I’m joined for this interview by Ian Simpson, fresh off his incredible win at the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event, where he took home €62,000. Not only is this a huge personal achievement, but it also marks the first time an 888poker Ambassador has won one of the company’s own live events. Ian battled through a tough field of 403 entries in the €888 buy-in event, endured a grueling 12-hour final day, and emerged from a two-hour heads-up duel to claim the title. Let’s dive into his experience and hear firsthand how it all unfolded.
Ian Simpson Interview Summarized Transcript
From the coverage I saw and watching a bit of the stream on the 888poker Twitch channel, it wasn’t smooth sailing. You entered this event more than once, yes?
Yeah, I fired two bullets, got eliminated on Day 1A but things turned around on Day 1B. On Day 1B things were pretty quiet until suddenly there was a three-way collision between my Kings against pocket tens and pocket eights. My hand held, and I bagged a healthy stack.
I imagine if you got knocked out on Day 1B you might’ve fired bullet #3 on Day 1C, right? So, what did you end up doing before Day 2 commenced?
It actually worked out great; I made loads of content all day long with the 888poker crew. It’s hard work, but I enjoy working with the team behind the scenes. Had I gotten knocked out on Day 1B, my Day 1C registration would’ve been very late, as I had those commitments, so actually things worked out really well in that regard.
Day 2, I remember having a precarious stack approaching the bubble. I thought at some point I’d be able to abuse the bubble, but that didn’t happen. Thankfully the bubble didn’t last too long, and then things calmed down a bit. I suffered a pretty big cooler though, at which point I started thinking ahead “OK, well, at least we made the money, maybe I’ll jump in the high roller. But we doubled, and we battled… and we doubled again and we battled… and suddenly it was Day 3.
In Spain they like to start everything late. Day 2 didn’t commence until 5pm, and it only ended at 3am. And that was after a very lengthy Day 1B to boot. So it’s been a long ride, but I’m a night owl and I’m OK with the late starts and light ends!
Day 3 was a marathon, too! It was another 12 hours of poker, from 23 players down to the win. You started the day off in ninth place. How did you keep yourself sharp and stay locked in on your A-Game throughout the day of play, specifically as the final table approached?
You’ve got to eat right! Some people don’t have breakfast and then go out and play; I don’t understand how they do that. Even if I’m not feeling hungry, I know that my body and brain needs fuel so I always pack snacks. Keeping hydrated is important, too. Also, having a rail is very helpful to keep your spirits up, and I had one heck of a rail!
You started the final table in third place. How did that impact your approach? Did you feel comfortable with your position, or was there any moments where things got especially tense or tricky?
I needed to feel out how my opponents were approaching the final table and assess how good I thought each of them were. I tried to make use of whatever information I could and was available — like when cards get exposed at showdown — to get a sense of how they were playing. Maybe they’re 3-betting light, for example, or maybe they’re just getting a rush of hands.
Also, there are times when it’s wise to take one’s foot off the gas; after all, ICM is obviously very important. Once I found myself as chip leader, that’s when I had the opportunity to apply pressure. I’ve gotten a lot better at that; I was great at being patient. I’m a little more selective now.
READ MORE: What is ICM in Poker?
That’s such an excellent “professional poker player” answer. I imagine you would’ve given such an answer regardless of whatever ended up happening at the final table. The fact of the matter is, however, that you won. Was it a matter of executing better on the strategy you laid out? Was it just a matter of running well? Was it a combination of both?
It was a bit of both. I ran good and had a better card distribution when I was heads up. I never lost an all-in when my tournament life was at stake. But you have to get into confrontations if you want to make money, and to actually win a tournament you have to survive a lot of them. It’s wonderful to be on this side of variance. So whilst I’ve worked on my game, have studied ICM, have read a lot of poker books, etc. obviously running well plays a large role, too.
You came into heads-up play with Alvaro Munciano nearly even in chips, and it took about two hours to close it out. What was the dynamic like between you two, and what ultimately helped you seal the win?
Again, I did have a better card distribution heads-up. This interview could’ve been very different if he had had pocket aces one time I was bluffing. Honestly, it was just a battle. He was rather aggressive, and I had been studying how to counter “that particular brand of reg”. But bottom line, if the card distribution was reversed, this conversation might be very different.
You mentioned in your social media updates throughout the tournament how the emotions kept building as the tournament progressed, from just wanting to run deep to realizing you had a real shot at the title. Sticking with the strategy and staying cool under pressure is what professionals do, of course, but I’m wondering if nonetheless there might have been a specific moment when it really hit you that, ‘Wow, I could actually win this and that would be amazing’?
I feel that way immediately on Day 1A. Every time I enter a tournament, whether it’s the $8 Voyage on 888poker online or the $10K WSOP Main Event, I’m always like “it would be cool to win this!” Many people say you shouldn’t get your hopes up so much because it’s so hard to win tournaments. The overwhelming majority of the time you bust and don’t even make the money.
I’ve been around long enough to know that in poker you’re just going to get your ass kicked a LOT! But understanding that deeply is exactly why I can remain optimistic right from the get-go of any tournament I play that it would be so great to win! I can afford to be a bit of a daydreamer.
I checked your HendonMob results and this is your biggest live poker tournament win in over a decade. How much does this victory mean to you, especially as an 888poker ambassador – and the first team pro to win one of their live events?
It’s so special. I’ve had some good results and have “knocked on the door” over the last decade making final tables, but all the money is on the podium, in the top three. So winning any event, whether it’s a main event or side event, is always wonderful. Getting to win an 888poker main event is even better. And the rail being there until 4am to cheer me on was just magic!
Your fellow 888poker team pros—Vivian Saliba, Lucia Navarro, Josh Manley, and Nick Eastwood—were all there cheering you on. You can hear them all chanting “Simpson, Simpson, Simpson”. What was it like having that kind of support from your teammates? Can you recall and describe that moment of victory? Have you ever experienced a rail like that before?
It was amazing. In between hands they were getting rowdy and cheering my name. I was able to catch some of the things they were talking about and it was just nice things about me being said; they’re just so supportive and I’ve just found myself with such a wonderful team.
When I’ve had wins in the past, it was so long ago so I didn’t know as many people in poker. This was the first time I’ve had a big crowd like that, so it was really special. Some of them even had flights and they didn’t go to bed… they just stayed to root me on and went straight from there to the airport without any sleep!
🏆 THE WINNING HAND!
🎢 What a roller coaster of a heads-up match! Congratulations again @IanSimpsonPoker!#madrid #poker #finaltable pic.twitter.com/e28st8Wbfx
— 888poker (@888poker) January 20, 2025
So, €62K is a nice little windfall—any plans to splurge on something fun, or is it all getting reinvested in poker?
