Saturday, October 31, 2009 - 7tempeheat7
It’s been just over two years now since I made my first deposit on UB. After 25 months of blood, sweat, and carpal tunnel (there’s no crying in poker unless you have 11 bracelets), I can definitely say it has been a wild, fulfilling ride. Looking back, I don’t regret much at all. Sure there are the bluffs you wish you hadn’t fired, the thin value bets that went horribly wrong, the spazzes, the blowups, the monkeytilt headsup matches, the awesomely bad misclicks, and of course that 7deuce pot where your three-barrel overbet shove just didn’t do the trick. What I’ve found at UB hasn’t just been another site to kill time on, a substitute for late night TV, or a way to scrape up tuition money – I’ve found a lifelong hobby, a passion for what I do, a family, and more opportunity than I know what to do with.
In my time on UB I’ve been fortunate enough to experience more than most 22-year-olds could even imagine. To begin, I doubt many people my age can say they’ve lost a semester’s tuition to Phil Hellmuth in golf. Watching Phil sweat out a $600 putt in Aruba (he had been playing for $10k a hole the day before) was one of the more memorable moments of my life. Also atop my list of memories is a guitar lesson that I got from the one and only Scott Ian. For a handful of UltimatePoints I was able to make a trip to LA to learn from one of the greatest metal rhythm guitarists of all time. Being a bit of a metalhead myself, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly overwhelmed. Sitting three feet from greatness is a feeling unmatched by much else.
During that same LA trip, I received a phone call from the UB VIP team, informing me that they had two tickets available for a masquerade party at the Playboy Mansion. Obviously I snapcalled since the Mansion is a 22-year-old male’s playground and now it’s been checked off the bucket list (twice). As much fun as it was, I’d still say the best part was watching my buddies back home via Skype play a beer pong tournament to decide who got to come with. There were a lot of sore losers but I guess that’s standard when the payoff includes this:
I could easily write for days about all the amazing adventures I’ve had with the people I’ve met on this site, so I’ll just stick with what’s freshly in my mind – Aruba! This year was my second trip to the wonderful little island that houses the best poker experience shy of the World Series, imo. The tournament itself doesn’t match the prize pools garnered by the biggest ones out there, however the event as a whole is incredible, unforgettable, and you can use a thesaurus to figure out the rest. Although I’ve never gotten farther than a few orbits into day two of the main, I’ve had such amazingly rich experiences after busting out that money has always been a complete afterthought in Aruba. Some people do visit the island to make some cash, but I’ve found that for the most part everyone is really just there to party.
This year I was able to participate in the Mercedes tournament, where an ML350 was on the line at a 10 person sit-n-go. My arch-nemesis P0ker H0 agreed on a last longer bet where the loser would have to paint his fingers and toes alternating pink and black for the rest of the trip. Things were looking great as I chipped up early by coolering Shawn Rice and successfully bluffshoving 8 high against one of the toughest players at the table. But of course, like the pest that he is, H0 kept his stack right there with mine, and he eventually took the chip lead by whatever cruel stroke of fate the poker gods deemed necessary for me at the time. Halfway through the tournament we found ourselves five-handed with quickly escalating blinds. H0 opened under the gun, a shortstack shoved for about twice his bet, I peeled AJss and reshoved to iso the shorty, but H0 had AK and snapcalled (luckbox!). After flopping the gin 882ss I figured I was guaranteed at least a chop since I run well. Unfortunately I forgot that if there’s anyone in the world who runs better than me, it’s H0, so when it ran out king-blank I was off to the salon to get my nails did. However brutal, I did find it fitting to be knocked out by the guy who I was wearing a T-shirt of.
I could keep telling stories but I see some juicy tables running so I’ll make these quick.
Although it was probably equal parts my fault, getting a full drink spilled on you by Scott Ian at Hellmuth’s penthouse party is totally worth it, imo.
Adam Levy ladies and gentlemen.
AD, the hardest working man in VIP-business.
