The first VIP Invitation Only Tournament took place on Saturday, June 2nd and Sunday, June 3rd. This event goes down in APC history as the first 2-Day Tournament, and the first to give away a $10,000 Seat into the World Series of Poker Event in Las Vegas!
To qualify you had to be a 1-year VIP Card Holder, and 134 players came out to play in the Main Event. The KTN Ballroom in Duluth was the perfect location to have such a large tournament and the Atlanta Poker Club provided food, desserts, and drinks for the first day of play!
There was anticipation and excitement as players took their seats. Facebook updates started almost immediately!
At every break players discussed hands and chips stacks and looked around to see who was left. By dinner break there were 82 players. By the time the first day of tournament play ended at around 10:30 p.m. there were 48 players left!
It was a long first day for some but the excitement kept the adrenalin flowing and players couldn’t wait for Day 2 to start!
Sinbad’s Feast in Johns Creek hosted the second day! By 6:00 p.m. there were 10 players left!
Final Table and Order of Finish:
10 – Sleepy Brown
9 – Jim Burns
8 – Brandt Wilkerson
7 – Mark Williams
6 – Jeff Doran
5 – Chong Lee
4 – Ken Doucet
3 – Daniel Griffiths
2 – Mark Vincent
and your winner –
SALLIE AVINO
Sallie had the option of taking $5,500 in cash or the $10,000 Seat in the World Series of Poker and the $1,000 travel expenses, and she has chosen to play in the Main Event! We wanted to know more about Sallie Avino.
How long have you lived in Atlanta?
Born in Atlanta. Have been married to Joe since 1976 and we have two boys – Chris is in Costa Rica and Daniel lives here in Atlanta.
How long have you played with the APC?
I think it was 2008. Chris started playing online poker in college and he wanted to talk about poker all the time. I had no interest in poker originally but took an interest to have conversations with Chris. I read about 10 books and Chris said I should start playing. Joe found out about the APC and thought it would be great to play together.
Do you continue to study the game?
Yes. I read the Dan Harrington series, “Harrington on Hold’em: Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments” because I’m comfortable with that style of play. Also, books by David Sklansky, Daniel Negreanu, and Gus Hansen, and also a book on tells. I also read cutting edge things as the young players are giving it a different dynamic and I read the books that online players write. I also go on coaching sites and watch the downloads and forums where there are poker discussions.
What style would you call your game?
Tight Aggressive…I play a very limited range of hands in certain positions and will play them hard. I am aggressive in the right spots and able to lay down a hand in a bad spot.
How have you changed your game over the years?
I’m more comfortable with tournament play and have opened up my range of hands.
What was your impression of the first ever VIP Tournament?
I loved the venue as it was classy and spacious…very exciting and a photographer running around…and it was run just as smooth as glass. I’ve played at tournaments in Las Vegas at the Venetian and Caesar’s and our VIP tournament was carefully planned and ran perfectly.
How did you feel during the tournament at different levels?
I was very fortunate. Folded queens in a bad spot, hit a set of 2s and 3s and got paid. My stack went to 20,000 to 32,000 to 66,000 to 88,000 to 129,000 at end of first day. Went very well and I didn’t take many hits.
Have you ever played in a WSOP circuit event?
No. But have played in the Venetian Deep Stack in Las Vegas. I’ve also played tournaments in Biloxi and in Tunica.
What are you expecting at the WSOP $10,000 tournament?
I’m expecting a lot of aggressive play. I will play the hands and positions that I like and hope that they hold up. Small pots at first and if I hit a set I’m not folding! This is an adventure for me. A freeroll because Joe bought my VIP membership as a gift. Anybody that takes the game of poker seriously…then this is the dream of a lifetime and thanks to Spry and the APC for thinking this game up!
I also want to say that anybody who plays for the APC and does not invest in the VIP Membership doesn’t have any faith in their own game or their ability to improve their game.
Sallie Avino will make the Atlanta Poker Club proud at the $10,000 World Series Of Poker Main Event! Sallie is a great lady at the tables and we will be watching and waiting for updates. With her skill and just a little luck…
