Lucky Boy
May 19, 2010 by Matt
Serious poker
April 4, 2010 by Matt
It’s been a very strange 2010 so far. Sadly I’ve had one close family member death, one VERY close family member near-death/hospitalisation/drama, and a continuing lack of anything much to do. I bet that REALLY makes you wanna read on eh! Do I know how to capture an audience or WHAT!
The funny thing is I thought I’d accounted for the way in which a freelancer’s life tends to come and go with various bits of work. In case the TV stuff ended I had my writing; in case the writing ended I had the radio; in case the radio stuff ended I had my voice-over work… and so on. Sadly I failed to implement an “in case it all ends at exactly the same time” plan, which is kind of where I find myself.
Sure the radio show (www.thepokershowlive.com) is still going very strong but it’s changed shape this series. Rather than three three-hour live shows a week, it’s now three pre-record 70 minute shows that we nail in one LONG day. Also – and I’ll just be straight with you on this – I’ve already been paid for the work so it kinda feels like I’m ‘doing it for nothing’. I know that’s twisted logic, but there you go.
The funny thing is, with all my work suddenly dormant I find myself in a position that I’d previously dreamt of, namely with no reason not to take my poker more seriously. I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions, but I have regularly (for about the last six years) promised myself that I would DEFINITELY go out and play more live poker. I have another recurring self-lie that says I should take my poker more seriously, perhaps dedicating two or three days a week to playing online as if it were a job. In the past this hasn’t happened because other guaranteed paying work options have popped up to block it, but now I have no good reason. The interesting thing is… I find I don’t want to do this.
But why? Isn’t this every poker enthusiast’s dream? Well yes, but also… no. If you’re commuting every damn day to work a 9-to-5 (and just for the record I did this from the age of 17 to about 33, so I do know) then this must seem like a dream. However, playing a game for love is different to playing a game for need… and next time I’ll explain further.
I know: just like a proper blog isn’t it! ^__^
Be seeing you…
Hmmmm
January 7, 2010 by kara
I seem to have missed out November and December in my blogging and for that I’m very sorry! It’s been a crazy busy time with moving to the USA so that’s my excuse. How long can I use it for?
I’ve been out of the UK for a couple of months now and although I’m really happy with the southern California sunshine I definitely have withdrawal for the British shores. To keep my mind OFF of the moping I’ve been trying to stay occupied with work. While in the UK in September and October I was lucky enough to be asked to present the WSOPE for ESPN, then I hosted the PKR Heads Up Grand Slam followed by an awesome week working with Party Poker on their World Open V. Upon settling in the USA I played on Poker After Dark – the commentators edition and then hosted the new season of High Stakes Poker. I have a sneaking suspicion that people are going to be seeing rather a lot of me in the near future!
Poker After Dark is airing on NBC this week and truthfully, I’ve been petrified about watching it. I’m far more comfortable with my ‘hosting’ duties than I am having people watch me play poker. It’s not been too terrible so far although I can see glaring examples of where my nerves definitely affected my play. It’s funny, I really didn’t expect to feel so intimidated but sitting down at that famous table and seeing all the cameras…. definitely sweaty palms time.
Anyhow, things are cracking on and it looks like 2010 is going to be a busy one so I’m getting a bit of rest while I can. While much of the poker population is fighting lost baggage, food poisoning and poor weather (if all of the twittering is to be believed) I’m sitting in a cozy cabin in Tahoe getting my relax on.
Happy New Years Everyone!!
Warsaw, Warsaw!
November 20, 2009 by Tatjana
Geez, its been a while! Im an awful blogger. Promised Id be regular, and here I am, feeling bad about myself but never find time to write. I promise I’ll be better, Nick!:)
Its been a hellish month, traveled to Croatia three times in a row now, done tons of interviews, meetings and got my next gig which I’m superexcited about! About three weeks a go I got called from Unibet to do presenting for their vblogs in Warsaw and I was so excited, my heart almost stopped. Besides the fact that I’m gonna be on camera, which I love (ah all the girls do!), I am going to visit Warsaw. Heard so many great things about that city, I cant wait to pack my suitcases and go. I’ve spent half of the afternoon staring at the hotel were staying in – the pool was AMAZING! Definitely going to need some relaxation after hours and hours of interviews and dress changing:)
As far se poker goes, I am very pleased to say that we have yet another team that will attack Warsaw and this time we are going for the Final Table! 5 Croats are ready and trained to make it very far, we showed that we are very dangerous when we played in Prague and now its only a matter of time before one of the Croatians hits big time.