I need to talk to my wife about that; we’re a unit! We’ve got my daughter to think about, we’ve got my poker career to think about. There are things in the house we want to do. I’ve never been that kind of guy to drop tons of money on a Rolex. I’m a lot more sensible and was like that even when I was younger. So many people would’ve bought a Ferrari or started buying in to the high rollers, but when I had a big score a decade ago we bought a house. Poker can often be cruel… I know that these times are rare.
What’s next for you? Does this win change your plans for 2025, or are you just taking things one event at a time?
888poker has put out a really rich schedule of live events, especially the UKPL with stops in places like Edinburgh and Newcastle, but also the 888poker LIVE series. It’s not massive buy-ins but mostly $500s and $1Ks. But I will admit that I have a hunger for some bigger buy-in events around the world, like the EPTs. Sometimes they’re a bit trickier to get to or the dates don’t align with my personal/family calendar, but some of the very best high buy-in events are now on my radar.
I’ll be selectively buying in to some bigger events, probably shot-take a bit more, but obviously having this win behind me makes things more comfortable from a bankroll perspective. I’ll keep a lot more of my own action rather than selling too much, etc.
Conclusion
Ian, congratulations once again on this fantastic victory! It’s been great hearing all about your journey through the tournament. This is definitely a moment to savor. Best of luck at and hopefully, we’ll see you back in the winner’s circle soon!
🚨 WE HAVE A WINNER!
🥳 Congratulations to the first ever 888poker Ambassador to take down an 888poker LIVE Main Event, @iansimpsonpoker!
🏆 After a well-fought battle, Ian took down the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event for a whopping €62,000!
🎉 What a moment to remember! pic.twitter.com/iis0q3wJC1
— 888poker (@888poker) January 20, 2025
For some players, it’s enough to try poker online purely for fun and as something cool to do after a long, hard day at their regular job. Other players, though, have bigger ambitions and aim to work their way up to playing professionally. The chance to earn a living doing something you enjoy is pretty awesome, after all, as is the glamour and potential financial rewards of being a poker pro.
No one can jump straight to playing at this level overnight, though – at least not if they want to stand a real chance of mixing it with the big boys and girls! It’s wise therefore to find out how to start playing poker initially and then work your way into the pro game when truly ready.
But what are the best tips when starting out in the game?
Find a secure site to play
Before we really dig into poker-related specifics, it pays to think about where you will play online. Although all poker sites might look the same, not all are created equal, and it’s essential to only sign up at licensed platforms that use the latest cybersecurity measures to protect users.
It’s also a must to take a look at how many poker variants a site has before signing up, and what kind of tournaments they run. Lots of people like to play poker online via mobile and this means choosing a site that offers a seamless mobile experience is crucial. You should also only play at poker sites that have a range of trusted payment options and customer support that is easy to reach.
As shown at AskGamblers UK, Casumo Casino, Bally Casino and Karamba Casino are all great choices for would-be poker players.
Choose the poker variant that suits you best
One thing that has made poker one of the world’s top casino games is the number of variants there are to try. While Texas Hold ‘Em might be the most familiar, others like Omaha, 2-7 Triple Draw, and stud games are a hit with players.
One tip when starting out is to do some research into how each poker variant works, and figure out which you like best. It can also be useful to play a few informal hands offline with friends to really see what floats your boat.
Doing this means you play a variant you like and that you have a natural feel for. This can help you get more from your sessions and help give you the edge needed to move up to the pro ranks.
Play for low stakes initially
Although you might dream of playing for big pots in high-stakes games, this is not something to try when just learning how to play poker.
It’s a much better idea to stick to low-stakes games to start off with, and tournaments with low buy-ins. Doing this enables you to make all your mistakes without lots of cash being on the line. It also means you can focus on getting used to playing the game and how it all works, rather than worrying about how much you’re playing for.
Work on your weaknesses
To move into the pro game, it’s a must to review how you perform regularly and pinpoint areas you need to improve on. If you notice that your attempts at bluffing rarely come off, for example, you can work on being more convincing in hands, and how to use psychology in your play. Although no player is ever perfect, you should constantly be working on your game.
Know your relative card strength
It’s a given that poker pros know their cards and know how well their hands are likely to fare against their opponents hands. You would not see someone like Phil Ivey or Daniel Negreanu struggling to work out how strong their hand is in a game, for example!
With this in mind, you should aim to master all types of poker strategies as best you can, and know exactly what your relative hand strength is. This not only enables you to make the right choices in games based on how strong you know your hand to be but also enables you to gauge how strong an opponent’s hand might be.
Understand the rules and basic poker terminology
Anyone starting out in poker should get a handle on the rules of the variant they’re playing. This stops you looking foolish and prevents you making poor decisions based on an incorrect understanding of the rules. If you’re playing Texas Hold ‘Em, for example, and sit around waiting for four hole cards as you get in Omaha, then you’re going to look a bit silly.
By the same token, you seriously need to get down with basic terminology. You don’t need to know every little term but common ones like all-in, big blind, ante and raise are essential. This helps you to understand what’s happening in games and is a must when trying to move into pro poker circles.
Play fewer hands but more aggressively
Most people know from looking at current famous poker pros that each has their own unique style. While developing your own is a good idea as you progress, playing fewer hands but in a more aggressive way is something to think about.
Doing this means you avoid overplaying and wasting money staying in hands you should get out of. It’s also better for your confidence levels, as you don’t lose as much! On the other hand, if you have a strong starting hand (such as an ace, ace, king and two in Omaha), then be aggressive and play fast to build the pot. This obviously becomes even truer as things pan out and any community cards that make your hand even stronger are revealed.
Top tips for starting out in poker
It’s always nice to have dreams and goals in life. This extends to playing poker, and aiming to become a pro one day is a solid objective to set. You need to run before you walk, though, and this means finding out the best tips to build up your game when starting out and developing over time to pro level.
For over three years now, our Mixed Game Festival series has been a haven for poker enthusiasts who relish the thrill of low-stakes mixed games. Now, as we gear up for Mixed Game Festival X, scheduled for February 16-20, 2025, at Resorts World Las Vegas, we’re taking things to the next level, thanks to the sponsorship of the PokerGO Tour (PGT).
This latest edition of the festival offers serious low-stakes recreational and home game players a unique opportunity to step onto the big stage, with the chance to win one of two $750 seats to the PGT Mixed Games Satellite on February 24.
A Path to Playing with the Pros
The dream of recreational players sitting across the felt from poker’s elite has always seemed distant, but Mixed Game Festival X is here to try and directly bridge that gap. With these satellite seats, low-stakes enthusiasts have a clear, tangible path to test their mettle alongside some of the very best in the game. Those seats will specifically be up for grabs as part of our $300 H.E.R.O.S. tournament on February 20.