This one’s from ‘08. I’m the “robe guy” if you didn’t already know.
Scuba diving next to an old sunken Air Aruba plane (pretty unreal).
And lastly, it wouldn’t be an Aruba party without Phil in the pool.
Poker has taught me a ton of valuable lessons – work ethic, the will to learn and improve, discipline, perseverance, other buzz words, etc. Aruba has taught me even more – the importance of friends, family, relaxation, valuing the connections you make with others and time spent with them even if you only see them once a year, new experiences, putting yourself out there, and simply having fun. That last one is one of the biggest reasons why I’ve been drawn to the UB poker community over any other site. If you take the time to visit Aruba or hang out in Vegas for the WSOP, you’ll see what I’m talking about. Hope to meet as many of you as possible in Aruba next year – I’ll probably be the kid wearing the robe.
Tags: adventures, bluff, experiences, Mercedes, metal, playboy mansion, Poker Poker Poker, ultimatebet, VIP
Comments (1)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - Victor
Players just wrapped their stuff and now heading back home for a well deserved REST after the amazing experience lived in Aruba. I was not there, but I can tell that a great Team represented our VIP cause Live from Aruba. Lots of our players came back to us via email, chat and phone expressing their gratitude to us and sharing some highlights about the great Loyalty Service they received; plenty of entertainment , relaxation and friendly support.
I was just thinking, that’s the real thing about being VIP you are always going to have a friend backing you up for anything you need. Aruba, that’s the VIP scenario you all shared.
In the name of our VIP Team we want to congratulate the Organizers involved in the logistics of our 2009 Aruba Poker Classic Tournament. A complete success!!! Everybody is now on their way back home with lots of new amazing stories to tell. Congratulations to the Winners, a well deserved prize.
See you in Aruba 2010!
Tags: Aruba 2009, family, loyalty, Rewards, stories, success, team, VIP
Comments (0)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - Fabio
Right now here in Costa Rica it’s raining a lot and it looks like it will never stop, meanwhile, sunny and beautiful Aruba is heating up the tables and the best live Poker it’s going on. Why am I comparing both places? Not sure… Costa Rica is the one I can refer to and actually, I just wanted you to picture the great time many poker players are enjoying over there.
Just a couple of days ago, my coworkers: Andrea, Mia and David were working around the clock to prepare everything for you and today it is a REALITY. I bet they are having a great time with you guys learning about your poker strategy and of course cheering you up while the game is on.
But, do you know what the most important thing is for them?
Well, that they are finally meeting face to face all those players that not only contact the VIP Department from time to time, but that have become important assets for our operation and of course our lives.
Certainly we do get to know you guys over the phone or chat, but you might agree with me, there is nothing like the “live” contact. Actually this is the main purpose of taking part of the VIP team over there. We want you to stop by and say hi!
As you know, the poker business and important events like the Aruba Poker Classic Tournament are built based on what you guys like and need and what a better way of keep building this empire than hearing what do you have to say. Oh yeah, you can talk about any other thing, too.
Many of you might have already met these guys and if you haven’t make sure to put it on your “Things I must do in Aruba” list. They are just great and have prepared many things for you.
Does the RAI$E Booth or the awesome ICON lounge tells you something? Yeah, I know you are enjoying all these perks and just FYI; you will be able to find the VIP ambassadors over there, too.
Its Wednesday, it’s the 3rd day of playing. The Welcome Party was a blast and many but many things are coming. I just wish you the best of luck and the best time.
Here in rainy but still beautiful Costa Rica, we will be anxiously waiting for great news, pictures and EPIC stories. I bet Andrea, Mia and David will have some… 
Tags: Aruba, Aruba Poker Classic, Costa Rica, Icon, Poker Poker Poker, raise, VIP
Comments (0)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - Vincent
Like Ultimate Bet, Poker here in Costa Rica is HOT and all of us (the VIP Hosts) are attending to some poker tourneys at some parties and on several Casinos from around here; however, it is a shame we do not have such extraordinary tourneys over here than the ones offered at the UB Website. My favorite one is the Mercedes Giveaway!
