Sometimes taking the plunge is the only way to win, as diving instructor Martyn Sands discovered after his success at the prestigious World Series of Poker 2008 less than three months after his first online Titan Poker game.
It’s not every day that a diving instructor can look a real-life shark in the eye and live to tell the story. Nor is it likely that a beginner wins seats to the world’s most prestigious live poker tournament less than a month after his very first online hand. But that’s exactly what diving instructor and poker new-comer Martyn Sands did this July when he represented Titan Poker, the largest online poker room on the iPoker Network at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2008 in Las Vegas.
His first brush with online poker in March 2008 was all it took. The British-born instructor was off and diving headfirst into the challenge. Eager to better his game, the Greek resident played up to four hours a day, five times a week, with no lose or win limit in sight. Natural talent and sheer determination paid off sooner than expected. Just weeks after joining Titan Poker, Martyn shot to number one at Titan Poker’s March WSOP 2008 Super Satellite and found himself en route to his first live tournament in Las Vegas.
The underwater diving instructor took to the WSOP Main Event tables in Las Vegas like a fish to water. Up against an international line-up of table veterans and well-renowned poker sharks, he remained unshaken as he put his three-month-old poker skills to the test and came out a winner. Out of the 6,844 hopefuls who attended the series, the Titan Poker player finished 577th place at the Main Event, and added $23,160 prize winnings to his bank account.
Keeping calm and showing no fear is the first step to winning, according to the well-seasoned diver. Attributing his success to”75% skill and 25% luck”, the Titan Poker player also highlighted the important psychological aspects of the game. Cultivating an ability to read other players’ tells is vital, as is developing an impassable ‘poker face’ to disarm opponents. For online tournaments, “speed and the amount of the beat are good indicators of players’ tells” advises the WSOP prize winner. But ultimately, the only way to learn is to jump right in and play.
Martyn was not alone on the big day. Fellow Titan Poker player and Mediterranean resident Alberto Andres Font Rytzner from Spain also finished in the money in 441st place at the WSOP. And there are more chances at Poker fame and fortune to come as Titan Poker sends 9 more hopefuls to the APT Macau this August.
About Titan Poker
Titan Poker is the leading online poker room in Europe and part of the iPoker Network. Titan Poker’s software was developed by Playtech, a public company and leading gaming software developer. Titan Poker guarantees more than $16,000,000 in monthly prizes, has nearly 30,000 online players at peak hours, and awards winning players with entries to the major poker tournaments worldwide. Titan Poker features special jackpot sit ‘n’ go tournaments with progressive prizes and jackpots as high as $100,000. Titan Poker is exclusively promoted by Euro Partners, the world’s largest e-gaming affiliate program. For more information about Titan Poker please visit www.titanpoker.com.
Upcoming Poker Events for Week of July 20, 2008:
$250,000 Guaranteed
Sunday, July 20, 2008, at 19:00 GMT+1
Buy-ins = $200 + $15
Satellites available.
Win part of a huge guaranteed prize pool for an amazingly low buy-in!
Irish Winter Festival Super Satellite
Sunday, July 20, 2008, at 20:00 GMT +1
Buy-ins = $200 + $15
Satellites available.
$4,500 Prize Package includes entry to the Main Event in October, a private party at the Guinness brewery and four nights in Dublin.
Win a seat at an amazing tournament in Dublin this winter!
APT Macau Super Satellite
Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 22:00 GMT +1
Buy-ins = $300 + $20
Satellites from $1.10 + $0.10
$9,000 Prize Package includes entry to the Asian Poker Tour Main Event in Macau in August.
This is your chance to win a seat to play poker in the gambling capital of the Far East. $1,500,000 is guaranteed in prizes!
Irish Winter Festival Super Satellite R/A
Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 21:55 GMT +1
Buy-ins = $50 + $5
Re-buys and Add-on available.
Satellites available.
$4,500 Prize Package includes entry to the Main Event in October, a private party at the Guinness brewery and four nights in Dublin.
Win a seat at an amazing tournament in Dublin this winter!
APT Macau Super Satellite R/A
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 21:05 GMT +1
Buy-ins = $80 + $8
1 Re-buy and Add-on available.
Satellites available.
$9,000 Prize Package includes entry to the Asian Poker Tour Main Event in Macau in August.
This is your chance to win a seat to play poker in the gambling capital of the Far East. $1,500,000 is guaranteed in prizes!
Pick Your GUKPT Super Satellite
Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 20:05 GMT +1
Buy-ins = $100 + $9
Satellites available
$4,000 Prize Package includes entry to the Grosvenor United Kingdom Poker Tour Main Event of the player’s choice, starting in August.
Play in one of the top poker tournaments in the United Kingdom = you win, you choose the tournament!
Sun City $Million Super Satellite
Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 20:05 GMT +1
Buy-ins = $300 + $20
Satellites available.
$10,500 Prize Package includes entry to the Main Event in Sun City, South Africa, in September, spa, gold and safari extras.
Play poker in Africa’s biggest poker tournament ever with $1,000,000 in guaranteed prizes.
New Promotions:
July Challenge
Titan Poker
July 20-23, 2008
VIP Players (Silver and up)
Players are invited to earn Points this week in order to gain entry to one or more exciting satellite tournaments.
Generate 3000+ Points during the promotion = entry to both the $2,500,000 Challenge Satellite and the APT Macau Challenge Satellite
Generate 1000-2999 Points during the promotion = entry to the APT Macau Challenge Satellite.
The $2,500,000 Challenge Satellite will be staged on July 25, 2008 at 18:00 GMT +1 and will award 5 X $2,500,000 Guaranteed seats ($1580 value each)
The APT Macau Challenge Satellite will be staged on July 25, 2008 at 21:30 GMT +1 and will award 15 X APT Macau Super Satellite seats ($320 value each)
Full Details:
http://www.titanpoker.com/july_challenge.html
New Depositors
Titan Poker
All new depositors receive a tournament token entry, and they can choose which of five weekly New Depositors tournaments to join.
The winner of each New Depositors tournament will be able to choose a $600 digital electronic gift, or he can choose to upgrade his prize.
* If the player earns 3,000 Points within 30 days of his tournament victory, he will win a Play Station 3!
* If the player earns 20,000 Points within 30 days of his tournament victory, he will win a Sony Vaio Laptop!
* If the player earns 25,000 Points within 30 days of his tournament victory, he will receive $2000 cash!
Players will be contacted by the VIP Department and be asked to select their choice of gift.
Win the electronic product of your choice!
Full Details:
http://www.titanpoker.com/first_deposit.html
New Players
Titan Poker and TonyGPoker
July 22-28 2008
Targeting: first depositors and Instant Bankroll/quiz bonus players from May-June.
Players must generate at least 500 Points to be eligible for special New Players Freeroll tournaments on July 31.
Targeted players will be contacted.
VIP Loyalty Race
Titan Poker
Open to all VIP players, Silver and up
July 24-29, 2008
$20,000 in prizes
First prize will be a $9,000 APT Macau package.
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