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Welcome to Pokerweblogs . This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Welcome to Pokerweblogs . This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
A few weeks ago, I recieved an email from Bernard Lee, the spokesperson for Foxwoods and ESPN\’s Inside Deal asking me to give him a shout about something I maybe intrested in. I quickly did and he told me about an event he was planning that for the first time in known history, would bring all the 9 players from the just passed WSOP Main event together to play again, a \”reunion of the November Nine\” of sorts. He told me if we made our way down, they would cover the rooms and put press credentials in place. It sounded awesome!
How Bernard and I first got in touch was on of those fluke things that wind up having a greater purpose down the road. A few months ago, a player named John Agelakis, I had met here in Calgary had been the \”winner\” of an event that had seen an almost unheard of 23 way chop. Poker media and forums jumped all over it, with mixed reviews. I had been waiting to write a story on John, as he had also chopped for a title in a major event here in Calgary and his name just kept seeming to come up. Having the winner tell his side of how the deal was struck at Foxwoods seemed like a good article for Poker Pro Canada, so one thing led to another and I ended up with Bernard on the phone.
The kicker was that Foxwoods is almost 2000 miles and across the border from where I live. I started looking into flights and immediatly was hit with big dollars and long layovers. Writing poker articles is still just a hobby and once you consider time off work, this wasn\’t looking good. Sure, I would make a few bucks covering the story, but it seemed like major negative ROI on the surface. I asked other writers and media companies if they were interested, with the hotel being comped and full access to these superstars, I figured someone closer wouldn\’t want to miss out. One friend decided he was in.
A few weeks ago I was presented with a poker media oppurtunity I couldn\’t…but almost passed up. I recieved an e-mail from Bernard Lee, the spokesperson for both Foxwoods Resort Casino and ESPN\’s Inside deal, asking me to give him a call as he had something I may be intrested in. I immediatley gave him a call and he told me of an event they would be hosting, that for the first time in known poker history, all of the final nine from the just passed WSOP Main Event would be brought together to play with each other in the same event again.
Being in touch with Bernard was one of those trested and said that if I went, he would meet me there. I put the event out on Facebook and through my social networks and it turned out, several people in the USA that I have networked with in the past were also going to be there to cover the event. Now, just to meet them face to face, it seemed like this was a can\’t miss oppurtunity.
I got thinking and started looking at flights to Montreal. Quite a bit cheaper and only about a seven hour drive to Foxwoods. As per my last blog post, I was very intrested in the poker clubs in the area and figured a first hand look would be great. I called my friend back and eventually we decided that I would arrive in Montreal on the Sunday, so we had a chance to go visit them, then leave the next day to arrive at Foxwoods the night before the event. I let Bernard know the plan and he made sure everything was in place for our arrival.
So off to Montreal I went on February 6th and visited the 3 clubs. My friends introduced me to a few of the people in charge, but that is a story for anther day. We headed down to Foxwoods and I was excited to drive through New York State an see places I had never been. We arrived at Foxwoods that evening and checked in without a hitch. An hour later we met up with some mutal friends and sat and talked with Duhamel, Jarvis and the Grinder on a few other things. I also finally met Rob Perelman, a player who recently won a Heartland Poker Tour Main Event for $170,000+, who also is involved on the technical side of many poker TV or live stream events and Jay \”WhoJedi\” Newnum, who is works with the WSOP blogging and tweeting for the World Series, as well as many other major events. The next day was going to be busy, so we turned in to be ready.
The first thing in the morning we set up and got one of two tables behind the ropes. Rob and Jay had the others. The morning started with a press confrence and photo shoot will the famous nine and we all had an oppurtunity to talk to the players in a closed quiet environment. Being Canadian, I mostly stuck to talking to Matt Jarvis, having met him here in Calgary when he won the $5000 heads up at an event I helped to organize. We also have a few mutal friends, so it was the most comfortable for my first press experince of this size. Michael \”The Grinder\” Mizarchi signed a hat for my wife, who has been a long time fan. There again, Chris Torina, CEO of Deepstacks Live and University, who is Mike\’s agent, helped to make the situation not feel awkward. I had bought a \”grinderknot\”, part of his charity efforts the evening before and we had all chatted, so at least we were familiar with each other. He had also just travelled to one of the clubs in Montreal to run a boot camp with DeepStacks and having been involved behind the scenes a little with that, at least we are all starting to do business here in Canada.
