The PokerStars UK and Ireland Poker Tour has just finished its biggest event, the one in London. Before that, the UKIPT was at the Isle of Man. The UKIPT Isle of Man was hosted for a second consecutive year and successfully combined games of chess and poker in its timetable.
What made this UKIPT event attractive in its unique way was that players who joined the event were eager to show their expertise in both games. Jennifer Shahade has recently shared her insight on the Isle of Man event.
Chess players such as Peter Svidler, Julio Zuniga, Mickey Adams, Baard Dahl, Nigel Short and other joined the event. On the other hand, poker pros like Mikey Peterson, Dungan McLellan and Ike Haxton represented the poker guild.
The PokerStars Mind Sports Ambassador joined the event as well. Ms. Shahade also joined another bonus tournament – a special six-hand chess and poker tourney. She explained that being a Mind Sports Ambassador is a position which brings additional responsibilities and requires deep motivation and love for the sports. She joined the event early on the first day with a speech how businesses, poker and chess are intertwined and interdependent. After the speech she participated in the six-player mini tourney together with Ike Haxton and Michey Petersen, who are among Jennifer’s favorite poker players.
The Isle of Man UKIPT began with an 8k chip guarantee at the start with another 5k in bonus chips, which could be won from the chess games. Even those poker players who had never played competitive chess games took part in a few, as they were aware that even if they lost all their chess games, they would not go below 1/5 of the average chip stacks.
The audience was amazed by the sportsmanship and positive behavior between poker and chess players. It was a little surprise, though, when Baard Dahl managed to win against Grandmaster Mark Hebden in a one versus one match. Many say that the Isle of Man event was as if made for Baard Dahl. He is a Manager for Sit’n’Go of PokerStars and in the past has played poker professionally. He admits that he has been a long-time fan of chess as well.
Due to the big popularity that the Isle of Man UKIPT event achieved, it is very possible that the UKIPT management decide to add such type of events to its agenda on a regular basis. The guests of the event shared that there is a strong connection and resemblance between the two sports. For example, in both poker and chess, strategy and mind games play a crucial role in establishing an advantage over one’s opponent.
Ms. Shahade shared that after hearing of the success of the event over social media, “Vicky Coren and Chris Moneymaker of Team Pro said they wish they had played.“
