Friday, June 1, 2007
Registration at WSOP complete chaos
When I got up this morning I thought I should go over to the Rio this morning so I can register a little early to avoid long lines. Usually during peak times you can wait for up to an hour to register early in the tournament. Boy was I way off; I got to the Rio at 9am and came up on the back of the line, it seemed a little long for being 3 hours prior to the first event, but based on where the cages to register were located last year should be a good 45 minutes.
Ha Ha, 3 hours later I could finally see that the registration area was in a different room. Insane, I sat in the line waiting and waiting, and to add insult to back injury, the players who were playing in event #1 ($5,000 mixed limit) were brought to the front of the line so that they could make sure to be registered prior to the cards getting in the air. So if you were playing in today’s event you could show up 30 minutes prior to the event and jump right in front of the people who had been waiting for 4 hours.
I know the question that goes through many peoples mind is, "why wait in line, why not just come back later"? The reason is: since my first event is tomorrow I definitely don't want to stand in a line on the day I am playing, I would rather get a good night rest, workout prior to the event, have breakfast, and mentally prepare to play.
The people at Harrah's were raving about how they had really improved the process of registration, paying, and getting seat assignments. I think they were a little off as this was the worst I have ever seen at any tournament.
THERE IS A GOOD SIDE OF THIS ALSO
There were thousands of people waiting to register; so that means this WSOP could be the largest ever. The poker room looks unbelievable, they went all out this year on the look and feel to the actual poker room. They also set up stadium seating for the final table that has its own area. In past WSOP events the final table was really hard to view unless you were sitting in the front row. They have done some good things, but they really need to figure out how to allow the players to register in a fair, efficient manner.
My first event is tomorrow, which is event #3 it is a $1500 No Limit holdem tournament. I might go play some satellites later today after it settles down a little to qualify for the main event.
Until next time.
Ha Ha, 3 hours later I could finally see that the registration area was in a different room. Insane, I sat in the line waiting and waiting, and to add insult to back injury, the players who were playing in event #1 ($5,000 mixed limit) were brought to the front of the line so that they could make sure to be registered prior to the cards getting in the air. So if you were playing in today’s event you could show up 30 minutes prior to the event and jump right in front of the people who had been waiting for 4 hours.
I know the question that goes through many peoples mind is, "why wait in line, why not just come back later"? The reason is: since my first event is tomorrow I definitely don't want to stand in a line on the day I am playing, I would rather get a good night rest, workout prior to the event, have breakfast, and mentally prepare to play.
The people at Harrah's were raving about how they had really improved the process of registration, paying, and getting seat assignments. I think they were a little off as this was the worst I have ever seen at any tournament.
THERE IS A GOOD SIDE OF THIS ALSO
There were thousands of people waiting to register; so that means this WSOP could be the largest ever. The poker room looks unbelievable, they went all out this year on the look and feel to the actual poker room. They also set up stadium seating for the final table that has its own area. In past WSOP events the final table was really hard to view unless you were sitting in the front row. They have done some good things, but they really need to figure out how to allow the players to register in a fair, efficient manner.
My first event is tomorrow, which is event #3 it is a $1500 No Limit holdem tournament. I might go play some satellites later today after it settles down a little to qualify for the main event.
Until next time.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Preparing for the WSOP
As you all know I will be flying out from Portland this Thursday to head down to Las Vegas for this years World Series of Poker. I will be staying at Harrah's Casino from the 31st of May until the middle of June and then moving to the Flamingo. They are all properties of Harrah's so there is a nice shuttle that leaves every 15 minutes to the Rio where the event is held.
I will get there late Thursday night and head to the Rio to pre-register for a few events and take a look at the tournament area. After I get back to the hotel I am sure I will get settled and get a great night rest prior to the next days events. I am scheduled to play a few Satellites on the first so that I can win a seat for the main event.
So.... preparing for the tournament I have gone through my library of poker books just to review how some of the players have played in the past at the WSOP. I have also been going through my saved episodes of High Stakes Poker, WSOP events on ESPN, WPT events on the Travel Channel (soon to be on GSN) just to get the mind set for the craziness that is the WSOP.
I will write more when I get to Vegas.
I will get there late Thursday night and head to the Rio to pre-register for a few events and take a look at the tournament area. After I get back to the hotel I am sure I will get settled and get a great night rest prior to the next days events. I am scheduled to play a few Satellites on the first so that I can win a seat for the main event.
So.... preparing for the tournament I have gone through my library of poker books just to review how some of the players have played in the past at the WSOP. I have also been going through my saved episodes of High Stakes Poker, WSOP events on ESPN, WPT events on the Travel Channel (soon to be on GSN) just to get the mind set for the craziness that is the WSOP.
I will write more when I get to Vegas.
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