The countdown to the 2024 World Series of Poker is on. Each day until the start of the series on May 28, we'll bring you tips and insider info from some of the biggest names in the game.
Ari Engel is a 3x WSOP bracelet winner and has a record 17 WSOP Circuit rings. Ari’s biggest takedown occurred at the 2016 Aussie Millions, where he won $1.1M as the Main Event champ, and he has career earnings of more than $8.5M. You can follow Ari on X.
How do you recommend players thrive and survive during the WSOP grind?
Some of the best advice I have to offer is to bring snacks and drinks in your backpack to the tables. Over the years, I've been so hungry at times during a break, but there's a super long line to get something. Do your best to be prepared.
I would also say to limit the alcohol and drugs if you can. There’s a time for enjoying yourself and there’s a time to be fully prepared for a day three of a tournament.
And of course, get your sleep. That’s super important.
What are your favorite WSOP events?
The Omaha hi-lo events, whether they're limit or pot limit. I am happy to play many of those around Vegas during the summer and not just at the WSOP.
This year, unfortunately, I have a family celebration at the same time as a few of those events and I’ll end up missing those. I generally do well in them. I won a bracelet in the $10K Hi-Lo, so that event brings back good memories.
But sometimes in the games that are your favorites, you can end up going a little too hard or you're a little too confident, and when that happens, it actually doesn't work out as well.
At other times I'll end up making a deep run in a game, and all of a sudden I find myself actually enjoying that particular game. And of course, if you get knocked out of a game quickly, you hate that game [laughs].
What advice have you got for players who are thinking of dipping their toes into mixed games?
I’d say watch a lot of the events online that show the hole cards. There’s so much out there that you can watch online over the last 15 years. There's a lot of information out there to study and take in compared to twenty years ago.
I am lucky to have a few good friends I can quiz, such as Phil Hui and Nick Guagenti, who are much better at the games than myself. If you are friendly with anyone that's a little better than you, pick their brains. I have. For me, it’s been one of the best ways over the years to get better at the games
Check out the full schedule for the 2024 WSOP and plan which events you're going to target this summer. If you're looking at the lower end of the buy-ins, check out The Rec's guide to the WSOP. If you're looking for action with a bigger budget, follow what Jennifer Tilly is doing.
