Arizona’s great weather makes it a great place to visit in the winter and spring, making it popular for many celebrity poker tournaments. The recent sixth annual Aces and Bases Spring Training charity poker event benefiting Phoenix Children’s Hospital attracted some big-name sports players and poker pros to Scottsdale, Ariz. The poker players included Tiffany Michelle, Kevin O’Donnell, Tom Schneider and Robert Williamson.
Doug Bryant took home the World Series of Poker seat while Kyle Miaso won a 60-inch TV, but the real prize was the nearly $10,000 raised for the hospital.
I caught up with Michelle to ask a few questions about her visit.
Do you travel to Arizona often to play tournaments? I absolutely love the city of Scottsdale and I’ve attended several poker events there. … This was my first year being invited to play the Aces and Bases tournament. I love an excuse to pop into Arizona during spring training, catch a few baseball games and have the chance to hit the poker tables for a charitable cause.
What did you think of the poker scene in Arizona? The Talking Stick Resort at Casino Arizona has become one of my new favorite properties and cardrooms outside of Vegas. I really like the property, the rooms, restaurants, service and the poker cardroom there is always packed. At any hour of the day there was a full game to jump into and from a professional point of the view the play was pretty soft. … And I have to admit, the food served in the poker room was literally the best poker food I’ve ever had at the tables.
— Brian Fanzo is Ante Up’s Arizona Ambassador. Email anteup.fanzo@gmail.com.
