. Just consider why you are entering the event. Glory takes work.

4. Relaxation. Find a way to relax prior to an event. Don't press yourself. Playing single tables until 3:00 AM is not a way to prepare for a noon start. I know I did this last year, but that should be an aberration, not a standard mode of operations. I am seriously considering a massage on Saturday morning prior to the $2000 event. That is still to be decided.

Above all else, remember to all my readers, this is a hobby for us. So have fun. But don't let "having fun" become an excuse for sloppy play at the tables. That is a recipe for disaster. Until next time,

Good Luck and See You at the WSOP Felt..........................