Catching up with Festival of Poker Freeroll Qualifier Adam Kipnis

Adam Kipnis (pictured) is attracted to the L.A. Poker Classic series of poker tournaments at Commerce Casino by the variety of mixed games that are mixed into the schedule of 60 events. “I love the mix of events. I’m more of a mixed-game player, so all of the H.O.R.S.E. events and Omaha 8/OB, dealer’s choice; I love having a variety of games to play. It helps get rid of the monotony of hold’em,” said Kipnis.

Kipnis did so well in those events that he earned his way into the WPT Main Event here at Commerce Casino as one of three Festival of Poker freeroll qualifiers. Players earned points by participating in preliminary events during the tournament series, and the top 100 players on the leaderboard gained a spot in the freeroll. In addition to a cash in 45th place in a no-limit hold’em prelim, Kipnis also cashed in three H.O.R.S.E. events, and a Stud Triple-Draw event dating back to January 17 to qualify in that freeroll.

The Northridge, California resident was cruising along on Day 1, but ran into some trouble late. “I spewed off about 17,000 on a bluff, so a little bit of a down-tick right now, but still above average – not too bad,” said Kipnis about his setback. However, he is excited to play in his first WPT Main Event, and he had a certain strategy mind that will have to change with a shorter chip stack. “Before that big pot, it was to play until eight, and just wait for my spots and hopefully wait for others to make mistakes,” said Kipnis about his initial plan. Kipnis currently holds 17,000 early on Day 2, and he is seated at the same table with WPT Commentator Mike Sexton, and Hublot WPT Player of the Year contender James Romero.