Why? Right now I am getting my driver’s license and playing some poker games in order to save as much money as possible to buy a Mercedes. Of course it would have been a lot easier if the poker games from around here would’ve offer a hot, beautiful and gorgeous Mercedes ML-350 like the one that it is currently offered at our website.
Can you imagine yourself seating on that soft, comfortable and perfectly designed leather driver’s seat? OH MY GOD! And then calling your buddies or arriving at any place on such a majestic piece of art which is this breath-taking beautiful car. And then hear your buddies say to you:
“Hey man.. How come you were able to afford such cool car?”
And then you respond to that all cocky:
“The magic of POKER!!!” Hehe
I can imagine myself going to the beach with the music really loud, driving to the horizon, drinking a refreshing piña colada (without alcohol.. remember that I am driving.. lol) and talking non-sense with my buddies in order to shorten the travel time and be able to arrive to the hotel and go to the beach in time to get the coolest waves in Guanacaste. That would be totally awesome and you guys as Ultimate Bet’s players have the chance of taking home this extraordinary car. How fortunate each one of you are, I would definitely love being able to take part of this giveaway if I were you.
http://www.ultimatebet.com/poker-promotion/mercedes-giveaway
I wondering right now who is going to become the owner and take home this beautiful Mercedes by winning this exclusive Giveaway!
I wish you the best of luck for you all!
Tags: Hot, luck, majestic, Mercedes Giveaway, Party, Poker Poker Poker, VIP, wheels
Comments (0)
Saturday, August 29, 2009 - Brandon Cantu
Prior to signing my sponsorship deal and joining an elite group of pros on Team UB, I had played some online poker. My play was quite irregular, consumed basically with Sunday tournaments and random cash games here and there. I have become known as a live player rather than an online one. However, since signing on with UltimateBet and post WSOP, I have really begun to dig into online poker and cash games much more.
At first, I was playing at my personal $5-$10 table on UB. I realized I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. I was coming off live play all summer at the WSOP. I had some less than stellar sessions, to say the least. I dug down, I refocused and began with some $2-$4 NL tables and started grinding; 5 tabling. What I found was that I was actually enjoying playing online for 10 hours a day. Not to mention, I was playing great. I was getting cards and I was winning. I moved back up to $5-$10 NL tables and still had success. This was about the time that I found some great heads up games. I have noticed since I started playing a ton on UB, heads up games have been the most profitable for me.
I have had some pretty decent online tournament results as well. In early August, I final tabled a UB $120.00 buy-in. I was just getting warmed up for the month and finished 5th for $2000. Things were progressing nicely. On August 16, I was playing the Sunday $500.00 buy-in with a $100k GTD. One particular hand in this tournament has gained notoriety within the Pocket Fives forums. This hand was actually a huge point of the tournament for me as well; a tournament that I went on to win for $36,000.00 and beat out PSMONEY heads up. The aforementioned “misclick” truly did take place and it gave me the energy I needed to close this one out. Lots of people like to say that I “run like god” and either get extremely lucky or blow up with terrible plays. For as many fortunate situations that have rolled my way, an even greater amount of detrimental rolls have come my way. Below, you will find the PocketFives discussion:
http://www.pocketfives.com/poker-forums/7/pretty-sick-misclick-on-ft-of-100k-by-brandoncantu-4586074
I’m watching the FT and this happens. They were playing each other pretty hard. I have no idea if it really was a misclick, there was a pretty good pause before the call.
