Yes I owe any readers out there an apology for waiting a couple of weeks to wrap up my tournament experiences, thoughts and comments. I’ve been busy playing poker online, several hours a day (and doing quite poorly).

In an effort to make this easier on me and maybe quicker for you, i use the ever popular TOP list:

Top 5 Tournament Tips

1. Dress Comfortable, layers, bring drink, snack, entertainment, etc.
2. Play some live cash games or tournaments to reduce your nervous engery.
3. Plan on having short breaks infrequently - seat, do your lavatory planning with that in mind.
4. Be polite, friendly, but don’t push the quiet guys to speak, they’re quiet because they want to be, just like you want to talk.
5. Play slowly, you can’t win on the first day (of a multi-day event), but most people will lose on the first day.

Top 5 Cruise Highlights

1. Card Player Cruises largest poker room at sea.
2. A veranda cabin, especially if you smoke.
3. Grand Cayman, what a vibrant place, with a beautiful bay for diving/snorkelling
4. The Spa - buy the packages when you board, don’t wait till the last 2 days to check out.
5. Getting off the ship and heading home. Even a great trip needs to end.

So, I’ve played my first big, multi-day tournament and finished in the money. I’m one of the top players in the world according to Poker Pages. Don’t believe it! Playing a tournament like this is a bit stressfull, especially the first time you play. Once you get over your nerves, you’ll find a tournament is like any other event that brings strangers together. Most people look to find a “group” inside of the crowd to hang out with. Poker players are of all sorts, some loud, some quiet, some smokers, some drinkers and unfortunately some dickheads. In general, you’ll find most people are pleasant. The first group people find is the Smokers group, which when i’m gambling, i’m usually part of. On the cruise i met a lot of Danes, Americans, plus some Canadians and Swedes, everyone was friendly and trying to have a good time.

Top 5 Cruise Tips

1. Remember that card you hand the bartender is attached to your credit card
2. Check BEFORE you pack if there is really a formal night, we had 1 “optional” formal night. Didn’t need the suit.
3. Don’t forget just because it’s winter and cold at home, it’s sunny in tropics and sunscreen costs $10 on the ship
4. Don’t plan on using the internet, the ship has service, which cost 50 cents a minute and is slower than the worst dial-up speed you can imagine.
5. If you need to be in contact with land, by phone, rent a satellite phone. Ship to Shore Phone is about $15 a minute.