19-Player Panel
The world’s largest festival of wealth redistribution is just a fortnight away. Flights have been booked. Hotel stays are being cancelled and re-booked cheaper because economic uncertainty means Las Vegas is teetering on the brink of recession. Nonetheless, spirits are undampenable. May is a time for ‘what if’ in the poker world. Anticipation is high. Hope is bountiful. Bankrolls are plentiful. Staking deals are being locked in. Swaps are being booked. For the moment, dreams remain uncrushed.
I decided to assemble a panel of professional poker players who are all heading to the desert
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) represents different things to different people so I decided to assemble a panel of professional poker players who are all heading to the desert. A veritable smörgåsbord of talent answered my call including World Poker Tour (WPT) ambassador and vlogger extraordinaire Brad Owen, record Sunday Millions champion Vanessa Kade, Run It Once coach Kevin Rabichow, 888 poker ambassador Ian Simpson and Pokerstars ambassador and best-selling author Maria Konnikova, up and coming crusher Fabian Bartuschk and Irish Open champion Dan Wilson.
I also wrangled Mid-Stakes Poker Tour (MSPT) Player of the Year and Pokernews podcast host Kyna England, WPT champion Soheb Porbandarwala, professional water bottle chucker Matt Affleck, WPT champion Andy Wilson, 2-time MSPT champion Angela Jordison, RunGood Main Event champion Terrance Reid, poker pro and commentator Andrew Hedley, online crusher Aaron Barone, RecPoker podcast host Jim Reid, 4-time Global poker winning podcaster/author Dara O’Kearney, Pokerstars ambassador/chess bitch Jen Shahade and poker champion and award-winning broadcaster Maria Ho.
In Part 1 of this 3-Part series of articles, I warm up these 18 poker luminaries with a couple of easy questions before extracting their true feelings about the best and worst thing about the WSOP. It’s a classic 3-punch combination. Enjoy…
How many bracelet events are you likely to play and do you prioritise WSOP tournaments?
Brad Owen: I’m currently planning to play around 30-40 tournaments, but I may run out of money at some point in the middle. The plan right now is to play almost exclusively WSOP tournaments. They’ve made improvements to the registration process so that their events are easy to buy into and get seated quickly. I’ll play very little cash. The public cash games often take a long time to get into later in the day so I mostly avoid them. I haven’t looked too much at what other tournaments are running around town this summer, but I’m sure I’ll play some Wynn events – it tends to be very refreshing to play there after being at the Horseshoe for an extended period of time since the Wynn is hands down the best overall playing experience.
Vanessa Kade: I’m unsure as to exactly how much I will play. My goal is to just be perpetually playing through the summer. A lot of the series running parallel to WSOP have gotten quite good, so my ultimate schedule will probably have fewer bracelet events than previous years. There are a couple no-miss tournaments from my perspective, like the Main Event obviously and some of the six max events. Other than that, this year if I bust something and still have energy and something else is late reggable, I’ll play it – probably hopping between properties a lot.
Kevin Rabichow: I’ll play 10-15 bracelet events this year. I won’t be prioritising the WSOP, but they still have most of the highest value tournaments during the summer.
Ian Simpson: I will be in Vegas for 16 nights and I’ll be playing everything $1K and over at the WSOP. I think that makes eight unique events not counting multiple flights. The rake sub-1K is pretty high, especially given the bad level of service we get at the WSOP. While I won’t completely rule those events from my schedule, they are a lower priority for sure. To be fair, the WSOP events are soft so I do prioritise them. Outside of that, bankroll management and rake are the deciding factors on what I play.
Maria Konnikova: I’m not getting into Las Vegas until the 9th of June so I will miss all the early events. How much I play will obviously depend on how I do. If I make zero Day 2s, I could play 25 or so tournaments. I do prioritize WSOP events in the summer because, the way I look at it, I have the rest of the year to play non-bracelet events. My second choice will always be The Wynn because they have a really nice summer series with great guarantees.
Fabian Bartuschk: My plan is to play about ten WSOP events. I will be prioritising the best value tournaments, no matter where they are in Vegas.
Dan Wilson: I’m only going to play between two and four WSOP events this year. I do give them a slight preference but am certainly tempted away from the Horseshoe when there are large field main events on in other casinos.
Kyna England: Right now I plan to play about six WSOP events but that could change. I used to make WSOP my priority but not anymore. I think some of the other events at other venues can be more profitable and it’s good to mix up the venues so the summer doesn’t start to get stale. I’m excited to play some of the events at the Venetian and the Golden Nugget has a really nice series too. Getting off the strip is nice!
Soheb Porbandarwala: I am not going to be in Vegas for very long this year – maybe a week or two depending on how the Main Event goes. I have no plans on playing any other specific events. I don’t normally prioritize WSOP tournaments when I am in Vegas, usually the opposite actually. There’s so many tournaments to choose from every day and I prefer going to other venues.
