Walking into the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) in Las Vegas was like stepping into another world. The room buzzed with the kind of energy that only high-stakes poker can bring—intense, electrifying, and just a bit intimidating. As someone playing in their first live tournament, I was equal parts excited and nervous. What followed was an unforgettable experience filled with big bets, intense strategy, and valuable lessons I’ll carry with me for life.
See also: Life lessons from the Poker table: Mastering strategy, patience & emotional Resilience
The thrill of the setup
The PokerStars venue at Resorts World in Las Vegas was nothing short of spectacular. Rows of felt-covered tables stretched as far as the eye could see, each surrounded by players with their game faces on. Dealers shuffled cards with lightning speed, and the rhythmic clinking of chips filled the air.
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I arrived early to soak it all in, taking time to register and receive my tournament credentials. Seeing my name on the list of participants gave me a jolt of excitement—it was official. I was part of this prestigious event, shoulder to shoulder with seasoned pros and passionate amateurs alike.
Starting out strong—or so I thought
The first hand of the tournament is something every poker player remembers. For me, it was a mix of nerves and adrenaline as I cautiously peeked at my hole cards. Starting with a decent pair, I played conservatively, trying to get a feel for the table dynamics.
The early stages were all about finding my rhythm. I quickly realized that live poker was a different beast compared to the handful of online games I’d dabbled in. The nuances of body language, table talk, and chip movement added layers of complexity that I hadn’t fully appreciated before. But I was armed with some lessons from one of the games cerebral players. More on that in a moment.
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Learning from the pros
One of the most fascinating aspects of live play tournaments was observing the professional players. They exuded confidence and discipline, carefully calculating every move. You never know who you’re going to sit across from—it’s like playing basketball with your favourite NBA star. Like poker pro Chance Kornuth said to me, everyone starts equal regardless of where they come from in life.
I had the fortune of getting a private training session with Parker Talbot, a Canadian PokerStars ambassador. In our conversation he referenced the first and most important rule, have some fun. Because if you’re not enjoying yourself, than what is the point. Some players will play in tournaments tight-fisted, on edge the whole time and it doesn’t make for a very enjoyable experience. There are inevitably going to be highs and lows in this game and if you can learn to embrace them, learn from your mistakes and move on, you can find yourself playing in more tournaments and always wanting to come back for me. Great advice from Parker because his voice was in my head as I made my way through the tournament.
The highs and lows
As the tournament progressed, I experienced the wild rollercoaster of emotions that poker is famous for. I scored a big win early on, catching a bluff that sent my opponent reeling and gave me a much-needed chip boost. The feeling of raking in a sizeable pot in a live tournament is unlike anything else—it’s a rush of adrenaline and validation that makes all the preparation worth it.
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But poker is also a game of brutal swings. I lost a large chunk of my stack when I misread an opponent’s hand, a mistake that left me shaking my head. Moments like this test your resolve and force you to adapt quickly. The key is staying calm, keeping your emotions in check, and focusing on the long game. In hindsight, and after some careful review with pro Jen Shahade, I was playing against myself and stopped paying attention to what my opponent was doing. I never stopped to ask why he followed me along even though I was being aggressive. This one came back to bite me, I’ll explain in a moment.
The atmosphere of camaraderie
One of the surprises of the event was the camaraderie among players. Despite the competitive nature of the game, there was a shared respect at the table. Between hands, players swapped stories about previous tournaments, shared laughs, and even offered advice to newcomers like me.
At one point, I found myself in a friendly conversation with a player who had been on the poker circuit for years. They offered insights on handling nerves and reading opponents, advice I took to heart as the tournament continued.
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Making moves under pressure
The deeper into the tournament I went, the more intense the pressure became. Blinds increased, stacks shrank, and decisions carried higher stakes. This is where poker truly becomes a mental game. You’re not just playing your cards; you’re playing the players and the situation. I really learned this part after reflecting on my tournament.
One pivotal moment came when I went all in on a hand that under other circumstances I would not have even played. It was a risk, it did not pay off. I was the big blind, with a two and a six off suit. Everyone else called whereas every prior hand someone had raised. I told myself I’d fold if someone raised as I had no intention of playing the hand. Of course the flop came out two, jack, six. I thought the poker gods have blessed me. I got aggressive, everyone but one gent folded. He just kept calling. Eventually I was all in, trying to bully him. This is where I stopped paying attention to the fact he hung around despite his previous play and focused on just myself. He called. He was hold a pair of jacks and made a triple on the flop. He had me beat from the beginning and was slow playing me. Ouch. It hurt me bad and ultimately I was the short stack, poker lingo for – I basically a few rounds left in me before I was out unless something magical happened.
The final stretch
As the hours passed, fatigue started to set in, and staying focused became a challenge. Live tournaments test your endurance as much as your skill. Even as I fought to stay in the game, I knew the end was near. My tournament run ultimately ended when I pushed all in again with a strong hand but ran into an opponent who beat me with a pair of tens. My ace and king were useless by the end of it. It was a tough beat, but I left the table with my head held high, knowing I’d played my heart out and was able to apply practical lessons.
Reflecting on the experience
Walking away from the table, I felt a mix of emotions. The PokerStars North American Poker Tour was officially over for me. There was disappointment at not making it further, but also immense pride in having competed in such a prestigious PokerStars event. The experience taught me more about myself and my game than any online session ever could. What stood out most was the realization that poker is about much more than cards and chips. It’s a test of patience, discipline, and courage. It’s about understanding people, managing emotions, and taking calculated risks.
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Looking ahead
My first live tournament at the PokerStars North American Poker Tour was everything I hoped for and more. It was a wild ride filled with lessons, challenges, and unforgettable moments.
While I didn’t walk away with winnings, I gained something just as valuable: the confidence to return to the felt and play again. This is just the beginning of my journey, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.
If you’re considering entering your first live poker tournament, my advice is simple: go for it. The experience will challenge and inspire you in ways you can’t imagine, and you’ll come out of it with memories that last a lifetime.
EPT Prague
The European Poker Tour is still in full swing making its final stop in snowy Prague beginning December 4-15, 2025. You can tune in across the PokerStars channels to see all the action. The EPT has had stops in 2024 across Paris, Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Cyprus and now Prague.
