A Road Game
When a player is traveling, they need more time than the home players to identify the skill level of other players. Players will often travel to casinos when major tournaments are being held, such as the big tournaments in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Los Angeles, Biloxi and Connecticut. Many players go during the major tournaments not only to play in the tournaments but also to play in the side action as well. Not only do these tournaments attract players from across the country, but these tournaments also entice those who live nearby that may not play as often. Just check out the hotel room availabilities when these tournaments are in place, they are usually sold out.
If you are on the road, you must be even more observant than when you are playing in your home poker room. You must watch each player carefully and gather enough information so you can act accordingly when you are mixed up in a hand with them. It makes it all the tougher when on the road since the surroundings are not nearly as comfortable to you as it would be in your home poker room. You don't know the dealers, the floormen, the waiters and waitresses. You aren't entirely sure where the restrooms are located. Once you get situated after a few hours, everything will become more comfortable. But it takes time. Recognize this when you are playing on the road and make the necessary adjustments. Try to get plenty of sleep and to avoid being tired from the traveling.
One year right before the World Series of Poker, I was playing at my local card room when I asked a professional poker player at the 20-40 limit if he was going to go Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker. He said he had no plans to go and was not interested. He said that he would lose his home court advantage since he would not know any of the players there. In the local poker rooms he plays in, he knows just about every player and has studied them for quite some time. Without this knowledge, he felt his winning rate would be significantly lower, plus he would have to pay for the travel expenses, hotel expenses and meals. He did mention that one day he plans on going, but if he does, it would be as a vacation rather than a business trip.
Post a comment