Despite Not Cashing Gold Pass Winner Luis Rivera Reflects on Amazing NAPT Experience
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The 2024 PokerStars North American Poker Tour Las Vegas $5,300 Main Event attracted 895 runners, of which 115 had won PokerStars $10,000 Gold Passes via different routes such as Path to the NAPT Satellites, supporting live events, and partner promotions
Of those, 20 managed to make the money cashing for a combined $241,600! Unfortunately, Houston’s Luis Rivera, who has won his Gold Pass via a PokerNews Podcast giveaway, was not one of them.
Despite not cashing the event, Rivera and his wife had a great week-long experience at Resorts World Las Vegas and the NAPT, which was just his second-ever live poker tournament.
PokerNews caught up with Rivera, who primarily plays online, to talk a bit about what it was like being a Gold Pass winner at the 2024 NAPT.
Making His Way to Vegas
The 35-year-old Rivera, originally from Florida and now works for a software company, had to adjust some plans after being randomly selected in the PokerNews Podcast Gold Pass giveaway.
“We had travel plans to see her family like the week of the entire NAPT, and so we had to cut that short,” Rivera told PokerNews at the NAPT Player Party. “We still went to see them but had to cut it short so we could hop back to Houston and then to Vegas. But oh my god, it’s been so exciting every single day knowing I was coming here. I can't believe this happened, and I can't believe we're here.”
"I bluffed Toby Lewis a couple of times. I didn't know who the guy was until I looked him up."
He continued: “It's been incredible. All the people I've met, I got to hug Jennifer Tilly. She's great. I love her. She's so sweet. She is one of my favorite people. I really want to do the go-karting and the karaoke nights.”
What might Rivera sing at a karaoke night?
“Sometimes Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now,” he shared. “That is one of my go-to songs.”
Unfortunately for Rivera, his actual NAPT playing experience, which remember was just his second-ever live tournament, didn’t go as well as he’d hoped.
“I was card dead almost the entire time. I got pocket kings once, but everyone folded after I just minimum-raised, you know, like you can't do anything about that. I got pocket eights a couple of times, but the flop would be like 10xJxAx, so it was a combination of being card dead and just not hitting. I can't do much about that. I bluffed Toby Lewis a couple of times. I didn't know who the guy was until I looked him up and I'm like, ‘Oh, he's made like almost $10 million.’”
His Final Hand
Rivera played in the Day 1b flight and unfortunately bowed out in Level 6 (300/600/600). That is when reporter Brett Slezak picked up action on the turn in a hand between Rivera, who was in the cutoff, and Alexander Greenblatt in the big blind.
With the board reading K?8?5?J?, Greenblatt led for 3,000 and Rivera called.
On the 7? river, Greenblatt led for 6,200 effective to put Rivera at risk. Rivera contemplated for about 30 seconds before he announced that he would call.
Luis Rivera: J?10?
Alexander Greenblatt: K?4?
Greenblatt had top pair and Rivera called down with second pair putting an unceremonious end to his NAPT tournament.
Despite not cashing the 2024 NAPT, Rivera was grateful for the experience the Gold Pass afforded him, a week full of memories he and his wife will never forget. Oh, he’s also keen to continue his poker journey in the live realm.
“Yeah, I'm going to see what's left, what other events,” he said when asked if we might see him in future tournaments. “If it's like a $500 buy-in you might see me in those.”
Rivera also chatted with PokerNews Ambassador Keith Becker after busting the tournament and you can watch that segment in the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast (which also includes another giveaway):
In this Series
- 1 NAPT Las Vegas Schedule Released, $3M GTD Main Event Headlines Series
- 2 PokerNews' Keith Becker Wins PokerStars Silver Pass to NAPT; Gold Pass Next?
- 3 NFL's Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski Giving Away Gold Pass to NAPT Las Vegas
- 4 Women's Event at NAPT Las Vegas Will Feature $30,000 Guarantee
- 5 Player Kicked Out of MUG; Find Out Who Won Our $10,000 NAPT Gold Pass | PokerNews Podcast #861
- 6 North American Poker Tour in Vegas Returns Nov. 1 w/ $4 Million Guaranteed
- 7 Luis Rivera Wins PokerNews Podcast Gold Pass; NAPT His 2nd Live Tournament Ever!
- 8 West Virginia Firefighter Wins Rob Gronkowski NAPT Gold Pass Giveaway for First Trip to Vegas
- 9 PokerStars NAPT Kicks Off in Las Vegas; The Gronk is Coming! | PokerNews Podcast #863
- 10 Infamous 2006 WSOP Trash Talker Eric Molina Coolered to Soft Bubble NAPT Opener
- 11 NAPT Las Vegas Underway; Early Signs Indicate Large Turnout on the Horizon
- 12 Why Resorts World Las Vegas is the Perfect Venue for the North American Poker Tour
- 13 Jeremy Becker's Aces Cracked to Bust Early in $25k Super High Roller
- 14 Gregor Sverko Kicks Off His NAPT in Style With $550 Mystery Bounty Title
- 15 Joe Stapleton & Morgan Jay Bring the Laughs at NAPT Stand-Up Comedy Night
- 16 Will "The Thrill" Failla Accidentally Enters Wrong NAPT Tournament and Wins It!
- 17 NAPT Side Event Winners: Richard Bai Wins RunGood Open, Ryan Hughes Claims PLO Title
- 18 Sheila Stimson Earns Biggest Win of Her Career in NAPT Women's Event
- 19 Another PokerStars Triumph for Stephen Song; EPT Champ Wins NAPT $25K SHR
- 20 PokerStars Introduces Jason Koon, Caitlin Comeskey as Newest Ambassadors
- 21 NAPT Side Event Winners: David Prociak & Maxx Coleman Mixed Game Masters; Tricarico Triumphs
- 22 NAPT Hands of the Week: A Miracle Double, Cooler Flops, and Dream Spots for Song & Winter
- 23 20 Gold Pass Winners Cash 2024 NAPT Main Event; PA's Brian Frasca Lasted the Longest
- 24 Nick Marchington Takes a Commanding Lead Ahead of NAPT Main Event Finale
- 25 Despite Not Cashing Gold Pass Winner Luis Rivera Reflects on Amazing NAPT Experience
- 26 Nick Marchington Runs Over Final Table in NAPT Las Vegas Main Event for $765,200
- 27 Sam Soverel Keeps the Party Going with NAPT $10K High Roller Win