Who plays WSOP events today?

British's own Victiria Coren gives her perspective after playing in 3 WSOP events.



Victoria Coren
The Guardian, Friday 5 June 2009
Article history

Studying the online turbo multi-table tournaments (MTTs) has been my best possible preparation for going to Vegas. I understand now why the $1,500 events at the World Series of Poker (WSoP) play like they do. I have played two or three of these in the last couple of years and been baffled by their speed. I'm not baffled any more.

Part of the hurry, of course, is the relatively fast blind structure. But people still get knocked out much quicker than they need to, having paid proper money to play. The reason is, I realise, they are applying the principles of the fast online MTTs. They are just doing what they're used to. They are making it an all-in game. They are all-in during the early levels to try and get a big stack, all-in during the middle levels to bully anyone hoping to cling on for the money, all-in at the late stages to try and win the tournament.

So, my advice to anyone who's going to Vegas and might treat themselves to a $1,500 tournament at the Rio just for the experience of playing in the WSoP: don't. If you recognise $1,500 as real money and you want to play real poker, you're better off with a cash game or a cheaper tournament at any one of a dozen other casinos in town. Play those $1,500 bracelet events only if you are an aggressive, gambly player and the money means nothing to you. In that case, follow the strategy advice from last week's column and don't be disappointed to find yourself free for the day after one hour of action. Alternatively, just have a spin on the roulette.

Victoriacoren.com


LMMFAO
It is rather sad that poker has come to this all-in donkey rebuy mentality.
We all complain about it and it never gets better, it is getting worse.
The days of the tight passive players are over. If you don't come out firing these days, you greatly reduce your odds of success. I am one poker player
that knows how to keep it small and fun.:cool:

Its the casinos fault for making the levels and system fast to attempt to make it a faster event to clear up the space.