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Table Of Contents

• The New & Improved Playground
• MUG, Kessel & the $5M Freeroll

When it comes to Canadian poker players, Patrick Tardif has made quite a name for himself. Originally from Saskatchewan and now residing in Toronto, Tardif is known for his online poker prowess where he’s recorded more than $11 million in virtual felt earnings.

So, when WPT Global was looking to add to their Ambassador roster the man known as “Egption” was a natural fit. Since joining the team – which includes Phil Ivey, Brad Owen, Ethan Yau, Jon Van Fleet, Xuan Liu, Angel Guillen, and most recently NHL star Phil Kessel (more on that below) – Tardif has taken his ambassadorship seriously and has been doing a good amount of traveling, including to Montreal for the WPT Playground Championship.

The New & Improved Playground

“I hadn't been here since pre COVID, like 2018. I think the first time I came back was when the WPT came here back in May,” Tardif told PokerNews. “So, it had been like six plus years and I got to see from what they used to be to what they are now.”

The former professional Halo video game player elaborated: “It's like a full-fledged resort, three floors, all the tables and slot machines, the new and improved poker room. They kept the same dungeony vibe, which if you've never been here before you might be confused about it.”

Tardif, who boasts more than 54,000 Twitch followers, qualified for the CAD $1,100 WPT Playground Prime Championship online and wound up finishing in 73rd place for $2,601. He then jumped into the Main Event, found a bag, and cashed on Day 2 placing 101st for $4,607. However, any profit he had disappeared when he fired the CAD $10K High Roller and busted.

“It’s crazy kind of trying to bluff Darren Elias,” he conceded. “That was stupid. And then a good hand runs into a better hand.”

In the live realm, Tardif has just over $500K in lifetime earnings dating back to 2014 according to the Hendon Mob. That included a runner-up finish to Peter Chung in the 2020 WPT Fallsview for $159,157 and $78,900 for placing 97th in the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event.

MUG, Kessel & the $5M Freeroll

Tardif continues to gain valuable live experience, but not just in tournaments. Last week, he joined fellow WPT Global Ambassadors Liu and Owen, as well as WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage, for a massive cash game meet-up game (MUG).

“Anytime I play the meet-up game here, I know the player pool jumps for joy. They know I'm there to dump money. I kept my word. I lost at least a four-figure sum at the $1-$3 tables. I definitely took some back at the $2-$5 but at the $1-$3 we were giving it away.”

While Tardif didn’t do too hot, both of his fellow Ambassadors did.

“I was no Xuan Liu, I wasn't winning $6K. I did get to watch her just destroy someone for at least a $2K pot. She was cleaning up. I think Brad Owen did alright too. I think he won money after a $1K flip.”

https://twitter.com/TheBradOwen/status/1848794647663132962

Tardif also addressed the latest member of the WPT Global family, 37-year-old Phil Kessel, who is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, winning back-to-back championships with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017 and with the Golden Knights in 2023.

“I don't watch a lot of hockey but I know who Phil Kessel is,” said Tardif. “I know what he's about. I know his career and that he is a sports superstar. You think about a sports superstar going in maybe being a little stuck up or something, but he is one of the coolest guys I've ever met. Very chill, and the biggest thing I appreciate with him is just that he’s very passionate about poker. I love talking poker with him. I think it's a great addition to the team.”

Finally, Tardif talked about what everyone in the extended WPT family is super excited about – the $5,000,000 Freeroll in December at the WPT World Championship.

“Club WPT Gold is hosting the freeroll. So far I think I've given about 18 seats out. We've still got plenty more to give away. If anyone uses code ‘EGPT’ they will have a shot to win a seat. The only way you're going to get qualified is if you register for a raffle or do some extra extracurricular contests that some of the other ambassadors like Brad, Xuan, and myself are running. But the primary way is all you have to do is spend three minutes, sign up, and verify your ID. You’ve got a good chance of going to Vegas.”

Tardif, who confirmed he will be in Las Vegas for the WPT World Championship, concluded: “I think it will be the first time I play a full series in Vegas in years. There's no better place to play than the Wynn other than the Playground of course. But the Wynn is one of the most beautiful places for poker. Very well run, top tier, top to bottom, and looking forward to putting in a series there.”

PokerNewswill be on-site at the WPT Playground offering content throughout, so be sure to check back daily as we bring you updates and stories straight from the tournament floor.

_{*Photos courtesy World Poker Tour (WPT) / Alicia Skillman}