Stage #1835606603 Tourney ID 4539058 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit 4,000 – 2009-08-16 21:13:14 (ET)
Table: 24 (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 4 – WAMMERMOUTH (106,719 in chips)
Seat 5 – BRANDONCANTU (275,282 in chips)
Seat 6 – BLEWJOB (202,157 in chips)
Seat 7 – POCKETSET444 (104,229 in chips)
Seat 8 – PSMONEY (74,995 in chips)
Seat 9 – XWYWROTX (88,618 in chips)
WAMMERMOUTH – Ante 400
BRANDONCANTU – Ante 400
BLEWJOB – Ante 400
POCKETSET444 – Ante 400
PSMONEY – Ante 400
XWYWROTX – Ante 400
BRANDONCANTU – Posts small blind 2,000
BLEWJOB – Posts big blind 4,000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
POCKETSET444 – Folds
PSMONEY – Folds
XWYWROTX – Folds
WAMMERMOUTH – Folds
BRANDONCANTU – Raises 99,999 to 101,999
BLEWJOB – All-In(Raise) 197,757 to 201,757
BRANDONCANTU – Calls 99,758
*** FLOP *** [10d 8h 10s]
*** TURN *** [10d 8h 10s] [Ac]
*** RIVER *** [10d 8h 10s Ac] [10c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BRANDONCANTU – Shows [Jd 8d] (Full house, tens full of eights)
BLEWJOB – Shows [Qh Kc] (Three of a kind, tens)
BRANDONCANTU Collects 405,914 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot(405,914)
Board [10d 8h 10s Ac 10c]
Seat 4: WAMMERMOUTH (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 5: BRANDONCANTU (small blind) won Total (405,914) HI:(405,914) with Full house, tens full of eights [Jd 8d - B:10s,B:10d,B:10c,B:8h,P:8d]
Seat 6: BLEWJOB (big blind) HI:lost with Three of a kind, tens [Qh Kc - B:10s,B:10d,B:10c,B:Ac,P:Kc] Seat 7: POCKETSET444 Folded on the POCKET CARDS Seat 8: PSMONEY Folded on the POCKET CARDS Seat 9: XWYWROTX Folded on the POCKET CARDS
The chat:
BRANDONCANTU: misclick
BLEWJOB: fml
<< Result for Hand 1835606603 >>
XWYWROTX: lol
BRANDONCANTU wins (405,914) with (Full house, tens full of eights).
XWYWROTX: misclick ftw
Player BLEWJOB has finished the tournament in # 6 place.
PSMONEY: jesus
BRANDONCANTU: OMG
WAMMERMOUTH: wow
BRANDONCANTU: whata misclick
XWYWROTX: haha
XWYWROTX: so sick
WAMMERMOUTH: obvious misclick but damn it worked well
<< Result for Hand 1835608931 >>
Two days after the $100k GTD win, I was playing a VIP 45 Seat tournament. I had a bounty on my head and I was about to make the VIP players earn it. I got off to a slow start as I wasn’t really picking up any hands. I was also playing some other cash games at the time. I then made some plays, doubled up and was moving. I got real focused real fast. I ended up finishing 4th which netted me $400.00. The final table had some really good players. I watched the remainder of the tournament and NIGHTMAREFIS ended up outlasting DONKINITUP, who each took home $1,200.00 and $800.00 respectfully. I must say, these VIP 45 Seat tournaments are a good time.
Mentally, the last few months being a member of Team UB, has improved my game. I feel so comfortable logging into the UltimateBet client, it continues to feel like a home game for me. I am so relaxed and focused. I have easily played the best online poker of my life since joining UltimateBet. I am going to keep working on my online game to improve even more but I cannot lose focus of my live playing goals for the remainder of 2009.
Good luck everyone with all the upcoming travels and tournaments. See you on the road. Look for me playing on UltimateBet.com at both my $5-$10 NL 6-handed and $5-$10 NLHU tables.
Brandon Cantu
Tags: Brandon Cantu, cash games, Online Poker, Team UB, ub, Ultimate Bet, VIP, WSOP
Comments (0)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - Mia
Well you might just get those two wishes granted in the next Scott Ian’s Home Game. Can you believe that the some of the VIP Hosts will be lucky enough to get in touch with some of these rock starts so we can get them ready for the event?
Unfortunately we don’t get to play with them, but you guys can. We have a special VIP only event that will play on August 19th at 16:00 ET that will get one of you to the Home game. No need to worry, we will email you soon with all the details on how to get in it.
