KKPoker is delighted to announce WSOPC Ring winner Christopher Alcindor as our next 2024 Vegas Dream package winner!
Hailing from Montreal, Chris embarked on a journey through the Vegas Dream tournament path, culminating in a fierce battle for victory in the final. His perseverance earned him a $13,500 reward and a spot on the KK ELITE Team in Las Vegas this summer.
So far, 2024 has been a fantastic year for Chris, with over $100,000 in live tournament cashes and a place in the WSOP Tournament of Champions, where a deep run saw him compete against some of the biggest names in poker.
Chris exclusively spoke to KKPoker to share his poker journey, advice, and thoughts on winning some of the biggest honors in both online and live poker.
"GAME ON AND TIME TO SHINE"
In January 2024, online poker player Chris restarted his live poker journey, cashing in 3 tournaments in the space of 1 week, taking 64th, 33rd, and 135th place. But his following 3 recorded results would signal a significant shift in momentum.
In a whirlwind of just 8 weeks, Chris secured 3 titles and cashed for a staggering amount of over $95,000. His winning streak culminated in a prestigious WSOPC Ring in Calgary.
This was not the end of his triumphs, as his live poker heater continued to blaze in online poker and the KKPoker Vegas Dream satellite tournaments.
"It was funny because on the day I won my Vegas Dream package, I was having a pretty bad day overall, and I was trying to stay positive but was seemingly quite annoyed still, then about an hour into the Vegas Dream satellite, it clicked for me." said Chris.
"I guess it was the price to pay in order to win the package...I was being tested, and it was time to find out if I was truly worthy, so once that clicked for me, I felt even more confident, as it was truly game on and time to shine.
"After gambling a bit on my first bullet, I was fortunate enough to stay out of trouble for the most part on my second bullet. After late registration ended, I managed to slowly but surely accumulate chips and close the gap with the huge chip leader, especially after calling one of their bluffs.
"As we’re getting closer to the final table, my girlfriend, Alexandra, decided to not go to bed and stayed up to watch the game and support me through the last stretch. A couple eliminations later, the bubble burst and I was left with another Canadian player from the Maritime competing for the package!
"I had some momentum when heads-up play started and short-handed play, especially HU, which is one of my favorite parts of the game, so even though I started with a 2 to 1 deficit, I felt pretty good about myself."
"When it was down to heads up play, the chips went back and forth a little, until the very last hand before the break.
"I had the lead and dealt ATs. He raised and I reraised. Alexandra said there might be no break at all! Surely enough, after my opponent called off with A8s the board ran out giving me a flush vs two pair and that was it!
"We both started celebrating, hugged and almost fell, then Alexandra started running around while I was shouting 'We’re going to Vegas baby!'”
"This moment was a well deserved ending to such an emotional day to say the least!"
"I’M LOOKING TO BRING BACK HOME SOME GOLD"
Las Vegas' poker history is second to none. Through the early 90s and into the new century's poker boom, many names have turned themselves into poker idols. Competing with them is a poker dream for many, and Chris' aspirations match that.
"I've always wanted to play in the Main Event. And, of course, win it. All while competing with the likes of Phil Ivey, Erik Seidel, Huck Seed, and Patrick Antonius.
"Since the end of the pandemic, I started playing more live poker, so when KKPoker began their Vegas Dream promotion with multiple opportunities to win a full package, I just decided that I must give it my best shot and see what happens. It was also not long after my birthday and special things often happen for me during that time of the year!"
Chris might be excited about the prospect of competing against his poker heroes, but he has one clear objective when it comes to his goals.
"I'm looking to bring back home some gold haha!" Chris added.
"I want to enjoy myself, make good decisions, and capitalize as much as possible on the opportunity I created this year. I have only played two WSOP events in the past and haven't cashed, so it won't be too hard to perform better, I don't think!"
"I NEVER STOPPED BELIEVING"
Chris' poker journey began in university, fueled by a love for strategy games and a curiosity about the success of top tournament players. His early years involved extensive study and practice in home games and freerolls, eventually transitioning to real-money online play.
Chris' poker success helped him pay off student loans and even led to him being a Twitch streamer. As a popular figure in the Canada poker scene, Chris also now acts as a Canada poker community consultant for KKPoker.
