Are you playing your first PCA Main Event? If so you’re probably asking yourself whether there are certain rules you have to abide by, not necessarily poker rules, more relating to etiquette to help you on your way. With this in mind we offer this handy cut-out-and-keep guide to some basic do’s and don’ts for a PCA player. Keep this on the table by your chips so you’re always in the know.
Q. Do I need to tweet the view from my hotel room?
Despite appearances this is actually optional. You’re under no obligation to do so but the general form is to include images of palm trees and a view of the sea, not hard on an island. If you want to stay original post your view of the staff smoking area.
Q. Does my girlfriend have to stand conspicuously on the rail?
You’ll notice young men walking up to women in tight dresses on the rail, wrapping their arm around them as if to say “look at me”. You’ll likely think they’re punching above their weight which in turn will encourage you to feel like you too could have a girlfriend. We urge caution, as this will inevitably lead to you getting sad and humming Barbara Streisand songs in the lobby bar.
Q. Are massages mandatory?
It may seem like they are, but they’re not. Some players engage in day long massages almost like rubbing a comfort blanket against their face. Instead, the massage therapist rubs their face until it turns pink. It’s rumoured that one player once had a massage for an official medical condition, but this seems unlikely.
Q. Must I only eat protein bars?
Although the likes of ElkY and Eugene Katchalov swear by them, you do not need to limit your diet to salad, nuts and protein bars. Even if you wanted to you can’t because they don’t sell them here. Instead you should settle for the local protein bar equivalent, which is conch chowder, or the pulled chicken sandwich.
Later on we’ll be answering more questions such as “Can you explain that poker kitchen ticket thing again?” and “Does that say $3.50 for a banana?” and “Do I have to go swimming with dolphins?”
Good luck at the tables.
Follow hand-by-hand coverage of the Super High Roller event on the dedicated $100,000 Super High Roller page. Also watch the action live on EPT Live.
Stephen Bartley is a PokerStars Blog reporter.
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