About Us
Luis Rivera Played slots partyThe 2024 NAPT Via A Coveted Gold Pass
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook 3 min read
Table Of Contents
- Making His Way to Vegas
- His Final Hand
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 PokerNewsPodcast 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.
PokerNewscaught 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 PokerNewsPodcast 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 PokerNewsPodcast (which also includes another giveaway):
Latest News
- Evaluate Your Hand. When a player in Rummy declares Rummy before any other player has, all of their cards must form sets & runs. If this happens, the game is over right away, and the remaining players lose any unmelded cards. It's critical to determine if dropping out and losing fewer points is a more strategic move or if you can still make melds with the cards you still have in your hand. 25-04-08
- Players can get assistance from Mega Casino with any questions or problems they may have by using their extensive customer support options. Players can get quick assistance whenever they need it from the casino's support staff, which is reachable by phone, email, and live chat. The support staff is competent & kind, offering sound advice on anything from bonus questions to technical problems. Mega Casino has a comprehensive FAQ section on its website that addresses frequently asked questions about things like account management, payments, bonuses, and game rules, in addition to direct support channels. Players looking for quick answers to frequently asked questions without having to get in touch with support can find this resource especially helpful. Overall, players can expect a seamless and trouble-free gaming experience from beginning to end thanks to Mega Casino's dedication to providing excellent customer support. 25-04-08
- Mega Casino is a well-known online gaming site with a wide range of gaming options, such as table games, live dealer experiences, & slot machines. The platform offers players of all skill levels an engaging environment thanks to its user-friendly design & excellent graphics. Playing without interruption is made possible by Mega Casino's unique feature of allowing users to download its software straight to a desktop computer. An extensive walkthrough of the Mega Casino software download and installation procedure is given in this article. It examines the variety of slot games offered by the platform and provides tactical guidance to increase winnings. 25-04-08
- Experience the Thrill of Slots with Mega Casino Download 25-04-08
- Be Mindful of Jokers Use jokers strategically to complete sequences and sets. 25-04-08
- Mega Casino's VIP program, which offers players exclusive bonuses, tailored offers, quicker withdrawal times, and personal account managers, is one of its most notable features. Through the tiered VIP program, players can unlock increasingly valuable rewards by moving through levels and earning points for each wager they make. Players can prolong their gameplay, improve their chances of winning, and get extra benefits along the way by utilizing the bonuses and promotions offered by Mega Casino. 25-04-08
- Mega Casino is a well-known online gaming site with a wide range of gaming options, such as table games, live dealer experiences, & slot machines. The platform offers players of all skill levels an engaging environment thanks to its user-friendly design & excellent graphics. Playing without interruption is made possible by Mega Casino's unique feature of allowing users to download its software straight to a desktop computer. An extensive walkthrough of the Mega Casino software download and installation procedure is given in this article. It examines the variety of slot games offered by the platform and provides tactical guidance to increase winnings. 25-04-08
- The article also discusses the incentives and deals that Mega Casino players are eligible for. We address user concerns by discussing security and safety measures that were put in place during the download process. The article also looks at Mega Casino's customer service offerings to make sure players can get help when they need it. By covering these aspects, the article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Mega Casino experience, from initial software installation to ongoing gameplay support. Navigate to the Download button on the official Mega Casino website to begin the desktop installation process. 25-04-08
- Keeping an eye out for chances to retrieve valuable cards is a crucial part of monitoring the discard pile. During your turn, you can choose to deliberately pick up a card from the discard pile rather than drawing from the draw pile if you see one that would help you form a meld with it in your hands. By enabling you to gather the cards you require and keeping your rivals from doing the same, this can offer you a big advantage. In the end, being aware of the discard pile is an important ability that can improve your chances of winning rummy by enabling you to make wise decisions and predict the actions of your rivals. 25-04-08
- Mega Casino offers a diverse selection of slot games, ranging from classic 3-reel slots to modern 5-reel video slots with immersive themes & bonus features. Mega Casino has slots for all types of players, whether you like classic fruit machines or fast-paced adventure games. Starburst, Book of Dead, Gonzo's Quest, Mega Moolah, & Rainbow Riches are a few of the well-known slot games that are offered at Mega Casino. 25-04-08
Contact Us
Contact: x
Phone: 020-123456789
Tel: 020-123456789
E-mail: [email protected]
Add: 联系地址联系地址联系地址