Playing in a Major Event for the first time

Many online poker sites offer some great prizes and rewards to their members. If you play well enough, you can find yourself entered in a major poker tournament - possibly for the first time. What can you expect? The site in question will either have awarded a seat only or a package. If you've only won a seat, that's all you'll get and you'll need to cover costs for transportation and accommodation. If you've won a package, this will be covered for you. There might also be some lavish parties you can attend as well as other exciting events. 

If you are skilful and fortunate to win one of these trips, it can be difficult to think of it for what it is, which is a business trip. You have spent a lot of time and perhaps quite a bit of money in satellites to win your way into an event. Now that you're in the field, you've got the chance to win a huge amount of money if you play well enough to cash.

The problem is that the prize you won turns your trip into a vacation. It would be very easy just to lay back in your fancy hotel room and think you've already won. But if that's your attitude, you'll be missing out on a great opportunity.

You have some game - if you didn't, you wouldn't have qualified for a major event through an online satellite. The job is only half done. If you play your best and don't get anything to show for it, at least you can walk away in the knowledge that you gave it your best shot. If you're in a WSOP or WPT tournament or event a UKIPT event, the field is probably stronger than you've seen before. But think of all that will come your way if you actually can get to the latter stages of the tournament. Not only will you cash, but in some cases, you might also qualify for other events. Plus, whatever site sponsored your trip and gave you your buy-in will be delighted with your success because it speaks well of their entity as a brand! They might well offer you some extra rewards for your good play. It's time for your A game.

It's common for players to tighten up as they want the experience to last. I know a player who folded to an all in with pocket aces as it was the first hand dealt to him in the 2010 WSOP. Would i have done that? No. I'd of been thanking my lucky stars that i had the chance to double up early. Enjoy the experience, but go there to play. Better to go out with a fight than with a whimper. I remember when i played my first major event, i played way too tight. I remember folding in a few spots that was uncharacteristic of me to do so - especially as i was pretty sure i had the best of it. Ultimately, i lasted 11 hours on day one and busted just before the end of day. 

So if you are able to win your way to a major event, don't go into your shell when you get to the big event. Play your game and take no prisoners. What's more, players won't know you so you can be who you want to be. Anything can happen on a given day..you just never know.