But this is more than just an opportunity for the low-rollers—it’s a call to action for the higher-stakes professionals to “give back” to the community. Mixed games thrive on a robust player pool, and festivals like the ones we regularly run help grow that pool. As we all know, money in poker tends to flow up the funnel, meaning that by supporting initiatives like Mixed Game Festival X, the ecosystem of mixed games as a whole becomes stronger.
Everyone loves playing $4/8 dealer’s choice with Poker Hall of Famer Eli Elezra
Mixed Game Pros, We’re Looking at You!
Higher-stakes players, this is your chance to show your support for the game you love. Spend an hour or two splashing around with us in the $4/$8 streets. Take some selfies. Share a few laughs. For the recreational players who join us, these moments are unforgettable. They might even be the spark that ignites their passion for poker for years to come.
And who knows? You might even find yourself rediscovering the joy of the game that brought you to the felt in the first place. Remember, mixed games aren’t just about profit—they’re about passion, creativity, and community.
Poker Hall of Famer Linda Johnson and Women in Poker Hall of Famer Jan Fisher are regular Mixed Game Festival attendees
Reps, Learning, and Fun
Beyond the camaraderie, our Mixed Game Festivals offer pros the chance to get some valuable practice in variants that are tough to find in a traditional poker setting. With dealer’s choice options on the table, you could even encounter a new game that challenges your skills or broadens your horizons. Especially with the PGT Mixed Games series occurring the following week, it couldn’t hurt to get some additional reps in, even if it’s “just” in low stakes cash games.
Dylan Linde joined by a table full of mixed game players Mixed Game Festival V.
The 2025 PGT Mixed Games Schedule
For those looking to take their game to the next level, the 2025 PGT Mixed Games series is slated to run from February 25 to March 5, 2025, at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. Here’s a glimpse of the schedule:
- February 25-26: Event #1 – $5,300 H.O.R.S.E.
- February 26-27: Event #2 – $5,300 8-Game Mix
- February 27-28: Event #3 – $10,600 H.O.R.S.E.
- February 28-March 1: Event #4 – $10,600 8-Game Mix
- March 1-3: Event #5 – $10,600 Mori’s Mix (LHE, Razz, Badugi, Limit Omaha, Stud, Limit 2-7 Triple Draw)
- March 3-4: Event #6 – $15,800 Dealer’s Choice
- March 4-5: Event #7 – $26,000 10-Game Championship
Note: The PGT Mixed Games Satellite on February 24 offers a $750 buy-in, providing a pathway into Events #1 or #2.
Join Us at Mixed Game Festival X
Mixed Game Festival X is a celebration of everything that makes poker great. Whether you’re a recreational player looking for your shot at the big leagues or a seasoned pro eager to give back, this festival has something for you.
So, mark your calendars, February 16-20, 2025, and join us at Resorts World Las Vegas. Let’s grow the game, one hand at a time.
When it comes to planning your poker schedule for the year, it’s critical to consider not just the events you want to play, but also the must-plays, balancing your bankroll considerations along with likely travel expenses and other factors. Must-plays are poker tournaments that the poker community hivemind considers absolutely mandatory. These are tournaments like the WSOP Main Event, the $1,500 Millionaire Maker, GGPoker’s daily $54 200K guaranteed PKO, one of the many mystery bounty events guaranteeing a 200K+ top bounty pull, or the late 2024 $5,000,000 ClubWPT Gold Invitational Freeroll – provided you luckboxed an entry. The key to making an event a must-play is how much can be won relative to the entry fee paid; i.e., value.
A poker pro with a poker pro’s bankroll can do their due diligence to be in attendance of most of these “must-plays”. However with an ongoing global poker boom, we now have a situation where there are always several major value options. A person can only be in one place at a time and thus, decisions have to be made. Unlike poker pros, the average poker enthusiast has the challenge of limited resources; getting time off from work, having the buy-ins, etc. There might be infinite poker action available but a very finite amount of time and money. If we want to distribute these limited poker resources optimally, we should first check the calendar.
The Poker Calendar
Somehow, whether by serendipity or a conspiracy by poker operator elites, the majority of big poker action and prestige is concentrated by the changing seasons. Early May brings in the spring online championships across most online poker sites. With the summer weather that follows, poker players across the globe convene in Las Vegas for the WSOP. September brings the most prestigious of online championships and winter brings a poker Christmas with three major live stops and a plethora of winter/New Year themed online series. For quick reference:
May – Online
June-July – Live
September – Online
December – Live and Online
It’s these months where professionals tend to be packing in their volume. Recreational players trying to get the most out of their time off for poker and their bankrolls should also consider optimal ways to plan the poker trips themselves.
Poker’s Off-Season
Like sports, poker has an off-season. January-April, July-August, and October-November tend to be the cooler periods on the annual poker calendar but are by no means short of action. WPT, EPT, WSOP Circuits run year round. Online poker sites offer shorter run series as well. And, of course, every Sunday offers a plethora of great online poker. Live MTT pros tend to be at it the whole year, the same way online pros will also play everything on the schedule and “never miss a Sunday”. However, many pros and serious recreational poker players use off-season as a time to study and attend to the mythical “other” things in life (Is this a real thing?).
- Study Time: There are different ways to schedule poker study time. Online players tend to batch review into daily or weekly sessions. This allows them to stay up-to-date while they continue pumping out volume. However, off-season provides an opportunity to make strides in your poker game and take full advantage of your poker training site memberships. It’s during this time where you can pass on some of the smaller guarantees and lower upside to get in the lab in preparation for show-time.
- Non-Poker: It’s easy to forget that we play poker not only as an end in itself but also as a means to an end. The dream is to win life-changing money and live on your own terms. We want to put ourselves in a position to do the other things we love, spend time with the people we care about, and contribute in some meaningful way. Fortunately, we don’t need to win big to do these things. In the poker calendar, off-season provides ample opportunity to live your life. It’s just a game, people.
My Poker Plan and Yours for the New Poker Year
I have outlined for you what is basically my year-after-year poker schedule:
- January – Finishing online winter/New Year series.
- February-April – Poker study, family and friends, other projects, the odd small live series, maybe some live cash games. Off-season stuff.
- May – Online MTTs.
- June-July – As much time at the WSOP as I can handle (six weeks is a long time to be in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada!)
- July-August – Off-season stuff.
- September – Online MTTs.
- October-November – Off-season life.
- December – Try and close out the year strong.
I’m a full-timer but for most readers, doing it like this is just not in the cards. Even so, understanding what the community’s poker calendar looks like can help with making decisions for your year. It’s very easy to FOMO play because that’s what we do: we play. But stepping back, looking at the whole, can really help with knowing where to put your time and money. And, clarify what a must-play is for you.
Showdowns are where you learn the most about each poker player. If you watched, and can remember, the action of the hand from start to finish, you can replay the hand in your mind and learn a lot about how a player thinks.
You see the exact hand they called with preflop, the strength of hand they check-called with on the flop, the hand they check-raised 3x with on the turn and the hand they shoved with on the river.