Im open for any tips on Warsaw tho, nightlife or day-life and especially shopping. So, stay tuned, I promise I’ll be regular with my updates from Poland!
xx
T
Blogger’s Biog’s
February 21, 2009 by admin
NICK WEALTHALL BIOGRAPHY
Nick’s mission is to bring poker to the mainstream UK audience by making it as accessible and entertaining as possible. For the last 4 years Nick has gained a reputation as one of the most informed and entertaining TV hosts in poker. As a face of Poker Night Live (winner of the gaming industry’s award for best poker show) and Sky Poker he regularly entertains and educates an audience of poker enthusiasts. He also commentates for EPT live and on a variety of poker tournaments on channel 4, 5, challenge TV and others.
Nick is a highly respected journalist and author. He writes an extremely popular column and regular strategy features for top selling magazines including Poker Player, Bluff and Flush magazine. He has interviewed most of the big names in poker including Barry Greenstein, Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson and countless others.
His first instructional DVD ‘Nick Wealthall on Tournaments‘ was released at the beginning of 2008.
His latest venture is ‘On the Rail’ a poker podcast which features the best guests, hand analysis and entertaining features. The podcast is aimed at bringing exciting, accessible content to poker’s ever growing younger market and is now the most downloaded poker podcast in the UK.
Before the poker craze swept into the UK Nick already had an established media profile as one the country’s leading comedy writers. He has written for over 30 TV shows as diverse as Have I Got News For You, The Friday Night Project and the National Lottery. He has also made several TV appearances outside poker and countless live appearances in the comedy and corporate world.
Nick’s love affair with poker began over ten years ago on a holiday to Vegas. After building his skills in UK casinos and home games he ran away from his city job to join the poker circus. Nick lived and worked as poker pro in Las Vegas and England for over two years. During this time he beat some of the toughest cash games around and sat with some of the best players in the world. He stopped playing full time to pursue his career as a broadcaster but still competes regularly at a high level.
Click Here To Read Nick’s Blog
KARA SCOTT BIOGRAPHY
Kara was the host for two series of “World Series of Backgammon”, which aired on Eurosport, and was also one of the main hosts of the award winning show “Poker Night Live”. She quickly immersed herself in the poker media and previously wrote a regular column in industry magazine “Flush” as well as having articles published in “Poker Player Magazine” and her poker exploits have been documented in other poker media such as CardPlayer Magazine, Online Gambling Magazine and UK PokerNews. Kara is also one half of the duo behind UK poker podcast ‘On The Rail‘.
Kara was one of the faces of Sky Poker on Sky Television and she has been the TV Host for seasons 4 and 5 of the European Poker Tour for PokerStars. As a sponsored player for PokerStars, Kara played her first World Series of Poker event in Vegas 2008 and placed 104th in the Main Event. Other poker results include an EPT cash (also for PokerStars), Sportstar Challenge III winner and World Women’s Open final table.
Kara is also involved in the film world and was one of the stars (and the line producer) for martial arts film Sucker Punch staring Danny John-Jules.
In 2007, Scott lost a prop bet to Chris Tessaro, Host of The Hardcore Poker Radio Show, resulting in her having to do her commentary from the EPT San Remo while dressed in a bunny suit.
Click Here To Read Kara’s Blog
MATT BROUGHTON BIOGRAPHY
Matt Broughton is well known within the British Poker community for his regular appearance on Sky Poker, as well as the humorous magazine show The Club, which he presents alongside Dan Lobb.
He can often be heard commentating on Matchroom Poker productions alongside friend and broadcaster Jessie May.
In 2007 his first book (co-authored with Dave Woods) ‘How to Play and Win at Poker’ was published.
Before Sky Poker, Matt was a presenter on cult late night show: Poker Night Live.
Matt’s previous jobs include being editor of Flush Magazine, and writing for various magazines and newspapers, including: Poker Player, Cool Player, WPT, The Sportsman, etc. Prior to his involvement in the world of poker, Matt spent 15 years in the video games industry, where he held various roles, including European Marketing Director for Midway Games, and International Director of Communications for Atari.
Matt has been playing poker for over ten years. Originally an Omaha player, Matt quickly migrated over to the increasingly-popular Texas Hold’em variant and has never looked back. Leaving his day job behind, Matt went semi-pro in 2005, regularly playing live in his favourite Vegas poker rooms or across the increasingly-busy internet tables. Matt began writing for various magazines that launched as poker’s popularity grew; also joining the ever-growing ranks of poker bloggers and podcasters.
He also runs a poker events company: Poker Evenings.
He is 38, but doesn’t look it.
Click Here To Read Matt’s Blog
BRIAN TOWNSEND BIOGRAPHY
Brian Townsend is a high limit poker player who plays under the handles sbrugby and aba20. He is 27 and completed an electrical engineering degree from Universityof California-Santa Barbara before he started playing poker full time.
Brian has been playing poker professionally since September 2006. He began playing poker in August 2005. Initially playing .25/.50 limit holdem, Brian quickly moved up the limit ranks to the larger limit games before switching to no limit in the beginning of 2006. From there, he moved up from the smallest no limit games to the largest no limit games in the world in under a year. He can now be found playing 200/400 no limit holdem and pot limit Omaha on any major site.
