Industry Insiders: Get to Know WPT at Sea General Manager Andrea DiBattista

By now youve no doubt heard about the World Poker Tour (WPT) and their upcoming WPT Voyage, which will take place from March 31-April 6, 2024 as they take over an entire Virgin Voyages cruise ship the 1,400-cabin Valiant Lady for a six-day poker festival that features $1.5 million in guarantees, including a $5,000 buy-in, $1,000,000 GTD WPT Main Event.

Leading up to the WPT Voyage, PokerNews will be profiling several staff members of the WPT at Sea Poker Room in our Industry Insiders series. For those that dont know, the WPT at Sea is the actual poker room aboard Virgin Voyages (currently on the Scarlet Lady cruise ship but soon to expand to others).

Check out our profile on WPT at Sea Poker Manager Kirk Saunders here.

Are You Ready for Pokers Spring Break? Adam Pliska Talks WPT Voyage Cruise

Get to Know Andrea DiBattista

One smiling face poker players can expect to see when cruising is that of WPT at Sea General Manager Andrea DiBattista, who grew up in Norwich, Connecticut.

Norwich is a small city that does not have much in the area other than two large Native Casinos, she explained. Most of the people that grew up in the area at that time ended up working there for a short period at least. When I graduated high school in 1998, I started working as a coin cashier at Mohegan Sun. The economy of the once industrial area of Norwich had gone downhill a lot. The casinos were a booming industry at the time and were employing thousands and thousands of people. For young people with no college degree, who came from a working-class family, this was a great way to support your family. I was genuinely excited about getting my foot in the door, even if I decided to switch departments.

Eventually, in 1999, DiBattista found her way into poker dealing school despite knowing nothing about the game.

People in the class were learning how to read hands, and I had no idea what beat what. I was a young mother who needed a job that would make enough money to contribute to my household. The pressure was on for me to practice and do well. I was working at the local Friendly’s scooping ice cream, in poker school, and taking care of a baby. Now I look back and laugh a little, but I also know how grateful I am that I pushed myself the way that I did, this literally was a life-changing moment.

“Being a single mom and trying to work full time on a non-flexible schedule started to take its toll on me so I decided to deal again.”

After passing her audition, DiBattista dealt for a few years before working her way up, and in the early 2000s relocated to Florida to work in the poker industry.

I quickly moved up to being a Dealer Coordinator, which I really loved doing. I also ran tournaments, ran chips, sat at the podium, whatever was needed. Being a single mom and trying to work full time on a non-flexible schedule started to take its toll on me so I decided to deal again so that I could be at all of my daughters soccer games, track meets, and school functions.

When her children were grown, DiBattista got back into the management game, and in Jacksonville worked some WPT events, even dealing some final tables. From there, she decided to take her poker knowledge and skills on the road.

After about a year of being a travel dealer, I was getting to know my roommate and we had several conversations about our poker experience She offered me a job writing SOPs, which would put me on the Scarlet Lady for two months (12 sailings). I, of course, hesitated because of the uncertainty of how things would play out, but after a few more conversations I said yes.

She continued: WPT at Sea has such a positive, refreshing spin on poker. WPT at Sea keeps poker fun and exciting. We have first time players and experienced players who are all there just to enjoy themselves. By the time they leave, we are all Facebook friends and everyone has made memories that will last a lifetime. Thats what its all about. Do not be intimidated by the game. We are there to have fun. We want to teach you the game so that you are comfortable at the table!

WPT Voyage vs. WPT at Sea What’s the Difference? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

What is WPT at Sea?

Not to be confused with WPT Voyage, WPT at Sea is an actual poker room on the Scarlet Lady ship (and soon-to-be other Virgin Voyages). That poker room is operating on the high seas right now as you read this.

After witnessing the magic of cruise-line poker with Virgin Voyages last season, we instantly sought to establish a permanent fixture, said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. Scarlet Lady provides the perfect residence for WPT at Sea, which will bring the WPT poker experience to the high seas.

The room features eight custom poker tables staffed with professional dealers. For cash games, the rake is a reasonable 10% up to $10, which is much lower than other cruises. As for tournaments, buy-ins on a typical sailing range from $80-$320.

Recently, WPT at Sea has held a $240 buy-in Main Event, which awards a WPT prize package to a future sailing.

The room caters to players of all experience levels, from absolute beginner to seasoned pro. For the former, the staff holds beginner training courses on each sailing, and dealers also offer their services if 1:1 instruction is desired.

WPT at Sea goes wherever the ship does, meaning those who go for the poker will also get to experience new and exciting destinations. The room is closed when the ship is docked so sailors are incentivized to get off the ship and check things out. But fear not, when everyone is back on board it doesnt take long for cards to get back in the air.

Here are some other things to know about WPT at Sea:

WPT at Sea is taking reservations through the end of 2024. To learn more or book your cruise,visit wptatsea.com.

Check out the WPT at Sea Poker Room review here on PokerNews!

Tags

FAQ

How do I land the Big Bass Bonanza maximum win?

How do I land the Big Bass Bonanza maximum win? To reach the maximum win, you need to trigger the free spins feature and retrigger the 10 extra spins three times, adding a 10x multiplier to your wild and winnings.

What is the WPT bonus code?

What is the WPT bonus code? The WPT bonus code is NEWBONUS. Use this code at WPTglobal.com to get up to $1200 poker bonus. This code has been approved by WPT Global and gives new users the maximum new user offer.

How has technology influenced the game of roulette?

How has technology influenced the game of roulette, such as with electronic and automated versions of the game? One of the most significant technological advancements in the game of roulette has been the introduction of electronic roulette tables. These tables feature a digital display that simulates the spinning of the roulette wheel, and players can place their bets on a touchscreen interface. This allows for faster gameplay, as the wheel can be spun more frequently than with a traditional roulette table.

What is the future of the game of roulette?

What is the future of the game of roulette? One potential future for roulette is the integration of virtual and augmented reality technologies. This would allow players to immerse themselves in a virtual casino environment and enjoy a more realistic and engaging gaming experience. Another potential future for roulette is the continued growth of online gaming. As more and more people turn to the internet for their gaming needs, online casinos are likely to become even more popular.

Who invented the game of roulette?

Who invented the game of roulette? The exact origins of roulette are a subject of much debate and speculation among historians and gambling enthusiasts. While there is no clear consensus on the game’s inventor, several theories exist regarding its creation. One of the most popular theories is that the game was invented by a French mathematician named Blaise Pascal in the 17th century. According to this theory, Pascal was attempting to develop a perpetual motion machine when he inadvertently created the roulette wheel.

This site only collects related articles. Viewing the original, please copy and open the following link:Industry Insiders: Get to Know WPT at Sea General Manager Andrea DiBattista

Latest Articles Popular Articles
Recommended Articles