What a wealth of information for those paying attention!
Here are the four insights I always try to gain from every showdown I see.
1. Showdowns Indicate a Poker Player’s Logic
Replaying the action of the hand, while knowing what a player held at the time, illuminates the exact logic behind their decisions. This insight is extremely valuable as it will help you make exploitative plays later.
The other day, my student played a hand against a very passive opponent. In the hand, his opponent check-called the flop and turn with a nut flush draw. My student bet 2/3 pot on the flop then 3/4 pot on the turn. When the flush hit the river, his opponent donk bet 3/4 pot and my student called. My student lost with a 2 pair hand, but by paying attention to showdown, he saw that his opponent plays the nut flush draw passively from OOP and is willing to call large bets.
My student made a player note from this hand that read, “OOP calls w/nfd vs big bets (VALUE BET BIG ON WET AND INCOMPLETE BOARDS, BEWARE OF THE DONK BET WHEN DRAW COMPLETES)”.
These insights only came because my student replayed the hand in his mind upon seeing showdown.
2. Showdowns Help You Spot Bet Size Patterns
You can learn so much from bet sizes after a showdown.
Some players naturally bet bigger for value and smaller for bluffs. Other players make min-blocking bets with every draw to set their own price to see the next street.
Here are some bet size patterns you could spot after seeing four showdowns against a particular player:
- 1st Hand: Villain made a ½ pot bluff cbet on the flop with AK.
- 2nd Hand: Villain made a ½ pot bluff bet on the turn with a gutshot straight draw.
- 3rd Hand: Villain made a ¾ pot value bet on the flop with a set.
- 4th Hand: Villain made a ¾ pot value bet when the 3rd spade hit the turn, giving him a flush.
Your note for this player might read: “1/2 pot = bluff, 3/4 pot = value; BEWARE HIS LARGER BETS”.
This note will help you get away from marginal hands when he makes bigger bets in the future, and you can attempt bluff raising or bluff catching with a call when he bets 1/2 pot.
3. Showdowns Help You Categorize Players
Let’s imagine you’re at a full ring table with eight opponents: 2 loose-aggressive, 1 tight-aggressive, 4 fish and 1 unknown. We can call the unknown player “Mysterious Mandy”.
So, how do you play against her?
At the beginning, treat her like the average player. Maybe the average player folds King-high hands, underpairs and weak draws like low-end gutshot draws versus flop cbets. When “Mysterious Mandy” calls your 2/3 pot cbet from out of position in the first hand you play against her, you can remove this group of weaker hands from her flop continuation range.
The hand progresses through the streets and gets to showdown. You learn that when she called your 2/3 pot cbet from out of position on the flop, she held a King-high backdoor flush draw. That’s it!
After just this one showdown hand, you can now tag “Mysterious Mandy” as a Fish and from this point forward, play against her accordingly. Now she’s “Mackerel Mandy” to you and this insight came from your very first hand with her because you saw what she held at showdown.
4. Showdowns Confirm a Player’s Use of Exploitative Plays
For online players who use a HUD, you’ll often notice a statistical frequency that looks like an exploit this player enjoys making.
For example, you notice a player with a high Turn Float statistic of 72% (betting on the turn when in position and the flop cbettor checks the turn from out of position). This means they like to steal pots on the turn when the cbettor shows weakness by failing to double-barrel cbet.
When a showdown reveals they held an Ace-high hand while floating the turn, that confirms they use the turn float to exploit weakness. Great!
So, what can you do with this information? You can use their exploit against them in the future by check-raise bluffing or checking to induce a bluff from them.
The more showdowns you pay attention to, the more plays like this you’ll catch.
Take Action: Become a Showdown Inspector
Ensure you’re not distracted by ESPN or X or TikTok as you play (put phone on airplane mode, switch seats so the television isn’t in your eyesight, etc.).
Preflop, even when you exit the hand, focus on the players involved and their actions. When the flop hits, recite in your head who can cbet and who will be facing the cbet. Notice the actions and try to remember the bet sizes used. Do the same for the turn and river.
While you’re paying attention, also make reads on the hand strengths you think the players likely have.
If you’re lucky enough to see showdown, keep their hand in mind and replay the action of the hand. Make reads on why they made the plays they did through the streets, given their hand strength at each decision point.
This practice will help you learn from every showdown, and it will help improve your reads on your opponents when you’re involved in hands.
Hot on the heels of its end-of-the-year World Championship festival, the World Poker Tour has an eye towards the future, having announced seven scheduled events – across its Main Tour and Prime Tour – for the first half of 2025. Spanning four continents, the WPT will be returning to a number of destinations it has previously visited, with the goal of doing things even bigger and better than in the past.
Specifically, players can look forward to four WPT Main Tour festivals (in Cambodia, California, Florida and Oklahoma) and three WPT Prime stops (in Cambodia, Cyprus, and Australia). “With the arrival of the new year, we look ahead to the 23rd season of the World Poker Tour,” said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. “Poker players, globally, can mark their calendars for some amazing WPT festivals to come in the first half of 2025.”
WPT Main Tour and WPT Prime Festival Dates
Season 23 will kick off in Phnom Penh at NagaWorld Resort, where the $1,100 WPT Prime Cambodia Championship will run from February 14–18 to immediately be followed by the $3,500 WPT Cambodia Championship from February 19–24.
The following month, the WPT truly spreads its wings, staging the following events:
- WPT Prime Cyprus (March 13-17): The $1,100 Prime Championship event will once again be held at the Chamada Prestige Hotel and Casino. This marks a calendar shift for this particular tour stop, as it was last held in August 2024. You can check out Cardplayer Lifestyle’s coverage of that series here.
- WPT Rolling Thunder (March 16–19): Northern California’s Thunder Valley Casino Resort plays host once again to the $3,500 Championship event as part of the larger series of tournaments. You can expect Ben Erwin and his crew to roll out the red carpet for what promises to be another highlight-filled occasion.
- WPT Prime Gold Coast (March 21-26): Poker players Down Under as well as those looking to make the journey over to Australia have a AUD$2,000 Prime Championship to look forward to at the Star Gold Coast.
April and May will be busy months for the World Poker Tour as well, with two Main Tour events hitting Florida and Oklahoma, respectively, as follows.
- WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown (March 19–April 8): Head over to Hollywood, Florida for the $3,500 Championship that will be held from April 4–8.
- WPT Choctaw (April 16–May 5): Representing the 10th anniversary of World Poker Tour events being held at Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, Oklahoma, players will compete in a $3,800 Championship event from May 2–5. The last time Cardplayer Lifestyle covered this series was in 2022, and it has only grown in popularity since then.
Those players unable to partake in the action in person, along with WPT fans around the globe, will be able to watch live streams and edited broadcasts of all the aforementioned events, with details of filmings to be released at a later date.