After the photos, Lon McCarron of ESPN did an amazing job of the introductions, as can be seen on the video shot by Canada Poker here, along with photo galleries from the press conference and event:
http://www.canadapoker.com/foxwoods-casino-introduction-of-the-wsop-november-nine-reunion
The event itself had had thirty players and a ton of prop bets between the WSOP elite. In the end, Matt Jarvis was the last man standing of the nine, collecting almost $30,000 and winning a hiliarious prop bet between him and the WSOP Main event Jonathan Duhamel. For all the details, you should check out this video by Jay \”Whojedi\” Newnum:
Duhamel was also kind enough to sign a \”Happy Birthday\” on a Foxwoods World Poker Tour shirt for a friend who would much appreciate it later. Even though his english is choppy, he was patient and outgoing with everyone, always smiling and having fun.
That evening, to wrap things up, Bernard had everyone to the Shrine at MGM. The place was packed with people from the east coast of the USA, letting loose and having a great time. They had reserved a VIP section, there were about 15 of us all together, most of the Nine and some of the press and agents who had covered the event. Although I am not a drinker, having a couple of smoking hot waitresses, bottles of Heiniken on ice, Patron and Grey Goose all being free poured on the house was still an experince that felt pretty \”balla\”. I couldn\’t help but to turn to Jarvis and say, \”so this is how you all roll now, pretty sweet!\” Smilling he agreed. It was cool to see how close of friends the group had all become, having spent so much time under the spotlight together. Watching the final on TV, one would have thought it would be hard to be in the same company with players who had crushed your dreams of owning the ultimate bracelet and title in the poker world, but in reality, this is clearly not the case.
Had I not gone, I would have never known what I would miss. It was a fast trip, but well worth the inside look on what it would be like to spend a day in their shoes. And for the record, Foxwoods Resort Casino was awesome! I can honstly say I prefer it to Vegas. It was just less \”hustle and bustle\”, but still had everything the strip has to offer under one extremly large roof. There were 40+ cash tables spreading every limit and discipline from Stud to No Limit Hold\’em running on a Tuesday afternoon and the fields for the Mega Stack events were massive, so no lack of action!
Back Soon!
Jon
It has been awhile since I wrote on my blog, traveled to different venues and events in 2010 and got lost in a few poker projects. But nothing is ever wasted and it only makes sense to start writing some more back on my blog.
Well, I haven\’t been around as much, but have still been writing about Poker. After my last post, I went on to do a 5 page feature article on the $25-50 Pot Limit Omaha game here in Calgary. It was published nationwide, including store rack sales, in Poker Pro Canada (PokerproMedia).
When I started fooling around with forum postings and blogging with SpadeClub Kenny, Ken \”drcheckraise\” Calis and April Peerless, I had a blast talking cards and making new friends, while we built a tight player community. When SpadeClub used a few \”Tips and Tales\”, I was super stoked. When Doc made me admin, I felt very privelaged. By that time had spent many hours listening to advise and ideas from Danielle Adams Benham AKA \”Hot Aussie Chick\” of Australan Poker Weekly. Her, Ken and Jack MacAdoo of PokerPodRadio were plugging away happily and also looking after things in Poker Pro Magazine.
When SpadeClub Kenny mentioned \”Jontm\” in his 2008 highlights, I was speechless and beaming. I did not think I would have a more important blogging momment until Vince and the boys gave me blog of the month to play with last year. It was awesome! Soon after Big Slick Poker Tour gave me some rope and I was thrilled to work with Brian Kessler and Brad Booth. I kinda dropped out of writing for awhile, though I also started networking and posting hard for World Poker Showdown and the Canadian Poker Tour.
Daniellle took on bigger and bigger roles (Head of Global Publc Relations for Cybertech Holdings) and I was thrilled when her an her peeps moved thier blogs here. It was awesome to see her as blog of the month in February and before that the Poker Princess\’s as well. Jack took alot of my questions and calls and Doc started his own Podcast \”Poker Joe ad the Doc\”.
A friend and amazing player Todd Hunter was featured and again in a kind gesture they mentiond my work with the CPT. Last week my first articles in Canadian Poker Player Magazine were publshed and I felt pretty happy to see my name at the top of the contributing writers list.
The man responsible, Ron Campbell, then pointed out my new position with them. Social Media and Networking Manager. Right in the front of the magazine! In another aweome twist, Lacey Jones gave my wife Brenna a shout out in her center spread and first CPP article. On a poker high, I took down a 56 player home game for $700, hosted by Lissy\’s Poker Club. ( A huge local poker network on Facebook).
