$86 Moneymaker Spectacular
Level 9: 500/1,000 with a 1,000 BB Ante
Entries: 779
Nathan Manuel, long time Run It Up Warrior, has been going after a Platinum Pass in every possible way. Just last night, he bubbled Jaime’s Staple ultimate sweat challenge to win a Platinum Pass, but he is still determined to get one. He is currently sitting with a stack of 35,000 and plans to chip up, or get his re-buys in. We caught up with him on break and here is what he had to say:
”I’ve been going after a Platinum Pass in every different way that I can. It’s been going well. I’ve cashed three of the Moneymaker events. I’ve played the online event in New Jersey. I’ve played the Mega stack in London. I’m chasing a Platinum Pass. I’m trying to do whatever I can to guarantee myself an opportunity to play in this tournament.”
Although Manuel has a day job, he is aware of how great of an opportunity that is, and is doing his best to not miss any shot at it.
”I have a day job. I’ve been asking a lot of favors to people to cover for me at certain times. I travel for work, so I’m trying to synchronize some travel for work in places where there are some platinum passes events specifically in London. I’m really focused on it. I really think the tournament is a once in a life time opportunity. I can’t afford to play a $25k tournament. This $86 tournament is a great way for me to try and get in, because that’s relative in my bankroll.”
He’s been enjoying his journey while chasing one around and believes the environment’s been different for this tournament.
”It’s been interesting too, because for us, we come to Run It Up Reno, and there is a always a really good environment all the time anyway. So we’re used to it. But in other places it’s not the case. However, wherever I’ve been playing this $86 tournament at, the environment’s been really chill, exciting, and everybody is having a lot of fun. It’s a significant life changing prize and everybody’s been pretty comfortable playing it. So it’s been a lot of fun and I’m really excited to have the opportunity to get to chase this around.”
Although he bubbled Jaime Staple’s ultimate sweat challenge, he is grateful he was part of it as he always wanted to learn a second language.
”I was in the top 6 for his Platinum Pass adventure competition. I learned conversational Japanese. I have always wanted to learn Japanese. I have been to Japan like three times and I’m going to Japan for my honeymoon. My wife has never been. Every time I went, I really loved my experiences there, but I had always wanted the opportunity to be more engaged and kind of have different kind of relationships. When you’re a tourist, it’s sometimes awkward because you don’t speak their language. I don’t speak any other language and I’ve always wanted to, so I was really trying to find a way. In three months, I learned their two basic alphabets, how to order food from restaurants, how to introduce myself and how to follow directions. I felt like as a visitor to the country those are the things that I want to be able to do the most.”
With or without a pass, Manuel is still planning to go to the Bahamas.
”I will be in the Bahamas no matter what. I typically go to the Bahamas. I like this stop. It’s a good place for Americans to have an opportunity to play and it’s an EPT style tournament. My average buy-in is probably a $1,000. I will be there and play a couple of $1,000 tournaments. But playing a $25,000 is totally life-changing and an opportunity to win money that you can’t win in a $1,000 tournament.”
