Exclusive Interview with Ed Whittington Publishing Director of Poker in the Park
11th August, 2009
Why have you chosen PKR as lead sponsors for Poker in the Park 2009? What do they provide over other potential poker sponsors?
PKR was our headline sponsor for 2008, and they are a great brand to work with. They have a unique innovative product and we had great feed back from the public last year. PKR also have a great relationship with their poker playing community, both at a grassroots and professional level. As supporters of the growing community spirit of grass root poker we are delighted to be in partnership with them.
How many people are you expecting to turn up to Poker in the Park this year and what will be the main attractions for visitors?
We are looking at attracting 10,000 poker enthusiasts to this year's event. There are a number of exciting attractions and something for all levels of poker interest. There will be the PKR Poker Dome, where a number of FREE Sit n Go Tournaments will run each hour hosted by a different Pub Poker League. The Unibet Lecture Tent will host a number of top pros including Jamie Gold, Peter Eastgate, Neil Channing, all of whom will deliver a unique lecture.
There will also be the Bluff Europe Heads-Up tent where players can pit their wits against each other on the PokerTek electronic Heads-Up tables in a chance to become the Poker in the Park Heads Up Champion and win their photo in Bluff Europe magazine.
Littlewoods Poker are bringing down Ian Frazer, Michael Greco and Tony Cascarino who will be providing hand analysis and tutition to anyone who fancies sitting down with them, even if its just to talk football or Eastenders.
There will also be a ton of merchandise available, from chips to t-shirts, courtesy of PokerShopUk. London Chess & Bridge will be selling a HUGE selection of poker books, hard to find editions, and author signed copies.
Each of the sponsors is inviting their players down for a great couple of days out, and the main UK poker leagues are inviting their player to play in their league tournaments. Besides that, Poker in the Park has teamed up with Nuts Magazine to invite their readers that have an interest in poker. Each year we run this event more and more people hear about it and come along!
Is the event free to attend and can visitors expect to participate in competitions and receive freebies?
The great thing about Poker in the Park is that it’s all FREE. (apart from all poker merchandise of course) Anyone is welcome to come and sit down and play some poker or listen to a pro speaker. Tournament winners in the PKR Poker Dome will receive trophies. Littlewoods Poker will be dishing out goodie bags for those that sign-up and play against their celebrity players.
Whilst PITP is clearly aimed at pros what do you aim to achieve from exposing new players to the game and industry and how many do you hope to get on board?
PITP is not just for pros. It’s for anyone with an interest in poker. That could mean you play online, in a pub league or just with your friends. This is an event that is aimed at the enthusiast. Whatever level you play at, this event is aimed at making poker more fun, exciting and enjoyable.
Alongside Poker in the Park, there is the Jamie Gold Foundation Charity Poker Tournament, being held in the Casino at the Empire on Thursday the 13th at 7:30 pm. It’s a £500 buy-in and the money goes to the Jamie Gold Foundation charity. Players who make the £500 donation get to play two world champions, Jamie Gold and Peter Eastgate, and vie for £20,000 in donated prizes. While £500 might be too rich an entry for some players, they can try their luck at one of the satellite tournaments running at the Empire in the lead up to the event. They are running £50 satellites all Thursday.
By Tom
