The iconic North America Poker Tour (NAPT) is heading back to Las Vegas from November 1 – 10, 2024, following a successful return last year.

Some of the players gearing up for the trip will live their dreams thanks to winning a Gold Pass worth $10K on PokerStars. Here, we’re going to meet as many of them as we can so we can root for them in the $5,300 Main Event.

HOW TO GET REGISTERED ON THE NAPT

But first… Playing your first live event can be daunting and there are a few admin boxes that need to be ticked before you can sit down and play.

So, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get registered when you arrive at any PokerStars event. The example outlined here refers to EPT Monte Carlo, but you’ll find an almost identical process at other stops on the tour. Just switch out the venue name for Resorts World and NAPT Las Vegas.

How to…Get Registered

“Pride of Southside” Matt Petry

There’s more than one way to win a Gold Pass

Some players win their Gold Pass in an online or live poker tournament. Matt Petry won his in a phone call.

Matt, a second-generation career firefighter from the town of Inwood, West Virginia, took part in the Rob Gronk Gold Pass Giveaway on PokerStars a few weeks back. If you ever wonder who wins prizes like this, it’s him.

Here we tell you exactly how that happened. Matt, 30, shares his experience of working as a firefighter, winning the Gold Pass, and what he expects from his first ever trip to Las Vegas. And why win or lose he’ll be showing up for work next morning.

Swapping real life for Vegas

“As far as what I do outside of poker, I live a pretty normal life,” says Matt, who’s about to swap normal life for a first trip to Las Vegas to play the tournament of a lifetime.

Nothing normal about that. But it’s something Matt has thought about since he got into the game a long time ago, passing through one of poker’s familiar gateway stories.

“When the Moneymaker effect happened, it got my dad and everyone at the fire station into poker,” says Matt. “I remember we had the PokerStars app on our old windows computer and whenever my mom or dad wouldn’t be playing, I’d hop on and play random play money games. Eventually my dad and his friends would host small home game tournaments and they’d let me play.”

Matt followed his dad to the poker table, and into the fire service. And in the same way, his role as an EMT demands a working schedule quick to remove things like free time.

“Over time that fizzled out and I stopped playing poker for a good 15 years.  That was until Covid…”

Like a lot of people at that time Matt killed some time on YouTube and stumbled across people streaming the game he’d loved as a kid.

“Just like that I got hooked again,” says Matt. “But this time wanted to learn what I was doing. So, there I was looking at training videos and trying to figure out what GTO is.”

No experience necessary

Matt learned GTO (that’s Game Theory Optimal by the way. Learn all about it here). And everything else players seek to understand on their way up the poker stakes.

So, it’s not without irony that his trip to the NAPT comes not from anything he learned at the poker table. Instead, it came via social media.

“Rob Gronkowski of all people was giving it away. It was in partner with fan duel so I thought ‘why not’.”

Sorry boss, I need to take this…

Matt got the call at work.

“A typical workday for me starts at 8am.  I work 48-hour shifts then I’m off for 72 hours.  Once at work we have a daily shift meeting where we talk about what needs done for the day / any scheduled training.  Then we check out our assigned apparatus and start our day. I’m usually the one cooking dinner for the guys so I’ll run to the store and pick up groceries at some point.  

That’s when his phone pinged.

“When I got the notification I won we were actually setting up for our public education demonstration. It was fire safety week.”

The prize consists of Main Event seat, accommodation at Resorts World on the Las Vegas strip, and money to cover travel and expenses. You’d think that would be enough to light a fire under your enthusiasm, even on fire safety week. But that level of reward means some winners take some convincing.

“I wasn’t sure it was legit at first,” he said. “But once I got confirmation, I instantly told all the guys at work and called my family.  Everyone’s excited for me to get the opportunity and I’m even bringing my friend and co-worker who plays a bit of poker as well. He plans to play some smaller buy ins.”

A chance to compete

If you’re a poker player, you’ll know that it doesn’t matter if the seat you win comes from a long tournament slog, or sudden random chance. Both present an opportunity to compete.