Call it a hunch, but the WPT always seems to have “a little something extra” up its sleeve. While the aforementioned schedule has been announced, there might be more to come in the first half of this year. We’ll keep our eyes peeled.
For now. pic.twitter.com/w1tVaHAsbA
— World Poker Tour (@WPT) January 9, 2025
Qualify for WPT Main Tour and WPT Prime Tour Events Online
If you’ve always dreamed of playing in a World Poker Tour Championship event or WPT Prime Championship event but the price tag is just a bit out of reach – or you just want to try and grab yourself a seat on the cheap – you’ll have the opportunity to win your way there by playing online.
Depending on your jurisdiction, you can utilize either WPT Global, ClubWPT, or the all-new ClubWPT Gold as a means of playing satellites and qualifiers for live WPT events throughout the first half of Season 23.
Playing Pot Limit Omaha comes with added perks on CoinPoker, one of the fastest growing PLO poker sites online.
While Omaha poker enthusiasts already flock to compete in the PLO cash games, its Pot Limit Omaha Daily Leaderboard considerably sweetens the pot with a daily prize pool of ₮1,000 (Tether, equivalent to USD).
That’s not all. Aside from the leaderboard prizes, players can also take advantage of the Bad Beat Jackpot, 33% rakeback, a 150% bonus up to $2000 for first-time CoinPoker users, and more.
How To Win The Pot Limit Omaha Leaderboard Prizes
Players can compete for the leaderboard prizes by playing PLO or 5PLO cash games on CoinPoker. While Heads Up table games – which include only two players – could also be eligible, the buy-in amount needs to be higher than ₮1,000.
Poker enthusiasts can find these games by creating an account on CoinPoker, downloading the app on their device, clicking the ‘Cash Games’ tab and using the ‘Omaha’ and ‘5 Card Omaha’ filters.
The leaderboard points are calculated based on a player’s performance, weighing in the stakes and big blinds earned by the player. The breakdown is as follows:
- PLO2: 1 point for each big blind collected in Community Contributions (CC)
- PLO5: 1.75 points for each big blind
- PLO10: 3.25 points for each big blind
- PLO25: 8 points for each big blind
- PLO50: 15 points for each big blind
- PLO100: 24 points for each big blind
- PLO200+: 36 points for each big blind
If there is a tie in leaderboard points, the player with higher cash winnings will win the tiebreak. If that is equal as well, a random draw will decide the rankings.
Notably, only the top 15 players on the Pot Limit Omaha Leaderboard will qualify for the prizes, which will range from ₮250 to ₮10.
The leaderboard period will start each day from 00:00 GMT and end at 23:59 GMT. However, if a player buys in before the deadline, he can still earn points even if he buys out after.
CoinPoker is fast becoming arguably the best Pot Limit Omaha poker site among crypto-focused rooms, with a worldwide player base trusting the site. Check out a recent high stakes PLO stream on the CoinPoker YouTube channel below.
More CoinPoker Promotions
Aside from the leaderboard prizes, there is still plenty in store for the players.
For instance, CoinPoker has come up with a way to reduce the chances of losing with its Bad Beat Jackpot. Over 50 BBJs were awarded last year, and in 2025 the BBJ has so far been hit once, as of January 7th.
The jackpot is triggered when a very good hand is busted by a better one. For instance, a player can win a BBJ in PLO cash games if their hand of straight flush ends up losing. Similarly, a player needs to lose with a straight flush (3 – 7) or better in 5PLO games to trigger the jackpot.
Similarly, first-time CoinPoker users are eligible for a one-time 150% Welcome Bonus of up to $2,000. Furthermore, players using CoinPoker’s native token CHP to pay the rake will earn 33% rakeback.
Stay updated on other special CoinPoker offers via its X account.
Cardplayer Lifestyle will be hosting its tenth Mixed Game Festival, a five-day affair at Resorts World Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, with the PokerGO Tour (PGT) sponsoring two seats into the PGT Mixed Games Satellite event as Grand Prizes.
We’re proud to announce that Mixed Game Festival X will return once again to the fabulous Resorts World Las Vegas from February 16-20 to stage another fun-filled and exciting week of mixed game poker.
The festival will include a pair of tournaments, namely a $300 Omaha 8/Stud 8 tournament on Monday, February 17, and a $300 H.E.R.O.S. tournament on Thursday, February 20 as our grand finale.
Alongside the two tournaments, nonstop dealer’s choice cash game action will be spread at limits as low as $4/8 and $8/16, with higher stakes available upon request.
Grand Prize Details
Having the PGT as our presenting sponsor illuminates a path for our festival attendees to have a shot at playing with poker’s top mixed game pros on one of the industry’s biggest stages.
In addition to an assortment of high-end merchandise throughout the festival, the PGT will be giving away 2 (two) $750 seats to the PGT Mixed Games 8-Game Mix Satellite.
The two seats will be given away during our $300 H.E.R.O.S. tourney on Thursday, February 20, as follows:
- At the close of registration (2:15pm), a player remaining will be selected at random and be awarded one of the PGT Mixed Games satellite seats. The second one will be awarded via a Mystery Bounty. The one exception is that a player cannot win both prizes.
- For the first seat, we’ll randomly select a table (via seat cards), where a “blind flip” will take place to decide the winner.
- The Mystery Bounty portion of the event begins at the conclusion of registration with a single prize of the second satellite ticket.
The 2025 PGT Mixed Games series will be held at the PokerGO Studio the week after Mixed Game Festival X concludes, kicking off with the aforementioned $750 8-Game Mix Satellite event on February 24 in the Aria Poker Room.
Mixed Game Festival X: Schedule of Events
Sunday, February 16: Kickoff Pizza Party
What’s better than food? FREE FOOD! Our traditional, fun-filled pizza party always kick things off the right way. Join us at 12pm for a slice of fun, followed by all the dealer’s choice cash games you can eat.
Monday, February 17: $300 O/E Tournament
Test your skills at Omaha 8 or Better and Stud 8 or Better! Past winners of this tournament include “Miami” John Cernuto, Mike Patrick, and Eric Rivkin. Typically we draw between 50-70 players for this tournament, with first place paying in the neighborhood of $2,500-$4,000!
Tuesday, February 18: Drawmaha Day
Commencing at 11am, we’ll be teaching the mechanics of Drawmaha along with many of its different sub-variants, including: Drawmaha Zero (0), Drawmaha 49, Drawma-Dugi (A-4), 2-7 Drawmaha, A-5 Drawmaha, and Drawmaha High-Dugi. Light refreshments will be provided and all are welcome to attend the free instructional seminar. Our regular dealer’s choice cash games will begin at 12pm.
