Typically when fall rolls around we think of pumpkins, the changing colors of the leaves and cooler temperatures. But Autumn is also the highlight of the poker season.
In November, avid Texas Hold’em fans will tune in to ESPN for the final table of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Nine players will compete for amounts ranging from $1.25 million to $8.5 million. For years amateur players have been following the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour (WPT) in hopes of someday playing in the big leagues.
In Wichita, players have an opportunity to get closer to their dream – at least where the World Poker Tour is concerned. In 2003 the Amateur Poker League, now known as the WPTAPL, was formed. Players can play free Texas Hold’em in local venues and earn points that could lead to a WPT $10,000 Championship Event.
The WPTAPL is divided into four regions in Kansas. The Southeast Region is owned and operated by Haysville resident, Star Wonser.
“Most people like to play cards and it’s (WPTAPL) a place to go and unwind, relax, play cards, meet up with friends,” says Star. “There have been a lot of friendships made through my league that will last forever, I think. It’s just fun!”
Star began her trek in the poker world as a player. “One night we had 700 players and I made it to the final table with one $5,000 chip. Everybody else had over $100,000. I won the game on the third hand of the final table with five deuce of diamonds,” says Star. “The flop came out ace of diamonds, four of diamonds, three of diamonds. I had a straight flush on the flop – took the whole table out! And they offered me a job!”
A few years later the possibility of ending WPTAPL games in Wichita caused Star to take the leap from employee to owner. “They wanted to do away with the poker in Wichita because they weren’t making any money off of it,” says Star. “I offered to buy the league so people would still have a place to play.”
Today Star runs four venues for local poker enthusiasts and players of all levels, who want to improve their skills. Currently you’ll find Star’s Poker, Monday through Thursday at Bourbon Street, Heroes and Mary’s Supper Club. All of her games, times and dates are listed on the WPTAPL website www.wptapl.com.
Part of the thrill of playing Star’s Poker is earning a seat to Nationals. At each venue, players accumulate points when they make it to the final two tables. Those points give players two methods of qualifying for Regionals.
The first happens during the third full week of each month, when Star hosts venue championships. That’s where the top forty point earners play for a seat at Regionals. The first and second place finishers, at each venue championship, move on to the Regional tournament.
In addition to the venue championship winners, the top point earners for the first and second half of the year also play in Regionals. So far this year, Star has qualified fourteen players to send to Nationals in Orlando, Florida next April; half of whom are women. The winner at Nationals will be awarded an entry to a WPT $10,000 Championship Event. Other high finishers will receive trips, smaller event entries and other prizes.
The next Regional Tournament will be held in February and will be for players who have qualified over the last half of this year.
Whether you’re an online poker enthusiast, the occasional game night poker player, or someone who just wants to learn Texas Hold’em, Star’s Poker is the place to go. “I encourage people to come out; you can learn to play for free,” says Star. “Some places charge to play. They have a $10 rent a chair; mine is free. The only thing we ask is that you eat and drink in our establishments to help support the venue.”
There is still time to join the WPTAPL and qualify for the next Regional Tournament. Who knows, you could be the one living the dream and walking away with a seat at a World Poker Tour $10,000 Championship Event.
“Not bad for free poker!”
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