Monthly Archives: August 2023

Join PAWS on August 27th for the 2nd annual Poker Paddle!

It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a leisurely morning on the stunning Lake Megunticook while supporting the important work of PAWS. The event is open to individuals of all ages and abilities, and participation is limited to paddle vessels only. Whether you prefer a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, this event promises a fun and enjoyable experience on the water.

Not only will you get to soak in the beauty of Lake Megunticook, but you'll also have a chance to win a hand crafted, one-of-a kind, prize paddle if youre the winner. As you navigate your way around the lake you'll collect playing cards at various checkpoints. The participant with the best poker hand at the end of the paddle will be crowned the winner and awarded the prize paddle.

All proceeds from the Poker Paddle will go directly to supporting the work of PAWS. By participating in this event and spreading the word, you'll be actively contributing to the well-being and welfare of these deserving animals. So mark your calendars for August 27th and join us for a day of paddling, camaraderie, and making a positive impact. Don't miss this opportunity to have fun on the water while supporting PAWS and their mission to help animals in need.

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PAWS hosts its 2nd Annual PAWS Poker Paddle - PenBayPilot.com

For the second year in a row, I took some vacation time during the summer and missed out on part of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. In 2022, I stepped away to be a contestant on Season 9 of Survival Challenge which I wrote about in-depth here and this summer I returned, albeit as a volunteer to help hold the game for a whole new crop of players.

While there for a week, some of the other volunteers wanted to hold a home game, and being well aware of my position in poker, along with my 2013 WSOP gold bracelet win, they were keen for me to play.

The stakes may have been low we played $0.25/$0.50 no-limit holdem and most everyone bought in for $20 but it was one of my favorite poker-playing experiences of the year. Among those who played were a pair of young fellas playing for their first time in Bentley and Jude; Survival Challenge alum Bryce Fosdick; the May family (Michelle, Tim and their son Luke), and my SC Season 9 fellow contestant Michael Allbright.

Here are a few standout moments and hands from that game.

Why Did I Miss the 2022 WSOP Main Event? Survival Challenge Season 9

One of the players to take a seat in the game was Chris ONeill, who played Season 8 of Survival Challenge the summer before me. Id learned earlier in the day that Chris had a little poker experience and was a fan of GGPoker Ambassador Kevin Martin.

In one hand, I put in a raise to $1.25 after looking down at the 44 and Jason Flick, who helps run the challenges at Survival Challenge, raised all in for around $3. Another player called and then Chris opted for a small three-bet to $5 from the big blind. I just called, as did the other player, and there were three active players for the side pot while Jason had an opportunity to quadruple up in the main pot.

The flop fell 3x3x5x and I was feeling pretty good, especially after Chris checked. I bet $3, the other player folded, and then Chris sprung to life with an all-in check-raise to around $10. It wasnt that much more to me and I was getting decent pot odds, but I couldnt fathom that I was ahead.

What would he check-jam with that I beat? Maybe a straight draw, but they again I held two of the fours in my hand, so the chances of that were less likely. He could easily have either a three or five in his hand, such as an ace-three or ace-five, as well as any sort of overpair. I contemplated making the call hoping to either hit a four or hit runner-runner (there were a lot of turn cards that would allow me to pick up some equity), but ultimately, I decided to save the money as I just didnt think there was any way I was ahead.

Well, I was wrong as Chris tabled Kx8x for a stone-cold bluff! Whats more, he was actually ahead of Jason, who had been all in preflop with Qx9x. Fortunately for Jason, a queen spiked on the river and he won the main pot, while Chris still made a bit by claiming the side pot.

Had I found a call, I wouldve won a sizeable side pot and felted Chris, but instead he left me shaking my head with no recourse but to tip my cap to him. Hes got some skills.

PokerNews Chad Holloway Discusses Wrestling & Poker Parallels on Talk is Jerich

Ian Szechowycz was the host of the home game, and hes actually a bit of a poker aficionado, even playing in casinos in Iowa and Illinois. It became clear early on that aside from me, he was the most experienced player at the table. In fact, I was so impressed that I told Ian he needs to make his way to Vegas to try his hand at the WSOP as hes got the talent to compete.

