Australian Penthouse

James ‘Welcome Back’ Potter explains how winning the trip of a lifetime to play in a tournament such as the World Series can be easier than you think…

There are many myths in poker. First is the impression that it’s the playground of seasoned and sponsored pros, Internet whiz kids and businessmen who throw dollars like confetti at a wedding. Don’t get me wrong, these people are certainly part of the fast-paced world of high-stakes tournament poker, however, you might be surprised at the variety of people who play in main events.

The vast majority of individuals who compete in large tournaments are regular folks from everyday homes—working-class warriors who have a love of the game and a dream of making the pilgrimage to an international event such as the World Series Of Poker. Most Australian players are introduced to poker through TV or at their local pub. They then get the opportunity to learn the game and hone their skills on the Internet. Poker truly has become a modern-day version of the gold rush.

The question is: how do you win your way into these tournaments? Ten thousand bucks is usually the minimum tournament entry fee for the larger main events around the world. That sort of money doesn’t grow on trees, and the average bloke can’t afford to pay for airfares, accommodation and expenses, let alone such a fee. There are smaller events that cost much less to enter, but the other charges can prove a killer.

The saviour? Welcome to the world of satellites. A satellite poker tournament is a comp that you play to win entry into a bigger tournament. All the money is pooled and instead of giving away cash prizes, winners receive a package to a main event.

The idea is to allow anyone to invest a bit of cash in the hope of winning a dream holiday and a way into a world-class poker tournament. Packages usually include accommodation at the finest hotels, plus money for travel and expenses.
This is where the big tourneys get the majority of their contestants, and it’s these opportunities that have revolutionised the game—not only in Australia but around the globe. Gareth Edwards, Director of Poker Marketing for 888poker.com, is committed to offering players exciting packages.

“We understand that people have budgets,” says Gareth. “Sure, we offer big cash games and tournaments for those who want to test their skills against the best in the game, but we are more about offering the average Joe the chance
—sometimes for free!”

A highly regarded poker player himself, Gareth is devoted to providing regular punters with the opportunity to travel and put their game skills and panache to the ultimate test.

“We’ve offered tournament prize packages to The Aussie Millions at Crown Casino, Asian Poker Tour (APT) events in Asia, some of Europe’s biggest events, and the World Series Of Poker (WSOP) in the USA,” says Gareth.

“In fact, the best time is right now, as the WSOP is around the corner in July, so every Australian can sign up to try to win the trip of a lifetime.”

You don’t need thousands of dollars to play in these satellites, either. 888poker.com offers players a variety of options that cater to all sizes of bank rolls—including free-roll qualifiers. Another advantage is that you can play in the comfort of your own home, without having to travel to a card room or casino.

I can tell you for certain that Las Vegas is an adult Disneyland for any bloke who loves a punt. There’s also the food, the girls, the entertainment. If you want to play tournaments such as the World Series, playing an online satellite game is the best way to turn your dream into a reality.

I’m lucky; I’ve been to Vegas more times than I care to remember, but for those of you with the responsibilities of a normal nine-to-five job, this may be the best opportunity you have of getting yourself in the door.

Good luck in winning your seat to this year’s World Series Of Poker—you might see me at the swanky 888poker party, sipping on a cocktail, chatting up a glamorous model and enjoying the good times.

Play free Poker tournaments now at www.888poker.net/penthouse

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