November 29th will always be a special day for me. Numerous times I’ve sat here at my computer to write an “anniversary poker blog post” and each time I simply marvel at everything that has transpired since that fateful day back in 2009 when I clicked “publish” for the first time.
With everything I’ve been able to accomplish in the poker industry thanks to this blog, there’s no doubt in my mind that this past year was the year of “finally”.
Year #7 was the year that everything became truly “real” for me; the year that the virtual transitioned into the actual. The unquestionable highlights of this past year were when I was able to take poker trips for the first time and witness poker events in person, namely the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, in the Bahamas, and the World Series of Poker, in Las Vegas.
Deep down, I’m just a poker fanboy like all of you; that’s part of what promoted me to start this blog in the first place. Yet, for so many years, my “fandom” had been limited to the online realm, engaging with and forming bonds with so many people in the poker community solely through my computer. Finally getting to meet hundreds of professional poker players, industry colleagues, and fellow fans in person was quite simply a dream come true.
After long-held dreams finally do materialize, the challenge is to conjure up new dreams and begin working towards them. Seven years into running this website, I still have no plans whatsoever of stopping; I love poker too much. I love that I no longer feel like a complete outsider despite living out in the “poker desert” of Israel. I love when this poker blog’s articles get cited by ESPN. I love that the game is growing again, with so many people in the industry working to spread the joy that poker brings and keep this game fun.
With much thanks for your support over the years, I encourage you all to stay tuned for more poker entertainment.
7th Anniversary $100 Exclusive Newsletter Giveaway
One other “finally” that I got around to this year was starting a monthly newsletter. It’s a great way to engage a bit more personally with fans of this blog who have always been so loyal. Since sending out the first newsletter a few months back, I’ve gotten dozens of supportive emails, for which I’m very grateful.
In an effort to prove that “subscribing” pays – literally – I’ve decided to celebrate this year’s anniversary with an exclusive $100 giveaway. To be eligible, all you have to do is Tweet your favorite article you’ve seen published on Cardplayer Lifestyle at any point over the last 7 years tagging @cardplayerlife with #7yearsofpoker. One entry/Tweet per person; winnings will be awarded via PayPal upon issue of the December newsletter.
The catch? It’s a subscriber-exclusive, so be sure to sign up for the newsletter before you Tweet. I only send out one per month, and it’s home to exclusive behind-the-scenes poker info (and giveaways 🙂 ).
Cheers to seven great years and I look forward to many, many more!