Also print copies of any tournament series at other local Vegas casinos for other options while in town. Make travel arrangements and hotel accommodations. Prepare a bankroll spreadsheet and a notebook to carry on the trip. Make notes regarding bankroll limitations, personal reminders, and basic financial constraints.

Before packing, remember some of the tips provided in this column last month. Be prepared to register for tournaments early to avoid lines. Park or find cabs at the Convention Center entrance at the rear of the Rio. The outdoor heat and indoor chill requires attention to clothing, and the long walks through the casino suggest sensible shoes. Bring snacks and plenty of cash, as well as vitamins and hand sanitizer.

With those pesky details out of the way, we can move on to more exciting topics.

The highlight of the WSOP for many women is the $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Ladies Championship, which is set to begin on Friday, July 1, and run for three days. Some will recall that there was a kerfuffle last year when a number of men entered the event. Though the WSOP officials have not released any new information, it is likely that they will take more precautions this year to avoid the hard feelings that developed for some in 2010. Women take pride in the Ladies Championship, and the WSOP has vowed to keep it a tradition, so this year could see some restrictions that it remains a women-only tournament.

A number of women also enjoy playing the $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Seniors Championship, a three-day event that begins on Friday, June 17. For players 50 years of age and older, this is typically a fun tournament that offers a laid back environment with interesting conversations and good sportspersonship. There has been no issue with younger players entering this event due to state law concurrence with the event limitations.

There are many other tournaments that offer a great deal of excitement, often large prize pools, and pure WSOP fun with a chance at a bracelet and bankroll-changing prize money. There will be two $1,000 buy-in NLHE tournaments that run five days each, the first starting on June 4 and 5, the second starting on July 2 and 3. There are other $1K buy-in NLHE tournaments that run only three days, and those have starting dates of Sunday, June 12; Sunday, June 19; and Sunday, June 26. The $1,500 buy-in NLHE events have first days listed as Saturday, June 11; Thursday, June 16; Saturday, June 18; Wednesday, June 22; Saturday, June 25; Tuesday, June 28; and Tuesday, July 5. For those seeking some limit hold’em action, there is the $1,500 buy-in event on Friday, June 3, that runs for three days. And a six-handed NLHE option at the $1,500 buy-in level will be offered on Sunday, June 6, also scheduled for three days.

And for those who want to live the ultimate WSOP dream, there is the $10,000 buy-in NLHE Main Event. The big Championship tournament will have four starting days - July 7 to 10.

Don’t forget that spectators are welcome at the WSOP, and some of the biggest names in poker will likely play events like the $25K heads-up NLHE on May 31 and the $50K Poker Player’s Championship on July 2.

Other tournament series to be found at other Las Vegas casinos, all with lower buy-ins, will be running at various locations. The Venetian Deep Stack Extravaganza will be at the Venetian, the Binion’s Poker Open at Binion’s in Downtown Las Vegas, the Mega Stack Series at Caesars Palace, and the Grand Poker Series at the Golden Nugget, also in Downtown Vegas.

As you make your final plans and travel to Sin City, questions may arise. Though hotels provide concierges for just that purpose, you may have other concerns. Please feel free to forward any questions to me at jennifer@womanpokerplayer.com, and I will help in any way I can. In addition, if you have any great WSOP stories that you’d like to see here on Woman Poker Player, email them to me and I’ll work them into a post-WSOP article.

Good luck to you all! May the cards be with you.

See also: WSOP 2011 Schedule