I have a negative attitude toward late registration because it significantly limits my opportunities in a tournament. By entering late, I end up with a short stack and practically lose the ability to maneuver, be creative, and play strategically.
Instead of gradually building chips and reading opponents, I’m forced to play in survival mode right away — taking more risks and relying on luck.
Moreover, late registration takes away the most important advantage — time:
time to adapt to the table, identify weaker players, and build a comfortable stack.
For me, a tournament is a marathon, not a sprint.
And late entry turns it into exactly that — a sprint where too much depends on chance.