For those of you that like that rush of the chase, we have daily satellites as well. But if you really like to go straight to the point for a mere 10,000 Ultimate Points you will participate for 10 seats to the Home Game.
So load your playlists with rock’s greatest hits and get ready to actually play with these rock legends:
Scott Ian – Anthrax
Kirk Hammett – Rock Legend
Jerry Cantrell – Alice in Chains
Vinnie Paul – Pantera
Greg Tribbett – Mudvayne
Remember this is a one in a life time opportunity and that not many people can brag about. Imagine yourself the day after the event when one of your buddies asks: “So, what did you do yesterday?”
Just imagine saying: “Well I played a poker tourney, knocked out a bunch of rock stars and poker pros and became friends with them!”
And don’t you worry; we have the hand history to prove it!
Tags: brag, legends, poker pro, RAI$E, Rock Stars, rush, Scott Ian, VIP
Comments (2)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 - Victor
I have always asked this question to myself and yes, I think it’s true. Reasons why:
- Some jag shots in will make you fearless.
- Bluffing comes naturally out and you shine as the best bluffer in the table.
- You will scream 3 times louder than usual.
- Stress is out and poker becomes the best game around.
- The feeling is as similar as riding a rollercoaster.
- At the end of the game, if you win… you are going to think you are as good as Hellmuth.
- If you lose…
I am being honest with all of you, I made a test and it worked and I am sure you all have gone through it as well: Correct me if I am wrong.
For example, I found the following statement: “You can get effervescent, easier and relaxed. You can talk more easily and feel less tired.” Good point, don’t you think?
That is one of the reasons why it could be a good way to win pots. However, I am not inducing anyone on applying these kinds of practices; I mean, just play responsibly and enjoy the ride. It is my perspective of how a lot of emotions can be mixed at a live poker game with your buddies. That’s poker: Excitement!
So, what’s the plan? Are you going to have a drink or not? Haha…I am just kidding. Look I want to say that we got some hot boiling promos running for Aruba… If you win any of our packages get ready to receive the best VIP Treatment around because we are going to treat you all as Kings and Queens over there.
I do not want to disclose further details about what is going to happen, but I can assure you, it will be unique! Get ready for Aruba; once you win the package, hell yeah! and as for the drinks, food and pleasure, don’t worry that will run on us.
Finally, which strategy will you apply? A couple of drinks in front of your computer or a VIP Cocktail in Aruba and be eligible for more than $1M?
End of my brief intervention. Hit it!
Cheers!
Tags: Aruba, excitement, fearless poker, Hellmuth, Kings and Queens, VIP
Comments (1)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - HollywoodDave
Is that all you got, UB?? Last week, I sent out an email challenging all our Legends and Icons to try and take me down in a special VIP tourney. To entice you further, UB threw in a $4k prizepool for the final table. And if THAT wasn’t enough, they put a $400 tourney dollar bounty on my head, just to make sure that I’d get called down every time I decided to put money in the middle. So…. what happened???!
I won the damn thing, that’s what! You put up a helluva fight, but at the end of the day, I guess I’ll just have to spend all this 1st place freeroll money myself. Play some tournaments with the TD’s. And try and figure out the next challenge I’ll issue, since this one clearly didn’t go your way. Maybe a blackjack tournament for some more cash? Hmmm…. I’ll figure it out and get back to ya. In the meantime… thanks for the money, boys! lol
In other news, Aruba is right around the corner and I am knee-deep in figuring out travel plans… most importantly, where I’m gonna stay while spending 2 weeks in the sun. Yeah, i know the official poker events only last a week, but HD ain’t goin all the way to Aruba without spending some serious time maxin’ and relaxin’…
Usually the Radisson treats us all so well, but the past year or 2 I’ve found some awesome deals online renting people’s timeshare suites in the adjacent highrises. Last year, for instance, I found a sick one bedroom suite at the Occidental (next door to the Radisson) with 2 gorgeous ocean-front balcony views for about a grand a week. Not bad, plenty of room to stretch out and party, and still close enough for me to walk to my poker seating assignment within 5 minutes!
