The countdown to the Main Event is on. This is part of a series of articles we'll release as the marquee event draws closer. Check back daily for more tips about everything from strategy advice on the felt to how and where to take your precious breaks.
Every WSOP, you'll find a debate online centered around one question: Which starting flight of the Main Event is best?
I'll give you the short answer – it doesn't matter.
That alone may be enough to anger your passionate, opinionated friends, but I stand by it. Let's get into the factors at play and go over how to decide which starting flight is right for you.
You have four choices of starting flights
A sea of players in the Paris ballroomAs usual, there are four starting flights from which to choose, all consecutive days next week, and all of which begin at noon.
- Day 1a - Wednesday, July 3
- Day 1b - Thursday, July 4
- Day 1c - Friday, July 5
- Day 1d - Saturday, July 6
Let's take a look at the attendance of each flight from 2023.
- 1a - 1,139 entrants
- 1b - 1,118 entrants
- 1c - 3,077 entrants
- 1d - 4,100+ entrants
The starting flight you choose dictates when your Day 2 will be.
- 1a, 1b, and 1c combine for Day 2 on Sunday, July 7, 2024
- 1d returns for Day 2 on Monday, July 8, 2024
- All flights combine for Day 3 on Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Which field is softest?
Faraz Jaka says starting flight doesn't matterThis is usually the point of contention for those who have a strong opinion. If you think you can pinpoint the softest day, best of luck, and you do you. In my opinion, they're all good.
If there was one day that was definitively easier, the best players would also play that day, inherently making it less easy. The difference in predictable quality of competition is too negligible to determine your decision.
Faraz Jaka agrees and shared as much last year (and most years).
Your random seat draw matters far more than the starting day you choose. Be ready to adapt your game to your table. Your choice in starting day won't help you prepare for any particular level of competition.
The most important factor is your ideal schedule
Worrying about everybody else and factors outside of your control is a mistake in my opinion. You should choose your starting flight solely on one factor: What fits best for your schedule?
For the fewest total days in Vegas
If you work full-time and would prefer to take as few days off as possible, of course playing Saturday's 1d is likely the best choice for you. You'll only have one day off after (hopefully) bagging your starting flight. If you don't advance to Day 2, you could potentially be back to work by Monday if desired.
For the most days off in Vegas
If you want to enjoy your time in Vegas and find a few days off, then 1a is probably the best choice. You'll play Wednesday and then have off until Sunday, giving you three full days off to enjoy Vegas before getting back into the action.
To play other events while you're here
If you're wanting to maximize your playing time and play multiple events during the Main Event starting week, that's another factor. Here at the WSOP, there are no other live events at the WSOP you can play without having to multi-table. There are, however, a few online events. If you'd like to play in them without having to multitask, play either Wednesday's 1a or Thursday's 1b.
- $555 WSOP Online Event #17: PLO Mystery Bounty 6-Max - Friday, July 5
- $400 WSOP Online Event #20: NLH Colossus Day 1a - Friday, July 5
- $600 WSOP Online Event #18: NLH Online DeepStack Championship - Saturday, July 6
That said, there are online events on both Sunday and Monday, so if you make Day 2 they'll both interfere with one of the days you'll be playing.
There are multiple other live events at other venues available to you during the timeframe. Venetian is running single-day events on each of the starting days. The Aria and the Wynn both have single-day and two-day events to slip into your schedule or warm you up for your chosen Main Event flight.
The bottom line is don't make your decision based on what flight you've been told is the weakest or "easiest." No data or proof suggests it's possible to predict. Pick what's best for your schedule, how long you want to be in Vegas, and if you plan to play anything else.
2023 Main Event champion Daniel WeinmanWhatever day you decide to play, we'll see you on the felt. Remember you can request a free photo from our professional photographers to gvie you the perfect souvenir of your time playing. Click here to request your photo.
