tournament director

#009 - As the former World Number 4, Todd Martin was a proud member of the golden club of American ATP stars in his nation’s tennis heyday: the 1990s. The self-described “Fifth Beatle”  was in good company during that glorious era for the sport, as he sparred against compatriots Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Michael Chang for what became that elusive Grand Slam title. 

To many, he was the ‘nearly man’, but to himself, the eight ATP tournament titles, the near misses and the two Grand Slam Final losses made him the person he is today. Michigan-born Martin is today CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Rhode Island, where he also serves as Tournament Director of the post-Wimbledon Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open.

With this, and his own eponymous Youth Leadership Trust helping underprivileged kids through tennis, Martin has, in his own words, led “a charmed life”. 

With all this already achieved in life, this 50-year-old and true gentleman of the sport has much more to accomplish in the years ahead.

If you'd like to get the links and show notes for this episode, head to: 

http://bennichols.co.uk/the-fifth-beatle-with-todd-martin 

Connect with Jonathan Little: 

Websites: https://jonathanlittlepoker.com/ | http://www.pokercoaching.com/ 
Twitter: @JonathanLittle

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Hosted by Tom Wheaton Founder & CEO of Faded Spade, the Faded Spade Podcast features unique interviews with poker and sports entertainment influencers about their entrepreneurial or career journey. 

You can expect entertaining, engaging, and educational segments about business, poker, sports, entertainment, and life for a wide audience of diverse interests, backgrounds, and beliefs. Subscribe & download to qualify for a variety of monthly giveaways. In addition, code PODCAST will provide 10% off any poker playing card order at FadedSpade.com. 

Email us questions, comments, and include people or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes: podcast@fadedspade.com 

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Great chat with Jeff Gross - Poker Professional, Poker Live Streamer & Successful Entrepreneur. Tom, Sean, and Jeff talk about Jeff's poker roots - from his biggest poker wins, to fun poker live streaming stories, to his business path and portfolio. Catch Jeff Gross on his Flow Poker Show stream on Twitch and YouTube!

Facebook: @JeffGrossPoker 
Instagram: @JeffGrossPoker 
Twitch: @JeffGrossPoker 
Twitter: @JeffGrossPoker 
YouTube: @JeffGrossPoker 

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Hosted by Tom Wheaton Founder & CEO of Faded Spade, the Faded Spade Podcast features unique interviews with poker and sports entertainment influencers about their entrepreneurial or career journey. 

You can expect entertaining, engaging, and educational segments about business, poker, sports, entertainment and life for a wide audience of diverse interests, backgrounds, and beliefs. Subscribe & download to qualify for a variety of monthly giveaways. In addition, code PODCAST will provide 10% off any poker playing card order at FadedSpade.com. 

Email us questions, comments, and include people or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes: podcast@fadedspade.com 

Find and follow us on: 

YouTube: youtube.com/fadedspade 
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*Recorded 3/13/20

Get to know Dave Richard - Senior Fantasy Writer for CBS Sports! Hear how one of the top fantasy football writers (who also has a passion for poker ) got into the business along with his journey to CBS Sports. Tom and Dave talk poker, business, fantasy football, and brainstorm how the fantasy football and poker industries can collaborate this year. Twitter: @DaveRichard 
 

Fantasy Football Today Podcast on Apple Podcast

Hosted by Tom Wheaton Founder & CEO of Faded Spade, & Sean McCormack Director of Poker Operations at Aria, the Faded Spade Podcast features unique interviews with poker and sports entertainment influencers about their entrepreneurial or career journey. 

You can expect entertaining, engaging, and educational segments about business, poker, sports, entertainment and life for a wide audience of diverse interests, backgrounds and beliefs. Subscribe & download to qualify for a variety of monthly giveaways. In addition, code PODCAST will provide 10% off any poker playing card order at FadedSpade.com. 

Email us questions, comments, and include people or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes: podcast@fadedspade.com 

Find and follow us on: 

YouTube: youtube.com/fadedspade 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fadedspadecards/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FadedSpadeCards
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Meet Jesse Hollander - Director of Poker Operations at bestbet and creator of bestbet LIVE! Join us to hear the untold business and poker story of The BO$$, which includes the opening of prominent poker rooms in the US and the creation of the East Coast's only poker live stream show - bestbet LIVE. 

Twitter: @jmanpokerking - @bestbet_jax 
Website: http://www.bestbetjax.com 

Hosted by Tom Wheaton Founder & CEO of Faded Spade, & Sean McCormack Director of Poker Operations at the Aria, the Faded Spade Podcast features unique interviews with multi-industry influencers about their entrepreneurial or career journey. 

Expect entertaining, engaging, and educational segments about business, poker, sports, entertainment and life for a wide audience of diverse interests, backgrounds and beliefs. 

Subscribe & download to qualify for a variety of monthly giveaways. In addition, code PODCAST will provide 10% off any poker playing card order at FadedSpade.com 

Email us questions, comments, and include people or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes: podcast@fadedspade.com 

Find and follow us on: 
YouTube: bit.ly/fadedspadeyoutube 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fadedspadecards/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FadedSpadeCards 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fadedspade/ 

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The business journey of Poker Central & PokerGO President, Sam Simmons.

Join us to hear Sam's untold poker industry story and rise to the President of Poker Central/PokerGO. You'll hear great advice for those on their career path, while also learning more about the future of PokerGO - and a newer venture - Estars Studios!

Twitter: @sampsonsimmons

Hosted by Tom Wheaton Founder & CEO of Faded Spade, & Sean McCormack Director of Poker Operations, the Faded Spade Podcast features unique interviews with multi-industry influencers about their entrepreneurial or career journey.

Expect entertaining, engaging, and educational segments about business, poker, sports, entertainment and life for a wide audience of diverse interests, backgrounds and beliefs.

