Mike Ziemba is a former PokerStars SuperNova Elite player who had his dream job stripped from him when Black Friday struck the Internet poker world. Since that dark day in April 2011, Ziemba spent time traveling abroad to play, attempting to play live cash games in Las Vegas, and anxiously waiting for online poker's triumphant return to the United States.
While the volume of games may not be what it once was, online poker is back in Ziemba's home state of Nevada. Since its return, Ziemba has been back on the grind getting his life back in order, and he is easily one of the highest — if not the highest — volume players in the Silver State.
PokerNews senior writer Rich Ryan recently spent some time with Ziemba to get his story and find out first hand from the man himself what the entire experience has been like for the past couple of years through all of the ups and downs.
We arrived at the table toward the end of action to find Chino Rheem in the tank. The completed board read and Rheem had fired a river bet of 23,000. Maria Ho raised the action to 48,000, causing Rheem to stir in his seat.
He took a moment and talked through the hand to himself before finally flinging out a flat call. He tabled for nines full of sixes which caused Ho to kick her hand into the muck. Rheem dragged in the pot and is now flirting with 180,000 in chips.
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Benjamin Zamani limped on the button, Lily Kiletto raised to 2,500 from the big blind, and Zamani called.
The flop came down and Kiletto continued for 3,500. Zamani called, landing the turn where Kiletto bet 5,500. Another call from Zamani delivered the river. Kiletto bet 10,800, but was unable to shake Zamani.
Kiletto turned over , but was bested by Zamani's .
Matt Stout raised from under the gun and David "ODB" Baker three-bet to 4,800 from the next seat over. Action folded back around to Stout who four-bet shoved for 22,600. Baker tanked for a bit before he called.
Stout:
Baker:
The board ran out , safe for Stout to score the double up.