Electric Daisy and Poker?

It may seem like an odd couple, but the moons have aligned just right and both the Electric Daisy Carnival and the World Series of Poker will be taking place this June in Las Vegas. While it may seem like there wouldn’t be so much crossover appeal between the two massive events and that there is a world of difference between one of the biggest electronic dance music festivals and the most prestigious series of poker tournaments on the planet, the weird truth is that if you’re going to either, the preparations are almost exactly the same. Don’t believe us? Let’s take a deeper look.

What It Is

For those in the know, Electric Daisy Carnival is one of the premier celebrations of electronic music, not only in North America but also globally. The three-day carnival, held from June 19 to June 21, will bring an estimated 700,000 revelers to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. What makes this number even more impressive is the fact that tickets will be sold out BEFORE the lineup is even announced (it’s a well-kept secret until May). Such is the popularity of EDC and fans know that regardless of the final list of artists, it will feature many of the top names in EDM.

At the other end of the spectrum, the World Series of Poker is by far the largest poker event in the world, drawing players from every corner of the globe to fight for their chance at poker glory (and a ton of money). Starting on May 27 and stretching until July 7, the WSOP will be the center of the poker universe and the Rio casino will be transformed into a veritable explosion of tournaments, cash games, and vendors showing off their wares.

That’s how they’re different. Now, let’s see how they’re the same.

The “Circus” Of It All

With both being the preeminent events in their respective fields, there is something of a circus atmosphere to be found at either. Partygoers and poker players dress up to fit the occasion and the fashion on display will run the gamut from jeans and a t-shirt to some of the wackiest outfits you can imagine. Adding to the circus environment is an electrified feeling that permeates every corner of both events. In many cases, EDC or the WSOP is the most exciting time of the year for those in attendance and that rush is certainly palpable.

Planning Ahead

If you’re going to either, one of the key tips is to plan ahead. Trying to book a hotel room last minute is going to be a dicey proposition and you could end up paying a lot more than expected (especially on the weekends) for a bed you probably won’t be staying in that much. For Electric Daisy tickets, general attendance is already sold out, but you can score tickets through the organizer’s own ticket exchange program, which prevents the problem of scalpers and counterfeiting.

At the WSOP, planning ahead is very important if you want to focus on certain tournaments rather than others. It’s physically impossible to play every event; therefore, you’ll need to go through the official schedule thoroughly to choose your tournaments, leaving enough time between them in case you make a deep run into the money. Also, it’s a good idea to pick the right time to register for your events of choice. While even same-day registrations can be made, going to the cashier to sign up is best done at non-peak hours to avoid the long lines. From 4am to 9am are when the lines will be least crowded. As EDC has gained popularity among players over the last few years, many of them plan their poker tournament schedules around the festival so that they have plenty of time to prepare, enjoy the music, and recover before hitting the felt again.

Stay Hydrated

Las Vegas is a desert, pure and simple. While the neon lights and fancy waterworks of Bellagio may lead you to believe otherwise, the air in the city is dry as a bone. Regardless of whether you’re dancing the night away to Art Department’s set or grinding through a long tournament day, you need to stay hydrated. A small fortune is made by convenience stores and Electric Daisy vendors in keeping the masses supplied with water, but you can save a considerable bit of money by coming with your own water. A Camelbak is an excellent solution, being an easy-to-carry backpack that’s filled with water. At the Amazon Room at the Rio, you can expect to see plenty of players with a Camelbak strapped to their chair. If you think that the backpack is going to cramp your dancing style at Electric Daisy, keep in mind that the carnival is well-equipped with plenty of lockers where you can safely store your things.

It’s A Marathon

To make the most out of your WSOP or Electric Daisy trip, it’s highly important to remember that you’re in it for the long run. At the former, playing a day of a big tournament can easily stretch to 15 hours or more. For many players, mental exhaustion is a real problem and they can start to make mistakes late in the day when decisions matter the most. With Electric Daisy, the party is nonstop, with the first act taking the stage on Friday afternoon and the music not reaching an end until late Sunday night.

To fully enjoy either, you’ll need to remember to eat well to keep the body fueled for whatever it may face over the long haul. While plenty of eating options will be available at the Motor Speedway and the Rio, making smart choices like not eating a heavy dinner if you plan on seeing Guetta at four in the morning should seem like a given. In addition, you’ll need to take regular breaks away from the music or poker tables. You might think that you don’t want to miss a single song or hand, but the simple act of getting up and walking around can help to refresh you before you return to the action.

Training

Think you don’t need to train for an electronic dance music festival? Think again. The best parts of any EDM festival are the ones that come late at night, often at the tail end of an amazing set with a DJ that is perfectly in tune with the vibe of the crowd. If you’re already falling asleep, even the most amazing music and energy might not be enough to keep you up. The best way to train for a three-day EDM festival is to start working the week before the event. Start adjusting your sleep schedule to wake up later and later, with an ideal situation being getting up around three or four in the afternoon and going to sleep at seven or eight in the morning. In addition to focusing your time on the most eventful portions of the festival, it will also be a great way to beat the Las Vegas heat. When the sun is pounding, you’ll be enjoying a leisurely breakfast and just getting ready to head out.

Like Electric Daisy, poker players that are making the pilgrimage to Las Vegas’s top poker tournaments will need to do some training of their own to be in peak mental state. If there are casinos in your local area, check out their tournament schedule, looking for events that will draw more people in particular. However, a better option would be to find online poker tournaments that feature a big stack structure and large numbers of entrants. In this way, you’ll be playing events that take much longer to complete and will give you more experience in playing the style of tournament that will be on offer at the WSOP. While nothing can fully prepare you for what it’s like to attend the WSOP in person and play the long, grueling tournaments, online poker is the best solution for at least minimizing the shock.

Las Vegas is a city that attracts everyone, from Australian poker players making the trip to compete in their first Main Event, to Los Angeles electro fanatics making sure they don’t miss the best party of the year. As such, even seemingly unrelated events do have quite a bit in common and the exciting vibe of the city makes it all possible. By being prepared and taking the right steps to have a good time, both the WSOP and Electric Daisy Carnival would both be excellent events to attend. And, despite what you might think, there will be plenty of people enjoying both during their time in Las Vegas this June.

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