Team PokerNews
PokerNews is privileged to have such a multi-faceted Team hailing from all corners of the world. Most have traveled extensively representing the Team in multiple events across Australia, Europe and The Americas. To join the Team and enjoy members-only perks, take part in our many freerolls to receive full access to this exclusive community.
"I was so happy when I qualified for the PokerNews Cup Australia, I finally had the chance to play a big live poker tournament. Everything was perfectly organised, everything was taken care of and I only had to pick up my package and check in to the hotel. I got a warm welcome from Trish and Andy from PokerNews. My hotel and my room were great, and the Crown Casino was really huge.
Playing the Main Event was great, and I was happy to make day 2. But what I didn’t expect was that the rest of the days were just as much fun as playing the Main Event. The trip to the zoo was fun, meeting Tony G at the welcome party, and especially partying with all the qualifiers on the cruise we took. The other days we went bowling with our group, participated in a private PokerNews cash table and lots more. We had a lot of fun and met a lot of awesome people from all around the world – a lot of whom I still keep in contact with.
When I got back home I told everyone I had one of the best times of my life. I would really like to experience something like that again.
Then, it happened a five months later when I qualified for the PokerNews Cup Austria. I was very excited and this time I took a friend with me. I also had the chance to meet with Trish, Andy and the PokerNews crew again, who were always friendly. I even caught up with some other people I had met in Australia - that was great. It was great to play a lot of poker again and I’ve learned a lot about poker in Australia and Austria.
Both trips were awesome, and I’m definitely going to try to qualify again for the next PokerNews Cup. Special thanks goes out to Andy and Trish who are always working hard to make it perfect for the players."
Jeroen “Thorium” Marx, The Netherlands
PokerNews Cup Australia 2007
PokerNews Cup Austria 2008
"This was an awesome experience and the PokerNews staff were very friendly and helpful. Furthermore, they hosted a welcoming party for all the freeroll winners, giving everyone the opportunity to get to know each other before the start of the tournament. For me, it was very cool to get to know players from all over Europe while gaining some valuable tournament experience in a casino setting -- and all of this didn't even cost me a dime! Thanks PokerNews and keep those freerolls coming!"
Tim "TheAssassin420" Kopper, USA
PokerNews Cup Austria 2008
"I was at the PokerNews Cup in Salzburg and it was a fantastic experience. I loved the way I was received by the PokerNews Staff and the structure of the tourney was fantastic. I didn´t win, but it was definitely an experience... maybe next time will be better. I hope to be in the next PokerNews Cup."
Nelson "nr8flush" Rodrigues, Portugal
PokerNews Cup Austria 2008
"How would I describe the trip of a lifetime to the complete opposite side of the world? Simple: It was one of the best experiences of my life. Being from Canada, it was a long way to travel. I joked with my friends that if I drilled a hole through the center of the earth, I'd end up in my seat for the tournament, but it was worth it from the time I walked into the Crown Casino, until the day I had to say goodbye to some of the most wonderful, friendly people I've ever met. The poker part is great, don't get me wrong, but it honestly paled in comparison to the rest of the trip. Not only did I get to stay in the beautiful Crown Casino, but I was treated like a rock star by all the PokerNews Team. We were taken on a wine tour, a boat cruise, as well as many other activities.
As you can tell from the picture, I also got to hang out with Tony G! I've been asked to describe him by lots of friends since my trip, and the only word I can come up with is schizophrenic! The reason is because I had seen him play so often on TV and you tube, I was petrified to meet him. It turns out however that it's only a table image. He is actually a laid back very soft spoken guy. Who knew? I enjoyed my time with him very much, and found him informative but also a fun guy.
To sum up, let me just say it was an honour to represent Team PokerNews and if you get a chance, it will be an experience you'll never forget. But remember, to win, you'll have to go through me, because I'll certainly be trying to get there again!"
Ken "Kenny Cash" Sheehan, Canada
PokerNews Cup Australia 2007
"Coming to the PNCUP Australia in Melbourne was also my first visit to Australia, so I was very excited. There are many things that I could say about that time, but to keep it short, I had a wonderful time there. Not only was my room in the Crown Hotel very luxurious, the whole casino was also great. But by far the best thing was getting to meet all this other people from around the world - playing poker with them, having a drink together and just making new friends. I especially want to thank the staff at PokerNews who did everything to make our stay in Melbourne an unforgettable experience."
Karl-Heinz "Carlosmuc" Metz, Germany
PokerNews Cup Australia 2007
"Playing in the PokerNews Cup Australia - My first big live tournament coupled with the possibility to see the world.
Being a student at the time I also had the opportunity to take some time off after the tournament to backpack through Australia. Upon arriving in Crown Promenade hotel, I was privileged to have one of the best available rooms on the corner of the 20th floor. Even my bathroom had dramatic, uninterrupted views of Melbourne city. I was proud to be a member of Team PokerNews - and what a wonderful team they were. We had a lot of fun. Ken (I never knew that people from Canada could be more crazy than me), Jan-Willem, Jeroen, Jasper, Grant (Scottish fury) and I can’t remember the German names but they were good to us at the cash game tables. We were all supported and guided by the Staff at PokerNews and I had a wonderful time (did I say that already?). It’s hard to describe everything we did in Melbourne, but it was an experience of a lifetime."
Tijn "Tieme555" Niewzwaag, The Netherlands
PokerNews Cup Australia 2007
"When I won a PokerNews Freeroll last year, I was astonished. I had the opportunity to fly to Australia and play a big poker tournament. The whole trip can be summarised in one word - superb. The hotel, the cruises/trips we made, the party we had, everything was great. Meeting people from all over the world who have the same intrest as I do was a great experience, we had a lot of fun. I had never played such a tourney before and didn't know what to expect. I had to play pro pokerplayers, and even busted one in the first few hands. I thought to myself that this must just be a dream. I even had some time at the TV table and ended up in the money. PokerNews made my dream come true and all that due to a freeroll. I want to thank PokerNews for that. I also want to thank the PokerNews crew and the other qualifiers for the great time I had."
Jan-willem "goedhandje" Kamps, The Netherlands
PokerNews Cup Australia 2007