Ian made it clear from the get-go that he was keen to beat me in a big pot, and he ultimately got his wish, though he had to get lucky to do so!

It happened when I looked down at pocket aces and put in a raise to $1.50. There were some callers, including Ian, before Luke May reraised to $4. I then made it $8 to go and Ian put in a call. Luke did the same and it was three-way action to the flop, which I dont recall offhand. I do know that action checked to me and I continued for $6, which only Ian called.

The turn wasnt too scary and Ian checked. I decided to put him to the test by moving all in and he thought long and hard about what to do. Apparently, I had the best hand, but there were several draws on the board. He decided to call off his last $12 or so with an open-ended straight draw, and much to my dismay, he hit it on the river!

Ian got his wish by cracking my aces and beating me in a big pot, but rest assured Ill never let him forget he had to get lucky to do it!

It was an up-and-down experience, but in the end, I was able to show off my poker chops by nearly tripling my buy-in. More importantly, plans are already in the works for another game next summer, so it seems a new annual home game tradition was born!

Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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Brutally Bluffed and Cracked Aces in the Inaugural Survival ... - PokerNews.com

Monday night's High Stakes Poker show the second episode of Season 11 featured a $1 million pot and was dominated by the overly aggressive play of Eric Persson.

Persson, however, wasn't seated at the table when the show began but would enter shortly after. When the cameras began rolling, the table included the same cast of characters as last week Andrew Robl, Rick Salomon, Rob Yong, Ferdinand Putra, Jean-Robert Bellande, Charles Yu (initial chip counts below).

Moments into the show, one of the largest pots in High Stakes Poker history transpired. With a $8,000 double straddle on, Bellande began the action by raising to $20,000 with QQ. Yu, on the button, then made it $60,000 with AK. Bellande then made it $500,000, essentially putting his opponent all in, and was followed by a shove and then call, creating a pot of $1,032,000.

Didnt really wanna get called, Bellande told the table as both players awaited the dealing of the community cards.

With such a massive pot at stake, the high rollers agreed to run it twice to minimize the risk. The first board showed 8108105, clean for the queens. But a flush was made on the second run-out for the ace-king hand and they chopped the pot.

Persson, who seems to appear on all the high stakes poker shows these days, mostly Hustler Casino Live and Ballys Big Bet Poker LIVE, joined the High Stakes Poker action late with $500,000 worth of chips. He would quickly make his presence felt.

With no straddle on in one hand, Persson limped for $2,000 in early position with QQ, clearly looking to set the trap. Bellande, in late position, called with 97 before Yong followed suit on the button with 65. as did Putra, holding Q2 in the small blind. Salomon then checked his option with Q8.

The flop came out 553, trips for Yong, who bet $12,000 after everyone checked it around to him, receiving a call only from Persson. When the J appeared on the turn, Persson checked and his lone remaining opponent did as well, surprisingly.

But following the 6 river, the hand went off the rails starting with the $45,000 over-bet from Persson. Yong, whose already superior hand improved to a full house on the river, raised to $200,000 and received an instant call before taking down the $436,000 pot.

Moments later, Bellande was able to semi-bluff Persson off two pair on the turn with an open-ended straight draw. Persson would then try to bully Robl with jack-high, but eventually gave up on the river and lost to pocket jacks in a $249,000 pot.

Things got even worse for the Maverick Casinos owner when he made a $90,000 raise with 43 on a flop of 10JA but was up against Yus AK. Later in the show, with 1010, Persson would fold to a massive four-bet preflop from Yong, who had AK.

Persson Hits Quads During High Stakes Poker Season 10

On the final hand of the episode, Persson punted off his stack, which he'd added on to. The future owner of a poker room at Tropicana in Las Vegas put on the triple straddle ($16,000) and looked down at Q9 facing a raise to $45,000 from Robl (small blind) who held AK.