“The job can be exciting at times but what I find to be exciting in poker is the competition. I mainly play MTTs for this reason. I love to compete and want to win. The most surprising thing I’ve learned about myself is probably my perseverance.  Tournament Poker is tough and comes with a lot of swings. I’ve had downswings and think I’ve handled them well. I keep pushing and working at getting better.” 

The goal of making it back to work in the morning

The NAPT Main Event will be the ideal testing ground. A $5K Main Event (up from $1K last year) against hundreds of players over six days. And all in the heart of poker’s spiritual home.

“I’m pretty realistic when it comes to poker,” says Matt.  “I could win the NAPT that Sunday and I’ll be back to work Tuesday for training I need to get done.

“I’m most looking forward to the whole Vegas Experience.  This will be my first time in Vegas so I want to take it all in.  Especially the poker. Also being a Gold Pass winner, I’m eligible to audition for The Big Game so I figured I may as well throw my hat in the ring for that too.

For Matt, poker remains a fun way to spend time. Long term, he has other priorities.

“My dad’s been a huge influence in my life. He’s taught me how to be a great fireman and father. As far as long-term dreams go, I’m living it. I’m blessed with a beautiful family, stable job, and I get to play poker in my free time.

Ready for the experience?

Matt is one of dozens of players heading to Las Vegas with a Gold Pass in their pocket, ready to cash it in for a seat at one of poker’s biggest tables. It’s for the experience true, but there’s always that thought…

“Would I love to be playing huge stakes for massive amounts of money? Of course, but where I’m at right now is fine by me.” 

MATTHEW AYERS

When Matthew Ayers booked a getaway to his family’s cottage, he probably pictured evenings spent sitting around the firepit with his wife and friends, sipping a drink and chatting until the early morning hours.

Then he saw the Ontario Summer Series Main Event was running.

Ayers, a family man and Account Executive, discovered poker in 2018 but his interest deepened in 2021 when he began playing online, inspired by Twitch streamers. Despite a busy life with a two-year-old son, he has achieved impressive results, including a fifth-place finish in the ONCOOP Main Event and a string of smaller wins. 

Needless to say, the ONCOOP Main was a tournament the 34-year-old didn’t want to miss. So while he sat around the fire, he fired up the $100 buy-in event and went on to win it, not only banking his best score to date but also winning a Gold Pass for NAPT Las Vegas.

Ayers is now excited to audition for the Loose Cannon on The Big Game On Tour’s new season, as well as enjoy the incredible food options Vegas has to offer with his wife.

BARRY GLINA

Barry Glina was dressed to the nines when he clinched his Gold Pass in a charity tournament hosted by PokerStars in Toronto. The event attracted more than 400 participants and Glina says he knew more than 75 percent of the field, so no one was surprised when the semi-retired real estate developer turned up in an all-white suit and cowboy boots.

“It made my character unstoppable,” says Glina. “I had a feeling this was my year and I crushed the competition one by one. Taking the tournament down at 1:45 am surrounded by a dozen of my friends was surreal.”

Relocating to Dallas, Texas, in September with his wife and three children (ages 14, 12, and 10), Barry has immersed himself in the local poker circuit. You’ll regularly find out playing cash games and tournaments at the Texas Card House, where he’s already claimed several victories.

When it comes to Vegas and the NAPT, Glina’s goal is nothing short of winning the whole thing. “I am unconventional as I do not follow any system or style but my guts are always correct,” he says.

BRAD MICKELSON

Win or lose in Las Vegas, Gold Pass winner Brad Mickelson has PokerStars Ambassador Fintan Hand to blame.

Mickelson, 32, will soon find himself sitting alongside some of the best players in the game. He’ll be playing an event that costs anybody else $5,000 to play, but which he gets in for free. Not bad for someone who has never played a hand of live poker before in his life.

Maybe “blame” is the wrong word. But you can pick out an alternative in this interview with Brad, who talks about not just his Gold Pass, but the online community that has helped turn him into the player he is.

Early Journey

“I played some play money poker growing up and watched some PokerStars stuff,” says Brad. “But Black Friday happened before I ever got much of a chance to play any actual online poker.”

From a part of Iowa where people are born, raised, and never drift further away than 50 miles or so, Brad grew up with other ideas. He went to college in San Diego, and now calls South Florida home, where he works for a software company.

That was around four years ago.

