the iconic North America Poker Tour (NAPT) is heading back to Las Vegas from November 1 – 10, 2024, following a successful return last year.

Some of the players gearing up for the trip will live their dreams thanks to winning a Gold Pass worth $10K on PokerStars. Here, we’re going to meet as many of them as we can so we can root for them in the $5,300 Main Event.

KICE SOROOR

We always say that the PokerStars Power Path gives recreational players the chance to pursue their dreams. Kice Soroor knows a thing or two about that.

The 39-year-old from Toronto, Canada once lived a traditional life. He got married, worked a corporate job, and golfed at the weekends. But he’s made some tough decisions over the past six years, ending the relationship and leaving his job to chase his dream.

“For the last five years or so I’ve been roughing it, finding ways to survive while doing the job I love,” says Soroor. “I currently produce and write songs freelance for artists, as well as a record label. It’s honestly a wonderful journey. No one said it would be easy, it certainly isn’t, but I have my time and my peace. That’s good enough.”

When he was younger Soroor had a spell as a poker pro, and he clearly hasn’t forgotten how to play. He clinched his Vegas Gold Pass by battling his way through 525 opponents and winning a NAPT Freeroll on PokerStars. 

The funny thing? He didn’t even know the Pass was in the prize pool until he reached the final table.

“It was pretty wild. I assumed the winner was playing for a satellite into another tournament” he says. But when a friend – “newsworthy1” – informed him of what he was playing for, the nerves set in. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions but when it was all said and done, I was buzzing with energy.”

He’ll now need that energy in November when he’ll be visiting Las Vegas for the first time, joined by his best friend of 26 years. “We both turn 40 soon and we’ve never been away together, plus he’s also never been to Vegas. This is going to be an amazing trip.”

You can check out Soroor’s music here.

KYLE LORENZ

Let Kyle Lorenz be an inspiration to all of you who think you’re not good enough to win a package through an online satellite. 

He started playing online properly during the pandemic and has done well in the state of Pennsylvania, with several scores in the $20K-$30K range. But there’s one part of his game he admits he has neglected.

“I am extremely bad at satellites,” Lorenz tells us. “So it felt really good to luckbox my way into a package for Las Vegas.”

Lorenz did so by climbing the Power Path steps and winning a $10K Las Vegas Gold Pass. He might have had two packages had things gone his way a few weeks ago. “I recently bubbled a $1K satellite to the same event,” he says. “I had a big chip lead late at the final table but finished in third place.”

This time it was the opposite for Lorenz. He came into the FT short but “luckboxed” until he got the job done. “It was the only way I was going to get it done,” he says.

This will be Lorenz’s second time at NAPT Las Vegas thanks to an online package. “The NAPT event was great last year and I was able to bring my wife to the event at Zouk night club where we had a blast and got to meet a bunch of PS and NAPT ambassadors.  

“We also spun the wheel and won a ticket package to a great show in Vegas,” he says. “I’m hoping to have a similar experience this time as well and enjoy the time out there with my wife, Justine.  On top of that, it would be nice to ship the main event this time.”

BRIAN FRASCA

Brian Frasca was all set for a serious grind as he attempted to win a Gold Pass. He saved up a bunch of $100 Step 4 bullets and settled in for what could have been a long and expensive satellite session.

Then he went and won the $10,000 Gold Pass on his very first attempt. “It was awesome,” he tells us. “To get in on my first bullet in a $100 satellite was pretty incredible.”

Frasca is a 32-year-old Actuary from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania who started taking poker seriously around 2015, driving to a different state (New Jersey) just so he could play online poker. A couple of years later he broke through, chopping a $250 live event for $23K, then in 2021 his proudest moment” came from a deep run in the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, finishing 78th for $81K.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the NAPT Main Event, but the entire series schedule looks great,” he says. “So I’m also looking forward to playing some of the other series events.”

SCOTT HAZE

As a former soccer player turned marathon runner, Scott Haze is used to going the distance. But it took something special for him to book his trip to Las Vegas.

The 37-year-old Senior Contracts Manager from Havertown, PA battled his way through more than 1,000 entries to win the Summer Stacks PA Main Event. On top of the title, he received a Gold Pass as a bonus.

“It’s definitely one of my biggest poker accomplishments,” he says. “The funny thing is that when I won it was late at night, my wife and kids were sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake them up so I didn’t even get the opportunity that night to burst out with any excitement. I was able to give my Dad a call and share the news with him which was nice.”

It’s a good thing he got the pass the way he did as Haze is yet to play Power Path, preferring cash games. “I only really play Main Events on PokerStars,” he says. “PLO has been my favorite game for the last 10 years.”

He started playing with friends in college and built an online bankroll throughout his schooling. These days, however, he can only find time for one or two sessions a week. “I try to fit in tournaments when I can, but the commitment for multiple 10-12 hour days is difficult with work and family commitments, especially when Day 2’s are typically on a Sunday,” he explains.

But now Haze will be heading to Las Vegas to battle in a live PokerStars Main Event. “I’m really looking forward to the amazing food, the NAPT main event, maybe some shows, and to visit the Sphere,” he says.

STEVE MATHEWS

Online poker satellites aren’t just a great way to play events you usually couldn’t or wouldn’t. They’re also a cost-effective way to travel.

Just ask Steve Mathews, a 37-year-old construction manager from Scarborough, Ontario – now living in Toronto. He won a package to the Irish Open on PokerStars earlier this year, and now he’s booked himself a trip to Las Vegas.

“It’s my first time going to Vegas,” he says. “I’m excited, especially for the value.”

If Mathews’ memory is correct, he took down his Gold Pass by spinning up a free $0.50 ticket. 

But it’s hard for him to remember as he’s been crushing the Power Path. “Definitely no more than a Step 3 $10 registration,” he says.

The NAPT will be Mathews’ maiden major live event. “I’ve never had success but I’ve always enjoyed the “skill game” aspect of poker,” he says. He’ll get to put his self-taught skills to the test in November. 

MORE ABOUT NAPT LAS VEGAS

It’s back! NAPT returns to Las Vegas in November

Are you the next Loose Cannon? The Big Game on Tour returns to NAPT Las Vegas in 2024

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