Day 3 of Combined Sport Pageant XIV was fairly loopy (in the absolute best approach). There was a seat scramble, as gamers have been making an attempt to get within the combine forward of the primary $3,500 BetMGM Poker Championship seat giveaway, after which it was a PLO mayhem that determined the fortunate winner.
Against this, Day 4 was a lot calmer, as we shifted right into a little bit of a decrease gear with two tables of $4/$8 combine kicking off to begin the festivities. For the primary time for the reason that pageant began, there wasn’t a $6/$12 sport going. However the ebb and stream of the pageant is fairly typical, and it’s inconceivable for issues to all the time be pedal to the metallic for 2 straight weeks. What’s sure although is that there’s rather a lot lined up for Day 5, so the vitality within the room is assured to choose up as soon as extra.
Plus, the motion will likely be shifting from the overflow tables within the sportsbook straight into the Bellagio poker site. The lighting will likely be higher, we’ll have automated card shufflers at each desk, and foot visitors will likely be increased. However extra on that in a second. Let’s get again to Day 4 highlights for now.
Rick Gleason Guide Signing
Whereas the Combined Sport Pageant can’t fairly give out 1000’s of {dollars} value of match seats daily, there may be all the time a little bit one thing further taking place alongside the desk motion. Wednesday noticed Rick Gleason, a poker writer and fellow Cardplayer Way of life contributor, be part of the group and do some e-book signings.
Gleason is the writer of 101+ Poker Ideas That Really Work, an attention-grabbing e-book that, though it’s not particular to combined video games, brings some very helpful common recommendation for poker gamers.
We’ve bought Rick Gleason right here at Combined Sport Pageant XIV signing his new e-book.
It’s not combined sport particular, however there are some nice common poker ideas in there. Over 101 of ’em 😁
Evaluate right here on @PokerLifeMedia, by @santijota8 👇https://t.co/eyq0gzfxjd pic.twitter.com/OwZSBMBTOb
— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) June 3, 2026
The e-book is aimed primarily at leisure, low-stakes gamers, who play for the love of the sport, so it’s an ideal match for the Combined Sport Pageant crowd.
As all the time, a number of gamers gained free signed copies by undertaking sure feats on the tables, like Mike Tyson (sure, we all know that there are different Mike Tysons on the market), who managed to scoop an Archie pot.
For these not as concerned within the combined sport world, Archie is a triple draw break up sport, the place the pot is break up between one of the best excessive and one of the best low hand (utilizing commonplace rankings), however there may be additionally the minimal qualifying requirement for the excessive hand (normally a pair of nines or higher) and for the low hand (an 8 or decrease). If no one qualifies, the pot will get break up amongst each participant remaining at showdown.
Pokercoaching.com Participant of the Day: Brian Dowd
Usually, in our Pokercoaching.com Participant of the Day part, we spotlight among the newcomers who stumbled upon the pageant by probability or have been invited by a pal. At this time, nonetheless, we’ve the exact opposite of that.
Hailing from St. Augustine, Florida, Brian Dowd has been a daily at Combined Sport Festivals, and that is his sixth time attending. His first time was a number of years again, at Resorts World, and, like many different regulars, he simply fell in love with the ambiance.
Brian describes himself as a really aggressive particular person, and that’s one side he enjoys essentially the most in regards to the sport. On the identical time, he prefers combined video games over Texas Maintain’em and PLO, as a result of combined video games lend themselves to far more enjoyable, interplay, and camaraderie on the tables.
Dwelling in Florida, when he’s not busy along with his day job in wooden manufacturing, Brian enjoys taking pictures some pool or spending time on the seaside and soaking within the solar. Means earlier than, he additionally was a chef, and he discovered fairly a little bit of success with that profession earlier than shifting on to different issues.
As for poker, Brian believes taking part in the abilities the sport hones will be of nice use in day-to-day life, serving to one see the large image, understand all of the totally different angles, put issues in perspective, and determine which method to go – identical to you do in a poker hand.
Though he says he likes to think about himself as a good participant, Brian doesn’t have any main poker objectives. He simply enjoys the competitors, spending time with associates, and having a great time on the tables.
RunGoodGear Vendor of the Day: Lemlem Woldu
There are some folks we’ve had an opportunity to speak to on the Combined Sport Pageant who’ve been with the Bellagio for a very long time, however none of them have been with the corporate longer than Lemlem Woldu, at present’s choose for the Vendor of the Day.
Lemlem got here to Las Vegas from Ethiopia in 1997. She bought married right here and bought a job with the Bellagio the next 12 months, as a bus runner, proper because the legendary on line casino opened its doorways. She has been right here fairly actually from the very first day.
After some time, a possibility arose for workers who needed to turn into poker sellers to get the mandatory coaching, and Lemlem jumped on that chance. She realized the right way to deal the playing cards and by no means appeared again.
There is a crucial cause she’s stayed with the Bellagio for almost three a long time. She loves the crew she works with, the way in which the administration handles issues, and all of the gamers who frequent the venue.
In fact, dealing on the Combined Sport Pageant is a little bit of a special expertise, which she describes as each pleasurable and difficult. What she enjoys is that gamers are relaxed, having enjoyable, and there’s a pleasant vibe. The problem, however, is dealing all of the totally different video games, a few of which she’s by no means dealt earlier than – however it’s additionally enjoyable for her.
When requested about her bucket checklist merchandise as a poker supplier, she tells us she just about achieved all she got down to do. Her work allowed her to boost her two sons and ship them to non-public colleges. In her personal heartfelt phrases, “It was this group that made all of it attainable, and I’m so very grateful for it.”
Day 5 Preview: Pokercoaching Meet-Up Sport Time!
Waiting for what comes subsequent, Day 5 guarantees to be a stellar one by all accounts.
Beginning at midday, we’ll have a Pokercoaching Meet-Up Sport, that includes prime veteran professionals Jonathan Little and Justin Saliba. The duo will be part of the motion on the tables, so that you’ll have an opportunity to win some chips off of them in addition to additionally ask them some poker technique questions whereas splashing round collectively on the felt.
We’re internet hosting a @PokerCoaching_ Meet-Up Sport tomorrow at 12pm at Bellagio for the Combined Sport Pageant!
I’m wanting ahead to splashing round in all kinds of wierd video games and we’re making a gift of an $800 Aria Match Seat. See you there!😊💥@cardplayerlife @PokerLifeMedia pic.twitter.com/zq91I47JmQ
— Jonathan Little (@JonathanLittle) June 4, 2026
However wait; there’s extra! 🙂 One fortunate randomly chosen participant may also obtain a free entry into the $800 Aria Traditional H.O.R.S.E occasion. You simply should be there to have a shot.
Additionally, a few gamers will obtain lifetime passes to Alex Livingston’s Grasp Combined Video games course, which charges to be among the finest sources for combined sport gamers, whether or not you’re simply beginning or are an skilled participant trying to improve your technique and discover an additional edge.
The nice people at Pokercoaching.com have been longtime associates of ours right here at Cardplayer Way of life and stalwart supporters of the Combined Sport Pageant, often giving free 1-month subscriptions to all of our Gamers of the Day in addition to a bunch of different free stuff, so it’ll be a pleasure to co-host the MUG with them.
We’re anticipating a full home, so in case you have plans to be right here, we advise you name the Bellagio poker site (702) 693-7291 and put your identify on the checklist. That approach, you’ll lock in your seat and can have the ability to get within the motion proper from the get-go. As talked about, the motion is shifting to the principle poker site tomorrow, in order that’s the place you’ll discover us!
