#6: Tips For Your First Overseas Poker Travel ft. Pratik Modi

#6: Tips For Your First Overseas Poker Travel ft. Pratik Modi

A few years ago, the Asian poker circuit wasn’t all that lucrative for Indian poker players. Now however, there are several live poker stops with action taking place through the year. Embarking on your first international poker trip is an exciting and memorable milestone for all, especially if you're heading to the vibrant Asian circuit.

Whether you're eyeing tournaments in Cambodia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, or elsewhere, we’re going to dive into some essential tips to ensure your journey is smooth and successful. Look out for real-experience tips from Pratik Modi, someone who has done five successful poker trips in Manila, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia. (PS. He’s won an APPT title as well!)

DOs for your first international poker trip

1. Research and plan ahead: Start by researching the poker scene in your desired destination. Look into the local laws, dress codes, poker room rules, and tournament schedules. Websites like PokerAtlas and Hendon Mob can be invaluable resources, while Gutshot has an in-depth poker tournament schedule too.

2. Budget (very) wisely: Travelling for poker doesn't have to break the bank. Set a budget that includes travel, accommodation, food, and your poker bankroll considering multiple buy-ins where you may need one. Look for affordable accommodation options like hostels or budget hotels or consider sharing accommodation with other players travelling from India, to cut costs. “A recreational player like me should be very particular about his bankroll while planning any poker trip. Overheads like flights, transfers and accommodation will add substantially to your budget. The field in these circuits are also very tough and mostly filled with top tournament pros. More focus should be on playing the smaller buy-in events which eventually gather large fields with a nice up-top prize,” said Pratik Modi.

3. Build your bankroll: Adding to the above point, before you even book your flight, focus on building a solid bankroll. This might mean playing more local tournaments or cash games to save up. Playing online is the best way to do so, on apps like A23 Poker. Set a timeline to build this bankroll, and stick to it, ensuring you have enough funds to cover both your poker buy-ins and travel expenses. This process could start weeks or even months before the trip, depending on the venue and the series you are attending.

4. Travel light but smart: Pack only the essentials. Bring comfortable clothing for long hours at the table, and don't forget your poker gear like sunglasses, headphones, and a lucky charm if you have one. Also, ensure you carry all your necessary documents, including your passport and any required visas. Don’t go overboard with packing as your sole purpose for the trip here is POKER.

5. Stay healthy: Long poker sessions can be taxing. Stay hydrated, eat balanced meals, and get plenty of rest. Consider bringing vitamins or supplements to keep your energy levels up. If you’re grinding a long schedule, select an accommodation that has access to a gym or workout facilities. Staying physically fit is key to a focussed mind, and vice versa.

6. Do the right comparisons for bookings: The last thing you want to do is book a flight ticket or hotel room for 20,000/- more than what another site was offering. “One should always connect with the company organising the poker event as they can provide you with good hotel deals. One can also look at AIRBNB for good deals around the poker venue. For flight booking, I always use MOMONDO which helps me know the best connectivity and the site offering the best price.”

Building your bankroll

Building a bankroll for your first international poker trip requires discipline and strategy, over a long period of time. You can’t just wake up one morning and plan a poker trip to another country. Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Set goals: Determine how much you need for your trip and set a realistic savings goal. Break it down into monthly or weekly targets to make it more manageable.

2. Play smart: Focus on games where you have an edge. Avoid high-variance games that can deplete your bankroll quickly. Example: If you specialise in PLO, don’t play NLHE games most of the time. Stick to a consistent strategy and (PLEASE!) avoid chasing losses.

3. Track progress: Keep a detailed record of your wins and losses. This will help you identify patterns and areas for improvement.

4. Differentiate: Differentiate between your life savings and your poker bankroll. That way, you don’t have to worry about finances if you come back unsuccessful from any poker trip.

Tips from Pratik Modi

Any logistical tips for those planning an overseas poker trip for the first time?

“The first advice would be to stay at the venue or as close as possible to the venue. Poker being an unpredictable sport, you could bust out in the first orbit or might play till late hours. In either case, if you have an accommodation nearby, you can grab a quick rest before the next event. Also, the transfer from the hotel to the venue could add up to a good expense should you chose the hotel away from the poker venue.”

Advice for first-time players dealing with nerves and pressure at the tables?

To be honest, the field at such events is very educated and experienced when it comes to live tournament poker. As intimidating as it could be, a new poker player can have a great time at the tables as the players are very fun loving. They love to interact at the tables. You can often see some players cracking jokes. New players can take this opportunity to make friends as well as learn from their experiences and stories. One thing is for sure, you will always cherish your first poker trip, and it will be a very good learning experience.

Besides poker, any recreational activities you enjoy to unwind and relax?

“From my personal experiences, I can say that there should be enough breaks / free time between events. You will have to grind, grind, and grind for 8-10 hours every day and if you are not experienced, this will take a toll on you during the latter half of your trip. It's advisable to plan out the events to be played beforehand and keep time for recreational activities in between. This time in Genting Highlands (Poker Dream 13), we took out time for some indoor theme park which the venue had to offer. We made sure to shop for our families back home whenever we got time. We had a good time in the ONSEN which was there at our AIRBNB which helped us start afresh the next day. We also spent a lot of time discussing hands with friends which made us realise our mistakes and know the best course of action.”

Upcoming poker events in Asia (Jan/Feb 2025):

• Taiwan Millions Tournament (TMT) 17: 2-20 Jan 2025, in Taipei, Taiwan

• Dream Poker Opening Series: 3-12 Jan 2025, in Da Nang, Vietnam

• Poker Dream 15: 16-26 Jan 2025, in Genting Highlands, Malaysia

• World Poker Tour (WPT) Cambodia Festival: 6-24 Feb 2025, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

These events offer a range of buy-ins, making them accessible for players with varying bankrolls. Planning your first overseas poker trip can be a thrilling experience. With careful preparation and the right mindset, you'll be ready to take on the tables and enjoy the adventure. Don’t forget to reach out to GUTSHOT if you’re planning an upcoming poker trip!

FREE TICKETS!

Liked today’s newsletter? Please drop a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’ if you didn’t. It’s your time to contribute to the conversation! Tell us some poker travel tips we may have missed out on in this email and 2 lucky winners will get free tickets worth ₹1,100 each to ₹6 Lakh GTD Weekend Slick on 22nd Dec at 8 PM on A23 Poker. Reply with your answers!

Good luck and for similar stories and updates from around the Indian poker community, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter. See you and take care!