Your first WSOP event is 1 day away. The prep work is done, trust it. Today is about getting your logistics sorted, your mindset locked in, and making sure nothing off the felt gets in the way of your best poker.

We asked Team Fearless River to give us their best advice on exactly what to do the day before your first event in Las Vegas. We put one question to each of them:

❝ What advice would you give players when preparing for the WSOP based on the time before the start of their first event? ❞

We've assembled their answers along with FREE videos, strategies, and tips plus expert advice from Tony Dunst, Michael Gagliano, Eric Lynch, and Johan Schultz-Pedersen to make sure you are ready to crush starting hand 1. ⤵

➧ 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. ❞

➧ 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. ❞

➧ 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. ❞

➧ 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.

Watch below (Free, no membership required) as Nick Binger discusses the proper mindset to approach playing tournaments and why it is essential to play to win vs simply trying to survive:

➧ Go Deeper: Create Your Feedback Loop

Having a trusted source to discuss strategy with is VITAL to your growth. Fearless River members have that feedback loop with our Pros through the WSOP or anytime!

If you're playing this summer keep track of any tough spots from your tournaments and get feedback from Team Fearless River anytime with these membership features:

➥ Jot down key details during play and after your session use the Hand Input Tool to store and share your hands for analysis.
Visit your HIT Dashboard

➥ Submit all of your questions about specific challenges directly to our Pros and receive in-depth feedback and answers in Discord.
Visit the members-only Ask a Pro Discord

➥ Join live Study Sessions to help focus your efforts, maximize your results, and talk poker or watch previous sessions.
Review all Study Sessions

Get quick fixes and strategy advice all summer long!

Not a member? Join for just $5 your 1st month and get instant access to the membership feedback loop features plus 550+ strategy videos and GTO Trainer spots to practice. No contracts, cancel anytime.

➧ WSOP Helpful Links and Info:

➥ 2026 World Series of Poker Full Series Information
➥ WSOP Tournament Schedule
➥ WSOP Bracelet Event Structures
➥ WSOP Satellite Schedule
➥ WSOP Daily Deepstacks Schedule
➥ Follow @KevMath and @WSOP on X for Daily Information
➥ PokerNews WSOP Hub
➥ The Guide to the 2026 Summer Las Vegas Poker Scene by Kim Unger for a great resource of events around Las Vegas
➥ Michael Gagliano's Summer Poker Calendar to build and save your own schedule. Get more info from Gags on the app.

📍 Getting Around the WSOP

Kevin Mathers is one of the most trusted resources in the poker world for WSOP information. He posted a detailed floor plan breakdown covering tournament start locations, daily deepstack and satellite venues, registration, payouts, safe deposit boxes, and other key services across Horseshoe and Paris (also availale on the WSOP+ app).
➥ View on X

How to Register in Person or Online

All players must provide valid photo identification and a Caesars Rewards Loyalty card to register and a WSOP+ app account.

➥ WSOP Registration Information
➥ Download the WSOP+ App to pre-register for events and skip cage lines, make payments and get all the information about the Series.

Healthy and Quick Food Options

➥ Check out PokerOrg's: The best healthy places to eat on a break
➥ Or: Unhealthy Vegas food for your 2026 WSOP dinner break

➧ Watching from Home? Follow the Action Live

New this year, the WSOP will be host a free livestream each day on their YouTube channel for fans around the world. And ...

➧ Staying in Flow With Team Fearless River

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.

Did you miss any the previous Guides? Click below for more FREE tips and strategies:

➥ Prep Time = 60-Day Prep Guide
➥ Prep Time = 30-Day Prep Guide
➥ Prep Time = 7-Day Prep Guide

➧ This Is What You Trained For

HAVE FUN! Playing a large tournament series like the 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 they've been consistently crushing the Summer Poker Season. In fact, we’ve helped Fearless River students achieve:

🥇 4 WSOP BRACELETS
🏆 6 WSOP Final Tables
👏 9 Around Town Final Tables
💰 Over $1.7 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. Tag us on social media with your results from the felt or email [email protected].

X @_FearlessRiver | Facebook @fearlessriver | IG @fearlessriver

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

Good luck and good playing,
- Team Fearless River

Have Questions about Fearless River? Send an email to our Support Team at [email protected] or click the CONTACT US button.