With many years of poker expertise, Illinois’ Monika Heppner is able to tackle the professionals, and hopefully get a couple of photographs with them, on the upcoming WPT Voyage after successful a bundle on ClubWPT.
From March 31 to April 6, 2024, the World Poker Tour (WPT) will take over a complete Virgin Voyages cruise ship for a six-day poker pageant that options $1.5 million in ensures, together with a $5,000 buy-in and $1,000,000 assured WPT Major Occasion.
PokerNews caught up with Heppner, who’s initially from Poland, to study her poker background and the way she received one step nearer to attaining her dream of getting her title etched on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup.
Study the Historical past of the WPT Voyage!
PokerNews: What introduced you to the US from Poland?
Heppner: I got here from Poland 21 years in the past to my mother. Not lengthy after that I met my son’s dad. My Boy is 19 now. He’s a really particular boy, his title is Maxwell and he’s autistic. My math genius. He’s my primary fan and tells me on daily basis that I’ll win and he desires to see me on TV.
How did you win your WPT Voyage journey?
I registered on the WPT web site and I grew to become a Diamond member. Three months later, I performed satellite tv for pc to a principal occasion the place you possibly can win a passport for a Voyage cruise. I certified for that occasion, and I took first place. I used to be so completely happy and really excited on the identical time.
When and the way did you study to play poker?
I used to be the one lady within the household and I had an older brother and he all the time needed a brother, so he raised me like one lol. I performed soccer in Poland and we performed quite a lot of card video games, considered one of them was poker.
I by no means thought I’d play later in my life, Then I met my husband and we began enjoying poker collectively, We began enjoying extra after we moved to Wisconsin for four years so Maxwell may end highschool (that was Covid time). We have been enjoying poker with folks we met in a small bar and we grew to become mates. After Covid, I began enjoying money video games at Grand Victoria On line casino in Elgin, IL. I began with $1-$three and after six months I went to $2-$5 video games and I began successful. I began enjoying WSOP Circuit occasions. I cashed 80% of them however I have not received but. I performed a pair occasions in Florida I performed WPT Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open in Hollywood I cashed one.
“I joined a Smoke’n Aces Poker league a lot enjoyable. I am a member of the Girls’s Poker Affiliation.”
I performed a pair occasions in Vegas. I began enjoying tournaments two years in the past, I am normally a money participant. Since Grand Victoria On line casino began enjoying day by day tournaments. I have been enjoying extra typically. I joined a Smoke’n Aces Poker league a lot enjoyable. I am a member of the Girls’s Poker Affiliation.
How lengthy have you ever been a member of ClubWPT and what impressed you to affix within the first place?
I have been a member of ClubWPT for greater than a yr now. I began enjoying on WPT for enjoyable and to follow my match abilities.
Have you ever ever been on a cruise or poker cruise?
It is going to be my first cruise, and I believe that is my largest prize in tournaments. I am very excited that I can meet folks I see on the TV. I am hoping to get much more expertise and study to play higher.
WPT Voyage and WPT at Sea — What is the Distinction?
What’s your proudest poker accomplishment up to now?
I met Chris Moneymaker and I had an opportunity to play with him, a really good and respectful particular person. It was an ideal expertise.
What are you most wanting ahead to concerning the WPT Voyage? Are there poker execs you wish to meet or play with?
I’d love to fulfill Phil Ivey I like his type of enjoying, Daniel Negreanu, Kristen Foxen I really like to observe her enjoying, Erik Seidel is an icon, Jason Koon … and naturally Jennifer Tilly, an ideal money participant.
I believe assembly them and with the ability to discuss with them will probably be an ideal likelihood to study extra about being an ideal poker participant.
My dream… My title on the Mike Sexton trophy.
WPT Voyage: Do You Know Who Sailed Away with the Largest Poker Prize at Sea?
*Photos courtesy Monika Heppner.