Wednesday, February 19: Women’s Wednesday
We’re partnering with the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) to run a special program beginning at 10am and hosted by Women in Poker Hall of Famer Lupe Soto. The program will focus on teaching and practicing Stud games, namely Razz, 7-Card Stud, and 7-Card Stud 8 or Better. Our regular dealer’s choice cash games will commence at 12pm.
Thursday, February 20: Grand Finale $300 H.E.R.O.S. Tournament
Past winners of this tournament include Greg Raymer and Ari Engel. Typically we draw between 70-100 players for this tournament, with first place paying in the neighborhood of $5,000!
Shuffle up and deal will take place at 12pm with late registration ending after the break following level 6 (approximately 2:15pm). During this tournament, we’ll be doing our 2 x $750 PGT Mixed Games satellite seat giveaway.
Mixed Game Festival X: What Else?
We’ll have a free-to-enter “last longer competition” during our two tournaments, on Monday and Thursday. The last player remaining in each tournament still wearing a Pokercoaching.com patch will win a free 1-year Premium membership valued at over $1,750.
We will be publishing daily recaps that highlight all the action during our Mixed Game Festival, and you’ll be able to find them right here on Cardplayerlifestyle.com. A Pokercoaching.com Player of the Day will be selected for special recognition on each day of the Mixed Game Festival and will have “their story” written up. Players selected for this recognition will receive a complimentary 1-month Premium Membership to the poker training site.
Show up and take part in the festivities, and you could “see your name in lights” alongside numerous top poker pros and popular poker personalities who’ve pledged to come and take part in all the fun.
You can score discounted hotel room rates at Resorts World by using promo code YYPKR when booking online or calling directly: 1-833-930-3888.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Las Vegas!
Got questions about our upcoming Mixed Game Festival? Please contact: [email protected]
The new year is upon us at PokerGO, and the action begins hot and heavy to welcome in 2025.
The 2024 PGT season concludes with PGT Last Chance and the PGT $1,000,000 Championship, while the new season will begin with the second installment of PGT Kickoff. All of these will be played in the PokerGO Studio and livestreamed on PokerGO.
PGT Last Chance
The return of PGT Last Chance will give players their last opportunity to earn a seat in the PGT $1,000,000 Championship. The six-event series will feature $10,100 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournaments with each awarding valuable PGT leaderboard points to boost players season standings.
The top 40 eligible players on the PGT leaderboard will qualify to play the PGT $1,000,000 Championship with eligibility being three PGT cashes. Several players short of eligibility are expected to be in attendance, and that includes WSOP Main Event champion Jonathan Tamayo, WSOP bracelet winner Matthew Lambrecht, and high-stakes regular Brian Kim.
PGT Last Chance also features a unique incentive of a series leaderboard that will award a Dream Seat to the top three ranked players on the PGT Last Chance leaderboard who do not finish in the Top 40. A Dream Seat will give the holder direct entry into the PGT $1,000,000 Championship with 125 big blinds.
Each event will play down to a final table that will be livestreamed on PokerGO the following day. You can also follow Day 1 of each event on PGT.com.
Watch PGT Last Chance final tables from January 3-9, at 4 p.m. ET.
PGT $1,000,000 Championship
The 2024 PGT season will conclude with the PGT $1,000,000 Championship that begins on January 10. The field will include the Top 40 eligible players on the PGT leaderboard and 10 Dream Seat winners. The staggering $1,000,000 prize pool will award $500,000 to the winner and pay the final six spots.
Players assured of a spot in the PGT $1,000,000 Championship is PGT leaderboard front-runner Jeremy Ausmus, seven-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu, two-time Super High Roller Bowl winner Seth Davies, U.S. Poker Open champion Aram Zobian, Poker Masters Purple Jacket winner Jim Collopy, Poker Hall of Famers Brian Rast and Phil Ivey, WSOP Player of the Year Scott Seiver, and five-time WSOP bracelet winner Kristen Foxen.
Who will qualify for the PGT $1,000,000 Championship and win the $500,000 first-place prize? Tune in to PokerGO and find out!
Watch the PGT $1,000,000 Championship from January 10-11.
PGT Kickoff
Following a short break following the conclusion of the PGT $1,000,000 Championship, the 2025 PGT season will begin with PGT Kickoff.
PGT Kickoff features five No-Limit Hold’em tournaments. The first four will be $5,100 buy-ins, while the finale is a $10,100 buy-in. Unique for PGT Kickoff is that cashes will be worth double PGT points to give PGT players that attend an opportunity to get a head start on their competition.
The inaugural running of PGT Kickoff in January 2024 saw David Coleman win two events, cash four times, and amass 590 PGT points. Coleman parlayed that start to the season to a ninth-place spot on the PGT leaderboard with 1,615 PGT points heading into PGT Last Chance. Kristen Foxen and Dylan Weisman both won one event and cashed two times to pick up 429 PGT points and 265 PGT points, respectively.
Watch PGT Kickoff final tables from January 21-25, at 4 p.m. ET.
Connect with PokerGO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Watch daily poker clips on the PokerGO YouTube channel. Join the conversation on the PokerGO Discord server.
I have a love-hate relationship with the game of poker. The highs are so high that one minute I could be Snoop Dogg, and the lows can get so low that the next minute I’m watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians. The emotional roller coaster is a great one, but if you want to play the game you need to be prepared for everything it throws at you, even if you come off that roller coaster looking like Fabio.
You not only have to navigate cards but navigate different types of players. They will annoy you and try and send you to Tilt Town. If you can embrace their faults and laugh at their absurdities, you’re well on the way to being a winning player. After all, if you’re not enjoying it then what’s the point? I missed my calling working for the FBI because I love profiling people, and in this piece (with apologies to the movie) I look at 10 things I hate about poker players.
1. The Poker Coach
Over the years I’ve developed empathy for players I hand a bad beat to. I won’t say anything as I quietly stack my chips while avoiding eye contact. But some players can’t help themselves and need to show off by rubbing their win in your face, telling you how badly you played it despite them hitting a two-outer. As they pull up the GTO chart on their phone you start to hear words like, “range”, “bet-sizing” and “pot odds”- be grateful as in their eyes you just received a free lesson, despite it costing you $300.
To be sure, I’m not talking about a bona fide poker coach who runs a training site or offers courses. I’m talking about players for whom the reality is that the only bracelet they will ever wear is at a Taylor Swift concert. If I ever get revenge on this type of player, I’ll put on my Darth Vader voice and go, “Now, I am the master”.
2. Hit ‘n Run for the hills
There’s nothing worse than getting stacked, taking a walk to the cage and returning to see the person who forced you to get some exercise either racking up or transferring to another table where they can chip down and start again. I’ve seen people do this after one hand having waited two hours to get on a table. It’s not great etiquette but we’re not having tea with the Royal Family either. I’ll often call the supervisor over and with a straight face I ask them if they can call the police because, “I’d like to report a hit ‘n run” They often see the humour in it, but it can be tilting. It goes to the type of person they are – scared. There’s nothing more satisfying seeing them leave another table with an empty chip rack.
