At an event at the Palms in Las Vegas, PokerStars formally announced the additions of David Williams and Vanessa Selbst to its roster of pros. The gathering featured many of the site’s sponsored players, including Barry Greenstein, who sat down with Poker News Daily to recap the arrival of Williams and Selbst and break down the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Tournament of Champions.
Poker News Daily: Talk about why David Williams and Vanessa Selbst are integral to the growth of PokerStars.
Barry Greenstein: I think it’s pretty obvious that both Vanessa and David have had some big wins recently. For the most part, we haven’t been bringing American players onto our team, but I think this shows that if you really hit some big tournaments, you have a chance to get on the PokerStars team.
PND: You finished fifth in the WSOP Tournament of Champions. Talk about your deep run.
Barry Greenstein: I had a chance. I got in the money without too much difficulty, but the big money is first, second, or third and I didn’t do that. I had a lucky hand where I drew out with a five-outer on Huck Seed and at that point, I felt like I might have a shot to win it. Then, I got in a race where I probably had a 45% chance against Howard Lederer – gutshot and a flush draw – and I didn’t hit it. That was my true ticket to the big money and I didn’t make it.
PND: What did it mean to you to be one of the 20 players voted in by fans to the Tournament of Champions?
Barry Greenstein: I’m never sure what my place is in the poker pantheon. I was predominately a cash game player and usually cash game players don’t get all of the fanfare that some of the guys who played tournaments during the early years do. I didn’t go after bracelets and didn’t play those events for many years. I don’t act up for the cameras – I’m not in the professional wrestling side of poker – so I never know if people are going to vote me into something like that or not. They may want more entertaining players, but I thank everyone who voted for me.
PND: Are you looking forward to the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) coming to Los Angeles in November?
Barry Greenstein: I’m always glad to get to play where I don’t have to travel. I’m getting lazy these days, so that’s nice. I am excited about PokerStars breathing new life into the poker tournament scene because they have people qualify online. The economy has gone down and the $5,000 price point has helped out with the attendance. They’ve made it a first class event and they’ve done a lot of things they can do because they have money to spend. They’ve produced a top class tour.