"When I started playing poker, I wanted to practice being comfortable using all the different gears, so in some sessions, I would practice being the aggressor, running some big bluffs, and not taking my foot off the pedal. In other sessions, I would practice defending the blinds, picking up bluffs, etc. I wanted to understand all possible actions with every single poker hand possible in any given spot. This would lead me to get a better understanding of my opponents and also better intuition in marginal spots.
"Paying attention to details, learning patience and discipline to avoid playing too many hands. This eventually leads to maximizing profits and minimizing losses. Also, proper bankroll management is an absolute must to make it long-term in poker."
After Chris' success in Calgary, his victory secured him a seat in the WSOP Tournament of Champions held in Los Angeles. A $1,000,000 freeroll featuring a field of winners, such as Chris Moorman, Phil Hellmuth and Shaun Deeb.
Chris finished a very respectable 64th place out of the 562-player field, earning himself a $3,000 bonus.
"Seeing fellow players such as Jodie Dunfield, Dylan Ellis, and David Ko recently win a WSOP ring motivated me to play my best and aim to do the same thing.
"When I bagged for Day 2 of the $400 Monster Stack in May, I felt really good even though I was tied for the shortest stack at the time (5BBs), and I never stopped believing!
"When I was still in with a playable stack and about 3 tables left, that's when I knew the dream of having my first WSOPC ring was really within palpable reach!!
"On the FT, I got lucky when needed and knocked out a few players before it got down to heads-up. Even though I was against the defending champ of that event, I remained confident I could flip things around and make it count!
"Winning that tournament and the ring also gave me access to the Tournament of Champions, which was so different from the usual live tournaments I played in the past, just because every single player at least won one tournament within the last year. This automatically raises the bar as the competition is much more challenging than your average home game or local event. Players fight for every pot, and the constant battle makes winning much more prestigious.
"It was also my first time being in the same room as Hellmuth, Maurice Hawkins, Deeb, and such, so it was a great experience to add to my resume!"
"I’M HONORED TO BE PART OF THE TEAM"
Filled with confidence and his lucky SCOOP champion card protector earned in 2017, Chris will make the trip to Las Vegas and join up with his fellow KK ELITE Team members.
"I only ever played in the WSOP in Las Vegas once before, and I traveled without any poker crew or buddies, so this time, it will be truly special to have a whole team there to support and celebrate with!
"To prepare for big events, I like to study with some of my friends, review some hands, discuss other ways to approach certain spots, and look for leaks, etc.
"Most important is a good state of mind, so I try to get rid of all the small tasks so I don't think about anything other than poker and the present moment. Eating well, sleeping well, and being fresh and fully focused with a positive mindset also greatly help. Having a balanced lifestyle also ensures staying in a healthy place.
"I'm honored to be part of the team and to have two other fellow Canadians as well! Let's show the world what we're made of, haha!"
CANADA ON THE RISE
KKPoker recently bought the KKLIVE tour back to Canada for the second time, visiting Maritimes for a weekend of exciting live poker action. It was an opportunity for the KKPoker Canadian poker community to come together for fun and compete for rewards. Chris attended and believes live poker in Canada is once again growing.
"I live in Montreal, and I mostly played online in the past, but since I've started as a consultant with KKPoker, I've really enjoyed reconnecting with the live community in Canada and met a lot of new poker players while traveling in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Maritime.
"We are quite lucky to have so many Canada-based WSOP Circuit Events this year, so I'm quite grateful for that for sure!"
KKPoker is determined to help continue this growth with the backing of our new Canada Ambassadors.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Chris shared his final thoughts on how new poker players should approach the game.
"Take full advantage of the FREE bonuses and resources that KKPoker offer, and explore the different game types.
"Once you identified which one resonates the most with you, make the most out of the 100% Match deposit bonus and don’t be afraid to play only that format.
"Also, the skill that will allow you for the most growth is bankroll management in my opinion so make sure you only ever play with a portion of the bankroll you are gonna dedicate to poker. That way, you’ll remain calm and collected even after a couple losing sessions in a row which is inevitable by the way even for the best players out there."
Chris with David Ko at KKLIVE Montreal