It’s no secret that the 2023 PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT), which is happening proper now at Resorts World Las Vegas, marks the primary NAPT in a dozen years.
However do you know that Thursday evening’s festivities marked the first PokerStars Gamers Social gathering in Las Vegas in 13 years? It was approach again on July 11, 2010, throughout the annual World Collection of Poker (WSOP) that the net poker big rented out the complete nightclub on the Palms for an epic social gathering that featured an unique efficiency by none apart from Snoop Dogg.
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When you had been lucky sufficient to be a PokerStars participant pre-Black Friday and attended that social gathering, that it holds a particular place in poker historical past. The yr earlier than that, Nelly carried out on the PokerStars Gamers Social gathering inside Rain Nightclub on the Palms, and the final time there was a NAPT in Las Vegas, which was on the Venetian’s Tao Nightclub, T-Ache carried out on stage.
Within the years since, PokerStars has made participant events a staple on the European Poker Tour (EPT), which is why VP of PokerStars North America Steve Preiss knew they’d have to have one for the NAPT’s triumphant return.
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Hellmuth, Veldhuis, and Extra
As Day 2 of the $1,650 NAPT Important Occasion was winding down on Thursday evening, gamers had been invited to Resorts World’s famed Zouk Nightclub from 8-11 p.m. free of charge drinks, appetizers, and leisure. Whereas Snoop Dogg was NOT in the home sippin’ on gin and juice, loads of notables had been in attendance.
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Foremost amongst them was 17-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, who earlier within the afternoon busted the Important Occasion a few dozen spots shy of the cash. Donning his trademark black and gold tracksuit full with matching Luxon Pay hat, Hellmuth was joined by his sister, Anne, a 33-time Particular Olympics gold medalist visiting from Madison, Wisconsin.
Hellmuth stayed busy rubbing elbows with numerous trade movers and shakers whereas taking time to snap selfies with followers earlier than ducking out round 10 p.m. to register the $5,300 8-Recreation match late happening upstairs.
PokerStars Ambassador Lex Veldhuis, who two days earlier had competed on the return of the PokerStars Huge Recreation, additionally got here to benefit from the revelry.
Others noticed on the social gathering had been PokerStars US Ambassadors David Kaye, Jennifer Shahade, and Subsequent Gen Poker.
Likewise, excessive curler David Peters was there, as had been WPT champs Andy Frankenberger, Matt Salsberg, and Faraz Jaka, NAPT Girls’s Occasion champ Kyna England, RunGood Poker Collection (RGPS) President Tana Karn, commentator Nick Walsh, Brazilian celebrity Andre Akkari, and Vanessa Kade.
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The return of a PokerStars Gamers Social gathering to Las Vegas proved to be a giant hit, and it was clear no expense was spared. To place it in perspective, it was free drinks for 3 hours, whereas a pair of home margaritas at Zouk run $50 throughout regular working hours. If the dancing and revelry had been any indication, these in attendance didn’t hesitate working up a giant bar tab that PokerStars was variety sufficient to choose up.
*Pictures courtesy of PokerStars & Joe Giron.
Govt Editor U.S.
Govt Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.
