“Great initiative by Nside,” said Primitive, winner of the 2006 ITH People’s Championship. “Kudos to him for making an already great society even greater. Since I’ve been trying like a madman to qualify for the ME I was never in doubt about playing [in the People’s Championship], but I would have bought a share anyway.”

When the ITH People’s Championship began Sunday, July 9, play was “tough and tight” in the early-going, according to nsidestrate. Fifty minutes elapsed before the first player busted. At the end of the day, Primitive reigned supreme over a competitive field to be crown as ITH’s first People’s Champ, a well-deserved title indeed.

“Most of us are naturally tight and the early levels [were] the tightest tourney I’ve ever played,” Primitive said. “I had to make a few adjustments to my natural play and it worked great. [I] stole some pots with semi bluff reraises and was lucky enough to win all my coinflops. [I] think I only made one really bad play during the whole tourney, when I called a reraise from Ammbo with 66. Luckily for me he had AK, but given his range I should have folded. Also, getting your best hands when someone else hits second best helps a lot.”

So, Primitive’s WSOP ME dream has been realized and, at long last, ITH now has its ME representative. Primitive said he is “very excited” to carry the ITH torch at the ME, but will he feel any additional pressure knowing so many ITHers have invested in his WSOP performance?

“None at all,” he said. “These are all great guys (and girls) that know the risk they are taking. I put pressure on myself to play well. I’ll leave the rest to Lady Luck.”

Congratulations, Primitive. ITH knows you will make it proud at the 2006 WSOP ME!

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