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Its been nearly three years since I last penned a Holdem with Holloway strategy article, but I am back thanks to some recent poker action I played on the high seas and felt compelled to write about.

Back in October, I had the opportunity to take a cruise on the Virgin Voyages ship Scarlet Lady, which departs out of Miami and sails about the Caribbean. As if taking a leisurely cruise wasnt reason enough, I was keen to check out WPT at Sea, the first permanent poker room on the high seas, one that happens to be sponsored by the renowned World Poker Tour (WPT).

WPT Voyage vs. WPT at Sea What’s the Difference? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The room features eight poker tables and is manned by an experienced crew of industry professionals and dealers. There are tournaments every day, as well as cash games and other special events.

One of my favorite things that the room does is cater to new players by welcoming them into the room, explain whats going on, and even offering free training. As a result, the cruise I was on had a large number of players whove never played poker before.

With decades of experience under my belt, and a World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet around my wrist, youd think Id run over my opponents. Unfortunately, that wasnt the case. In fact, I found myself frustrated time and again, mainly because I was left conflicted. Let me explain why.

In one hand at a $1/$2 no-limit holdem table, a bunch of players limped so I did the same from the button holding the 87. The flop fell 747 to give me trip sevens, and action checked to me. I bet $5 and only the player in the cutoff, who was a new, inexperienced player, made the call to see the 10 turn.

He led out for $5 and I opted just to call. I figured there was a good chance he called my flop bet with a flush draw, and if so, the turn card gave it to him. My concern over a flush was alleviated though when the b class=“k 4c”>4 paired the board on the river to improve me to a full house, sevens full of fours.

My opponent bet $10 and I wanted to make some money. If he had a flush, I didnt think he would fold, so I raised to $50. He just called and I tabled my hand. Much to my surprise, he rolled over the 107 for a bigger full house, sevens full of tens.

There were only three hands that could beat me, and that was one of them (the other two were either pocket fours or tens). I was left a bit shell shocked as I thought for sure I had a winner hand. So, why was I conflicted? Well, it stung not to win the hand, but I guess I was also lucky that my inexperienced opponent didnt reraise me, as I surely wouldve lost more.

You can never tell what an inexperienced player is going to do, so if you cant beat them, sometimes youve just got to count your blessings that you didnt lose more! The above hand was just one of many similar ones that literally left me shaking my head. I just couldnt beat the cash game on board.

Luckily for me, while I lost money playing cash about $600 by my count I was fortunate enough to win even more playing onboard tournaments. On the first night, I did a heads-up chop in the $60 Nightly for a few hundred bucks, and then on the final night I won the $125 Bounty tournament, which only had nine players but was winner-take-all (aside from the bounties). I was able to win that for close to $1,000 thanks to a bunch of bounties, so all in all in proved to be a profitable trip.

Ill definitely be taking another Virgin Voyages cruise and have every intention of returning to the WPT at Sea Poker Room, I just need to go in with a better game plan on how to contend with those cash game players!

Check out the WPT at Sea Poker Room review here on PokerNews!

What is WPT at Sea?

Not to be confused with WPT Voyage, WPT at Sea is an actual poker room on the Scarlet Lady ship (and soon-to-be other Virgin Voyages). That poker room is operating on the high seas right now as you read this.

After witnessing the magic of cruise-line poker with Virgin Voyages last season, we instantly sought to establish a permanent fixture, said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. Scarlet Lady provides the perfect residence for WPT at Sea, which will bring the WPT poker experience to the high seas.

The room features eight custom poker tables staffed with professional dealers. For cash games, the rake is a reasonable 10% up to $10, which is much lower than other cruises. As for tournaments, buy-ins on a typical sailing range from $80-$320.

Recently, WPT at Sea has held a $240 buy-in Main Event, which awards a WPT prize package to a future sailing.

The room caters to players of all experience levels, from absolute beginner to seasoned pro. For the former, the staff holds beginner training courses on each sailing, and dealers also offer their services if 1:1 instruction is desired.

WPT at Sea goes wherever the ship does, meaning those who go for the poker will also get to experience new and exciting destinations. The room is closed when the ship is docked so sailors are incentivized to get off the ship and check things out. But fear not, when everyone is back on board it doesnt take long for cards to get back in the air.

Here are some other things to know about WPT at Sea:

WPT at Sea is taking reservations through the end of 2024. To learn more or book your cruise,visit wptatsea.com.

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