Five Simple Rules to Play My Best

As a poker professional, I learned the game mainly through hours and hours at the table.

Marathon sessions day after day were normal for me. So getting into a poker mind-set was second nature as I drove to Commerce, the Bike or the Bellagio.

Now, though, I've become sort of a poker wanderer. I am busy with other priorities and I rush to an airport, travel to a hotel, then make my way to a tournament.

Playing your best when you haven't been playing a lot is one of the toughest aspects of tournament poker for most of us, me included cheat poker.
Whether you're flying in to Vegas for a big poker weekend or playing in your first WSOP event, here are a few things I do to make sure I'm ready to play my best.
1. Get plenty of rest. I see sleepy newbies at the table all the time, and I'm sure many have been up playing cash games the evening before.
It is exciting to play live, especially in a venue where there are tournaments going on. But being tired when you're walking into the pressure cooker of a tournament isn't the right preparation. This is especially important if you are traveling across time zones and may be jet-lagged.
If you can afford the time off, try to get to the location of the tournament at least a day early, just so you can push through the initial excitement of it all.
2. Check out the cardroom. I must confess this is something I have gotten burned with in the past. It's easy to rush into the room as the tournament is starting, then become frustrated by the room situation.
Frequently, a major tournament stretches the size of the room, with too many tables and too many players stuffed into too small an area. The room might be cold, hot, stuffy, whatever. It's best to know about it prior to the event, then physically and mentally prepare yourself for whatever the situation will be.
The EPT Warsaw event, for example, is notorious for being in a very tight room, so it's best to be ready for that before you walk into the room.
3. Prepare my stuff. I make sure my iPod is all charged up and up-to-date with the latest songs I like, and I recharge my phone as well. Take a jacket or sweatshirt to be ready for the cold. Double-check your sunglasses and any other things you might use.
Oh, and there are snacks to bring as well! The Liz Lieu Poker Diet is for another post, but bring any munchies that will keep you focused.
4. Clear my mind. I've known a couple players who will actually write down business and personal things on their mind, then tear them up to visualize clearing their mind. You want 100% of your mental energy focused on poker.
Most beginners bring much less of their mind and spirit to the table, losing numerous tells and hand details that would benefit them later.
5. Pamper myself with gifts. This is a time to celebrate having a chance at a big payday, so look at it like that. I've seen many new tournament players so stressed out they act irrationally or don't act at all marked cards.
This is a time to be serious, but it is also a time to have fun. Get yourself some special thing that will bring you luck and good energy at the table.
Some people have checklists, while others come to the table with a game plan of what to do. I don't do either, and I especially don't believe in a game plan. It is important in a tournament to understand the dynamics of the table and act accordingly, rather than just focusing on yourself too much.
The only exception I would make is if you're a player who's aware of a serious flaw in your game. Maybe you play too many hands in early position or try to steal blinds too early in an event. Reminding yourself what to avoid is good, but try to keep it as simple as possible.
Follow these simple rules, and you'll be sure to be prepared from the very first hand you are dealt. And that's really all any of us can ask for. Here's hoping I can put my own rules to good use here in Warsaw.
Stop by www.lizlieu.net, or drop by www.Chilipoker.com whenever you have a chance. Cheers!
--Liz Lieu
Pro Poker Player- Poker Diva