🧠 1. Have a Mission Statement
Before you even land, decide what your WSOP trip is about. Are you here to grind tournaments? Crush cash games? Mix in some nightlife and food spots? Define your intention, write it down, and let that mission shape your decisions.
Pro tip: If you’re here to play, act like a pro. Stick to a schedule, prioritize rest, and be ready when it’s go-time.
📅 2. Regulate Your Schedule
Vegas is a 24/7 playground, but your body and brain still need structure. Create a daily routine that includes sleep, study, food, and exercise. Don’t just wing it.
Ben’s Routine:
Wake by 10am → Eat & study → Get some exercise → Play in the evening → Cut off around 1-2am.
🎯 3. Game Select Ruthlessly
More poker tables are running than any other time of year, but not all games are created equal. Don’t stay in a bad game out of laziness or ego. Wander until you find the soft spots.
Hot tip: The WSOP cash area (Paris/Horseshoe) often has the best value games, especially when tournament players bust and jump in.
💵 4. Manage Your Bankroll
Set a daily budget and stick to it. Burn through your bankroll in two days, and you’ll either be stuck railing or tempted to play above your means.
Ben’s Rule: If you blow your daily budget, take a break. Vegas has plenty of non-poker things to do.
🥰 5. Enjoy the Moment
Seriously—don’t forget to stop and look around. You’re in the middle of the biggest poker event on the planet. The energy, the legends walking past, the shared passion… it’s all magical.
“You can be in a $2/5 game while Phil Ivey is 20 feet away. That doesn’t happen in any other sport.”
Bonus: Be a Good Human
Chat with players, take breaks to meet friends, and don’t be afraid to say hi to your favorite pros. You’ll remember those interactions longer than a random river bluff.
Ben Adler’s approach isn’t just about playing better—it’s about living better while playing. Whether you’re a Vegas regular or it’s your first WSOP, showing up with clarity, structure, and appreciation might just be your biggest edge.
