Satellite Winner Advice

Destination poker vacation season is upon us, with ACR Poker hosting two satellites to the Punta del Este series in Uruguay this November, each guaranteeing 7 packages worth $8,000 each.

As a four-time satellite package winner—once right at the beginning of my poker career some twenty years ago that brought me to Las Vegas for the very first time, and three more during my handful of years as an aspiring professional—I have a unique perspective on the value of destination-vacation tournaments for both professional and recreational players.

Here is my advice for the 14 satellite winners who will get to live a life of luxury in Uruguay this winter.

Professional Players

Take it from someone who still wakes up in cold sweats at the memory of traveling halfway across the world just to punt a $5K event after accidentally celebrating too hard at a reunion dinner the night before: the primary goal for professionals is not to get distracted by the opportunities for fun. After all the hours spent grinding alone in the dark, all the work put into your game, all the dollars invested into catching a good run at just the right time, the one thing you can’t do is forget the ultimate goal: maximizing your odds of winning a poker tournament.

Secondly, if you’re looking to really maximize your EV, both short and long term, leave the hoodie and sunglasses at home and engage with your tablemates! Not just because you’ll likely get played back at less, but because you never know who destiny has put in the seat next to you. Building genuine connections over a shared interest can lead to unexpected opportunities—both inside and outside poker. Whether it’s getting an invite to a juicy game, or creating camaraderie for the often-lonely path of being a professional poker player, the relationships you cultivate are likely to be far more valuable than your results, regardless of where you finish.

Recreational Players

Firstly, let it be said that if this trip is purely a vacation and you have no interest in squeezing added edge from it, this is where my advice to you ends—you don’t need me to tell you how to have a good time! So enjoy yourself in whatever way works best for you and don’t forget to hydrate!

But for those poker players aspiring to play in more live tournaments and chase even bigger scores, it’s important to recognize that this is an opportunity not just to get some experience under your belt, but to interact with players already living your dream so you can learn from and be inspired by them.

Therefore, my advice is to spend some time in the poker room on the first night or two of the trip, when you’re likely to meet some of the most disciplined regulars who will be trying to maximize every hour of the softer competition, no offense. Make note of the ones whose game seems most polished and take the time to introduce yourself and chat with them about their experiences as well as your aspirations if they seem open to it. What I’ve found is that the vast majority of regulars are more than willing to help a motivated amateur (especially if they’ve read this article!). So don’t be shy, take a seat next to the obvious professionals (I recommend the one to their left) and build some authentic connections. After all, if all goes well, you’ll be seeing them at the next destination, right?