Lex Veldhuis is heading back to the live WSOP tables with unfinished business. The Dutch poker star hasn't cashed at the WSOP since 2012, and it's been 17 years since his last live final table.
Now, with his passion for poker reignited by a move to GGPoker, he's heading to WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas, calling its Super Main Event "one of the most insane poker tournaments ever."
After 17 years as a PokerStars ambassador, Veldhuis wasn't about to rush into another long-term relationship. He wanted to take his time, explore his options and figure out what the next chapter of his poker career might look like.
PokerOrg caught up with Veldhuis to find out why GGPoker was the right fit, how he's rediscovered his love of poker and why he's promising to kick ass at WSOP Paradise.
Lex Veldhuis is hoping to add a first WSOP bracelet to his poker résumé at WSOP Paradise.Why GGPoker was the right fit
After 17 years with PokerStars, you had plenty of options. What ultimately convinced you that GGPoker was the right move?
I really like the decision-making process. I really took the time. After being an ambassador for 17 years, I think it's important not to jump into the next thing.
I think it's really good to look at the lay of the land, talk to people, talk to friends, talk to family, because the decision to sign with a site was really important to me.
Was there any one deciding factor?
One of the main things is that I've been grinding a lot on GGPoker this year. I've been experiencing the platform, and I’ve seen my audience’s reactions.
While I was playing, the site felt like old-school poker action. The amount of action was crazy. That really reignited the poker fires within me.
What was it about GGPoker that excited you?
Whenever I talked to GG about the quality-of-life things I needed – because I was talking shop to some of the competing sites – I left the conversation more motivated.
I thought about possibilities for the future, streamer integration, the stream team, and about the role I could have there. All of that really aligned with some of my longer-term goals in poker and streaming.
A lot of our conversations just clicked for me, and it came to a point where it felt like the natural decision to sign.
'The most action I've seen in years'
How does the action on GG compare to what you've experienced in the past?
I would say that it's the most action that I've seen in years. GG is extremely good at building a crescendo toward massive stakes, right?
What do you mean by that?
There'll be a gigantic phase tournament, like the WSOP $1,500 Millionaire Maker. All of these tournaments have like $5M or $10M guaranteed. And then, somewhere behind them, the $5K Main Events are looming with a $25M guarantee. They just really know how to drive the action.
It feels like there's always something going on and always something to be excited for. I've been impressed with that all year, even long before I started talking to them.
Some of the world's best players are expected to compete in the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event. The WSOP bracelet hunt continues
Last time we spoke, you promised to kick some WSOP ass. You came pretty close to winning an online bracelet recently.
Yeah. That wound is still raw. I had fifth-, tenth-, twelfth-, thirteenth-, fourteenth- and fifteenth-place finishes. It’s all good.
I had a good time. Financially, the series wasn't so good, but it felt really good. I learned a lot.
I played a lot more high stakes than I normally do during a series grind. I was even playing the tough high roller side events, and my stream numbers were great. So, all in all, I had a great series.
So, the ass-kicking moves to WSOP Paradise?
Yes. The ass-whooping has been delayed until WSOP Paradise. I'll be there from December 10 until December 18.
I’ll kick it off with the Super Main. I think it’s one of the most insane poker tournaments ever. I can't miss that one. And I’m bringing the family to the Bahamas as well – it's going to be fun.
Will you be vlogging there?
I don't really know what the trip's going to look like. But I am going to vlog the Super Main. At the same time, I'm probably going to speak to media, get to know other GG team members, and people in the organization that I haven't spoken to.
It's exciting. It's cool because it's completely new for me now.
Rediscovering his love of poker
You've been playing and streaming poker for a very long time. What still excites you most when you sit down to play?
I’ve always loved poker. I admit that sometimes the flame was a little bit low, but also because I was doing the wrong thing.
What do you mean by ‘the wrong thing’?
I was grinding for elite status playing PLO and slaving away for hours, which isn't how I've ever enjoyed poker. I've always liked the battle, progressing, and climbing the mountain in terms of skill and stuff, but eventually I was plateauing.
Then I started streaming tournaments, and that really changed how I experienced them. And now that I'm learning more and more, I can get to stakes where I can play against the best in the world. Just seeing what happens at those tables is inspiring.
In that sense, I have a front-row seat. Plus, I have thousands of people in the chat who would love nothing more than to play those tournaments.
When it all comes together, it makes for the perfect thing, the perfect day. I love that about poker.
