What do you get when a poker veteran, on-line icon, and soccer fanatic convene underneath one roof? You get the most recent PokerStars Ambassador Meet-Up Recreation.
I wasn’t one of many aforementioned luminaries, however I did have the pleasure of assembly them at UKIPT London. PokerStars’ PR crew was variety sufficient to let me put my barely below-average poker expertise to the check, however not earlier than I spoke to 3 of its UK ambassadors.
That, in fact, is likely one of the predominant causes for internet hosting meet-up video games. PokerStars offers amateurs the prospect to rub shoulders with seasoned professionals on and off the felt. On-line icon and all-around good man Sam Grafton is effectively conscious of this.
PokerStars Ambassadors embrace the social facet of poker
He was on prime type all evening, offering tableside commentary, high-fives, and, for these at his desk, a ton of robust selections. Previous to the event, he advised me that these occasions are important for poker.
“Poker isn’t like different sports activities. You’ll be able to go toe-to-toe with the very best and have an opportunity of profitable. The sensation individuals get after they win a event is totally sensational and can make them need to play for all times,” Sam Grafton mentioned.
That sentiment was echoed by the ever-convivial Rory Jennings (pictured under). The part-time participant and full-time Chelsea supporter has been residing his poker dream since cashing in a €220 facet occasion at UKIPT Dublin 2022.
Regardless of being a relative newcomer to the poker scene, Jennings has an old-school mentality. He thrives off the social ingredient of the sport, which is why his presence at UKIPT London embodies what PokerStars is attempting to attain.
“These occasions are at all times implausible. At a earlier Ambassador recreation, a buddy of mine received it. The scenes had been the identical as when Manchester United beat Manchester Metropolis, and the digicam panned to the gang going wild. It was the identical as that,” mentioned Rory Jennings.
Rounding out my collection of meet ups earlier than the motion obtained underway was Barny Boatman. At this level, he’s unquestionably a legend of the sport. Boatman has been round for many years and, as he proved in Paris, he can nonetheless compete with the very best.
Legends assemble for PokerStars Ambassador Meet-Up Recreation
Enjoyable reality, Mr. Boatman, alongside along with his fellow Hendon Mobsters, had been among the many first individuals I ever interviewed. Greater than a decade has handed, however Boatman is as contemporary as ever. I watched him work the room in his sometimes laid-back method earlier than sitting down for a chat with me.
You’ll be able to see what we talked about in an upcoming characteristic article on CardsChat.com. What he did inform me, nevertheless, was that the problem of attempting to win retains him younger within the recreation.
“I benefit from the problem of the sport. You by no means cease studying. It retains me mentally agile, and I like the social ingredient of poker. To be frank, I additionally love the prospect of profitable,” mentioned Barny Boatman.
With the interviews over, I made my technique to the event flooring, the place the Hippodrome had offered a seemingly limitless stream of platters. Naturally, I didn’t need to be impolite, so I consumed as many mini-burgers and nibbles as potential.
Actually, I used to be so consumed with the meals that I forgot to get my seat quantity. That proved to be a mistake because the registration line shortly snaked its approach out of the event space. Wanting again, it shouldn’t have been a shock that the Ambassador Meet-Up Recreation was an amazing success.
Not solely had PokerStars assembled a stellar forged of Ambassadors for individuals to play towards, they had been making a gift of meals, drink vouchers, and, better of all, thriller bounties. Each elimination was price £100, however Ambassadors additionally had Energy Passes price as much as $2,500 of their pockets.
Hospitality and Pleased Gamers on the Hippodrome
If the pull of choosing up scalps and bounties wasn’t sufficient, the winner was set to obtain a free seat in November’s £1,100 UKIPT Nottingham Foremost Occasion in addition to the lion’s share of what turned out to be a £58,300 prizepool.
A complete of 265 hopefuls contributed to that prizepool, together with me. Nevertheless, owing to my overconsumption of free meals, I missed the opening two ranges. Such was the recognition of the £220 event that the organizers had been compelled to create an alternate record.
That, for me, reveals that the starvation for these occasions is at an all-time excessive. PokerStars has created an environment that’s as engaging to circuit regulars just like the eventual winner Nikolay Ponomarev as leisure gamers.
Now that I’ve ruined any type of suspense, I can affirm that I didn’t win. Actually, I didn’t even make the cash. I began at a drawback and couldn’t recuperate. Ultimately, I jammed with A-Ok towards a elevate from Niall Farrell (pictured above).
One participant behind referred to as behind with pocket nines, as did Farrell with A-Q. Issues had been trying good once I hit a king on the flop. Nevertheless, runner-runner diamonds gave Farrell a flush and the remainder of my chips.
UKIPT London Meet-Up Recreation End result
Nikolay Ponomarev – £5,010
Jack McDermott – £3,120
Juan Manuel Avila – £2,230
Vygintas Zemonis – £1,710
Nick Walsh – £1,320
Was I upset? Not likely. PokerStars’ Ambassador Meet-Up Recreation was as a lot in regards to the social facet of poker because the prizes on supply. In the long run, Ponomarev defeated Jack McDermott to scoop the highest prize, however everybody I spoke to walked away with a smile.
PokerStars, as ever, confirmed that poker is a recreation for everybody. That’s what makes poker interesting to the lots. When amateurs can bag bounties and bragging rights whereas having fun with a night with poker’s most interesting, everybody wins.
