I'm not a poker player

I thought I was. Turns out I’m a person who enjoys and plays poker. I don’t have sound bank roll management - hell, I don’t even have a bank roll – and I don’t possess amazing maths skills. I tend not to pay attention to other players, or the cards they played. I play poker, mainly in a pub environment for a night out to be with friends, meet new people with a similar interest and to have fun. I’m not a poker player, I’m a person who enjoys and plays poker.

Some of the above things I mentioned I do actually try to do, but only when the big tournaments associated with 888PL are on – the Semi and Grand Finals. During those times I tend to really pay close attention to what you do, what cards you had and whether or not it’s your round. I also tend to bone up on my poker skills, by reading my old poker books again, refreshing basic poker strategies and play. These things have helped my game in the big tournaments, from running deep in the very first 888PL Grand Final, cashing in the second 888PL Grand Final, through to finishing 9th at the last SA 888PL Semi Final for my highest placing in any of these large tournaments.

With the Aussie Millions currently running in Melbourne and with the SA 888PL Semi Final less than two weeks away, it’s time for me to dust of those old books, drag out my poker podcasts and audio books, and start cramming. After all, this Semi Final is a lead up to the biggest 888PL Grand Final event ever.

From March 11th to 13th, the 888PL will be on display for the world to see at Crown Casino in Melbourne. It is our chance to show the poker community that pub players can mix it with the big boys and that we have grown over the past few years; that we should not be taken lightly and that we haven’t forgotten it is just a game. If you want to see the definition of fun, check out 888PL players at a Grand Final, then you’ll know what I’m talking about.

But I digress. Sure, I take these big tournaments seriously, but I also set out to enjoy myself. These are the times I get to catch up with players I haven’t seen for a while, put faces to more online names, and enjoy the carnival atmosphere that the 888PL do so well. We get to see the 888PL management team step out from behind their desks and computers, dust off their suits and interact with us, the players, on a level that most organisations simply don’t do with their customers. We get to see them run a tournament the way it should be run - with style, flair, professionalism, and an emphasis on FUN!

I’m really looking forward to this year’s poker. I’m looking forward to this Semi Final and I’m really looking forward to Grand Final. I’m also looking forward to catching up with you, my fellow players, for a beer, a chat and some good cards.

No, I’m not a poker player, I’m a person who plays poker – and I wouldn’t change a thing.