Persson called to see a flop of A95, a pair for each player. Robl led for $45,000 and received a call. The turn was the 4 and Robl would bet out $102,000, continuing to tell the story that he had a big hand, which he did. But Persson wasn't a believer and moved all in for $238,000. Robl took no time in making the call and the two competitors decided to run it just once. The 5 on the river changed nothing.

Robl, who scooped that monster final pot, finished the episode with nearly $2.2 million in his stack, while Persson got stacked. Episode 3 of High Stakes Poker Season 11 will air next Monday (August 21) at 5 p.m. PT on PokerGO.

*Images courtesy of PokerGO

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Eric Persson Torches Hundreds of Thousands on Latest High ... - PokerNews.com

MEEKER | The Meeker Area Mountain Biking Association (MAMBA) will host a FUN Ride Poker Run on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. Online registration is $15; same-day registration (cash only) is $20 and opens at 7:30 a.m. The event is open to all ages. Minors will need to have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

The 7.5-mile ride will take riders from the MAMBA tent at Mountain Valley Bank on Main Street, up Seventh Street, and onto the China Wall mountain bike trail system. Participants will descend to Ute Park and return to the start on Main Street to collect their last poker card. This race will have a rolling start and is not timed, although anyone who doesnt reach or pass the checkpoint at the top of China Wall by 10:30 a.m. will be sent back down the way they came.

The Meeker Area Mountain Biking Association will host its first official event on Saturday, Aug. 26 with a FUN Ride Poker Run. Visit https://meekermtb.com/ for details about the race and registration information. | COURTESY PHOTO

Participants can enjoy the Mountain Valley Bank Summer Festival while they wait for prizes to be awarded in various categories, including the 15-and-under age group, the 16-and-over age group, best costume, poker hands, youngest rider and oldest rider.

Prizes include T-shirts, one-night hotel stay, restaurant gift cards, soaks in a spa float tank, auto parts gift card, cool outdoors sports swag, surprise swag bags, and $5 in tokens to spend at the Summer Festival.

MAMBAs FUN Ride Poker Run is a way to involve local residents in our organization and create an economic opportunity for local businesses by driving visitors to the town of Meeker. We also plan on adding a kid-friendly event next year, said event coordinator Boadacia. This is the first big event sponsored by the MAMBA group.

The organization was established in 2019 and has participated in building trails, working toward building a pump track at Ute Park, and now the FUN Ride Poker Run.

As a volunteer group, MAMBA is interested in advocating for the outdoors and our local trails, which promotes health and outdoor activity, said MAMBA Vice President Regas Halandras.

By NIKI TURNER editor@editorht1885.com

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Meeker biking association hosts FUN Ride Poker Run Aug. 26 - Rio Blanco Herald Times

The Daily Mail captured video of a horrifying fire on Saturday of an 88-foot luxury yacht reportedly owned by Spanish poker pro Diego Gomez Gonzalez.

It's unclear if Gonzalez, who has nearly $500,000 in live tournament cashes according to The Hendon Mob, was onboard at the time of the incident, but reports have indicated that all 17 individuals five crew members and 12 passengers who were on the boat survived. Only one crew member required medical attention due to minor burns.

Footage obtained by MailOnline shows the yacht engulfed in a massive fire, although the cause hasn't yet been discovered or disclosed publicly. The scary situation took place at around 6 p.m. Saturday in the Mediterranean off the island of Formentera.

Nearby boaters immediately rushed to the aid of the passengers. The video also shows patrons inside a seaside restaurant watching and taking photos of the boat fire from what appears to be a couple hundred feet away from the flames.

Gonzalez's yacht, built in 1995, can sleep 20 people comfortably and features a deck jacuzzi, luxury cabin, and provides access for various water sports. The boat is based in the island of Ibiza off the southeastern coast of Spain. The yacht is often chartered, which makes it probable that the poker player wasn't aboard during the fiery incident. It costs over 45,000 to charter the luxury yacht during summer peak season.

Gonzalez, who hails from Madrid, is a long-time poker pro whose top live score was for $256,000 after a fifth-place finish at the 2012 European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague Main Event. He's also racked up five World Series of Poker (WSOP) online bracelet event cashes on GGPoker in 2020 and 2021.

