Chris Hopgood experienced this when he won his way to the PokerStars Festival Marbella earlier this month.

His package paid his way to the Costa del Sol, and included a seat in the Main Event.

That event didn’t go as well as he’d hoped. But by then the experience itself, and some coaching from Team Pros Jake Cody and Fatima De Melo, had begun to kick in.

So, when he entered the Marbella Cup he got a whole different story to tell.

We spoke to Hopgood shortly after he got back home to the UK, and round about the time his adrenaline levels had returned to normal.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to play a PokerStars event for the first time, or plan on qualifying for one soon, Hopgood explains a little about what it’s like.

PokerStars Blog: What were your first impressions of the Festival in Marbella?

Chris Hopgood: When we first got there, it was an amazing feeling to be in an environment surrounded by poker players, and in such an amazing setting. The hotel was amazing with all the facilities. Then when we got comfortable, ventured into the casino, and a huge space littered with poker tables, all minds ticking away. It was an unbelievable feeling to be a part of it, and intriguing as to what the week would bring.

You got some pre-game coaching from Jake Cody and Fatima De Melo. What was the best thing you learned from that?

I learned a lot in terms of preparation for these type of events, what I should be doing before, during, and maybe after to chill down and relax (hoping on coming back for a day 2).

Also, picking spots in tournaments to make your moves, what kinds of ranges should be playing against different opponents and varied stack sizes of you and the players on your table. It was a great help and something I took with me through the week. . . and beyond hopefully.

What were the highlights of the trip itself?

The coaching was amazing. To be in the company of such big stars of the game and to be able to learn all their tips and tricks around the poker table was really helpful. And it shed a new light on how these professionals go about playing poker events, on and off the felt.

Also, pitting my wits against some of the games greats, sitting at tables with well-known faces on the circuit, and multi-millionaires. Playing pots with them gave a whole new kind of buzz!

What were the biggest surprised from the trip? What weren’t expecting?

The sheer size of the tournaments was a shock. To see the amount of people that enter these festivals over the various flights and events was staggering, and I was so happy to be a part of it.

Obviously, I’m used to playing poker on a smaller scale at much smaller buy ins before, [so there were] more people to battle through to get into the latter stages.

Making a day 2 of an event and eventually a final table was a buzz in poker that I’ve never felt before. It’s something I definitely want to be a part of in the future.

Tell us about the hand you remember most (admittedly this might not be a cheerful story)

It was quite clearly the knockout hand on the final table of the Marbella Cup.

Under the gun with ten big blinds, and I looked down at kings. A huge chance to double up and have around an average stack ready to push further into the money.

It folds around to the small blind (who is a MASSIVE chip leader) who sits debating his decision for a while before flat calling my shove.

At this point I obviously believe I’m ahead, and probably have to dodge an ace, or an under pair… or straight or flush combinations. For the big blind then to fold, and the small blind to declare he was trying to get him to come along too, I knew what was coming.

The chip leader turned over aces and my time in the tournament had come to an end. I was lucky to get where I was in the tournament so didn’t mind the cooler so much (as “it is what it is” in poker). It was just at no point did I feel like I should be behind to a stalling flat. And to be shown aces was just gutting.

What advice would you give a new player making a similar trip to a PokerStars event?

Try not to let the event overawe you. I think maybe I felt a bit struck for the main event which I played and maybe froze in a few spots where I could’ve played better.

But maybe had picked up on this during the Marbella Cup and just let my game flow, and let whatever happens happen.

And not be too scared to bust, as that’s when you’ll make a fold you shouldn’t or play a way you shouldn’t. Good players will pick up on your weaknesses and exploit them no trouble. So just play your game and let the tournament develop around you without being overawed by the atmosphere or the people.

As a poker player, what were you doing exactly 12 months ago?

12 months ago, I was doing what every occasional recreational player does with a low bankroll. Plugging away in my free time playing all kinds of low buy-in tournaments hoping to get my slice of luck and win “big” to progress up the stakes to develop my skills at a different level.

Playing the odd live game at a local casino. I never imagined I’d get a chance to play at such a huge event as the PSFMarbella.

Watching poker streams and trying to progress my game any way I could to grab that edge and increase my bankroll in any way possible.

And what would you like to be doing 12 months from now?

In 12 months’ time, now I’ve had the taste of this huge festival, I’d love to play more events like this.

I will try to develop my game, learning all the time and play as much as I can, whether it be live or online.

Play more satellites maybe to events such as these and get myself on the plane to such luxurious locations as Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Maybe even further afield, playing tournaments across the Atlantic for much bigger purses (one can always dream!)

What’s next for you?

Like I said before I’d like to play more satellites and use some of the money I’ve won to develop my game and attempt to qualify for more PokerStars events across the continent and even the world.

I was eight places away from a 30k package to the Bahamas. So close but yet so far. I need to progress my game, learn and get myself back into contention for huge events such as these in the future.

A huge thanks to the PokerStars team across the board over the week. I was made to feel welcomed and a part of a huge event. All the staff at the hotel, dealers in the casino, and the PokerStars team/media representatives were all amazing all week. Hopefully I’ll get to see them all at the next major event.

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