After playing poker only a few times before entering leagues, Greg Anderson took the game all the way to the Bahamas.
After participating in a Minnesota Poker league in Hewitt, Anderson advanced to regionals, state and finally to the Bahamas, where he competed with some professional poker players. He met some of the professionals, like Greg Raymer, and played some hands with professional Aaron Kanter.
As he competed in the levels, he didnt win money, only the chance to advance to the next level and the chance for the grand prize. In winning the state championship, he earned his hotel stay, flight and entry fee to the poker tournment in the Bahamas. At Bahamas he had the chance to win $1.3 million, but he wasnt able to stay in the game long enough to win any money.
After returning from the Bahamas, and participating in other tournaments, Anderson is advancing to state again. Recently, he received first place in a 10-week Minnesota Poker League competition at the Stampede in Hewitt, which means he will be able to compete in the state competition May 6. He also won first place at the Parkers Sports Lounge in Staples in a four-week Minnesota Poker League championship contest.
Anderson had played poker just a few times with his family, and then he heard about the poker league and decided to try it.
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He plays for the pure fun of the game.
I just like to play it, he said. Its a challenge.
He had never expected to advance all the way to the Bahamas.
My goal was to get in the top 20 percent at Hewitt, he said.
He cant predict how far hell make it in state. His goal is to be in a top percentage at state.
Currently, he tries his hand at poker about two nights a week in Minnesota Poker League competitions. He participates mainly in leagues at the Elks Lodge in Wadena and in the Stampede at Hewitt. Sometimes hell play at the Parkers Sports Lounge in Staples or at Thumper Pond in Ottertail.
In the Minnesota Poker League local competitions, players dont pay entry fees and just play for fun and the chance to advance to the next level. Minnesota Poker League competitions are held at a variety of places in the surrounding area. A complete listing and more league information is found on the Web site at www.mnpokerleague.com .
Anderson sees increasing numbers of people at the local sites. Average league nights bring about 40 people to Hewitt, and the Wadena Elks averages about 77 people.
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For a person to do well, he or she needs to play smart and have luck, Anderson said.
Luck can help even the inexperienced play a good game, he said.
Because of the luck factor, it can be real easy to do well, he said, If you dont have good cards, you wont do well, no matter how well you play, he said.
Anderson wears a red hat to bring him more luck.
I tried some other hats, but they didnt do very well, so I have to wear my red hat, he said.
Anderson describes his playing style as playing tight and playing only the good hands.
He admits to having some unlucky days, but with a 10-week league, a few bad nights wont affect a persons score too much, Anderson said.
Many of the league competitions are 10 weeks long. Participants scores increase each night they participate in the 10-week grouping.
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All in all, Anderson finds enjoyment in the cards.
Its really friendly people, he said. A few take it real seriously, but mainly everyone is there to have fun.