Although Brian is not a big tournament player, he has one final table in a World Series of Poker circuit event in New Orleans. He was on GSN’s High Stakes Poker show playing with some of the worlds best.
Click Here To Read Brian’s Blog
NICK WRIGHT BIOGRAPHY
Like most twenty-something’s Nick Wright’s first taste of poker was watching Late Night Poker. However, unlike the rest of his poker peers he didn’t immediately rush off to the nearest cardroom to play Hold’em. Instead he bluffed his way into the poker industry nearly four years ago figuring he’d stay for an orbit or two, but he now has no intention of giving his seat.
In the past four years he’s worked for Bluff, Official World Poker Tour Magazine, written for InsidePoker, produced video content for the Party Poker Academy and is currently Strategy Editor on the UK’s biggest selling poker magazine PokerPlayer.
Click Here To Read Nick’s Blog
LIV BOEREE BIOGRAPHY
Olivia “Liv” Boeree is a TV presenter, model and poker player in the United Kingdom. Born in Kent in 1984, Liv studied physics with astrophysics at the University of Manchester before moving to London. She was introduced to the poker industry when she was selected as one of five contestants in the reality TV show “Ultimatepoker.com Showdown”, which aired on Five in autumn 2005. During the show she was coached by top professional players Phil Hellmuth, Annie Duke and Dave “Devilfish” Ulliott.
After the show, Liv began playing poker as a serious activity, and in 2006 she became the TV presenter and journalist for Gutshot TV at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Shortly after, she became the host of Challenge TV’s on-line coverage of the European Poker Tour, and also appeared as a reporter at the World Series of Poker Europe on WorldSeriesofPoker.com. Liv writes a regular column in industry magazine “Bluff Europe” and has had front cover features in “Gambling Online”, “World Poker Tour” and “Online Gambler” magazines.
In May 2008 Liv won the 2008 Ladbrokes European Ladies Championships worth $30,000.
Liv cashed in two events at the 2008 World Series of Poker: Event 38 $2000 Pot Limit Holdem, finishing 49th for $ 4,074 and Event 41 $1500 Mixed Limit Holdem, finishing 64th for $ 2,793. She also finished 49th at the 2008 Aruba Classic for $5,500. As of April 2009 her total live tournament winnings exceed $161,000.
MARK STUART BIOGRAPHY
Mark ‘Shafty’ Stuart has been involved in publishing since graduating from Cardiff University in 2000 and is currently managing editor on the UK’s biggest selling poker magazine, PokerPlayer. In the four years working for the title he has developed a deep passion for the game and puts in almost as many hours a week online as he does at his desk in the office.
Specialising mostly in no-limit Hold’em tournaments his poker highlights include winning a $55 tourney on PokerStars in December 2006 for nearly $10k, and coming ninth for £6,000 at the 2007 GCBPT Grand Final, which featured a final table including Neil Channing, Barny Boatman, Roland de Wolfe and Joe Beevers.
His poker goals include making more money at poker than he does at his job and taking down major online and live poker tournaments. He’ll be sure to let you know when that happens…
Click Here To Read Mark’s Blog
Maria hails from a family of poker players including her uncle, former Late Night Poker & Aussie Millions Champion Peter Costa. She played her first poker tournament over 10 years ago, after being taught to play by her father who insisted that you can tell a person’s character by the way they played cards.
Her first poker buddies were Tony Kendall & Julian Thew, who travelled the medium stakes tournament scene together in the UK until William Hill & stardom beckoned for Julian and an illustrious TV career for Tony. So Maria bought a Fish and Chip shop with her brother and worked solidly for 2 years and sold at a profit to gain her first bank roll.
She has been playing live poker and to a lesser degree online poker tournaments professionally since 2006 and regularly frequents the cardrooms of the Midlands. Maria is lucky to have Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham as her local poker club and made the locals proud by winning the Nottingham leg of the Sky Poker Tour earlier in 2009 on home turf.
Maria has had great success in TV 6 handed fast paced events where out of 3 heats in the Women’s World Open, won her heat twice to final on both occasions collecting a total of $22,000. She also was invited to play in 2008’s legendary Late Night Poker where after coming second in a tough heat went on to gain her seat in the final by winning the Semi-Final and beating the likes of professionals Simon Trumper, Marc Goodwin, Praz Bansi & then Marcel Luske heads up.
Her biggest win though comes in the form of the £1,000 London GUKPT in March 08, where 5th place out of 424 entries earned her £26,500, taking her tournament earnings thus far well over $150,000.
Maria currently works part-time for poker club Dusk Till Dawn with the office poker team as even poker player’s need supplementing sometimes!
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