April Update
April 17, 2009 by Nick Wright
So far April has been going really well, im about another $2.3k closer to my target and am running at 36.5% ROI which is good for me.
Now to the interesting stuff I’ve been selected to do the grading process at Black Belt Poker which you can find out more at blackbeltpoker.com. It’s an honour just to have been selected among the 50. There are at least three GUKPT champions doing the grading and a lot of quality players most of whom if not all play for a living. In fact i may well be the only one doing the grading who’s job isn’t professional poker player. The grading involves playing four tables minimum for six hours a day, five days a week – or an average week for me 
. I jest of course I only play for five hours a day!
Anyway so gg free time and social life for the month of May, but although the sacrifices are high so are the rewards. I’m not sure what i can and can’t say regarding the specifics of sponsorship deals but of the 50, eight players will become brown belts. These players will be the faces of BBP, they will get a serious monthly sponsorship package and a large WSOP sponsorship package.
I’m determined to give it my best shot and learn as much as i can from the weekly workshops that will be held and learn as much as i can from the talented players that have been selected. It’s a cliche but i feel like i’ve already won something, just to be picked among the 50.
Bring on the grind.
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lostluggage on Tue, 21st Apr 2009 9:44 am
Congrats Nick!
Must admit it is a hell of an achievement to be selected especially with the calibre of the selected players.
When I first heard (only last week) about the grading process I thought it sounded too good to be true. I even applied myself under some vague hope that I may get the opportunity to participate.
When I read that Sam Trickett and other GUKPT champtions were involved I assumed that they would be mentors as opposed to actually being able to qualify. My reasoning was that these players – who are obviously very very good players with proven success in both the on-line and live circuits – surely would already class themselves as professionals and would not need the financial backing of Blackbeltpoker.
But the more I thought about it, it obviously makes sense for both parties as the majority of these players are already well known names and faces throughout the UK scene and having such successful figures taking part to join the Blackbeltpoker stable can only enhance the reputation of the site.
It is also a very good opportunity for the players for as well as the financial backing they will receive it will also highlight the accomplishments that they will surely achieve during the four week grading.
Another point I guess is that with the players who have been selected, Blackbeltpoker are guaranteed these players will complete the course to an exceptionally high standard and will be able to head to the WSOP knowing that they have a stable of 8 brown belts who will give them the best shot at going deep and generating some unrivalled advertising to promote the new site.
The whole idea of the grading is an excellent idea and can only reap benefits for both the new site and the players.
I was told yesterday that later in the year Blackbeltpoker would be running the same grading process and that I was a definate to take part in that series of grading. So let’s hope for Nik and Neil’s sake that I don’t accidently win the Newcastle GUKPT and then the WSOP main event and then get offered a Pokerstars deal!!! Although I’d still turn it down to be part of the Blackbeltpoker movement!!!
Well Nick all I can say is congratulations again and I hope that you not only cream some immense profit over the four weeks but that you are selected to be one of the faces of Blackbeltpoker!
Well done mate!!
Chris Burton
Nick Wright on Tue, 21st Apr 2009 3:59 pm
Hey Chris,
Thanks for the kind words. I think Neil’s long term vision for the site is that it’ll be the best place to hang out for anyone on the UK poker scene and it feels really exciting to get in on the ground/first floor. I’m just going to give it my best shot and learn as much as i can from the other players over the four weeks, even if I come out of this as a Green Belt, hopefully i will be a better player and i can just continue to work my ass off and try and reach Blue Belt at some stage and if by some miracle I get selected as one of the Brown Belt’s then i’ve got a ‘nice’ problem with regards to work.
I believe the next process will take place around WSOPE time and I wish you best of luck with that.
lostluggage on Wed, 22nd Apr 2009 11:03 am
Nick,
Based on the posts I’ve read with your ROI and overall profit I think you stand alot better chance than just a megre green belt status!!
Upon researching the grading I realised that besides a good ROI and profit that Neil and Nik are looking for not only a winner but a very adaptable and committed group of players who can blog and discuss hand histories and strategy, which I believe is a forte of yours!! I mean what good is a player who can make alot of final tables and cash reguarly but not be able to communicate his reasoning behind thought process!?!?
I found out yesterday the whole group of names on the list and I must say I’m pretty flabergasted by some of the talent!
By hey no matter how good a player these people are- it goes without saying that once you stop learning and listening is the day you stop improving and winning!!
I hope the confidence that this selection has given you breeds even more and more and you run better than Usain Bolt!!
I’ll be looking forward to reading your progess on On the Rail…make sure you take time out of your gruelling grind to keep us posted!!
And from Monday I’ll be on Blackbeltpoker myself gettin my ROI over 200% in preparation for around September time!!
Good luck mate!