Matt Affleck: I will play a pretty full schedule – probably 30 or so events. I do prioritize No Limit Hold’em WSOP events in the $1K to 5K range. In my opinion, the offering at the Horseshoe and Paris trumps the other properties.
Andy Wilson: I’m not quite sure yet as to when I’m going to go, but the added option to buy in with Luxon with the migration to the new WSOP+ app has whet my appetite as it helps to circumnavigate liquidity issues significantly. I’d say 15-20 is a fair line depending on when I turn up in Vegas.
I like to park my arse somewhere and stay there
Generally speaking, I do focus on the WSOP due to ease of access and I think that they are the best tournaments during the summer. I like to park my arse somewhere and stay there so the series itself gives the most flexibility doing that.
Angela Jordison: I will play approximately 25-30 WSOP events. However, I will try to be flexible and allow myself to play less or more depending on how I feel. I do prioritize WSOP events but I also play off property events that have fields heavy with BBQ dads. Hello Wynn Seniors!!!
TJ Reid: The 20 or so WSOP events that I will play are my priority. I build my schedule around them. If I bag an early flight or something then that’s when I venture to other venues. Oh yeah, when I bust early too!
Andrew Hedley: It’s going to be just 4-5 events for me this year as I’m only going for three weeks this year. I don’t especially prioritise the WSOP. I tend to look for the better structures where possible and there’s plenty of other options nowadays with the Wynn, Venetian and others so it’s really schedule dependant.
Aaron Barone: Other than the Main, probably just one or two. I don’t particularly like the WSOP events and there are many other great series running during that same time period. I pick the games that appear to be a combination of most fun/highest equity (Who doesn’t want to open a Mystery Bounty envelope?)
Jim Reid: Shorter trip this year so I will play the Main Event plus three others. I do give the WSOP my
priority.
Dara O’Kearney: I’m going for almost five weeks so probably about 15. I do prioritise the WSOP events and while I might play elsewhere occasionally, I always plan my schedule around those tournaments.
Jen Shahade: I haven’t set my plans yet but I’ll probably play three or four WSOP events this year. I’m only going to be there for a little over a week and I will plan my trip around the WSOP schedule while I’m there. This year I’m excited that the Ladies Week offerings includes a high roller (at the Venetian) and a Mystery Bounty. When the Women’s Winter Festival last Fall debuted a Ladies High Roller, I had a feeling it was going to be a trend and it’s great to see that come true.
Maria Ho: I will play 15-20 events. That will be my smallest schedule in the last 14 years. Due to life stuff, I won’t be in Vegas for the whole summer. For me, the bracelet events do come first and they are by far the best value and biggest fields.
Do you take days off during the Series?
Brad Owen: I’m not very good at taking days off because I look at the schedule each day and always find something that I want to play. This year, I may need to make a conscious effort to slow down and take breaks so I can reset and give myself a better chance at success in the tournaments that I do play. When I’m not playing, I’ll be working on videos, studying and spending time with my family as I can.
Vanessa Kade: Some years yes, other years no. I missed quite a few events last year because my cat was ill, but this year I’ll play as much as possible.
Kevin Rabichow: Yes, plenty! I want to leave space to socialize, work on my coaching business, and recover before big events. I’ll go home for a few weeks in the middle of the series as well.
Ian Simpson: I rarely take a day off. I’d have to be very tired or have a big Day 2 approaching to take time off whilst there. I want to get in as much volume as I can.
Maria Konnikova: Yes. I always take time off before the Main (and usually leave Vegas altogether to go on a mini-vacation somewhere on the water). This year, Nate Silver and I are doing an event at the Aspen Ideas Festival, as well, which happens to be in the middle of the series, so we are both taking some days off for that.
Fabian Bartuschk: I will definitely take some days off. I think it’s necessary to take time away from the tables to recover.
Dan Wilson: Yes. If I had to guess, I’ll probably take 1-2 days over 2-3 weeks.
Kyna England: Yes, I can’t do a full schedule anymore nor do I want to.
Soheb Porbandarwala: Yes, and this year I will be taking just about every day off.
Matt Affleck: I will certainly take some time off.
Andy Wilson: I don’t usually turn up for every tournament and I’d like to keep it that way. I haven’t ever been a high volume player, even in my online career, apart from perhaps the lock down period, basically:
I prefer to spend as much time away from the tables as I can.
Angela Jordison: I’m there for six weeks to work hard so days off are not a priority. I’ll probably end up taking 1-2 days off.
TJ Reid: I plan my schedule for no days off. If I’m feeling good, I’m playing. That said, if I’m not feeling well physically or mentally, I’ll give myself a day off as needed and when possible.
Andrew Hedley: Yes. I’m old now.
Aaron Barone: From tournaments? Often. I usually end up playing cash on those days, but I definitely give myself the option to not play anything at all.
Jim Reid: I only take rest days on longer trips and I will definitely try to take advantage of every minute I’m there. If I bust tourneys, I am always happy to jump into cash games.
