There’s a lot of money on the table at a big tournament like this, so lots of professional players include it on their itinerary. “Homeless Millionaire” Faraz Jaka, Twitch poker wiz Doug Polk and Josh Beckley, the second place finisher in the 2015 World Series of Poker Main Event are all here.
But there's also a lot of recreational players that won their trip to Punta Cana in online satellite tournaments here. I talked to a few of them at the beach party Americas Cardroom hosted Saturday night.
This video has highlights from those interviews. The full version is on the Americas Cardroom poker news blog, The Big Blind: If We Can Do It, So Can You!
“It’s been great, you can’t beat it!” said a tournament
newbie Scott McKenzie from California. “For
just $50 I won a $4900 package playing The Beast one Sunday at Americas Cardroom. I cashed out my buy-in and hit forty-first
place, so it’s just been a great overall experience."
"This is my first big tournament so I was really
nervous. Everyone told me I was playing
way too tight -- but I think that’s a
great thing to hear from the best in the world!”
“Anyone can do it! If I’m here, I’m living proof. It’s a great time – you’ve got to come!”
This was also a first for John and Raquel from Pittsburgh.
“I played a tournament on ACR, The Beast” said John. “Every Sunday, for $50, you’ve got a chance to win it. I figured, let’s give it a shot!”
“This is a once in a lifetime experience. I’ve always wanted to go somewhere to play a big tournament like this. I wasn’t thinking here though! I was thinking maybe Denver or somewhere like that. This is just out of the world for me!”
“I actually got into the Caribbean ocean!” said Raquel. “All the way up to my chin – that’s a first for me!
Congrats to the winners... and thanks to Americas Cardroom for a great time. Hasta la vista!