 “After that poker kind of fell by the side, so I didn’t make much of an effort to go to the casino when I was finally of age and poker was kind of forgotten about.”

Alone, in a new town, knowing no one Brad found people streaming online poker on Twitch.

“That is when I came across Fintan Hand’s stream. I decided to check it out and I see this guy playing for tens of thousands of dollars while he is dancing around the room with Maniac 2000 playing.”

If you didn’t know, Fintan Hand’s Twitch stream is one of the biggest online. It’s not just where fans can watch him play, they can join in, becoming part of a community that exists online and increasingly in the real world.

“I guess Fintan was my real introduction to poker, and I’ve stuck around in his and the other Stars’ streamers channels for the vibes ever since. The poker is just a bonus.”

COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER

This same community would go on to help Brad in unexpected ways.

When COVID struck Brad found himself even more isolated. Fintan’s community helped him in ways he hadn’t expected.

“There were so many people from Fintan’s community that would reach out to make sure I was okay and check on how things were going,” says Brad. “Recently hurricane Milton also hit my area, and the same thing happened. Multiple people would reach out and check in, and I can’t thank them enough, especially Susan. Shoutout to love2write1 on Twitch.”

A UNIQUE GOLD PASS “WIN”

All of which has a part to play in Brad’s Gold Pass “win.” It didn’t come from any tournament or Power Path performance. It was handed to him. By Fintan himself.

Fintan had earned it during a deep run in the Mystery Bounty event at EPT Barcelona. But, as any good Fintan fan knows, he’d also earned a break after a long WCOOP grind and the birth of his second child. So, he decided to give his Gold Pass away to one of his American viewers.

“He asked his chat to DM him names of who we all thought should win the pass, and I happened to be the one the community chose.”

It’s not hard to see why.

“Since lockdown Brad has been every single one of my streams,” says Fintan himself. “He’s never missed a day. So, I was buzzing to give him a chance to play his first EVER live poker tournament!”

FROM DISBELIEF TO GRATITUDE

Brad’s first reaction was disbelief, followed by a flood of emotion.

“Fintan… has built an amazing community, and to have them choose me for this opportunity made me feel a way that is hard put into words.

“I don’t have a lot of people in my personal life that are into poker, but everyone I have told has been very happy for me. I called my mom that day to tell her, and she started tearing up on the phone because she was so happy for me. She has visited me down in Florida a few times over the years, and she has seen some of Fintan and Spraggy’s streams from me having them on. So, she knew how special this was.”

A LIFE CHANGING EVENT

The Gold Pass has to potential to be a life changer for Brad. But you sense it already has been. And not just for the sentiment felt towards the whole Fintan community, sure to be watching on the virtual rail.

We all remember our first live tournament. Win or lose Brad’s will be particularly memorable.

“Winning this gold pass is easily the biggest milestone I’ve experienced,” says Brad. “My goal right now for poker is to try and focus on having as much fun as possible at NAPT. And not worry about the mistakes I will no doubt make. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I want to make the most of it without worrying about the result too much.”

ON TO VEGAS

From Fintan fan to NAPT Main Event player, Brad’s is certainly one of the heartwarming stories of the NAPT. And while his learning curve is likely to be a steep one, it’s also one of the most compelling. We’ve all been there. But can he do it?

“After NAPT is over, I’ll probably focus on improving,” says Brad. “And I guess winning a live tournament one day would be pretty cool!”

KARNEET ARORA

New Jersey native Karneet Arora, or “AK” to his friends, is a software developer by day and a dedicated poker player by night. His journey recently reached a thrilling milestone: winning a Gold Pass that will take him to the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) Main Event in Las Vegas in November.

It wasn’t without its challenges, though. In his first attempt in the Step 5 satellite on PokerStars, Arora narrowly missed out on qualifying, finishing fifth. But a bachelor party trip to Vegas reignited his drive to play the NAPT, and he returned home determined to grab a Gold Pass. 

He hit the books studying satellite strategy and worked his way through the steps. Ultimately it was a bold bluff that helped him secure the prize. “I donk-jammed the river with six-high, knowing that the range he could call with was slim,” he says.  It worked and that move gave him the chip lead and the ability to play ultra-aggressive.

