Satellite your way to the WSOP
The 40th annual World Series of Poker begins Tuesday, and I'm extremely excited for another chance to win my first bracelet. The 56 preliminary bracelet events continue all the way to July 2 when the 57th and final bracelet event -- the WSOP main event -- kicks off July 3 and runs through July 15. The final nine players will return to the Rio on Nov. 7 for the 2009 version of the November Nine.
For all poker players, the WSOP main event is the most anticipated tournament of the year. As the 2004 WSOP champion Greg Raymer often states, "If you don't see me at the WSOP, I'm either in the hospital or dead."
For many poker players, just to participate in the WSOP main event is a lifelong dream. It certainly was for me in 2005 when I made my run to a 13th-place finish. However, most players cannot afford the $10,000 buy-in. Thus numerous satellite tournaments afford players the opportunity to earn a seat in the "Big Dance." Some brick-and-mortar casinos offer satellites, including the Rio, which holds two daily mega satellites during the WSOP. There is tremendous value in these satellites, especially on-site, so if you're in Las Vegas give them a try.
Players can also qualify online, as there are numerous satellites in cyberspace. In the past, I have qualified for main events via different types of satellites: Frequent Player Point tournaments, multi-table satellites and turbo rebuy events. However, I had never qualified via the step qualifiers on Pokerstars. Thus, my ESPN editor challenged me to earn my seat via this process. After a few weeks of trying off and on, I earned my WSOP seat in early May and was asked to share some of my strategies.
Editor's note: Given his success in satellite tournaments, steps fit right into Bernard's wheelhouse. It doesn't surprise me that he won his seat already.
Let's quickly review the step qualifier process (which I also described in a column about WCOOP in August 2008. In this system, there are six progressive steps or different sit-and-gos. During each step, the top two players win an entry into the next step level. However, players who just miss the top two spots can also win a replay seat into the same step level. Finally, if a player reaches the final Step 6, he or she has a chance to win a seat in the WSOP main event.
These one-table satellites start with a buy-in of just $7.50 (Step 1) and reach as high as $2,100 (Step 6). Players can buy in directly to any step level, bypassing the earlier steps. Better yet, players may utilize their frequent player points to enter one of the earlier steps for free. Hundreds of players are competing in all of these step levels each night, attempting to move up the step ladder. This year, there are two different final steps, Step 6 (1 in 6 get a WSOP seat) or 6A (2 in 12 get a WSOP seat).
Overall, these steps have basically the same structure. However, there are some slight differences based on the step level. Based on time, Steps 1 and 2 are a turbo format with five-minute levels, while Steps 4 through 6 have levels that are double the amount (10 minutes). Step 3 is the only level with both options. Also, in Steps 1 through 5, players all start with $1,500, while Step 6 participants begin with $3,000.
Overall, the step qualifiers are especially good for players whose strength is in one-table satellites. Although many of the sit-and-go strategies are very relevant to these step qualifiers, I will not go into full detail about sit-and-go strategies. For specific sit-and-go strategies, I would recommend reading Collin Moshman's book, "Sit 'n Go Strategy."
However, here are some specific strategies to help you navigate through the Step qualifiers:
1. Play extremely tight during the first few levels. Early on, some players feel compelled to risk their tournament life on speculative hands like A-10, K-Q or small pairs. In their attempt to double up (and sometimes they are successful), some players are inevitably eliminated in the first few levels. This pattern is very common in Steps 1 thru 3 where the buy-ins are lower. If you can survive the initial carnage, you will quickly be in line to at least get a replay to some level.
2. Play for the replay. Normally in sit-and-gos, you are playing to make the top three because these spots are where the money is located. However, in these steps, you are often fighting for the top four, five or even six. As you can see in the table below, if you are knocked out in seventh thru ninth, you are eliminated from the step ladder and have to start anew. However, if you survive the first wave of elimination, you often can get a rebuy into a lower step. My strategy is to play for the replay of the same level (the yellow boxes in the chart).
Overall, I feel Step 3 is the easiest (the level I often start on), as you only have to place in the top five for a same-level replay. However, Steps 1 and 4 are the hardest as you have to place in the top 3, but in Step 4 if you finish in fourth through sixth, you receive a lower-step replay.
3. Turn up the aggression once you get the replay. Once you get a step replay, you at the very least will be playing again without having to buy in. Now, this is the time to turn up the aggression, especially if you are shortstacked. You must utilize your position and remaining fold equity to steal the blinds and antes. Personally, I play very conservatively until I get a same-level replay, and then I become hyper-aggressive.
4. Beware of the step bubbles. If you play the step qualifiers, you will eventually experience the "step bubble." Often during sit-and-gos, the play becomes very tight when four people remain, since the top three cash. However, in these step qualifiers, two bubbles often occur. The first happens with about six or seven players remaining, as this player is the bubble for a step replay. Then another bubble is created when three players remain, since only the top two players move onto the next level. Therefore, if you notice a player who is just trying to survive, you can attack this person to steal their blinds.
5. Remember top two players receive the same seat. In sit-and-gos, the difference between first and second is often significant, such as 50 percent and 30 percent of the prize pool, respectively. However, in these step qualifiers, you are just trying to finish in the top two. Even if there is a huge chip leader, you just have to be the second-largest chip stack. I actually once won a step with only five percent of the chips at the end.
6. Pressure players without a seat. Although everyone is trying to win a seat, there are multiple players who have already qualified and are trying to win multiple seats. Take a look at the qualifiers list and see if any of the players at your table have already won a seat. If they have, beware of these players, as they are sometimes a little more aggressive than the average player. If they do not have a seat, they often may play a little more passively, trying to survive and win their seat, especially in Steps 4 through 6. These players are often playing not to lose, rather than playing to win. Take advantage of this information and attack the players without a seat during the later blind levels.
7. Never give up your chip advantage. If you are fortunate to double up early, remember you don't have to play sheriff and call people down. Keeping your chip lead is extremely important, as it allows you to easily survive to a step replay and wait for another solid opportunity to double up again, putting you in excellent position to finish in the top two of the step.
8. Never give up. I see so many players just give up after taking a bad beat. However, with so few chips in play, you are never really out of the tournament. Since you are only trying to finish in the top two, you do not need to outlast the chip leader, even if he or she has a significant lead. If you are low in chips, look to the second-place chip stack. You are often only one or two double-ups away from being right back in the tournament.
Overall, if you have not had success in the multi-table satellites and feel your strength lies in single table sit-and-gos, this step qualifier system might be the satellite for you. Good luck to everyone, and I hope to see you at the 2009 WSOP main event.
Bernard Lee is the weekly poker columnist for the Boston Herald and author of "The Final Table, Volume I." He also hosts a weekly poker radio show, "The Bernard Lee Poker Show," on Rounders Radio and in Boston on 1510 AM. The show can be heard at 7-8 p.m. Tuesday and is repeated throughout the week. For questions or comments, e-mail him at BernardLeePoker@hotmail.com.
