Phil Hellmuth Isn't the Only Pro Who Arrives Late
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For the first-timers, they want to get here early, and soak up the experience. They line up at the doors, rush to their tables, and get a feel for the room before play begins. Sometimes they start chatting up the others at their table, purely out of nervous excitement.
The pros? They've done this many times before. They often show up late, when there aren't long lines at the door. They don't care about listening to the opening announcements, and they don't mind missing a big blind or two when they start with 20,000 in chips and have two-hour levels.
So if there is still an empty seat at your table in the first 10-15 minutes, odds are good that you'll recognize the player when they finally show up. Of course, most pros take their seats long before Phil Hellmuth, who likes to show up in a limo in the afternoon with ESPN's cameras waiting for him at the door.