WCOOP starts on September 8^th and runs until October 2^nd. There are 123 events, 379 tournaments and buy-ins start at just $5.50. You’ll be spoilt for choice, there’ll be big tournaments, with big prize pools running around the clock. But, before you dive in head first and register everything in sight, it’s important to take a step back and plan. As the saying goes, fail to prepare, prepare to fail. So, here are five tips to help you survive WCOOP.

Manage Your Time

The entire schedule is already available, so grab your beverage of choice and take a look through it. On PokerStars you can add tournaments to your favourites, essentially bookmarking the events you want to play.

Whilst you’ll have to adjust on the fly if you bust early or go super deep, it’s also important to avoid overplaying, so set a limit for the number of hours you plan to play each day to prevent burnout.

Take Regular Breaks

Every hour use the five minute break wisely. Stretch, walk around, take a break from starring at the screen. This helps reset your mind and prevents mental fatigue.

It’s also important to stay on top of your diet and nutrition during a long series. Batch cook, if you can, so you can warm-up food during breaks. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and opt for healthy snacks such as fruit or nuts.

Create a Winning Environment

You’ll need to focus, so if your usual routine is playing on the sofa on your phone whilst watching TV, then it’s time to change your setup and reduce the number of distractions so you can focus on becoming a world champion.

Use a comfortable chair and desk setup to avoid physical discomfort and ensure your playing area is well lit, all these ‘marginal gains’ will help reduce physical and mental fatigue.

Study and Review

Of course this applies all year round, but it might be something you neglect during a big series, but don’t just play, play, play. It’s very important to take time to review your games, understand mistakes, and learn from them. This helps in refining your game.

Sleep Well

It’s super important to recharge your batteries as you don’t want to be running on empty. A good night’s sleep is crucial for maintaining focus and making good decisions. If you can, avoid late-night sessions that could disrupt your sleep schedule.