ClubWPT qualifier Imran Iqbal returns to the live felt

Posted on: November 24, 2023 02:47 PST

Imran Iqbal started playing poker 25 years ago after catching the bug from watching “Rounders” but only started playing on ClubWPT less than a year ago. He won his package to the $3,500 World Poker Tour Seminole Hard Rock Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open and is excited to get some experience on the live felt.

“My goal for this trip is to finish in the money, but even if I don’t, that’s ok,” Iqbal said. “I’ll take the experience as this will be only my fourth live tournament and my best poker accomplishment. My goal is to see how much I can grow in the game and to see what my ceiling is.”

Iqbal plans on playing Saturday’s Day 1B flight, hoping to grab a piece of the $3 million guarantee. The event features two starting flights and plays nine-handed until the money bubble, when it drops down to eight-handed play.

LearnWPT

He credits his recent success with diving into LearnWPT. “The teachings of Nick Binger at LearnWPT really helped me win this seat at SHR,” said Iqbal. “I have only watched the first 100 out of 600+ episodes.”

The 51-year-old father of one moved to the United States from Pakistan when he was 12. He lives in Plano, TX and has been a lifelong dry cleaner. This particular event was probably the toughest of all the WPT events for him to get to. “The week before Thanksgiving is a very busy time for us.”

The adopted Texan is a huge sports fan and is still riding high from the fall. “The Texas Rangers just the World Series for the first time in the franchise’s history – which happens to be as old as me.”

Iqbal played online before the legal landscape changed and his return to the game follows a recent divorce. “Here I am playing poker again after getting divorced last year. But it’s all good because I’m rounding again.”