Once again, 888poker will be the official sponsor of the World Series of Poker, set to commence in early June. This sponsorship grants us exclusive rights to host official WSOP satellite tournaments online, allowing us to send players to Las Vegas throughout the summer.
To assist players in getting ready for this exciting adventure, we’ve developed the 'Road to the 2016 WSOP' series, featuring valuable articles that cover everything from essential tips for the Rio venue to strategies for special events like Tag Team and 'Crazy Eights'. In line with this, our next focus is on two highly anticipated summer events – the $565 Colossus (Event #2) and the $1,500 Millionaire Maker (Event #14).
To aid your preparation for these large-scale events, which will attract thousands of participants, we reached out to our professional team – including Kara Scott, Nicolau Villa-Lobos, and Bruno Politano – to share their insights on recommended strategies for entering these competitions.
Advice for Amateurs
Many amateur players will participate in the Millionaire Maker and Colossus events at the WSOP, both of which feature enormous player pools. What tips would you offer to an amateur player looking to take part in either event?
Scott: The Colossus event presents a fantastic opportunity for casual players to engage in the World Series of Poker without the heavy financial commitment involved in larger buy-in events. Since both the Colossus and the Millionaire Maker allow for re-entries, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of how much you’re willing to spend on multiple buy-ins before you play. For instance, the Colossus has six different starting flights, giving you the option to play in all or just a few of them. Assessing your risk is a vital aspect of bankroll management, especially for less experienced players.
Additionally, keep in mind that during the initial flights, many players might adopt a more reckless approach in hopes of making a big score or returning the next day. Pay close attention to your table to identify these player styles. Consider how you can take advantage of their strategies. If others seem cautious about their stacks, this is your chance to apply more pressure and seize opportunities.
Villa-Lobos: With massive player pools filled with amateurs chasing after the top prize, you'll need to navigate carefully. Stay composed, focus on playing your best, and aim to win those coin flips! [laughs]
Politano: Play conservatively at first. Protect your chips in the early stages of the tournament; it’s crucial during those initial levels!
Lövgren: Maintain your composure and patience in those early hours. Remember that tournament poker is akin to a marathon — be prepared for a lengthy session. The starting fields are huge, but don’t let that pressure compel you to build a stack too quickly. You’ll witness players getting eliminated quicker than you anticipate, and before you know it, the field will become significantly smaller. Concentrate on your table mates, your chip stack, and the blinds. If you maintain a playable stack, you have no reason to stress about the rest.
Moreover, observe your opponents. In WSOP events, you typically start with relative short stacks, and after a few hours, you might find yourself with just a few chips left. It’s vital to gather information about how others at your table play. If you receive poor cards and find yourself playing limited hands, use that time wisely to analyze others’ strategies.
Look for tells and pay attention to the hands they take to showdown. If you're not observant, you'll miss crucial information, such as whether someone is betting poorly, feeling frustrated, or playing bluffs continuously. Every hand can provide insights – analyze their gameplay to exploit weaknesses. For instance, if you notice some players frequently opening a broad range and attempting to take down every pot, find opportunities to call them out. When you have a strong hand, just call from a favorable position and let them make mistakes.
Strategy for Larger Fields
How does the approach for these events compare with that of the WSOP Main Event or even a $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em tournament in the series?
Scott: The ability to re-enter does alter the dynamics of play, but you might find that the sheer number of participants isn't as crucial as it appears — aside from the enticing prize pool! For amateurs entering their first significant tournaments, it’s essential to remember that you can only compete against the players at your table. Focus on your table and don’t get overwhelmed by the total player count. Your goal is to play your own hands to the best of your ability at your own table. Don’t fixate on the larger player numbers as it’s beyond your control and could hinder your performance. Concentrate on the opponents directly in front of you; they are the only ones that count until you advance further into the tournament.
Villa-Lobos: In the Millionaire Maker, players begin with 7,500 chips, whereas the Colossus starts with 5,000. This means you have a bit more room for error in the Millionaire Maker. Ultimately, the pivotal factor in any tournament is the ability to read your opponents accurately. Given that amateur players will constitute a large percentage of the field, exercise caution with significant bluffs, as they often struggle to fold even top pair or mid-range hands. Stay mindful of that!
Politano: The tournament structure is key. The Main Event allows for a more subtle, small-pot strategy – also known as playing small ball – whereas the $1,000 events demand you participate in larger pots early to prolong your tournament life.
Lövgren: Both the Colossus and Millionaire Maker are expected to attract record numbers of entries. The structure in the WSOP Main Event is much deeper, affording players the freedom to be more creative in post-flop play like in cash games. This allows for greater strategic depth. In contrast, the $1,000 events have a fast-paced structure, and players will often find their stacks dwindling after just a few levels. Mistakes can be costly in these scenarios, as every chip holds significant value. You’ll need to manage your chips judiciously, requiring both skill and a bit of luck. I’d say the Millionaire Maker and Colossus share more similarities with the $1,000 events, so consider adopting an approach akin to those.
Amateurs frequently make the error of passively watching their stacks dwindle, failing to recognize the advantages of stealing pots when possible. Stay alert throughout the game. That one extra steal could significantly enhance your stack and increase your chances for a double-up later on. Many amateurs hesitate to call all-in, fearing elimination, so focus on creating squeezes and steals while you have fold equity with your stack. This will certainly benefit your chances of doubling up when your stack grows larger.
Who's Playing these Events?
Do you have plans to compete in the Millionaire Maker and Colossus?
Scott: I won’t be in Las Vegas for these events as I plan to arrive earlier, take a break in between, and then return for the final three weeks.
Villa-Lobos: No, this year I think I’ll participate in the Crazy Eights and beyond.
Lövgren: Absolutely, I plan on playing! There will be numerous recreational players in these tournaments, creating a favorable environment. It’s a great opportunity to compete, and I might consider using a few re-entries as needed.
Politano: Yes.
If so, will you fire multiple bullets?
Villa-Lobos: If I were to participate, I would definitely use as many re-entries as necessary to reach Day 2, as it's a significant event with substantial rewards for the winner.
Politano: Max two bullets.
What are your thoughts on utilizing multiple re-entries in these types of events?
Villa-Lobos: I’m not particularly fond of firing multiple bullets, but given that the structure might require it, it’s reassuring to know that a re-entry is an option.
Lövgren: If you consider yourself a skilled player and can manage it financially, then yes, you should absolutely re-enter. These kinds of tournaments are ideal for taking that approach! If you’re prepared to invest multiple entries, it’s beneficial to be more aggressive early on to build your stack. Holding a big stack can offer great advantages.
If you become aware that an opponent is either unwilling or unable to re-enter, say due to financial constraints, would you leverage that information to apply pressure?
Villa-Lobos: Definitely! This is a tactic you can deploy in all tournaments you enter. Poker is fundamentally about understanding people, and if you have such knowledge about a specific player, you should certainly utilize it.
Politano: I focus on my game and don’t typically pressure players based on their circumstances. I generally apply pressure through bluffs regardless of their entry situation. I don't let this consideration interfere with my strategy.
Lövgren: Yes, for sure! If you have insight that a player is financially cautious and reluctant to risk their tournament life, you can certainly pull off a bluff on the river. Conversely, if you recognize a player is willing to take risks and re-enter as needed, it's wise to refrain from attempting bluffs against them!