What a great start to the year for Michigan poker. Three players, arguably on the list of the top-five Michigan players of all time, had great results in January starting Joe Cada, the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event champ. Cada won Event 16 at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventures for more than $175K, beating nearly 350 players. In second place was Michigan native Mike Telker, who lives in Costa Rica. Telker has more than $3 million in career earnings.
Kenna James, who grew up in Albion, had two respectable cashes in the Aussie Millions for a score of nearly $21K (Australian dollars), including 57th in the main event. James has more than $3.5 million in career earnings, putting him in the conversation as one of the top players from Michigan.
In local news, Cada’s Poker & Sports Grill in Sterling Heights reported running a $5-$10 heads-up cash game. Many players cheered this development on the poker room’s Facebook page. Cada’s poker room has made a splash since opening late last year with its monthly $250 tournaments and deep tournament structures. Other poker rooms have started spreading $250 tournaments, and players have reported other rooms adding levels to their tournament structures to keep players happy. The competition just means better poker for all.
— Frank Panama and Gambit Gras are Ante Up’s Michigan Ambassadors. They host the Michigan Poker Monster weekly podcast at mipokermonster.com. Email them at anteupmichigan@gmail.com.