A little while before I had noticed an Australian Poker Weekly cover of Lacey Jones being the new face of the CPT. I asked Danielle if it was her handy work. She just winked and when I asked Lacey she said HAC was a sweetheart when they put it together.
Then I get a link to my wall from Danielle about PokerPodRadio. She tells me to have a listen. Her and Jack had gone out of their way to mention the great work I have been doing in bringing Canadian Poker news aound the globe. All the way to Australia. I was floored then and words can\’t describe at all the great things my poker friends have done for me. I feel like a million bucks. Show #138 03/03 and the link has alwys been on my sidebar, should anyone want a listen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I go out to play tonight and get a message from Lissy\’s club. A mass e-mail blast to 400 peeps, congradulating us on Saturday\’s game and giving all this a shout out.
Damn am I feeling the love!
Next week big things start happening! A few doors have opened in all this……….
Todd Hunter is a Canadian Player Player who finished on day 5 of the WSOP in 2009, on his first attempt. I have written a short article on him and he is featured on a Poker Joe and the Doc Poker Pod Cast. This up and comer already is well known in the top player community. Follow this link to hear the interview and read the article @: http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?93,19590#forum
He is also one of my picks to win the Great Canadian Poker Freeze out this weekend at Cash Casino in Calgary. This 2 starting heat, 400 player event is $760 buy-in with the top 10% moving on to the final day and money on Sunday. Lacey Jones is one of the bigger names that will be playing for the almost 400k prize pool. There are a few well known players that have won this back to back and 3 that have taken 200k or more from this event.
I have listed them and started an opinion poll and commented on who my favorites are and why at these links: http://www.pokerknights.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11897 or http://www.pokerforum.ca/f7/who-will-win-place-show-gfc-%40-cash-casino-weekend-21844/
Lacey is one of the 10 players in the poll. Check it out, participate if you wish and you will also have a chance to visit one of the larger Canadian forums and a very popular local forum for a city of 1 million and change.
888 Poker has been right in the trenches with canadian poker players, at some Big Slick Poker Tour events, with World Poker Showdown in Costa Rica and partying and the Canadian Poker Tour Invitiationals. A true grass roots approach and that I respect. A young and former Absolute/UB employee, Steve Spindler, the 888 poker Canadian Marketing Manager has played at the freeroll bar leagues, offering a healthy bounty on his own head. Steve partied it up in Costa Rica, plans on doing the same on the cruise and did shots with the best of them here in Calgary. While 888 isn\’t yet a top 10 online site,I find mostly European and Canadian Players and I don\’t mind if it isn\’t mainstream at all. For a couple of good reasons……
They have been running sats for the WPS/CPT Poker Supercruise with 4 steps. The first is pretty easy, the second as well. It starts at $3 for a $12, then $48 and the final step ringing in just under $200. But like in the summer for the HardRock Series, the 5k package often has a fat overlay. So does SPOTlight poker. Worth checking out, I have posted it hours before game time in forums and several people walked through the fields and straight to their poker holiday. Get to know the schedule and pop in to check the odds. I have been able to get alot of play in, running a modest 10-15% ROI and keeping the bankroll at par. One in 4 get a step ticket, any left over funds in the prizepool goes to the bubble boy.
This year for WSOP they have introduced 8 ways to get there, some that are perfect for the blogging and networking poker community. In no particular order:
1) \”Persistence Pays\”…Rake the most hands. 2) \” Race Your Way\”….Earn the most status points. 3) \”Bring Your Buddies\”…Refer as many people as possible (aka, blog it!) 4) \”Social Success\”…for Youtube, Twitter and Facebook Fans 5) \”Cards and Coins\”….for the true degenerate, earn the most casino and poker status points 6) \”Bounty Hunter\”….knock out poker celebs or win first in one of the tourneys 7) \”Tourney Lovers\”…..Race to Play the Most Tourneys with the biggest buy-ins (consistent can do well here) and…..
\”One for the ladies\”…Ladies only race for the most status points!!! I have a banner on the side bar for those that want to check the entire promotion out, or use this link: http://888poker.com/wsop/?sr=359358
To view the cruise details you can vist www.worldpokershowdown.com or help me populate the Facebook fan page by searching \”Canadian Poker Tour\” there. In the event listings you will find the guest list and some links. If it helps, Lacey Jones is going……..
So, haven\’t been here in a bit, but pokering it up all out on both sides of the felts.
