Finally, after four years of building the excitement and press around this amazing tournament, the BC Poker Championships have found their media darling. Canadian-born poker pro Daniel Negreanu took down 689 players to win this year’s main event and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

From year one there has been some steady mentionables that have been loyal to this tournament, such as Gavin Smith and Yukon Brad Booth. Lacey Jones has been there from the early days too. Brains and beauty is an easy sell for me to the press! Through the years and by word of mouth more and more pros have tried to dip their hands into the BCPC pot. There was 1.9 million up for grabs in this year’s main event, a big amount on the Canadian poker scene, not to mention a mean title to add under your belt. Joining Gavin, Brad, and Lacey over the years have been pros like Greg Mueller, Steve Paul Ambrose, Dennis Phillips (2008 WSOP final table player), Gabe Kaplan, Mark Napier and most recently joining Lacey on the ladies side were Liz Lieu, Maria Ho, and Tiffany Michelle - I’ll get to those gorgeous ladies later.

On November 23, 2008 Kid Poker himself won the whole shbang. The giant cheque said he won $371, 910. Small potatoes for the guy ranked second in the world for his winnings. But it is one of Canada’s largest prize pools.”Being Canadian myself, playing and winning the BC Poker Championships is extra special to me,” says Negreanu. “The tournament was extremely well organized and my opponents were very good. It may have been a smaller tournament but I would say this has been the best $2500 buy-in event structure I’ve ever played.”

Negreanu goes on to say, “I’ve been to many casinos all over the world but the River Rock Casino Resort is truly unique and it’s been a great experience. The service is excellent and I’ve been treated like a star right from day one! I look forward to coming back again with friends.

Being that Daniel is just about the nicest most genuine guy I’ve ever met, I hope he comes back every year from now on! He really is exactly as he’s seen. Such a nice guy! I was there when he called his mom right after his win. On the tournament tables he’s just the same. Of course he has his game face on but the guy really is a master at reading people. He talks to his opponents constantly asking them where they are from, what do they do for a living, all the while checking for tells and signs. He was short stacked a few times and I have to say his skills pulled him out every time, that and a few lucky cards. He also is GREAT with the media! So eloquent. The guy knows his poker. On a more personal note, I was extremely impressed of his knowledge of fine wines! I was even more impressed that the restaurant had it in their wine cellar!

Negreanu is going to raise viewership of the final table when it gets televised by at least 30% adding more exposure to this tournament and the resort. BC’s best kept secret will not be under wraps for much longer and I’m glad it was Daniel that was the first big pro to win it and blow this tournament wide open. I’m excited for the 2009!

It’s no secret that Lacey and I have become close friends over the years that she has been coming to Vancouver to play the BCPCs and the Coast to Coast and the Johnny Chan Classic. This year she brought 3 super ladies with her. Maria Ho (2007 last woman standing at the WSOP main event- $240k), Tiffany Michelle (2008 last woman standing at the WSOP main event- $340k) and Liz Lieu (as of 2008, Lieu has earned over $690,000 in live tournament play). In fact I spent a couple of days with Lacey and Maria in Vegas (while visiting the Global Gaming Expo) before meeting them back here on my turf. It couldnt have timed out better. And thank you ladies for showing this BC girl a good time in Vegas!

I had a blast hanging out with these girls at the BCPCs. Although all four busted out on the first day of the main event I was selfishly happy I could steal them away for autograph signings and a couple of nights out on the town.

Can’t wait till next year. I have a feeling things are gonna get real big when Daniel comes back to defend his title… with friends.

Here are a few photos I took throughout the tournament this year. The entire collection is here.