Morning Gents
I started writing this in the poker mags thread then realised it was becoming a thread hijack so I moved it here for the 1-3 people that might be interested in hearing what I have to say
Thanks for all the kind words, and in particular to Martyn. I think I might print that out and show it to my mum!
Don't worry about me, I'm still in gainful employment, but I won't lie it's a real dissapointment to be closing IP.
I loved working on it and I was hugely proud of it as a title and the team there were easily some of the most talented people I have worked with. But market conditions will prevail and IP will now carry on as a trade title InsidePoker Business, with PokerPlayer as our consumer title.
It's a reflection of the mature UK poker market, and I will be staying on to do the business title and a few other projects at Dennis. Our old team will be helping me out with those with the exception of Paul Cheung who is moving to PokerPlayer as features editor.
Personal highlights are too many to mention, but having thanksgiving dinner with Ivey, and interviewing the great man at his home stand out. Also playing in Aruba, the WSOP and some top nights out at the GUKPT. And in all seriousness that trip to the WSOP with WASP, teaulc and VoJ and Jon Woodfield was one of them.
They are all great lads, and it was a pleasure hanging out with them. And seeing a reader (Jon Woodfield) go really deep in a WSOP event after he won the seat in your freeroll is a great feeling. I felt like a proud dad.
Sadly there will be no more IP freerolls or qualifiers, but I hope you've enjoyed them all over the years and got some value from them. PokerPlayer will still have plenty though and I should be around at various events in the UK next year so will maybe see some PL qualifiers there.
Anyway enough self-serving sh*** from me. Good luck in your poker and I'll still be hanging around PL like a bad smell.
Cheers
Alun