The premier networking event of the 2007 Webmasterworld Pubcon Conference was not anywhere near the convention center but instead at the Venetian Poker room! There was almost 200 people in the tournament and those that were not playing were networking and having a good time.
I was lucky enough to place 2nd in the tournament and take home $1,985.00. Well… I think I only managed to take home about $500 which wont even cover the taxes but we had 1 hell of a night! (with no sleep)
BTW: I am wearing sunglasses cause I had PRK Lasek Eye surgery only 1 week before and my eyes were super light sensitive. (and it was bright in that place)
I have been working recently with Dr David Klein about this years event and how we (fighters.com) can be a sponsor. DK has been working hard on this years event and it should be every bit as awesome as last years. This morning he sent me an initial graphic they are working on. So mark it now on your calendars November 13th 2008 at the Venetian hotel. Its going to be a great time and really a win win… either you go far in the tournament or your standing around networking! win win.
Again this event last year was by far the best party/networking event of Pubcon. Many people were saying it had a lot more value then the conference it self (as most networking events do).
I encourage companies looking for a ton of exposure to sponsor this years event. Its a very low cost and DK knows how to do an event right!
P.S. You don’t have to be a professional SEO to play in the tournament! Otherwise I would not have been able to play 
About the author...
Jeremy Schoemaker – who has written 2416 posts on ShoeMoney.com.
Hi I am Jeremy Schoemaker and ShoeMoney.com is my blog. 99% of the post here are done by me but you will see others occasionally make guest posts. This blog is fun to write but for my day job I run several online companies.
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Got your poker shades on to match your game face
Cool. Since it is not for professional seo’s, I guess I will join in.
I made the donation to play, last year, but decided to just hang around and drink…
I’m playing, fo sheez, this time around!
Congrats for winning $1,985… thats not a big amount. you should try more.
Hey bro – where can we learn more on how to sponsor?
Thanks & I definitely wanna play!
Not sure if you saw my other post but GSP rocks!
Alejandro,
Shoe and I are brainstorming this morning on the sponsor set up. I am just stoked to have the tournament associated with Jeremy and fighters.com.
For info about the sponsorships I can be contacted at dk (at) purposeinc.com
In addition to a good time, we also raised almost $5K for some amazing charities.
This year at a minimum I want to double that!
I am also taking suggestions on great charities for this years event.
Much Love to you all,
dk
From someone that sponsored this event last year (2007) I can say it was well worth it. First there was the opportunity to help a fellow DC make something happen but there was also the opportunity to network (as both Jeremy and David mentioned). Nearly every Rockstar SEO and marketer were in attendance and funds were rasied for several charities.
That’s pretty cool, too bad I am in Europe and can’t attend. I bet I’d whoop all your asses.
Shoe I take it that picture is old because you had your lasik eye thing done a while back?
Michael,
Again, I can not thank you enough for sponsoring the event when it had no track record. PlanetC1.com rocks! for having helped out!
You do a lot of good in the world my friend!
dk
Very looking forward to being there. So glad I met David at EliteRetreat. Was a great event!
Ahhh I love Texas Hold ‘Em. I play down at the Borgata in Atlantic City all the time.
Keep the shades for this year Jeremy–you look like a pro!
I’m jealous, that looked like fun.
Errr….How does one become a “professional” SEO?
Who says SEO is allot like play cards in a game of Chance.
$1985 is pretty good for playing some poker, having fun and networking. Better than being first to bust out and have nothing
~Terry
DK (purposeinc) did an awesome job last year. The tournament was amazing, the networking was built into the tournament in a natural way. It’s rare that you can sit next to Shoemoney, Dillsmack, bust out Rebecca Kelly and meet the the Chief Cheeseburger all in one event, but that was my experience making it to the final table. The t-shirt also got us a great client the next day as well.
Poker tournaments and Internet Marketing are similar by many ways. Many people continue playing even if they know they can’t win;) But once you know what kind of strategy works its a walk in the park.
The popularity of poker has only but increased incredibly with all the online poker sites offering their services. It is a game of chance played by skilled contestants, in a way a reflection on SEO in being both an art and a science, hence the attraction to SEO types I suppose?
Jokes aside, it is incredible how much mileage can be had out of a social / relaxation event that is designed to take a bit of pressure off a convention. The relaxation / party time is an ideal window of opportunity to network and establish relationships in a slightly less formal environment.
Hey Jeremy you look sexy with those sunglasses
2nd place! Go shoe! That must have made for a long night!
Finishing second out of about 200 is pretty good.
We were loving the shades and don’t even think you need the disclaimer! Wearing shades during a poker tournament is normal…so people don’t see your “bluff face” !
A poker player, too? How much poker do you play? What’s your screen name on PokerStars.com?
Yeah, there’s some Phil Hellmuth similarities.
He just needs to get sponsored by a poker room and have the logo on his shirt and hat like all the Poker pros
~Terry
you become professional after you buy the ebook. I am sure though you are just trying to temp shoe to begin another battle…
Did I miss what the buy in was?
I gotta make up for my sorry performance from last year. Went out 4th or 5th with a 2nd best flush. But it’s true what Shoe said about networking. I was only there for 30 minutes but made some good connections. Can’t wait to exact my…redemption… or something.
Never understood poker.
I have just mastered snap !
Whats the buy in for the tournament?
Were ya’ll playing Texas Hold’em?
I am an ex poker player and only played online, must be awesome at a tournament. So what was the buy in. Its important to always have something else to do. My addiction know is blogging, its great to be an addictive personality.
Gambling can be addicting but man i lobe it hope you had a blast.
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