Luis Rivera: From Online Player to NAPT Gold Pass Winner
A Unique Giveaway Experience
For the past month, the poker community has been abuzz with excitement, thanks to a special giveaway promoted by the well-known PokerNews Podcast and its sister series, Life Outside Poker, hosted by Connor Richards. Throughout six episodes, listeners were treated to a special game that involved deciphering a hidden code phrase consisting of scattered code words, culminating in the phrase: “NAPT Ladies Event Champ Kyna Cool.” This led to an exciting opportunity where fans could submit the code for a chance to win a coveted $10,000 Gold Pass to the upcoming PokerStars NAPT Las Vegas at Resorts World, scheduled for November 1-10, 2023.
In a lively episode of PokerNews, hosts Mike Holtz, Kyna England, and Chad Holloway randomly drew the lucky winner: Luis Rivera, a 35-year-old from Houston, Texas. Rivera’s journey to this moment was as unexpected as it was thrilling.
A Lucky Discovery
Luis Rivera stumbled upon this giveaway while diving into a podcast episode discussing an incident involving poker pro Nick Vertucci on HCL. “I noticed a banner displaying the giveaway. I thought to myself, ‘Hell, it can’t hurt to try.’ Boy, am I glad I did!” Rivera exclaimed, reflecting on the instant that would change his poker journey.
Originally hailing from Oviedo, Florida, and the eldest of three siblings, Rivera’s love for technology guided him toward a successful career in computers. Starting at Best Buy in customer service, he worked his way up to Geek Squad, ultimately transitioning to a software company. His technical skills serve him well, as they apply both to his career and his passion for poker.
A Player’s Journey
Rivera’s introduction to poker is reminiscent of many enthusiasts; he found it through television. “I started watching Poker After Dark way back when,” he recalled. The combination of social interaction and strategic complexity immediately drew him in. Despite the inevitable losses playing $0.02/$0.05 games on platforms like PokerStars and Full Tilt, he maintained a positive outlook, recognizing that each defeat was a lesson contributing to his growth as a player.
Primarily an online grinder, Rivera’s upcoming participation in the NAPT Las Vegas event marks only his second live tournament experience. He admits he doesn’t even have a Hendon Mob profile—yet. However, he carries fond memories of winning an online satellite into the Irish Open Main Event last year, an experience he describes as remarkable. “It was the biggest event I had been in (€1,150), and I made it into Day 2, which was my goal from the beginning. I didn’t cash, but I enjoyed every minute of it,” Rivera explained. This prior experience boosts his confidence as he looks forward to the challenges of live play in Las Vegas.
Hobbies Beyond Poker
Outside of poker, Rivera has a passion for video editing and content creation, seeing it as a rewarding creative outlet. “Computers are great and all, but nothing beats the satisfaction of finally uploading a video I’ve been working on for weeks,” he said. He also indulges in video games, particularly seeking out challenging titles, including those from the Dark Souls series, and embraces a love for reading that he hopes will foster continuous personal growth. He recently finished *The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck by Mark Manson**, a book he highly recommends for its insightful perspective on life and priorities.
In an effort to share his interests with others, Rivera maintains a small comedy-centric YouTube channel called Mixed Nuts and has also been known to share his poker gameplay on Twitch under the username RefriedMeatball.
What Lies Ahead
As the date for the NAPT Las Vegas approaches, PokerNews plans to check in with Rivera in person to hear about his experiences both before and during the event. With eager anticipation, fans and fellow players alike are excited to follow his journey through the $5,300 NAPT Main Event. Rivera’s story serves not only as an inspiration for aspiring poker players but also as a reminder of the thrill and unpredictability that the poker world can embody.
When Rivera steps into the spotlight in Las Vegas, he does so armed with determination, a blend of tech savvy, and a deep-rooted passion for the game—ready to create memories that could change his poker journey forever.
Through his unexpected win and unique background, Luis Rivera embodies the spirit of perseverance and passion that characterizes the world of poker. Whether he finishes strong or not, one thing is certain: his adventure has just begun, and the poker community will be cheering him on every step of the way!
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