For Arora, getting to play a Main Event in Vegas feels like a dream come true. “I’ve watched every no limit hold’em Main Event on YouTube,” he says. “Going from a viewer to a player is surreal.” It caps off a fun year of poker for Arora, one that saw him play at NAPT Philadelphia Live where he squared off against former WSOP champion Joe McKeehen.

Balancing poker with a career in software development, Karneet finds similarities between the two worlds. “Both require patience and precision,” he says, seeing each as a means to hone his analytical skills. 

JESS WILK

Jess Wilk started out playing poker in local games when he turned 21. With his attention caught during the poker boom he had a simple goal of becoming a winning player. Then, to play for a living.

Both of those goals have since been ticked off, helped by winning the COOP Main Event earlier this year, complete with a Gold Pass to NAPT Las Vegas.

“I’m mainly a cash game player but that was still my biggest tournament cash ever,” he said. “I was ecstatic and so were all of my friends. We went out and partied the next night.”

A Michigan native (who says he can argue about the Detroit Lions all day) is now the professional player he set out to be, although the Main Event will be a change from his regular pot limit Omaha cash games. But he’s up for the challenge.

“In poker, some challenges are not getting burned out and staying on you’re a-game even when things are not going your way.”

ANDY TAYLOR

For 46-year-old business owner and Toronto resident Andy Taylor, winning the Gold Pass to Las Vegas was a surreal moment. 

Playing as “T-BooGiE”, he started at the $1.50 level and got all the way to the $1,400 step, but fell short in the final stages. Then Taylor remembered he’d entered the Open Players Association Gold Pass freeroll a few days prior. He figured ‘what the heck’ and played it, going on to top the 513-entry event and win a prize worth $14,000.  “When it hit me, I was speechless. I sent screenshots to my wife and friends with, ‘I FINALLY DID IT!’”

Poker isn’t Taylor’s only passion. A family man and sports enthusiast, he founded SVS Group Limited, a non-profit that supports sports facilities in underserved communities. His other company, Andelle Maintenance, inspired by his grandmother, provides accessible property services to seniors. “A lot of our clients are seniors who rely on us to make the complicated…simple,” he explains.

Despite the challenges, he’s never lost his passion for poker. Reflecting on his early days, he shares a story from a tournament final table: “My internet cut out, so I ran outside, found open Wi-Fi, and played in the freezing cold. Unfortunately, my laptop battery died, and I finished fourth!”

With the NAPT around the corner, he looks forward to making a final table appearance. And outside of poker, he’s excited to take his wife to Las Vegas’s Sphere. “I’m extremely competitive,” he says, eager to make his mark on a big poker stage.

LIAN LIU

Lian Liu, a Bay Area resident originally from Beijing, recently clinched the “Golden Player of the Series” leaderboard at the Run Good Poker Series (RGPS) held at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. On top of that, he picked up a coveted Gold Pass.

Despite his impressive track record, which includes three RGPS rings and three WSOP Circuit rings, Liu is not a professional tournament player. “I mainly play local tournaments and cash games,” he says, aiming to enjoy himself and go deep in the upcoming NAPT Main Event.

Liu’s poker journey started in 2006, inspired by watching Jerry Yang and Jamie Gold winning the World Series of Poker on TV. “They’re kind of like my poker mentors,” he says. But poker isn’t his only game as Liu is also a former semi-pro League of Legends player.

LEE JACKSON

Lee Jackson, a Toronto commercial real estate professional and father of three, kicked off his Power Path journey with a free Step 1 ticket – the absolute dream – and spun it up into a Gold Pass. “It felt great. For a moment, I questioned whether it was even real,” he says. “About 15 minutes later, PokerStars confirmed it, and it hit me—I’m heading to Vegas to play on the big stage!”

He’ll be joined in Las Vegas by his wife, who will experience the city for the first time, along with his father, Ken, who taught him the game. “Having my dad there, at 80, to support me as I go deeper in the tournament, is incredibly special,” he says. “If the cards don’t fall my way, I’ll still have a great time with [them].”

His poker journey started as a child in family games before his focus shifted to his career and family, so this package is his biggest poker win to date.  Outside of the game, he stays busy supporting his kids’ competitive lacrosse, soccer, and dance, while he navigates his real estate career. “I’ve always prioritised my family and career over poker, and I wouldn’t call that an obstacle – more like a priority,” he says.