The poker pro earned the nickname "The Lion" upon dressing up in a lion costume during the aforementioned EPT Main Event in Prague.

*Lead image courtesy of the Daily Mail.

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Poker Player's Luxury Yacht Catches on Fire in the Mediterranean - PokerNews.com

The 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) may be in the rearview mirror, but that just means its a good time to take a look back at some of the highlights from the record-breaking seven-week festival. For PokerNews, some of those highlights came in twice a week with new episodes of the new The Chad & Jesse Poker Show, which was produced in conjunction with Level 9 Studios.

Chad Holloway and Jesse Fullen discussed the biggest stories of the summer and debated others in the popular Calling the Clock segment that allotted them just two minutes to offer their thoughts on some of the most interesting, controversial, and entertaining WSOP happenings.

Whats more, they welcomed 18 guests throughout the summer including the likes of Poker Hall of Famers, several former WSOP POYs, a Main Event champion, and a plethora of poker vloggers and personalities.

Heres a look at all 14 episodes of The Chad & Jesse Poker Show from the 2023 WSOP along with some highlights from each.

Click here to watch all The Chad & Jesse Poker Show Episodes on YouTube!

The first-ever episode was on the first day of the 2023 WSOP, so who better to have on the show than WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart, who talked about summer plans and preparation, the status of Vince Vaughn as WSOP Master of Ceremonies, and any potential plans to honor the late Doyle Brunson. He also offers his thoughts on the WSOP Main Event field size, the Mystery Millions, and who he thought would win a bracelet first Phil Hellmuth or Daniel Negreanu.

The second guest was legendary WSOP commentator Lon McEachern, who talked about his career, winning a WSOP Circuit gold ring, and playing in the Tournament of Champions. He also shared some fond memories of the late Doyle Brunson.

Steve "Cuz" Buckner, who last year was a breakout player on the World Poker Tour (WPT), ultimately finishing as runner-up in the WPT Player of the Year race. The boisterous player originally from Brooklyn has established himself as a true character of the game, and you just might be surprised by his story. Plus, find out if he'd rather win a WSOP gold bracelet or a WPT title.

The fourth guest was Poker Hall of Famer Jack McClelland, who served as the Tournament Director of the WSOP from 1984-98. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2014 alongside Daniel Negreanu, and he talks about that honor as well as memories of Stu Ungar and Doyle Brunson, and what it was like to work for the legendary Benny Binion.

The first episode with two guests, and the first females to appear on the show, Chad and Jesse were joined by Acesholes Podcast hosts Caitlin Comeskey and Nikki Limo, who discuss their respective backgrounds in both entertainment and poker. The competitive duo, who are only separated by a few thousand in career earnings, then played a fun game of "Who Said It - Phil Hellmuth or Kanye West?"

GGPoker Ambassador Jason Koon took some time before jumping into the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) $250,000 Super High Roller to join the show.

Koon talked about expecting his second child, and as fate would have it, the day after recording his wife went into labor and he had to pull out of the aforementioned tournament. In addition to sharing what it's like being a family man, Koon discussed integrity in poker, his personal goals, and a never-before-shared prop bet he has with Bill Perkins.

Koon, who sat fifth on the all-time poker money list according to The Hendon Mob with nearly $48 million, also discussed his love of poker history, shared a Doyle Brunson story, and just opened up about poker and life. Don't miss your chance to hear from one of the best.

The Complete Overview of the 2023 World Series of Poker

It was another two-for-one episode when World Poker Tour (WPT) Ambassadors Andrew Neeme and Brad Owen joined the show and opened up about how their respective vlogs helped them build their poker careers. They also discussed upcoming WPT initiatives and play a little game where we quiz them on "who said it?" regarding quotes from their first-ever vlogs.

Joey Ingram, AKA Papi, a lover of four-card poker, joined the show. A prolific poker podcaster, Ingram is known for his marathon emergency investigations into such controversial matters as the Mike Postle and Robbi Jade Lew cheating allegations. Ingram, who was in L.A. for the Hustler Casino Live $1,000,000 Cash Game, recently returned to Las Vegas and was at the 2023 WSOP for the first time when he sat down with the guys. Hear what Ingram thinks the future holds for poker, which just might surprise you.

