Founders – Robbie Strazynski Talks Mixed Game Festival 2
The second incarnation of the Mixed Game Festival runs Sunday-Thursday June 12-16th at Resorts World, Las Vegas. Festival founder Robbie Strazynski discusses the feast of poker which mixed-game lovers have to look forward to in June.
Poker Industry News: You are back for part 2 of your mixed game festival series, and all indicators showed that the first incarnation of your mixed games festival was a roaring success! What kind of positive feedback did you get for your focus on mixed games?!
Robbie: When I first conceived of putting together the Mixed Game Festival back in late 2019, it was a gamble.
Plainly speaking, nobody in poker had ever done something like that before; namely run a festival focused exclusively on mixed games. But I love mixed games and felt that there was a niche to be filled, namely giving low-stakes mixed game players a marquee event to look forward to with lots of extra value to be had.
Since it was Cardplayer Lifestyle’s first live event, I truly “emptied the clip” in working to promote the first Mixed Game Festival back in October. Having a Platinum Pass from PokerStars to giveaway was the cherry on top.
We quite literally had universally positive feedback from everyone who attended the festival over its three cash game days and final tournament day… and folks were already asking “when’s the next one gonna be?”
Poker Industry News: What were the “best bits” for you as an event organizer, and mixed-game lover?
Robbie: Quite frankly, everything was awesome. After so much planning and a 1.5-year delay due to the pandemic, to finally see the Mixed Game Festival come together was just a dream. Each day, the festival “grew” as far as how many cash game tables were running simultaneously to the point where on Day 3 we had three full tables going for 12 hours. You just don’t see that for a $4/8 mix.
Throughout the festival, we had lots of well-known poker pros and personalities come out to support the Mixed Game Festival, including Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, Norman Chad, Nathan Gamble, Brian Hastings, and more.
It was exceptionally gratifying that we had a sellout (124 players) for the tournament on Day 4, and to have 2004 WSOP Main Event champion Greg Raymer win it was just icing on the cake.
Poker Industry News:What’s different about this event?! tell us about your amazing Prizes, schedule, Interesting guests lined up for version 2!
Robbie: A few things are different this time around. First off, we’ll be at a new venue, Resorts World Las Vegas. Plus, we’re expanding from four to five days, Sunday-Thursday June 12-16.
We won’t be having a tournament this time, but the dealer’s choice cash games will run non-stop. Limits will be at both $4/8 and $8/16 this time, and higher limit tables can be opened if there’s enough demand for it.
We’ll be giving away a PokerStars Live Event Prize Package, which includes flight, hotel, and a seat in the main event of one of their future tour stops.
We’ll also be giving away plenty of other poker-themed merchandise, plus we’re planning to schedule a book signing each day. Already confirmed are popular “repeat guests” from last time, Eli Elezra (who will be signing copies of his autobiography Pulling The Trigger) and Dylan Linde (who will be signing copies of his Mastering Mixed Games book). More authors are currently “in the pipeline”.
Poker Industry News: Can you tell us a little about how the new resorts world card-room is kitted out for poker tournaments / cash-games?
Robbie: Resorts World is the newest casino-resort in Las Vegas and it truly is “a cut above the rest”. The 30-table poker room is super classy and the staff is among the most professional and well-trained as I’ve ever encountered. People working at the Resorts World poker room truly love the game, and also happen to be big proponents of mixed games. Plus, in a boon to our players, the rake will be super low at just $4 per hand, with that fourth dollar only being taken once the pot hits $80.
Poker Industry News: Where can players sign up?
Robbie: Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us. There will be cash game lists set up each day of the Mixed Game Festival. Resorts World utilizes Poker Atlas software, so you can get your name on the list via the app, as well.
Image (c) Chris Wallace
