A Journey of Perspective: My Experience at WSOP Atlantis
- niki004
- Dec 23, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 15
I had a fantastic time at the WSOP Atlantis this year, but not for the reasons you might think.
Yes, I played in a $2,500 World Series of Poker event. Yes, I earned my seat through ClubGG, an online membership platform where I play daily games and compete for major prizes. And yes, I even sat at a table with other ClubGG winners and played a hand against Chris Moneymaker.
But the real value of this trip had very little to do with poker chips or prize money. It had everything to do with perspective.
Earning the Seat, Not Buying It
Before I even packed a bag, this trip already meant something to me.
I didn’t buy my way into the WSOP Atlantis event. I earned my seat through ClubGG, an online subscription platform where I play consistently, build skill, and compete for opportunities like this. I didn't actually win this ticket. It was gifted to me from another player on the site. This reminds me that discipline and repetition matter, even when the reward feels far away or it seems like no one is watching.
That theme would repeat itself throughout the week.
Miami, Nassau, and Slowing Down on Purpose
The trip started with an evening flight to Miami and an overnight layover. The next morning, we walked downtown and found a rooftop breakfast spot called Area 31. We enjoyed a healthy, relaxed start to the day before flying on to Nassau.
Once we arrived, everything unfolded as planned. We were picked up by our friend Devon, a licensed tour guide who became an unexpected highlight of the trip. After checking into Atlantis, we spent the first night walking the resort, eating well, and letting ourselves decompress.
Exploring the Island and Experiencing Real Life
On day two, Devon took us on an island tour that blended history, culture, and spontaneity.
We explored caves once used by pirates, visited the Queen’s Staircase, sampled spiked ice cream at the Tipsy Scoop, visited John Watling's Distillery, the only rum distillery on the island, and enjoyed lunch at The Fish Fry. I savored a delicious fried red snapper with rice, peas, and coleslaw from Twin Brothers, a traditional Bahamian meal and one of my favorite moments of the trip.
The ocean scene was unreal. The air felt clean. The people were warm and welcoming.
I always enjoy learning about local lifestyles. It shows how much life happens outside of the hotel and tournament rooms. There was joy, movement, history, and resilience everywhere we went.
Tournament Day and Confidence Under Pressure
Eventually, it was time for the tournament.
After days of exploring and relaxing by the ocean, I registered, bought in, and took my seat. I was placed at a table with at least three other ClubGG winners, which helped calm my initial nerves. Live poker carries a different kind of pressure than online play.
I held my own. I made solid decisions. I even won a hand against Chris Moneymaker, which is something I will always smile about. I was knocked out shortly after the dinner break, meaning I played for about six hours.
I know which hands I played well and which ones I didn’t. What really got in my way was not skill, but nerves.
Confidence Is Built the Same Way Everywhere
I left the table wishing I had more live experience, not because I doubted my ability, but because confidence grows through exposure. That is true at a poker table, in business, and in life.
The more rooms you walk into, the more comfortable you become standing in them.
Poker reminds me that confidence is not something you wait for. It is something you earn through repetition, reflection, and the willingness to show up even when you feel uncomfortable.
Money, Perception, and What Actually Matters
The trip was six nights long. I played poker for six hours.
During that time, I watched professional players enter tournaments costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. I saw millionaires dressed casually. Families dealing with real challenges. People who looked ordinary living extraordinary financial lives.
And I realized something important. There is a lot of money in the world. Far more than I often allow myself to believe. And money is far less powerful than we tend to make it.
What separates people is not access, but how they show up when opportunity appears.
I ate in the same restaurants. Played in the same rooms. Met the same people. The difference was not money. It was comfort with being there.
Closing the Trip and Carrying It Forward
After the tournament, we returned to Miami for one final overnight stay. We walked through Little Havana, shared a great meal at a local restaurant called Sala'o Cuban Restaurant & Bar, and stayed at a boutique hotel called The Rover. It was a simple, meaningful way to close out the experience.
I did not win the tournament. But I know I am a good player. I want to keep practicing. I want to gain more live experience. And I want to keep putting myself in rooms that stretch me. Because success is not about money.
This trip reminded me that success is about being happy where you are while still allowing yourself to grow. I can be a poker player and a wife. A mom and an insurance consultant. Ambitious and grounded at the same time.
Now, I'm back home talking about Medicare.
And I will carry this perspective with me.
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