Japanese vlogger Masato Yokosawa, AKA World Wide Yokosawa, joined the show. While players in the United States might think folks like Brad Owen and Andrew Neeme has the biggest vlog followings in the world, that distinction actually belongs to Masato, who regularly clears 600K views on each of his vlogs!

The Japanese vlogging sensation opened up about his start in poker, what inspired him to start a vlog, and how hes managed to turn it into a smashing success with the help of a creative team. He also talks about his desire to win a WSOP gold bracelet, how Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth are perceived in his home country, and what the future looks like for poker in Japan.

The No. 1 guest they wanted on the show was Daniel Negreanu, who took a break from his busy summer schedule to talk about a plethora of topics including what its been like running deep in the lower buy-in, big field events, interacting with fans, and how he feels about his performance thus far.

The GGPoker Ambassador also offered his thoughts on the Poker Hall of Fame, including who he thinks will get in and the changes hed like to see moving forward. Finally, Kid Poker offered his prediction for the 2023 WSOP Main Event, which is also the first big topic discussed by the hosts.

GGPoker Ambassador Kevin Martin was happy to be a guest on the show. The Big Brother Canada winner talked about meeting his wife on the show, how he found his way into poker and the streaming game, and busting the record-breaking 2023 WSOP Main Event. He also offered up three names when it comes to who he admires most in the poker content space.

Poker vlogger Ryan Depaulo, the Whole Foods parking lot bracelet winner, discussed his biggest score to date (third place in the Colossus), what his father told him (Dont punt), and Joey the Mush. Plus, he's asked if he was banned from Borgata for vlogging, his main poker influence, and whether or not hes a withered pro.

In the penultimate show of the summer, Chad & Jesse welcomed two guests to the show starting with Josh Arieh, who won two bracelets this summer and was nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame. Arieh talked about the WSOP back in the late 1990s, his career resurgence, Poker Stake, and shares a fun story involving Ted Forrest and the late Layne Flack.

The other guest was 2004 WSOP Main Event runner-up David Williams, who was fresh off winning a Flip & Go. He talked about his history in that event, how his WSOP gold bracelet and diamond toothpick were stolen in a home robbery, and why he wouldnt do Master Chef again.

In the final show of the summer, Chad & Jesse welcomed two guests to the show starting with the legendary Phil Hellmuth! The Poker Brat captured his record-extending 17th WSOP gold bracelet earlier in the series, and he sat down with the boys to talk all about it.

The other guest was this years Poker Hall of Fame inductee Brian Rast, who also won the $50,000 Poker Players Championship for a record-tying third time. Rast shared his thoughts on being inducted, who hed like to see join him, and much more.

Listen to Episodes of the PokerNews Podcast Here!

While The Chad & Jesse Poker Show was designed solely for the 2023 WSOP, plans are in the works to continue a rebranded weekly show starting in September. Stay tuned for more information on that as PokerNews aims to bring you all the latest and greatest from the world of poker!

Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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The Chad & Jesse Poker Show Highlights: Hellmuth Calls Out Ivey ... - PokerNews.com

Understanding the relationship between poker and music can provide a fascinating insight into both stress relief and cognitive function. Poker, a game of skill, strategy, and luck, requires a high level of mental acuity and concentration. Meanwhile, music, with its rhythmic and melodic structures, has been proven to influence mood, focus, and emotional states.

In this article, well explore the ways in which poker and music interact to affect stress relief and cognitive function.

When playing poker, its essential to stay focused and manage stress in order to make the best decisions. Music can play an important role in achieving this goal. By providing a sensory distraction from the game, music can help reduce anxiety and aid concentration. Studies have also shown that different genres of music can affect emotional states differently; for example, slow and calming music has been found to be particularly effective in calming poker players.

Music can also help create an environment that encourages relaxation. This is important for poker players as it helps them stay focused and engaged during long sessions. Listening to upbeat music can help maintain a positive attitude while playing, which helps maintain focus. Finally, the combination of music and poker can be used to create an atmosphere conducive to creativity and strategic thinking.

