The spots do not get much bigger than they are right now in the 2023 WPT World Championship. With just two tables left, every decision can have six- and even seven-figure repercussions, and after six days of poker, each player remaining has been facing pressure-packed moments for the better part of a week.
With over $5.6 million on the line, few seem likely to be as prepared for such an environment as Andrew Lichtenberger. ‘LuckyChewy’ has a WPT Alpha8 title, a World Series of Poker bracelet and numerous final table appearances in Super High Roller Bowls, WPT Championship events, WSOP bracelet events and a variety of other high rollers, to say nothing of his long list of online poker exploits.
So as this WPT World Championship plays down to its final table on Wednesday, Lichtenberger has done the work to make sure to maximize on having taken the overall chip lead – the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around very often.
“I would say in myself, I’m really just making sure that I’m energized enough to be able to think clearly about my decisions,” said Lichtenberger. “Not get too overly excited, because there’s still a long way to go, and just trying to stay even keeled. And yeah, I guess I’m looking for that in my opponents as well. There’s such an interesting dynamic as it gets deeper, where fatigue can set in.”
While some of the players in the field are going back to their hotel rooms every night, Lichtenberger has had the benefit of sleeping in his own bed once chips have been bagged.
“Obviously, I do have the advantage of living here. I think that helps a lot,” said Lichtenberger. “Having good routines, and then having had some of these experiences before – that helps a lot, too.”
Lichtenberger’s path to victory will not be an easy one by any means, making each of these small elements all the more important. He’s still contending with the likes of WPT Champions Club member and fellow online poker legend Chris Moorman, as well as High Roller standouts Ben Heath and Artur Martirosian in the race to become the 2023 WPT World Champion.
Unsurprisingly, Lichtenberger’s been preparing for that likelihood as well.
“It’s generally going to be the case that with four starting flights, you get some really elite competition down the stretch,” said Lichtenberger. “And yeah, it’s no surprise to see some of these familiar faces that I’ve played with for years.”
One other element that comes into play at this stage of the tournament that doesn’t pop up at any other point in the process is shorthanded play. As the field gets down below 12 players, with two tables left the action gets to be five- and six-handed, which offers yet another wrinkle as players try to vie for one of the coveted spots at the final table.
Especially with the kind of money that’s on the line, these spots can be hard to duplicate in a static, theoretical environment. But with more than 15 years of experience on his side, Lichtenberger is going to lean strongly on his depth of knowledge to put himself in the best position possible.
“I’m just trying to play my game and trust myself,” said Lichtenberger. “I’ve had a lot of experiences playing these kinds of final final two tables down to a final table kind of situation, and that helps immeasurably, especially as stacks start to get a bit shorter.”