Jackson is thrilled about what promises to be a memorable poker trip. “Whether I win or not, I already feel like a winner.”

PAUL LAMPL

Pittsburgh poker pro Paul Lampl was having a tough Sunday session on PokerStars. Thankfully, his day was saved by a Gold Pass win in Power Path. “It was a great feeling,” he says. “Satellite formats are so intense – it’s all or nothing.”

As a long-time PLO cash game specialist, Lampl is looking forward to the challenge of a major no limit hold’em event in Vegas. This will be his first NAPT event, and he’s excited about the experience. “I’m really looking forward to staying at Resorts World, it’s always been on my list. The Vegas Strip has endless things to do, and I always enjoy my time there.”

Lampl began playing over a decade ago and poker remains central to his life. His proudest moment was his work ethic during the 2020 pandemic, which set him up for the future. He’s since scaled back his hours but still maintains 20-30 hours per week online.

BRADLEY BEYERS

Bradley Beyers is a 28-year-old Air Force veteran from Old Bridge, New Jersey who spun his way to a Gold Pass… literally. His $10,000 prize came from winning a $0.50 Spin & Go he entered using a free ticket. 

Now Beyers is heading to Vegas for a second time (he’s been before on vacation), but this time it’s different. He’ll be focusing solely on poker this time around. 

Like many of poker’s heavy hitters today, Beyers’ journey began at Turning Stone Casino on his 18th birthday. Since leaving the military, he’s moved to New Jersey and began focusing on online tournaments, which he now plays a few nights a week.

Beyers recently earned a B.A. in Homeland Security and is now pursuing a career in law enforcement. 

SHANE BENJAMIN

Picture the scene. You’re feeling sleepy, just about ready to hit the hay, but you think ‘what the heck’ and fire up a quick, spontaneous $0.50 Spin & Go on PokerStars using a free ticket. Then a $10,000 Gold Pass flashes up as the first prize.

That’s what happened to Shane Benjamin, a 33-year-old finance professional from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Now he’s looking forward to a poker trip of a lifetime. “I couldn’t believe it. It took days to sink in,” he says.

Benjamin’s poker journey began in $5 home games with friends, which sparked an interest in studying poker strategy through online videos. Since then, he’s gradually advanced to small tournaments and $1/$2 no-limit games in the Philadelphia area. His proudest poker moment? Securing second place in an online tournament, which led him to the WSOP Mini Main Event.

Now, he’s gearing up for his next big moment: competing in the North American Poker Tour (NAPT), a dream he’s held since watching it online. “It will be really exciting to play,” he says.

Michael Bohmerwald

For Michael Bohmerwald, PokerStars’ presence in New Jersey not only provided some much-needed entertainment during the pandemic but has now led to a dream career change and a Gold Pass.

Bohmerwald grew up playing cards in his hometown of Westfield, New Jersey, but when online poker’s Black Friday hit in 2011, he stopped entirely, dedicating himself to his 15-year enterprise software sales career. It was a fulfilling pursuit, but the goal of playing poker professionally one day never left.

Together with his wife, two kids and their dog, he moved back to New Jersey in 2020 right before the COVID pandemic hit. “With nowhere to go and poker legal in New Jersey, I started getting back into the game,” he says. “In the past four years, I went from pure recreational to now being a professional poker player.”

The 38-year-old recently quit his job and now makes his living playing on PokerStars five to six days a week. He’s had great success in live poker, too, cashing the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event as well as winning an impressive four WSOP Circuit rings. 

Playing in a PokerStars event remains on his poker bucket list, but thanks to winning a NAPT Gold Pass through the Power Path, he’ll tick that off in November. “I’m excited to test out my game in the live fields more often,” he says. “I know PokerStars puts on a top-notch tournament series so I am really excited for the week.”

Bohmerwald won his Gold Pass by buying into a $100 Power Path step, then winning a seat in the $1,000 step final. “I am a big fan of satellites and Power Path is a great way to allow all bankrolls a chance to get into live events,” he says.

