Think you have what it takes to play poker with the pros - or even become one of them?
The Big Slick Poker Tour offers the opportunity to learn the game during free weekly social events without the risk of losing money.
Anyone from complete beginners to aspiring pros can join the league for free and play either once or twice a week at the Ocean Port (OP) and the Grizzly Bar & Grrrill.
The Ocean Port has been hosting Big Slick Poker for more than year now, and during the Grizzly's first night on Monday (Aug. 23), more than 25 people showed up to play the Texan hold 'em version of the game.
Anne Fleet and Ian Duncan have joined the OP games every week for more than four months and now that a new venue has opened its doors, they said they'll probably play twice a week.
"Everyone's super nice and there is a good atmosphere with prizes at the end, so why not?" said Fleet. "Even if you're new and don't know a whole lot, people will help you out."
There is no fee to join the league and side betting for cash is not permitted.
The businesses are benefiting from hosting the events according to Grizzly owner John Dancy, as are the poker fans who, to date, haven't had much opportunity to play locally.
"It's good for the business and it's good for the people," he said. "A lot of times people are so busy that if you call them up to play a poker game a night before or the night of, it wouldn't happen because people are busy with jobs and kids and everything.
"But when it's a scheduled event at the same time every week, then it's a lot more feasible to fit into a person's busy life."
Dancy, also an avid poker player, said it's exhilarating to see players progress, and hear the excited squeals and groans throughout the night. He said you just can't compare real live poker to playing online because the electricity you feel in the air is such a key part of the game.
"There's no comparison because you learn from watching other players," he said. "People from all walks of life come in here with one thing in common - we're all addicted to poker."
Two-time league winner Simon Birette started playing poker nine years ago and said he was excited to play locally. The non-risk factor is a huge bonus for practicing strategies, he said.
"It's all about practice and reading the game - there's a lot to it at the end of the day. The tournaments here attract good players, but it's a serious game with no money involved so it's like practice without risk."
For those who aren't as skilled, side tables form after the first round to keep everyone playing throughout the night.
Birette has twice won the Big Slick tournament quarter league finals in Vancouver, which happen every three months, and if he wins the next one he might take his poker playing to the next level.
"If I win the next quarter final and they send me off to another tournament, I will definitely consider playing professionally," he said.
Players like Birette are common in Big Slick Poker Tour circles, because the confidence and experience they gain ideally helps them progress to the next level.
"There's plenty of opportunity for players to improve their game and see if they're going to become the next poker pro," says Brian Kessler, Big Slick Poker Tour president and CEO.
Pemberton resident Aimee Mussett and her husband make the hour-long drive every Tuesday to play at OP and now they'll likely be making the drive twice a week.
"I love poker so much and there's so few opportunities to play so it's more than worth the drive," said Mussett. "It's like the biggest rollercoaster rush ever when you're deciding if you're gonna call or raise."
Big Slick Poker Tours take place in B.C., Alberta and Ontario, and regional manager Kevin Sleeman wants those to include venues from Hope to Pemberton. Four venues are currently onboard- two in Squamish and two in North Vancouver -and every three months Vancouver hosts quarter finals.
Players at each location compete for points and bragging rights in the search for the next poker pro. At the end of the season, the top eight point leaders from each location take part in an invitational tournament for sponsored prizes such as money towards tournament competitions, free stays at Sandman Hotel or free training at the online poker school Deepstacks University.
The next league begins Sept. 7 at both the Ocean Port and the Grizzly. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. and cards fly from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The tour is open to anyone of legal drinking age.
For more information and a schedule of events visit www.bigslickpokertour.ca or if you know of a venue looking to host a Big Slick Poker Tour night, contact Sleeman at [email protected].
