We asked Team LearnWPT to give us their best advice on how to prepare your poker game to stay in the zone all summer in Las Vegas:

❝ What advice would you give poker players when preparing for the WSOP and summer poker season in Las Vegas based on the time before the start of their first event? ❞

We’ve assembled their answers along with FREE videos, strategies, and tips that will have you playing at your peak if you have 1 day to prepare before playing your first World Series of Poker tournament. Get focused on making sure you are ready to crush starting hand 1 in Vegas with expert advice from Team LearnWPT's Tony Dunst, Michael Gagliano, Eric Lynch, and Johan Schultz-Pedersen. ⤵

➧ Tony Dunst:

❝ I think the day before the event you want to get your logistics in order. Are you buying in that night and getting there for hand one, or will you late-reg the following day? Where are you eating in the morning? How long does it take to get from your place to the tournament? Did you leave enough time to get plenty of sleep? Did you pack a backpack with everything you’ll need for a 12 hour day of play? Is your phone charged? Think these things over so you’re not scrambling the day of the tournament and putting unnecessary stress on yourself. ❞

Helpful Tips:
➥ 6 New Rules at the 2025 WSOP to be Aware of
➥ PokerNews WSOP Hub
➥ Summer in Vegas: All Vegas Poker Tournaments Schedule

➧ Johan Schultz-Pedersen:

❝ My best advice for the day before your first tournament is to get a good night’s sleep. It can't be overstated how much of a difference good sleep makes when it comes to playing well and having fun at the table. ❞

➧ Eric "Rizen" Lynch:

❝ Your preparation is done. Get the best rest you can and have your nutrition dialed in. Do everything you can to be your best self when the event starts. Go into the event with the expectations of doing well, but treat yourself with kindness if it doesn't. Good play isn't always rewarded, nor bad play always punished. Your mindset needs to be such that you expect you can win, but understand that even the best players bust out of events before the money around 80% of the time. Most of all, have fun. This is what you've prepared for, and as long as you show up and try to execute the best you know how, be proud of yourself. After the event, try to take away any lessons you can use for your next one. ❞

Helpful Tip: Members can send questions and hands played during the series to Rizen in the LearnWPT Ask a Pro Discord for answers and analysis

➧ Michael "Gags30" Gagliano:

❝ It's nearly tournament time. Hopefully you're already in Vegas and have settled in. Now is a great time to check out the venue and make plans for the day of. Things to check for include:

➥ Find the place to register, if you plan to arrive on time the next day you may want to register the night before to avoid lines.
➥ You likely need a players card to play in the event, it may be good to get on the day before.
➥ See if you can find the structure sheet of the event. You often can find these online, but many venues also have printed copies. Note how often and what time breaks are going to take place.
➥ Note the locations of bathrooms near the tournament room. If there is one very close, take note of a second, as the primary bathroom is often overcrowded during the event. It can often save time to walk a little further to the less crowded bathroom.
➥ Find out the location of food options around the venue. Oftentimes you only have 15 minutes on break to use the restroom and also get food if you're hungry. If you waste 5 minutes trying to find a place that sells food then you have wasted most of your break. Also, make plans for your dinner break. If needed, make a reservation so you have a table waiting for you right at the time of break.

Final thoughts: Las Vegas during the summer is a fantastic time to play poker, but it can also sometimes be overwhelming or frustrating if you haven't properly prepared for your trip. Taking time beforehand to sort as many variables as possible so you can just focus on your strategy at the tables can be the make or break between a good trip and a bad one. Finally, making money is great, but try to enjoy yourself even if you don't. Enjoy the events, converse with your tablemates, and make the most of all that Las Vegas has to offer! ❞

➧ What To Focus On Now:

With 1 day remaining prior to the start of your first event it’s time to clear your schedule and prepare your mindset for peak performance and ready to execute. Make sure that any unresolved questions about your game are answered and watch the Strategy Episode:

➥ Episode 22: Playing to Win Tournaments [Watch Below]
➥ Send Hands for Review With The Hand Input Tool (HIT)
➥ Become a Member and Join our Ask a Pro Discord

Pro Tip: Keep track of any tough spots from your tournaments and get feedback from Team LearnWPT anytime on the Ask A Pro Discord. Jot down key details during play and after your session use the Hand Input Tool to store and share your hands for analysis. Get quick fixes and strategy advice all summer long!

➧ Watch Now: Playing to Win Tournaments

In this Strategy Episode Nick Binger discusses the proper mindset to approach playing tournaments and why it is essential to play to win vs simply trying to survive.

Join now for just $5 your 1st month of Membership to watch all of the Strategy Episodes linked above. No contracts, cancel anytime.

➧ WSOP Helpful Links and Info:

➥ World Series of Poker Tournament Information
➥ Summer in Vegas: All Vegas Poker Tournaments Schedule
➥ Follow @KevMath and @WSOP on X for Daily Information
➥ 6 New Rules at the 2025 WSOP to be Aware of
➥ PokerNews WSOP Hub

➧ Stay in the Zone With Team LearnWPT

We’ve got the strategies to help you play better poker this summer no matter how much prep time you have before your 1st tournament. Click below for more FREE tips and strategies:

➥ Prep Time = 30-60 Days Click Here
➥ Prep Time = 30 Days Click Here
➥ Prep Time = 7 Days Click Here

Good luck and good playing,
- Team LearnWPT

Last But Certainly Not Least....

HAVE FUN! Playing a large tournament series like the WPT Championship or WSOP is why you put in the hard work studying. Now it's time to relax, have fun, and enjoy. Even if you don't win your 1st bracelet, enjoy the process and the game we all love.

However, if you DO win your 1st WSOP bracelet, make a deep run, or cash in a tournament around town let us know. We love celebrating Student accomplishments and you've been consistently crushing the Summer Poker Season (including 2 WSOP Bracelets in 2024 and 1 Bracelet in 2023!). In fact, in just the past 2 years alone during the summer in Vegas season we’ve helped LearnWPT Students achieve:

🥇 3 WSOP BRACELETS
🏆 6 WSOP Final Tables
👏 8 Around Town Final Table
💰 Over $1.5 Million in Cashes

This is why we teach and this is why you play!

Remember to share your successes with us and we'll highlight your achievements on our upcoming blog PLUS you could win some cool SWAG or a free month of Membership.

And if you see any of Team LearnWPT, stop and say Hi!