This time around I think the party’s gonna be bigger and badder than ever — its UB’s tenth anniversary, bitches! And that means pulling out all the stops, so I am on the hunt for a serious party suite. Hellmuth may have Radisson penthouse locked up, but HD is gonna need someplace swank for the afterhours HORSE games that I have planned… be on the lookout!
OK rockstars, i’m out. And if anyone has any good ideas for yet ANOTHER VIP tourney, let me know. Nothing I’d love more than to pwn you all the next time, too…
-hd.
Tags: Aruba, Hollywood Dave, Phil Hellmuth, Poker Poker Poker, poker tournaments, ub, VIP
Comments (1)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - Fabio
I know the WSOP hasn’t finished, yet and we will definitely have more to share with you about this event in upcoming blogs. I mean, this was the first year the VIP team was there and rumor has it they had a blast with you guys, so why not to share it with all the UB family. My suggestion is: Keep checking the blog!
However, on this occasion I just wanted to write about something I know you guys care a lot: The Aruba Poker Classic 2009.
We all know for a fact that this event is already important within the poker community, but I have to tell you that everyone over here is working really hard, so only good and remarkable things can be expected for this year’s event. UB already had an empire at the WSOP and I am sure we will have a bigger and better one at Aruba.
You know what is the best thing about this event? Well, that our site offers many ways for you guys to make you way to this incredible and paradisiacal island. You just need to constantly check our site and mailers and that will be it. Winning a package, won’t be a problem for you!
We will also have these great and most important exclusive games for VIP players only. These will be running during Sundays on August and it is like the perfect game for you to make it. We will let you know about it for sure and just to give you a little hint: start winning and saving some points. These will be really useful.
Just think about a beautiful turquoise ocean, white sand, sunny days, some cocktails and of course poker. What a combination! There is no way you do not want to experience it.
We are 72 days away from Aruba, so you still have plenty of time, but I would say it is about time for you to start packing. Make sure to pack the same things you took to the WSOP, but this time please include some sunscreen! 
By the way, the VIP team will be at Aruba this year, as well. So, there you have another reason for you to go…!. Rest assured we look forward to playing some poker next to the beach with you guys.
Tags: Aruba Poker Classic, beach, Community, empire, paradisiacal, Poker Poker Poker, Rai$e VIP Team, VIP
Comments (0)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 - Mia
You know here at UB we are all about our players and having them show off their skills anytime we can. That is why we have these promos like the UB 500 Race! Because even though we are a tight community we know how competitive you guys are. And on that note, let me tell you it was not all about the great cash prize that we gave out, we also had a really special deal for the top places of the promo.
About one or two weeks before the race finished we dropped the bomb on the top 10 players that had been at those positions for the longest: if they were to place on the top 3 places, we would have a cover and spread for them at Online Poker Pro Magazine!
This was really a huge deal and all of them were very much exited. So the last day of the race all of us were constantly checking on the culmination of this long event. For two months players had fought their way to the top and it can be nerve breaking having to maintain a steady game play for such a long period of time. The fight was on and it was amusing to see how “DURZAAAA” passed the top two players at the last minutes of play. And such is poker, on minute you are on the top spot and the next you might not. With a blink of an eye “DURZAAAA” took the victory home and will be featured alongside with “SOUTHCJAY7” and “VOSS1313” as the winners of this great event!
So you should be ready, because at anytime we can contact you asking for a brief statement on a promo like the Bad Beat Jackpot or the UB Race or ask for your picture to post it on our lobby or on a magazine. Have your best pictures ready and let you inspiration flow because we want to show your talents off! And of course, we also invite you to keep an eye open and check to see when these great players are featured on Online Poker Pro Magazine
Tags: media, players, Promotions, RAI$E, Rake Race, VIP
Comments (0)
