This exclusive feature is part of our regular WSOP Diaries — raw, honest accounts from players in the heart of the Las Vegas poker storm.
WSOP Player vs Broadcaster
I look at my summer from two different perspectives — one, of course, from the broadcasting standpoint, whether it's commentary or sideline reporting.
The other perspective is as a player. I would say both experiences have been really enjoyable.
It's the World Series of Poker, so to be even a small part of it still means the world to me. I still have an incredible amount of passion for this series and what it brings to the poker world.
From a broadcasting standpoint, I think our WSOP/PokerGO productions have gone well.
Our crew has done an outstanding job, even with some final tables that, to be honest with you, have probably been pretty boring due to a lot of tanking. There's not that much you can do about that.
From the broadcast standpoint, I think I’ll give myself a B+ so far. I have some commentary opportunities to work with Brent Hanks, and that has gone well.
From a playing standpoint, my track record has been absolutely horrendous, but I've had a blast. I've genuinely enjoyed playing in every single tournament I’ve registered for. The results aren't there yet. However, I don’t want to be too results oriented.
'I was a bit nervous about the WSOP+ App.'
I was a bit nervous when they announced the introduction of the WSOP+ app. I didn't know how it would work on a large scale.
I'd seen it work well at The Bahamas Paradise events, but this is eight times that. Except for that first day with the verification lines, it has been smooth sailing. It is indeed an absolute game-changer.
The World Series should be really proud of being able to institute this app and teach it to everybody on the floor. It's just been a tremendous asset for the World Series of Poker. That's one of the biggest things that stands out to me so far
Highrollers are upon us
From a storyline standpoint, this is High Roller Week for us. You’ve got the 25K, the 50K, the 100K, it all builds up to that 250K Super High Roller.
We get to see great players like Jason Koon, Andrew Lichtenberger, and Daniel Negreanu battle. The level of competition out there is incredible.
At the time I’m sharing this with PokerOrg, Koon was taking the chip lead into a 50K final table with Andrew ‘LuckyChewy’ Lichtenberger, Brock Wilson, Ben Tollerene, and Sergey Lebedev. Viktor Blom was just knocked out in sixth.
By the time this PokerOrg Diary posts, I will have interviewed Koon and some of the other players in the NLH 50K championship. That’s very exciting for me.
They're going to battle on the PokerGO stream today. It's going to be outstanding poker content, just great poker television.
What has also really stood out to me is the live stream feature for the NL Deuce to Seven $10K championship. I was thoroughly captivated by PokerGO’s coverage of late day three with Schulman, Darren Elias, and Negreanu.
Then we had Donnie Peters and Joe Stapleton in the booth commentating, and they were joined by Jared Bleznick, who did an outstanding job.
My favorite players to interview
My overall favorite is probably Jason Koon, and maybe it's Nick Schulman. I think those are two guys that we can all look up to in the poker world, whether we're players, media, or content creators.
It’s all about the process they go through and how they aren't results-oriented. We can learn a great deal from their temperament and demeanor. I always enjoy chatting with both of them.
Moneymaker is afraid
I’m looking forward to eventually seeing Chris Moneymaker at the World Series of Poker. But it seems he is clearly scared of the WSOP.
Why didn’t he show up to battle in these amazing high rollers? He has proven that he can do it in the past with the Triton events and others.
He's at the Super Main at WSOP Paradise, but he just shows up for one tournament here. I just don't get it.
It seems like he's a bit afraid, which is fine. I'd be frightened too to battle with Jason Koon and Nick Schulman, you know. I understand it, Chris.
But I do look forward to his arrival here. He should be prepared to get talked to a lot by me. I look forward to continuing our beautiful relationship.