3. They just won’t let it go
Poker is a wonderful game if you can get inside someone’s head. It’s like the movie The Exorcist where you possess and control them, and not even a preacher coming over to table 26 can release the demon. The first lesson of poker is you can’t control how people will play. Some love to gamble and call every street with any two cards, but even if you cop a bad beat, once the hand is done you have to move on.
As Daniel Negreanu says in his vlogs when he busts from a tournament, “On to the next one”. I’ve seen players still carrying on about a hand and berating the player every hand for the next two hours. Even my Pitbull will let go of someone’s arm sooner than that. They can be a real vibe killer.
4. Could’ve, Would’ve, Should’ve Player
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. There is a man in the universe at present, sick to the stomach he used 10,000 bitcoins to buy two pizzas back in 2010. As Kenny Rogers sang in The Gambler: “’Cause every hand’s a winner and every hand’s a loser”. So, you’ve three-bet making it $60 to go. The flop comes 10-3-3 – you go on to scoop the pot only for another player to pipe up and tell you how lucky you were as he folded his 10-3 off-suit pre-flop. As if he was going to call $60. You wouldn’t believe if called a $40 raise the following with J-2 off suit, he would’ve hit trip twos, as his face sinks slowly into his hands as he mutters profanities. Just play every hand, mate.
5. The Mike Tyson
Why Mike Tyson? We all remember the infamous boxing match when he nibbled Evander Holyfield’s ear a few times. That’s how I feel when someone sits next to me and proceeds to bang on about their bad beat stories, forgetting the good times when their 7-8 off cracked aces. It would help if you accepted that you get the good with the bad at some point. I recall one time the chocolate I paid for didn’t come out of the vending machine, only for two chocolates to come out the following week. Guess which situation I complained about? Pro tip: always carry a set of headphones with you; your ears will thank you for it.
6. Whinge and Win
We all go through periods of being card-dead. I’ve described myself on occasion as the “Corpse with Cards”. There are times I haven’t played for an hour and it’s always the same story: the first card you see is a picture followed by a number under six. Look, if you’re getting shoddy customer service from the dealer who should be dealing you monsters, then you have a massive whinge and let the world know you’re getting bupkis. Would you believe it after having a whinge and whine the dealer delivers you a couple of Bullets, Kings or Ladies, and you finally win. Even the poker gods have had enough of your complaining. And guess who the lucky player is they finally break the drought against? ME! Oh, and when they get 8-3 off-suit the next hand, it’s whine time again.
7. How much are you playing?
I’m always observing everything at the table, notably people’s chip stacks because there’s nothing more intimidating during a hand than a player asking, “How much have you got behind you?” At that moment I go mute and use hand gestures to reveal my stack; the same way Moses parted the Red Sea. It does get annoying when you’re battling with them next hand and they ask you again. It’s at this point the passive-aggressive demon in me comes out, and before the next hand, I inform the table exactly how much I’m playing, so no need to ask. How annoying is it? Well, in a scale “from zero to Martin Kabrhel” level of annoying, it’s probably a nine. I do find there are two types of “how much have you got behind” people. There is the one where when they ask the question, and before you can answer, they’re all in, indicating huge strength. Then there is the other person who’s been caught out and is just saving face, eventually folding.
8. Chip Hog
Poker does bring with it some strange superstitions. I’ve seen players refusing to play because of an unlucky dealer. They have lucky card protectors, toys, favourite hands, lucky seats and lucky clothes (I hope that doesn’t include jocks). I do encounter the odd player who HATES and refuses to change other people’s chips at the table because they believe it’s unlucky. Some like having a big stack in front of them (obviously compensating for something) If my $100 chip doesn’t get changed, I’ll be a bitch and go to the cashier and have them change it into $1 chips. If they want to slow the game down, I’ll show them how it’s done. They end up looking a bit silly when they get stacked and need to exchange a big chip for smaller denominations. Take a hike to the cage, son!
9. Stop Apologizing
Saying “Sorry’ is the worst thing you can say in poker. If you give me a bad beat you can twerk behind me, scream “Yeah baby”, run around the room in an ecstatic state, and just DON’T SAY SORRY! I recently stumbled across an article that spoke about alternative approaches to ‘I’m Sorry’. One of those phrases is finding a way to say, “thank you”. Not sure that’ll catch on in poker without the person thinking you’re dripping in sarcasm. It does come across as rubbing your opponent’s face in it. You aren’t sorry otherwise you wouldn’t have stupidly put your chips in the middle hoping to walk to the ATM to take more money out and come back. I understand it can be a natural reaction, but the best course of action is to silently stack the chips. I’d be less offended if you said, “I’m sorry I didn’t stack you for more”. That’s probably a situation where I would say “thank you”. Look, if you’re that sorry give me my chips back – yeah nah, didn’t think so.
10. My last hand
Most people will announce they’ll leave in a few hands, but like a couple of Italians saying goodbye to each other they are still there two-hours later. I saw a situation where a player got three chip racks ready to go and he decided to play one last hand. He had AA but unfortunately lost his whole stack when they got cracked. To rub it in the person that stacked him said, “I’ll take those racks off you” as he proceeded to rack and leave. Whenever some says it’s their last hand I usually stay out of the way as it can be code for, I’m going all in with anything. The last thing I want is for me to be leaving. The annoying part is when they win the dopamine hit changes their mind and they decide to stay and keep playing. Here I was thinking you could take poker players at their word. That behaviour doesn’t wash with me, so when they say “last hand’ I get the supervisor to open the seat and have the next player stand behind them ready to pounce.
Get ready for a week of unforgettable excitement at the Costa Rica Poker Festival, happening from Monday, January 27th to Monday, February 3rd, 2025. Hosted at the stunning Sheraton Hotel and Casino in San José, this inaugural event is the perfect fusion of competitive poker, breathtaking adventures, and vibrant culture.
The Heart of the Action: Where to Find the Poker
The festival takes place at the luxurious Sheraton Hotel, home to the renowned Kickers Poker Club, where players will gather to compete for glory. The highlight of the festival is the Grand Event, boasting a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool, making it a must-attend for poker enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring champion, the Costa Rica Poker Festival offers a welcoming environment for all.
What Poker Tournaments are On Schedule?
From affordable satellites to Super High Rollers, there’s something on the Costa Rica Poker Festival tournament schedule for players of all bankrolls. The series’ Main Event sports a $550 buy-in with 6 total starting flights (two of which have turbo structures) and a $100,000 guarantee. Satellites are already running at various online sites, plus there will be plenty of live satellites available for players to snag a seat, starting at just $55.
There will also be a co-branded $250 buy-in LIPS event hosted by Chris Read happening on February 1.
