Bill Mynatt’s Poker Dream Comes True

By Matt Clark

ClubWPT.com qualifier Bill Mynatt (pictured) lived the poker experience of a lifetime in only two days at the Season XVI WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic. In his time playing in the tournament, Mynatt made many memories and had the time of his life seated next to Antonio Esfandiari and WPT Raw Deal host Phil Hellmuth on Day 2.

Hellmuth was a late addition to the table and Esfandiari was there right from the start. During Day 1, Mynatt listed Esfandiari as one of his three favorite players. A round of “Lodden Thinks” broke out at the table and Mynatt served as the brain for the questions. Mynatt was especially pleased to get a needle in on Hellmuth.

“You wouldn’t believe it! I zinged Phil Hellmuth,” Mynatt exclaimed. “He was saying that I was influencing his decision. ‘No, Phil. I don’t listen to you. Like Antonio says, never listen to Phil.’ Everybody at the table erupted.”

Some of the questions Mynatt answered at the table included how many hours Eric Wasserson spends “sexting” a year, the combined number of sexual partners for the table, and how much would it take for Wasserson and Esfandiari to always be within 100 feet of one another for an entire year.

That number turned out to be $1.25 million, according to Mynatt. His number to serve as the ‘brain’ for a year whenever Esfandiari plays Lodden? That number was the $2 million up top with registration at an end for WPT Five Diamond.

Mynatt was felted by Alex Foxen during Level 7, but the ClubWPT.com qualifier hung around the table afterward to take part in the perpetual game. At all tables where he sat, Mynatt had players sign his book with their autograph in order to remember them far after this tournament and VIP experience concludes.

“I had a special page for the two tables I played in,” Mynatt told WPT.com. “Everybody signed in there. The highlight of this thing was being the brain for their Lodden Thinks.”

Mynatt took great pleasure in having both Esfandiari and Hellmuth sign his book. On a recent break, Mynatt snagged Daniel Negreanu’s signature in a copy of his book.

Negreanu is another one of Mynatt’s favorites and he met every expectation Mynatt could have had during their brief interaction.

“He was just as friendly as I expected,” Mynatt beamed. “He’s a good guy. I know that the next time I see him, he’ll remember my name.”

Mynatt’s VIP experience as a ClubWPT.com member is far from over. Over the next few days, Mynatt has activities planned out such as the NASCAR experience here in Las Vegas. He will also be present at the taping of the telebised final table on Sunday.

Even though he is no longer in the WPT Five Diamond event, Mynatt is excited to get more “play” out of his virgin voyage to Las Vegas.

Dreams come true in many ways on the World Poker Tour and for Mynatt, he will remember his for years to come.

If you’d like to win your way to a World Poker Tour event for your shot at becoming a WPT champion, check out ClubWPT.com where you can play for your chance to compete on the World Poker Tour. Eligible VIP Members can play for over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month, including seats to WPT events, no purchase necessary.