Dara O’Kearney: Over the years, I’ve tried every approach to rest days – scheduling them, taking them when needed, and not taking them at all. I think that this year, given that I will be there for so long, I will probably take a few, although they may end up being media days.
Jen Shahade: I don’t plan to because I’m going for such a short time. A few previous summers before I had a kid I went for a longer time period and then I took a lot of days off to rest and do other work.
Maria Ho: Yes, but I play it by ear depending on how I’m feeling. I always take at least a few days off before the Main.
What’s the best thing about the WSOP? What’s the worst?
Brad Owen: The best thing about the WSOP is everyone in the poker community gathering together at one location, battling against each other for hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. We’ll see some farmer from Wisconsin getting a massive bluff through against Ivey or Negreanu deep in a tournament. It’s generally a fun time full of excitement, chaos, heartbreak, and triumph. I still get excited when the guys that I looked up to make a final table or win a bracelet; it’s fun to root them on. The WSOP is this condensed seven-week window when top players have their best opportunities to either create or expand upon their legacies.
the worst part of the WSOP is being asked how my summer is going
For me personally, the worst part of the WSOP is being asked how my summer is going. Often, people innocently ask me this hoping to get a positive response when they see me walking in the hallway, not necessarily realizing I’m coming from a tournament I just busted. I want to be nice and chat, but I also don’t want to be regularly reminded that the summer is not going well (so far I’ve never had a particularly good WSOP). If people haven’t heard that I had some major score, then the summer is likely not going great. Anyone asking always means well and just want to strike up a conversation – it’s a natural thing to inquire about, but they don’t realize I get asked this question probably ten or more times a day, and when I’m getting torched, it’s quite brutal. I’m hopeful this summer will be different and I’ll be able to give more uplifting answers.
Vanessa Kade: The best thing by far is seeing everyone. Also, the excitement of the Main Event! The worst thing in years past is how I have to have a drink with David Lappin but since you’re not going this year, it’s all roses.
Kevin Rabichow: The best thing is the buzz – the WSOP gets a crazy atmosphere; everyone is there and everyone is watching. The worst thing is the playing experience – basically every other operator runs tournaments at a higher standard than WSOP.
Ian Simpson: For me, the best thing is the opportunity to win a bracelet and become part of that poker legacy. The worst thing is customer service and dealer standard.
Fabian Bartuschk: The best thing is the vibe of a world championship. There is something different about it. The worst thing is how obvious it is that the dealers and other floor staff are not trained enough.
Dan Wilson: Best – That stirring Ennio Morricone music that they play at the start of each day. Worst – The national anthems.
Kyna England: The best thing about the WSOP is seeing friends from all over the world and playing with people from all walks of life. I really look at poker as an experience and as a skill. The worst thing is the lines. The parking sucks too. Then there’s the ridiculously long color up breaks. Trying to find decent food at dinner break is hard too. Oh, and losing all my money.
Matt Affleck: Best thing: excitement in the room / excitement from the common people playing. Worst thing: Dealer quality and how no shuffle machines means shortened levels. Because of this, I am skipping all the 30 min level WSOP events this year in favor of The Wynn or Venetian.
Andy Wilson: It’s the best time of the year to actually put effort into live poker with a worthwhile expectation due to the draw of the WSOP brand. However, you have to put up with some ten-handed tournaments and very inexperienced dealers.
Angela Jordison: The best thing about the WSOP is the excitement and grandeur of the events. The worst part is the lines and the food options.
TJ Reid: Best: Endless bracelet events, poker every day, massive fields, life-changing money and the summer grind with friends. Worst: Poor quality of dealers, little to no quality food options on-site because of union restrictions and high Vegas prices.
Andrew Hedley: I love the buzz of non-stop live opportunities for a period of weeks. I also love seeing friends and colleagues do well. I hate the endlessly late finishes and being away from family.
Aaron Barone: Best – Vibes are electric early in the series with so many people who love the game of poker gathered in one place. Worst – During breaks, there’s a bottleneck at the entrance/exits where you’re forced to walk through a cloud of cigarette smoke. No one has a name for it yet, how about ‘Ashtray Alley?’
Jim Reid: The best and worst thing is that bracelet = credentials.
Dara O’Kearney: The best thing is the historical significance. The WSOP is a huge part of poker history with records going back farther than any other Series. The worst thing is the poor organisation. While I understand that it’s a huge undertaking, the WSOP could learn a lot from standards upheld at the EPT or the WPT closer to home.
Jen Shahade: Best for me is the people – so many of my favorite people. Also Vegas has so much amazing food and such beautiful light. Worst for me is the dryness and the weather inside and outside (extreme AC).
Maria Ho: The best thing about the WSOP is the melting pot of people from all over the world and all walks of life coming together for their love of the game of poker. The worst thing is anything that involves a line – food, registration, bathrooms, etc.
In the next instalment, I will be getting everyone’s take on some hypothetical rule and structure changes.