Subscribe & download to qualify for a variety of monthly giveaways. In addition, code PODCAST will provide 15% off any poker playing card order at

FadedSpade.com

Email us questions, comments, and include people or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes:

podcast@fadedspade.com

Find and follow us on:

YouTube: bit.ly/fadedspadeyoutube

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/FadedSpadeCards

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fadedspade/

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The business and entrepreneurial journey of Phil Hellmuth! 15-Time WSOP Bracelet winner, best selling author, personal brand builder, business owner, investor, advisor. And the most accomplished poker tournament player in the world.

Join us to hear the untold story Phil Hellmuth's business beginnings and how he has grown to be a trusted advisor for many growing organizations. You'll hear stories about:

Books: #Positivity, Poker Brat, Play Poker Like the Pros

Business: Travel Smarter, Muzik, YouStake, WPT, Milwaukee's Best, More
Personal Branding: PH Brand, PhilHellmuth.com, ESPN Commentating

Twitter: @phil_hellmuth

Hosted by Tom Wheaton Founder & CEO of Faded Spade, & Sean McCormack Director of Poker Operations, the Faded Spade Podcast features unique interviews with multi-industry influencers about their entrepreneurial or career journey.

Expect entertaining, engaging, and educational segments about business, poker, sports, entertainment and life for a wide audience of diverse interests, backgrounds and beliefs.

Subscribe & download to qualify for a variety of monthly giveaways. In addition, code PODCAST will provide 15% off any poker playing card order at FadedSpade.com.

Email us questions, comments, and include people or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes: podcast@fadedspade.com

Find and follow us on:

YouTube: bit.ly/fadedspadeyoutube,

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fadedspadecards/,

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FadedSpadeCards,

and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fadedspade/,

#FadedSpade

Special Episode: Re-Entry Roundtable! Join Matt Savage, Sean McCormack, Jeremy Smith, Matt Berkey and Tom Wheaton for a unique perspective podcast about poker tournament re-entry from poker operator, tournament director, high-stakes player, and mid-stakes player viewpoints.

What are the benefits and drawbacks? How did the poker re-entry phenomenon begin? What other poker tournament factors play into the re-entry roundtable discussion?

Join us to hear unique perspectives, and a variety of potential industry paths forward, from some of the poker industry’s most credible and respected people in the game.

Hosted by Tom Wheaton Founder & CEO of Faded Spade, & Sean McCormack Director of Poker Operations, the Faded Spade Podcast features unique interviews with multi-industry influencers about their entrepreneurial or career journey.

Expect entertaining, engaging, and educational segments about business, poker, sports, entertainment and life for a wide audience of diverse interests, backgrounds and beliefs.

Subscribe & download to qualify for a variety of monthly giveaways. In addition, code PODCAST will provide 15% off any poker playing card order at FadedSpade.com.

Email us questions, comments, and include people or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes: podcast@fadedspade.com

Find and follow us on:

YouTube: bit.ly/fadedspadeyoutube
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fadedspadecards/, Twitter: https://twitter.com/FadedSpadeCards, and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fadedspade/

#FadedSpade

After a brief stint as a professional bowler, Jack McClelland spent the rest of his career working in poker. He started out at the bottom cleaning ash trays and running chips before moving up the ladder to dealer, shift supervisor, and eventually tournament director.

McClelland spent more than 30 years as one of the most respected figures in the industry, running tournaments all over the world. The Ohio-native was in charge of the World Series of Poker for most of the 80's and 90's, and made Bellagio one of the flagship casinos of the World Poker Tour from 2002 until he retired in late 2013. McClelland was inducted to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2014 alongside Daniel Negreanu.

Highlights from this interview include starving on the PBA Tour, from Russia not with love, learning cards from Grandma, moving to Vegas for the weather, the big games at the Sahara, breaking in at the WSOP, dealing with Johnny Moss, Stu Ungar, and the mob, the trouble with Sam Grizzle, heads-up penalties with Men The Master, Mrs. McClelland the bracelet winner, the lake in the middle of The Strip, his poker Mount Rushmore, a summer job at the copper factory, and the $300-$600 stud pot with Sarge Ferris that ended his playing career.

Matt Savage got his start in the poker industry as a chip runner at Garden City Casino, and worked his way up the ranks to dealer at Bay 101, and eventually, tournament director. The San Jose-native saw a need in poker for a standardized set of rules, and with the help of Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and Dave Lamb, formed the Tournament Directors Association. Savage was named tournament director for the World Series of Poker when he was just 34 years old, and served in that position during the onset of the poker boom from 2002 to 2004.

In the years since, Savage has continued to work tournaments at his home casino of Bay 101 and also at Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, which is currently hosting the L.A. Poker Classic. He's also seen his role with the World Poker Tour increase since he was named Executive Tour Director. Savage was heavily featured in the 2007 poker movie Lucky You, and also has a WSOP final-table score of his own, finishing fifth in the 2009 $1,500 stud eight-or-better event. He was the inaugural member of the Poker Room Manager's Hall of Fame, and has been nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame the last few years.

Highlights from this interview include trying to get unplugged, why you don't need a 16 lb. ball anymore, a disdain for homework, working since 14, going from chip runner to floorman, auditioning at Bay 101, being forced out of the box, the baby faced TD at the WSOP, being proactive with Men Nguyen and John Bonetti, Hellmuth steals the spotlight, how he almost screwed up the infamous Moneymaker/Farha bluff, running out of chips in the main event, proposing to his wife at the final table, how $400,000 went 'missing' from the prize pool, why he's the real star of Lucky You, a testy scene with Robert Duval, John Juanda's grudge, Dick Corpuz: king of the soul read, and why poker needs a museum.