Double Main Event Duty for Doug Polk

The World Series of Poker opened with Doug Polk in the winner’s circle of the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop, claiming his third-career WSOP bracelet by defeating Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier heads up on the PokerGO live stream. Polk won’t be on stream tonight, as PokerGO and ESPN’s live coverage of the Main Event resumes tomorrow with Day 1B, but Polk is in the Day 1A field competing in the World Series’ most prestigious event.

Despite a tournament resume that includes three WSOP wins and nearly $9 million in career earnings, along with an online poker resume that is just as impressive, Polk has only cashed in the Main Event once. That score came in 2011 but Polk is hoping that lightening can strike twice and he can bookend the summer with stellar results in the WSOP’s biggest events.

“This is the biggest event in poker,” Polk said during the final break of the night, adding, “The Main Event is really what got poker to where it is today so being a part of that it is really an honor.”

Polk will be a part of this year’s Main Event in multiple ways. He’s currently working a stack in the opening starting flight but over the next few days, Polk will be at the PokerGO break desk with Kara Scott and David Williams.

“It is cool to get to be on both sides.” Polk said about his dual role throughout the Main Event. “I get to do some of the media stuff and some of the playing, I’m excited for it.”

Pulling double duty is nothing new to Polk though, as he has seamlessly transitioned to become one of poker’s best content creators, along with remaining one of the best players in the world. Over the last year, Polk has had over 25 million views on his YouTube channel and Polk has also grown Upswing Poker into one of the best online training sites.

Polk is now not only one of the most respected players on the planet but also one of the game’s biggest personalities and he enjoys every minute of it, especially when he gets to interact with his fans.

“A year ago, I wasn’t a very well-known person, so it is really a humbling experience to have people want to take pictures or talk during breaks.” Polk said, before doing just that throughout the rest of his break.

While Polk’s fan interactions and demeanor off the table is similar to what we saw during the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop, he knows that the Main Event is a completely different beast.

“The One Drop, there are a lot of great players, obviously the best players in the world but you always have a good shot to win because you are one of like a 130 players.” Polk said before diving into the Main Event. “There is like a 1% chance of taking down the Main Event, there is such a small frequency that you run deep but I do think there is a lot more prestige in the Main Event.”

“It is so much harder to actually come out on top,” Polk said, while adding, “Making the Main Event final table would be pretty much the best thing anyone could ask for.”

After winning the High Roller for One Drop, a run towards the Main Event final table would arguably be one of the most impressive accomplishments in poker history and would cement Polk as one of the best to ever play the game.