Players Prepare Mind, Body for PokerStars WCOOP Grind

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On the eve of the PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker, (WCOOP) the largest online poker tournament in the world, players are making preparations to be at their best, both mentally and physically, during the intense event.

The 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event champ Joe Cada says, “The PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker continues to be the pinnacle in online tournaments”, referring to it as “the World Series of the online world.” In reality, the WCOOP is more like a marathon, featuring 62 tournaments and $50 million in guaranteed prize money, all spread out over three grueling weeks.

Much like they do for the WSOP, players spend time preparing for the WCOOP, making sure that their bodies are well-fed and their minds alert. Recently, PokerStars pro Marcello Del Grosso revealed that a successful run takes planning, saying, “With the WCOOP around the corner, preparations are under way, and I am looking forward to a great tournament series.”

For Del Grosso, a number of variables factor into his preparation. He started with his computer area; “I am updating my poker station to include two monitors and a new chair,” said Del Grosso. “Having a functional and comfortable station is really important for the WCOOP because some of the tournaments will have extended blind structures and larger fields which could have you playing for up to 24 hours straight!”

Next, he says he has been working on his game, preparing his mind. Del Grosso says, “I have been playing more mixed games to sharpen my skills and enhance my play. I will be playing in a bunch of events in the WCOOP. My strategy is to get as many mixed games under my belt before September 5^th.”

Finally, he has spent time getting his body ready for the long sessions. He stated, “If you plan on winning, like I do, start banking some sleep hours, and try to prepare some healthy meals ahead of time.” He also warns players about the typical junk foods that get consumed while playing poker. He says, “While playing tournaments, you will want to avoid things like: caffeine, alcohol and refined sugars that will cause you to crash and burn.”

Preparing for a marathon event like the WCOOP takes planning. Players like Marcello Del Grosso look to gain an advantage by being at their best for the biggest online event of the year.

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