The use of poker and music together can also influence cognitive function. Studies have shown that the combination of certain types of music with poker can help increase reaction time, focus, and decision-making abilities.

Music has been proven to be effective in improving concentration by providing a distraction from the task at hand. For example, when playing poker online, listening to music can help focus attention on the game rather than distractions such as email notifications or notifications from other applications.

The combination of poker and music can also play an important role in cognitive development. Studies have found that certain types of music can improve problem-solving skills, creativity, and memory. By providing a sensory distraction from the game, music can help reduce anxiety and aid concentration.

Additionally, the combination of poker and music has been found to have positive effects on both short-term and long-term memory recall. In addition, it has been shown that music can increase motivation for players when engaged in difficult tasks.

Phil Ivey is widely considered to be one of the best poker players in the world. He has cited his love for listening to music as a key factor in helping him focus and stay motivated during long sessions at the table. As a result, he uses music as one of his primary performance-enhancing strategies.

Another famous poker player, Daniel Negreanu is well-known for his use of music as a way to help him stay focused and in the zone during play. He has discussed how he uses music to get into character while playing and has credited its ability to create an atmosphere that helps him stay sharp and increase his concentration.

Chris Moneymaker has been a major figure in the poker world since winning the 2003 World Series of Poker. He is also an avid music fan and uses his favorite tunes to help him stay focused and energized during long days at the felt.

Another top professional poker player who is known to use music as part of his game, Antonio Esfandiari has credited his favorite tunes with helping him stay in the zone while playing. He often listens to music through headphones while at the table and has discussed how this helps him keep focused and energized.

Music has numerous psychological and physiological benefits that can help poker players increase their performance. Some of the main benefits include:

Many players love playing music while hosting a poker night, as it helps them stay in the zone and maintain focus on the game. Listening to music can also help players keep their minds sharp and alert while playing, which can be especially helpful during long tournaments or cash games.

Music is known to provide players with a boost of energy, which can help them stay sharp for longer periods. This can improve their overall performance and results at the table.

Music has been shown to lower stress levels in individuals, which can be particularly beneficial during long and grueling sessions of poker play.

Music can be a great tool for poker players of all levels, from beginner to professional. Not only can it help to increase focus and concentration, but also provide stress relief during long days at the felt. It is important to find music that works well for you personally, as each individuals preferences are different. With some experimentation, you can find music that helps you stay focused and calm during your poker sessions.

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Poker and Music: A Study on Stress Relief and Cognitive Function - Bong Mines Entertainment

The Lost Sierra is a lesser-known part of the Sierra Range, away from the crowds, with pristine wilderness landscapes, high granite peaks, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and plenty of rugged trails. On a mission to scout out the full menu of trails, we set out on an unusual mix of machines a Husqvarna Norden 901, Beta 430 RR-S and a Royal Enfield Himalayan. Our biggest challenge of the trip would be getting through the infamous Poker Flat Jeep trail, a boulder-strewn descent into a canyon dropping 1,700 feet in about 1.5 miles followed by a super-steep climb back out the other side. Just when you think the hardest part is over, it gets way worse.

Wed all heard horror stories about this section of trail riders abandoning their bikes after reaching the point of exhaustion so we left it for the end of the trip. Getting stuck at the bottom, not being able to get out from either side, was a major concern. This was especially true for the budget-minded Himalayan, fully-loaded with camping gear, riding on 70/30 street-biased tires, piloted by a rider relatively new to off-road riding.

Follow along to see how the Himalayan did on this little adventure and see many of the incredible points of interest we explored during this scouting mission to the Lost Sierra, including Volcano Lake, the Sierra Buttes, Jamison Mine Complex, Mills Peak Fire Lookout, and more. In addition to the video, you can also check out our full Lost Sierra Ride Guide, which includes route details, maps and GPS tracks, so you can recreate this turnkey adventure with your own crew.

Photos by Rob Dabney

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Watch: Riding The Himalayan Through The Infamous Poker Flat - ADV Pulse