“The atmosphere for a poker player at the WSOP is incredible, especially when you enter the Poker Room for the first time,” said Platt, a Las Vegas resident for nearly 20 years and ITHer since June of 2004. “This is no ordinary poker room. It is a huge convention center [with] over 200 tables [and] a special area for the ESPN TV table.  [It is] really something to see.  Plus all the big names are here, and most are willing to give autographs in their free time.”

Like all avid players, Platt dreams of seeing his face on ESPN for its coverage of one of the final tables, and – to a greater extent – a WSOP bracelet snugly wrapped around his wrist. Raised on card games by his parents, Platt’s interest in poker was rekindled two years ago after he went on hiatus in the early 1990s, while maintaining his full-time job as a California attorney and enjoying National Football League (NFL) betting contests in much of his free time. He has participated in four 2006 WSOP preliminary events to date, and is set for the $1,500 No-Limit event (No. 27) on July 18. He also plans to compete in events 31 ($2,000 NL), 37 ($1,500 NL) and 45 ($1,500 NL).

“I finally cashed in [event] 19, the Seniors [$1,000 NL],” said Platt, who has developed a close friendship with ITH creator Matthew Hilger after following the 2004 main event, in which Hilger finished 33^rd overall.  “I finished 44^th and that paid $4,310. I have also played in a few of the satellites at the Rio, and so far so good. So far I have a small net profit at the WSOP, but nothing worth writing home about yet.  [I am] hoping for a big win, but [I am] not unhappy so far.  I've learned a lot.”

Platt said he will not compete in the WSOP main event this year unless he wins his entry through a satellite tournament. As far as online play is concerned, he keeps himself busy nowadays by frequenting the turbo sit-and-gos at PokerStars. If he is not fortunate enough to gain a seat into the main event, Platt looks forward to following the progress of his ITH cohorts, many of whom he has enjoyed developing relationships with over the past two years. While card games have come to define Platt over his lifetime, the bonds he has forged with the ITH family appear to have made even more of a lasting impression on him.

“It has been wonderful developing friendships through ITH that transcend poker,” he said. “Many [hail] from all over the world, especially the UK, Sweden, Canada and Australia. [Also] Norway and Belgium. Tall Paul is from Liverpool. He's getting married August 12, and we all wish he and his bride the best. We are a close knit group, many of us.”

ITH wholeheartedly appreciates the contributions of chrisjp – a special player and friend – and wishes its Vegas contact the best of luck for the remainder of the 2006 WSOP.