‘POORBOY75’

Winning a major tournament entry would be a dream come true for many of us. For 58-year-old “Poorboy75”, that dream has become a reality. Hailing from Vancouver, but now residing in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the manager of Training and QA recently secured a Gold Pass that will take him to Las Vegas for the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) in November.

His journey to this moment began with small steps – literally. Playing through the Power Path steps on PokerStars, he started with free Step 1 tickets, occasionally buying in for 50 cents or a dollar when necessary. His persistence paid off as he climbed through the steps, finally winning a Gold Pass in a dramatic final round.

“I started the tournament outside on my tablet, enjoying the evening with my cat, who is also my avatar on PokerStars. It was a gruelling four-hour game, filled with ups and downs,” he recalls.

Moving from the tranquillity of his backyard to the intensity of his basement, he faced fierce competition. “When it was down to the last four players, my heart was racing, and I had my nitro handy just in case,” he says in jest, referring to his heart medication.

The moment of victory was almost surreal. “I did a fist pump and told myself ‘well done’ before waking my wife to share the news. I told her, ‘We have a little problem; we have to figure out how we’re going to go to Vegas!’” 

This will be his first time competing in such a high-stakes event, and he is savouring every moment of anticipation. “It’s a bucket list moment for me,” he says. “Just playing on Day 1, soaking in the atmosphere, and chatting with other players is something I’ve always dreamed of.”

His passion for poker started decades ago, watching games in social clubs and card rooms. Eventually, he found himself playing in casinos in Washington State in the 1990s.

“I was fascinated by 7-card stud, and after getting the courage to sit down and play, I learned a lot from the old timers who had the patience to teach me, even as they took my money,” he says with a chuckle.

Over the years, he progressed from a poker novice to a competent player. Despite his competitive nature, he acknowledges, “I will never be a professional poker player. This is just about proving to myself that I can do something.”

Away from the poker table, his life has been devoted to work, family, and house projects. His career has centred around the bingo industry, from calling numbers to managing charity events, eventually leading him to his current role in electronic bingo. At home, you’ll mostly find him in his backyard, which he and his wife transformed into their “happy place,” complete with a gazebo and their beloved cat, Munchkin.

Now, with the NAPT on the horizon, he is ready to embrace the challenge and experience of a lifetime. His goal? “To make it to Day 2 and see what happens.” 

And who knows, maybe this underdog from Sault Ste. Marie will find himself in the spotlight once more. “It’s a big deal to me, and I know I may never have an opportunity like this again, so I’m just looking forward to the experience.”

KICE SOROOR

We always say that the PokerStars Power Path gives recreational players the chance to pursue their dreams. Kice Soroor knows a thing or two about that.

The 39-year-old from Toronto, Canada once lived a traditional life. He got married, worked a corporate job, and golfed at the weekends. But he’s made some tough decisions over the past six years, ending the relationship and leaving his job to chase his dream.

“For the last five years or so I’ve been roughing it, finding ways to survive while doing the job I love,” says Soroor. “I currently produce and write songs freelance for artists, as well as a record label. It’s honestly a wonderful journey. No one said it would be easy, it certainly isn’t, but I have my time and my peace. That’s good enough.”

When he was younger Soroor had a spell as a poker pro, and he clearly hasn’t forgotten how to play. He clinched his Vegas Gold Pass by battling his way through 525 opponents and winning a NAPT Freeroll on PokerStars. 

The funny thing? He didn’t even know the Pass was in the prize pool until he reached the final table.

“It was pretty wild. I assumed the winner was playing for a satellite into another tournament” he says. But when a friend – “newsworthy1” – informed him of what he was playing for, the nerves set in. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions but when it was all said and done, I was buzzing with energy.”

He’ll now need that energy in November when he’ll be visiting Las Vegas for the first time, joined by his best friend of 26 years. “We both turn 40 soon and we’ve never been away together, plus he’s also never been to Vegas. This is going to be an amazing trip.”

You can check out Soroor’s music here.

KYLE LORENZ

Let Kyle Lorenz be an inspiration to all of you who think you’re not good enough to win a package through an online satellite. 

He started playing online properly during the pandemic and has done well in the state of Pennsylvania, with several scores in the $20K-$30K range. But there’s one part of his game he admits he has neglected.

