The Champs Are Back

The 2017 Super High Roller Bowl live lottery was just completed at ARIA and while there are plenty of story lines to follow over the next few months with all 35 players, one immediately jumps off the screen. Both Brian Rast and Rainer Kempe were selected in the lottery, meaning that the past Super High Roller Bowl champions will have the chance to add to their legacies this summer. 

Legacy is something that Brian Rast takes seriously. He’s one of the most respected and well-rounded players in today’s game and is one of two people with two $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship titles. The PPC is arguably the World Series of Poker’s highest profile event, outside the Main Event and the Big One for One Drop High Roller. Despite a resume and legacy that some would be content with, Rast is as motivated as ever. 

“I’ve come to realize that what I’m really motivated by is the feeling I get when I’m under pressure and play poker.” Rast said, adding, “And being able to compete at something at the highest echelon of poker.”

The Super High Roller Bowl is certainly the highest of echelons but that’s nothing new to Rast. He not only competes in the biggest events in the world but also is a staple in some of the biggest mixed cash games in the world.

“Not many people who play the nosebleed High Roller No Limit poker tournaments and still play mix, it’s usually a different cast of people. It’s like a thing where I’m trying to push myself to see how good can I be, how long can I compete and continue to win at the highest levels. It’s a competition with myself.” Rast said. 

This summer, Rast will be competing against 49 of the best poker players in the world. Knowing what motivates Rast though, the pressure and the desire to continue to achieve success at the highest levels, makes it all the more likely that he’ll only be competing against one person in May, himself.