In addition to all of the aforementioned, the Costa Rica Poker Festival schedule will include a Seniors Event, 5 Card PLO Bounty, Mystery Bounty, $1,100 High Roller and $3,300 Super High Roller event. The full schedule of events can be found here, on HendonMob.
Beyond the Poker Table
What makes this festival truly unique is its blend of thrilling gameplay and world-class adventures. Every participant can enjoy plenty of off-the-felt activities, choosing from five spectacular options that showcase Costa Rica’s natural beauty:
- Pacuare White Water Rafting: An exhilarating journey through one of the world’s most picturesque rivers, complete with waterfalls and tropical wildlife.
- Tortuga Island Tour: Escape to a paradise island for a day of turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and relaxation.
- Zipline Adventure: Soar above the rainforest canopy with options to add horseback riding, ATV trails, or a chocolate-making tour for an extra thrill.
- Poás Volcano & Coffee Plantation: Visit an active volcano and discover Costa Rica’s coffee heritage at the famous Doka Coffee Estate.
- Surf Lessons: Learn to ride the waves with a professional instructor along the pristine Pacific Coast.
These activities are designed to provide players with a perfect balance of excitement and relaxation, making the festival a truly immersive experience. Especially for those traveling to Costa Rica from abroad for the first time, it behooves you to budget some time on your schedule to explore the majestic beauty that can be found outside the poker room.
Luxury Accommodations
The festival package includes seven nights at the Sheraton Hotel, complete with a generous breakfast for two. Situated in the heart of San José, the Sheraton offers unparalleled comfort and convenience for players and guests.
A limited number of rooms are still available at the Sheraton! To secure your stay, contact [email protected] today.
Discover Costa Rica
Many poker players visiting the country for the first time might wish to extend their stay and explore the natural wonders of Costa Rica beyond San Jose, from lush rainforests to serene beaches. If that describes you, then rest assured that the festival’s official travel concierge service will be on hand to help you plan an unforgettable adventure after the tournament series.
More Than Just Poker
The Costa Rica Poker Festival is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of community. You’ll meet players from around the world, form new friendships, and enjoy an atmosphere of camaraderie in one of the most exotic destinations in Latin America.
Reserve Your Place Now
It’s a great place in which to kick off your poker year, opting in to an extraordinary event series that combines the thrill of poker with the adventure of a lifetime. For more information or to book your package, email ivonne@themaltapokerfestival.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the Costa Rica Poker Festival. Pack your cards and your sense of adventure—we’ll see you at the tables!
The $10,000 Seniors High Roller event at the 2024 WPT World Championship has turned out to be much more than just another high-stakes poker tournament. With approximately 100 entries at press time, this unique gathering of seasoned players has brought to light a style of play and atmosphere that harkens back to poker’s golden age. Beyond the prize money and prestige, the event offers a compelling snapshot of what makes “old school” poker so cool.
Here are three key observations from the rail that highlight what sets this tournament apart from the rest. Many thanks to Jack McClelland, Chip Jett, Mike Matusow, and Cliff Josephy for kindly sharing their sentiments from the felt.
1. Barely Anyone Was on Their Phones
In a world where the glare of phone screens dominates most poker rooms, the $10K Seniors High Roller felt like stepping into a time machine. At most tables, only one or two players could be seen glancing at their phones—if at all. Instead of endlessly scrolling social media or checking sports scores, these players were fully engaged in the action and, more importantly, with each other.
Jack McClelland, the Poker Hall of Famer pictured above, noted this unique dynamic:
“From my experience, Seniors events are a lot friendlier and more social than when you have all the young kids and geniuses playing in regular open events. I started out with the WPT, so they have a special place in my heart, and I came out to play here because I wanted to support them. I just want to win one, so maybe this will be it!”
The focus and camaraderie among the competitors were palpable. Conversations flowed naturally, bringing an unmistakable sense of community to the felt. It’s a refreshing reminder of how poker used to be in the old days—a social game where players didn’t just battle with chips but also with words, wit, and well-timed banter.
2. A Star-Studded Field of Poker Legends
From the rail, you could practically feel the poker history in the room. This event brought together a remarkable lineup of poker icons, including Eli Elezra, David Benyamine, Minh Ly, Cliff Josephy, Mark Seif, Keith Lehr, Chip Jett, Matt Salsberg, and Mike Matusow.
Each of these players has left an indelible mark on the game, and seeing them compete side by side was a treat. Their presence lent the tournament an air of gravitas and a nostalgic charm.
Jett, who just turned 50 this year, expressed his excitement: “It’s nice to have something good about turning 50; I just turned 50 a couple months ago, so this is my first Seniors high roller event. It’s pretty rare to have a $10K where you only have to beat 125 people or so. I’m excited about it. As a matter of fact, the only two tournaments on the schedule that I played have been this one and the $1,100 Seniors event a couple days ago.”
Matusow, 56, shared his perspective: “I’m more of a cash game player, but it’s important to me to come out and support the big tournament series, like WPT and WSOP, so I’ll always fire a few in the summer and now in the winter. I’ve been looking forward to this tournament in particular as I believe there’s a lot of value in it.”
The @WPT World Championship $10K Seniors High Roller is off & running at @WynnLasVegas, with 85 entries and counting.
They’ve already easily exceeded the $500K guarantee w/ 7.5 hours of registration to go.
In the crowd: @JohnnyBaxPoker, @msalsberg, @themouthmatusow, @chipjett pic.twitter.com/hOpbUmmyCd
— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) December 20, 2024
3. Patience as a Virtue
If there’s one trait that sets this group apart from their younger counterparts, it’s patience. While today’s poker strategy emphasizes aggression and constant action, these players have honed a different approach. They understand the value of waiting for the right spot, exercising a measured style that reflects their confidence and experience.
59-year-old Cliff Josephy summed it up perfectly: “I happen to be at a very tough table, but honestly what I like most about Seniors Events is the competition. The level of friendliness at the table – everyone’s talking to each other – is fantastic (provided that we can actually hear one another at our age!). A really friendly attitude and everyone’s having a good time and enjoying themselves. $10K is a lot of money, but not to many of the people sitting in this room.”
This patient, thoughtful approach to the game, coupled with genuine enjoyment, exemplifies the spirit of this event. Watching these players in action is a masterclass in discipline and the long-term mindset needed to succeed at the highest levels of the game.
Conclusion
The $10K Seniors High Roller is more than just a tournament; it’s a celebration of poker’s enduring appeal and the players who helped shape its identity. In an era where poker is constantly evolving, events like this remind us of the timeless qualities that make the game great—focus, camaraderie, and the patience to let the cards and chips fall where they may.
With poker legends leading the way and a refreshing “old school” vibe filling the room, the tournament exemplifies why the WPT World Championship continues to set the gold standard for showcasing the game’s past, present, and future.
Let the younger generation take note—old school is cool, and it’s here to stay.