“I am extremely bad at satellites,” Lorenz tells us. “So it felt really good to luckbox my way into a package for Las Vegas.”

Lorenz did so by climbing the Power Path steps and winning a $10K Las Vegas Gold Pass. He might have had two packages had things gone his way a few weeks ago. “I recently bubbled a $1K satellite to the same event,” he says. “I had a big chip lead late at the final table but finished in third place.”

This time it was the opposite for Lorenz. He came into the FT short but “luckboxed” until he got the job done. “It was the only way I was going to get it done,” he says.

This will be Lorenz’s second time at NAPT Las Vegas thanks to an online package. “The NAPT event was great last year and I was able to bring my wife to the event at Zouk night club where we had a blast and got to meet a bunch of PS and NAPT ambassadors.  

“We also spun the wheel and won a ticket package to a great show in Vegas,” he says. “I’m hoping to have a similar experience this time as well and enjoy the time out there with my wife, Justine.  On top of that, it would be nice to ship the main event this time.”

BRIAN FRASCA

Brian Frasca was all set for a serious grind as he attempted to win a Gold Pass. He saved up a bunch of $100 Step 4 bullets and settled in for what could have been a long and expensive satellite session.

Then he went and won the $10,000 Gold Pass on his very first attempt. “It was awesome,” he tells us. “To get in on my first bullet in a $100 satellite was pretty incredible.”

Frasca is a 32-year-old Actuary from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania who started taking poker seriously around 2015, driving to a different state (New Jersey) just so he could play online poker. A couple of years later he broke through, chopping a $250 live event for $23K, then in 2021 his “proudest moment” came from a deep run in the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, finishing 78th for $81K.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the NAPT Main Event, but the entire series schedule looks great,” he says. “So I’m also looking forward to playing some of the other series events.”

SCOTT HAZE

As a former soccer player turned marathon runner, Scott Haze is used to going the distance. But it took something special for him to book his trip to Las Vegas.

The 37-year-old Senior Contracts Manager from Havertown, PA battled his way through more than 1,000 entries to win the Summer Stacks PA Main Event. On top of the title, he received a Gold Pass as a bonus.

“It’s definitely one of my biggest poker accomplishments,” he says. “The funny thing is that when I won it was late at night, my wife and kids were sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake them up so I didn’t even get the opportunity that night to burst out with any excitement. I was able to give my Dad a call and share the news with him which was nice.”

It’s a good thing he got the pass the way he did as Haze is yet to play Power Path, preferring cash games. “I only really play Main Events on PokerStars,” he says. “PLO has been my favorite game for the last 10 years.”

He started playing with friends in college and built an online bankroll throughout his schooling. These days, however, he can only find time for one or two sessions a week. “I try to fit in tournaments when I can, but the commitment for multiple 10-12 hour days is difficult with work and family commitments, especially when Day 2’s are typically on a Sunday,” he explains.

But now Haze will be heading to Las Vegas to battle in a live PokerStars Main Event. “I’m really looking forward to the amazing food, the NAPT main event, maybe some shows, and to visit the Sphere,” he says.

STEVE MATHEWS

Online poker satellites aren’t just a great way to play events you usually couldn’t or wouldn’t. They’re also a cost-effective way to travel.

Just ask Steve Mathews, a 37-year-old construction manager from Scarborough, Ontario – now living in Toronto. He won a package to the Irish Open on PokerStars earlier this year, and now he’s booked himself a trip to Las Vegas.

“It’s my first time going to Vegas,” he says. “I’m excited, especially for the value.”

If Mathews’ memory is correct, he took down his Gold Pass by spinning up a free $0.50 ticket. 

But it’s hard for him to remember as he’s been crushing the Power Path. “Definitely no more than a Step 3 $10 registration,” he says.

The NAPT will be Mathews’ maiden major live event. “I’ve never had success but I’ve always enjoyed the “skill game” aspect of poker,” he says. He’ll get to put his self-taught skills to the test in November. 

MORE ABOUT NAPT LAS VEGAS

It’s back! NAPT returns to Las Vegas in November

Are you the next Loose Cannon? The Big Game on Tour returns to NAPT Las Vegas in 2024

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