3-Bet: James “Minneapolis Jim” Meehan Passes Away, Justin Bonomo & Daniel Negreanu to Attend Super High Roller Bowl V & WPT Strikes Deal With The Venetian

The international poker fraternity suffered back-to-back losses as two greats of the game departed one after the other. A day after Norwegian poker legend, Thor Hansen passed away, the global poker community was faced with the sad news of James Michael Meehan’s untimely demise at the age of 66.

Nonetheless, the show must go on and, in that spirit, the upcoming Super High Roller Bowl V (SHRBV), which is scheduled to begin from December 17, will have some big names in attendance including Daniel Negreanu, Justin Bonomo and Phil Hellmuth.

On the international circuit, the World Poker Tour (WPT) continues to strengthen partnerships and it has recently joined hands with The Venetian Resort Las Vegas that will see the latter hosting the WPT Vegas Showdown from March 22-26 next year.

James “Minneapolis Jim” Meehan Dies at the Age of 66

Right as we were recovering from the shock of “The Godfather of Norwegian Poker” Thor Hansen passing away on December 5, we recently learned of WSOP bracelet winner James Michael Meehan`s untimely death on December 6, at the age of 66.

Meehan, also known as “Minneapolis Jim”, had studied law at University of Minnesota where he got his bachelor’s degree and his J.D. He practiced law for 20 years, before he became a poker player.

Meehan started playing poker in the 1960’s, and began playing poker tournaments regularly since 1997, when he made a runner-up finish in the $3,000 Limit Hold’em event at the WSOP. He finished 3rd in the $2,500 Limit Omaha event at the 1999 WSOP.

His maiden WSOP bracelet win came in 2003 in the $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em event, just a few days before Chris Moneymaker’s historic Main Event victory. Meehan also won a World Championship of Online Poker bracelet that same year in the $500 buy-in Limit Holdem event, besting a field of almost 700 runners.

Meenhan will perhaps be most remembered for his banter at the felts and signature cowboy hat.

Casino Marketing Advisor for Running Aces Casino and member of the Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame committee Tristan Wilberg had said in an interview, “When the poker world thinks of Minnesota, they think of ‘Minneapolis Jim.'”

He continued, “Numerous times, while traveling, I have been asked if I know him, and I’m happy to say that I do. His entertaining personality and the skill he displays make him unforgettable at the table.”

Justin Bonomo & Daniel Negreanu Confirmed For Super High Roller Bowl V

The upcoming $300,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl V (SHRBV) is scheduled to begin from December 17 and has already registered 34 entries. Featuring as a part of those entries are some of the most illustrious names in poker like Daniel Negreanu, Justin Bonomo and Phil Hellmuth.

The event, which will take place at the PokerGo Studio, will host a total of 49 entries for a prize pool of $14.4 Million, with the winner receiving $5 Million.

Justin Bonomo, who has had one of the most exciting year in poker history, will be looking to take down another high-stakes title and make a clean sweep of SHRB trophies in 2018. Bonomo won the first SHRB Vegas in May for $5 Million and also took down SHRB China in March for $4.8 Million. In total, Bonomo has $25 Million in cashes this year along. With an astronomical $43.4 Million in lifetime cashes, he surpassed Negreanu on the top of the list of the all-time winning player.

Negreanu on the other hand will be out for revenge after losing a heads-up match against Bonomo for the SHRB IV title.

Other prominent names also slated to feature at the series include Phil Hellmuth, Dan “Jungleman” Cates, and current GPI Player of the Year leader Alex Foxen.

WPT Strikes Deal With The Venetian

The World Poker Tour (WPT) has announced a partnership with Sheldon Adelson’s The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, following which for the first time ever, the casino will play host to the $3,500 buy-in, $1m GTD WPT Vegas Showdown from March 22-26.

As a result of this deal, there are now three Vegas tour stops in the Season XVII schedule, namely the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic at Bellagio, and the WPT ARIA Summer Championships and the Baccarat Crystal WPT Tournament of Champions.

The WPT Vegas Showdown will be a part of a fortnight-long poker festival and will feature among the Venetian DeepStack Extravaganza series that runs from March 13-26 at the storied casino.

Tournament director for The Venetian Poker Room, Tommy LaRosa said, “Bringing the World Poker Tour to The Venetian is a great next chapter for our DeepStack Extravaganza series. Partnering with an industry leader to bring a tour stop to our poker room, along with a $1 million guaranteed prize pool, is one of many ways we’re working to enhance our players’ experience.”