Multiple World Series of Poker bracelet winner, Dominik Nitsche, has joined the 888Poker stable where he will act as an ambassador both live and online.
“He’s a great player…plays everything.”
I was in Vienna for the European Poker Tour (EPT). It was my first gig as a live reporter, and I only knew one player in the field. My mentor was leading me through the tables, pointing out players whilst I feverishly jotted their names on my note pad.
I had a system for recognizing players. I would pick out a distinguishable feature and write it next to their name. The ‘great player’ remark was made as we passed Dominik Nitsche. I jotted his name down and beside it wrote the words: ‘Skinny Little Kid From Germany.’
In the years that have passed, we have become good friends. I have seen him mature into an intelligent, self-assured, and grounded young man. I have also seen him develop into one of the greatest tournament players in the game. I believe he’s a dab hand at the cash games as well.
He is the youngest player to win three World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets. By the time he won his first one, he was already an established star throughout Europe, where he was known as one of the hardest working players in the game. He won that first one at the first time of asking. I believe he will one day challenge the likes of Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey at the top of the bracelet charts.
Nitsche is also a World Poker Tour (WPT) Champions Club member. I know because I was the first person he hugged after he won in Johannesburg. For 30-seconds after the river card hit, he bounced up and down like Tigger, before the calm returned. In those 30-seconds I saw what poker meant to this young man. It meant everything.
For the longest time I thought he was going to join Marvin Rettenmaier at partypoker. I know Warren Lush thought the world of Nitsche, and felt he could turn him into an even bigger star. Some people don’t need a helping hand. They let the cards do the talking for them. Nitsche is that man.
Today, I learn that he has signed for 888Poker. He will represent the brand both online and live, and the deal will no doubt spur him on to greater things.
I am delighted for the man. If there was ever a case that hard work pays off, then look no further than the skinny little kid from Germany.