With Big Slick Poker Tour, ran 70 events and 3 finals and met 300 cool new players around town and others from across alberta. Many of those started playing our home games, which are now hitting 60 people (and are capped at that crowd).
Took a few road trips, the Regina Harvest Classic was a great time and made a few friends in the top 50 for the Canadian Poker Tour.
I have been concentrating on staking my wife (screen name \”jonswife\”) and it has been working out well. Between the 2 of us we are finishing $9500 in the green for 2009. She is off to a good start having made $1700 in a few quick sessions during last weeks Canadian Poker Tour Invitational and 2010 kick-off. Then we put her in the $550, which she was the last woman standing and 27th and the $225 which well, didn\’t go too bad…..I sold half her action for the $550 for $280 and it was a nice buffer. All in all we retained $800 and that was only half the party…….
Lacey Jones did all the interviews for the championship and was a blast to hang out with. Josh Spicer shot some wicked video for the online poker tv network which should be up and going in 30 days tops.
The truley amazing story was Richard Webb winning the 100k sponsership in the top 50 play off for the second year in a row! 5 other sponsership contracts worth 25k were awarded, including one to my friend and 5th place finisher James Werry.
During the event we collected $2385 dollars from the generous players at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino for Haiti and we have challenged another Casino and CPT event in another city to out do it.
Next stop, a poker cruise in April/May which I will write more about later. Gotta run, but here are a few pics (sorry about sizes, just how they uploaded……)



Working hand in hand with www.888poker.com, the Big Slick Custom Made Enterprises has created and launched a VIP area for it\’s members to enjoy. The new site features a players blog area, news and promos for 888.poker, leaderboards, videos from the Big Slick Poker Tour and other special events and a soon to come players blog from none other than \”Yukon\” Brad Booth himself!
www.bigslickvip.com also rewards players supporting the tour with VIP points and FPP from 888, that can be redeemed for swag and other incentives, up to your very own Big Slick Custom Made poker Table.
What is also very cool is that through this new avenue we have been able to work with World Poker Showdown and the Canadian Poker Tour in offering exclusive satellites on 888 to events like the Costa Rica Series in November and we can keep members posted on micro and low stakes \”steps\” allowing newer players an atainable method to get to these exotic poker holiday destinations.
With our network and alliances consisting of the international poker brand of World Poker Showdown, our own medium/high Stakes Canadian Poker Tour that will bring over 400 sanctioned live events in 2010 and our live freeroll and online league of 30-50 events per week , I would say this is starting to go places!
Ksino clothing and Who\’sYourDaddy Energy drink have also jumped onboard to take care of organizing some of the player\’s parties, starting with Herb Van Dyke\’s birthday bash at Jazz Casino. Leo Margets, last woman standing at WSOP is said to be just one of the highlights to expect down at the Costa Rica poker getaway, as well as being the party being hosted by \”the hottest girl in poker\”, Lacey Jones!



As a Canadian Poker Player and enthusiast, blogger and forum frequenter, this is great news that I am so stoked about!
The online poker tv network will feature past events that have been taped around the country over the last 4 years, documentry style reports and bio\’s and future events will also be broadcast. It is not only exciting for the top players on the Canadian Poker Tour, with the strong World Poker Showdown alliance in place, this is awesome for both the top unknowns and the many TV personalities that have been turning up for events.
The plans look to also include footage from other tours with a common goal. To entertain and keep player in the loop. Even the recreational player like myself will have oppurtunities for a little 15 seconds of fame. No 10k buyin required.
With events being hosted not only in Canada but Vegas, Costa Rica,the Dominican, an upcoming poker super cruise and many other exciting locations to be announced (not just yet
.
The site, \”CanadianPokerPlayer.tv\” is not live yet, but the final details and launch date will be announced in the fourth quarter of this year, as will the fun begin. I have started a blog here at Pokerwebblogs under the name CanadianPokerPlayer, it does have a few videos up now. Or visit www.canadianpokerplayer.com for quick peek at the features to come.
There will be a social community, chances to log in to win and the site will stay fresh. I plan to be a big part of that. When the press release went out yesterday, the responce was nothing short of amazing in my opinion. Poker news sites are throwing it up everywhere, bloggers are posting it and the eager questions are rolling in. I just can\’t wait to get some interviews going, have a little fun and keep guessing on which poker personality, whether big or small, will be featured next!
Stay tuned, literally
Jon