Casino Player July 2022

PLAYING POKER

Celebrities Show Up for WSOP Action

E ach year it seems several celebrities and pro athletes show up to take a shot at winning a bracelet.This year was no different with several getting in on the fun.This year, that included 14-year NFL veteran and Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell. A regular poker player, Campbell jumped in the $500 Housewarming. He has plans to play even more when he eventually leaves the gridiron behind. “Poker does that for me,” Campbell told the Sporting News .“I plan to play a lot more poker when I retire because it’s a good feeling, a good thrill. It gives me that competitive spirit. It’s the gratification, the results.” One of the biggest names in soccer also made an appearance at Bally’s. International superstar and PokerStars ambassador Neymar Jr. played in the $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship and enjoys poker, both live and online.The Brazilian may be seen again this summer. Another interesting name found a bracelet in June.Steve Albini is a music producer of some huge albums including Nirvana’s In Utero . He won the $1,500 HORSE event for $196,089 and his second bracelet.

No strangers to the game of poker, Baltimore Ravens

defensive end Calais Campbell (above) and music producer, Steve Albini, hit the greens at this year’s WSOP. Albini won his second bracelet and a $196,089 payday in the $1,500 HORSE event.

PLAYERS PRAISE NEW VENUE

members worked to make players aware of changes and new locations for differing aspects of the series in the new venue.Many players appreciated the effort and how things were going on the Strip so far. “Very impressed with the WSOP and the new venue,” poker pro Felipe Ramos noted on Twitter.“We often complain too much and give credit way too little. Dealers in the Dealer’s Choice were great! Congratulations.If you were skeptical or waiting for some sort of confirmation before heading toVegas,this is my honest feedback.” Daniel Negreanu not only liked the venue, but also felt that a new feeling of post-COVID live poker added to the fun of this year’s series. Last year’s series was held in the fall, but shifted back to the summer for 2022. “The excitement I’m seeing surroundingWSOP 2022 is unlike any I’ve seen in many years,”he noted onTwitter.“A new venue likely plays a role, but I think it has a lot to do with a feeling of normalcy again with it back in its regularly scheduled time slot.”

W ith a new environment for this year’s series, players praised the new location when the WSOP kicked off in late May. Many were pleased with the roomy environment,the added number of tables and dealers, and increased number of cages and staff to process registration and payouts. As the series approached, staff

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WSOP/POKERGO

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