Legendary poker player Robert "Chipburner" Turner is the founder and creator of World Team Poker.
Robert has been playing and working in the poker industry for almost thirty years. In 1983, the Alabama native introduced the game of Omaha to Las Vegas and California, and is known as the “Father of Omaha.”
Robert is known for his aggressive style of play. In Harrington on Hold’Em, Dan acknowledges this in his discussion on the origins of the aggressive style of play back in the 1980’s, stating that “The best players of that period were Stu Ungar, Jack Keller and Bobby Turner.”
Robert’s aggressive style earned him a seat at the final table of WSOP Main event in 1994, finishing sixth that year. He has made 15 WSOP final tables and has 28 WSOP Cashes, and a cash in a World Poker Tour event.
In addition to his poker accomplishments, Robert has worked in casinos in Las Vegas and Los Angeles for over 20 years. He spent 14 years at the Bicycle Casino, as an Executive Host, Director of Player Development and Casino Marketing Director. Robert’s many poker accomplishments were recognized in 1998 when he was elected to the Senior Poker Hall of Fame. A World Team Staff Reporter recently spoke with Robert about World Team Poker and about his game.
WTSR: How did World Team Poker come about?
RT: Well, the concept of “Team Poker” is an idea I have had for close to two decades. I created a team poker event - for card rooms and the media - at the Bike in 1992, which ran for several years. I believe it was one of the first, if not the first “Team Poker” event. Right before the poker boom in 2003 “World Team Poker” was born however, the timing wasn’t right, and I put the idea on the back burner. Now is the perfect time for World Team Poker. Poker needs to continue to change and evolve. Having best players in the world competing in team competition like other professional sports will elevate poker to new levels not seen before.
WTSR: Does World Team Poker determine who plays for each team?
RT: Just the Team Captains. Each Team Captains then select four professional poker players and one alternate to play for the team. All the players, including the captains must have either been born in the country that they play for, or no more than second generation, or be a naturalized citizen of the country.
WTSR: What is the criteria for selection of the Team Captains?
RT: Career standings, winnings, notoriety and contribution to the game, are some of the criteria. They are not the only criteria. There are some countries in which poker has only recently begun to take hold, so those teams may not have the poker career history that some of the other teams have, but they will consist of the top players from those countries. Brazil and Greece are some great examples. They have some great young players on those teams who are sure to give the more established pros a run for their money.
WTSR: What games will be played?
RT: Limit Hold'em, No Limit Hold’Em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud, and others. These games test and prove the skill of all teams to master and be champions of all poker games, not just No Limit Hold’Em.
WTSR: What is the format for the games?
RT: The specific format for the games will be structured around the number of teams playing. We will have regular season League Matches, in which 4-8 teams play. The League Matches will be in a shoot-out format. The Championship Event will consist of a variety of formats, including shoot-out and heads-up matches.
WTSR: How do you determine who is the winner of the Championship Event?
RT: In our first season, each team will receive points based on their performance in the League Matches. These points carry over to the Championship Event. However, there will be plenty of opportunity for lower ranked teams to make a comeback at the Championship Event. As the league expands we expect to make changes to include four regional divisions, one in the U.S., two in Europe and one in Asia, so that teams can play their matches closer to home near their fan base.
WTSR: Can anyone come out to watch the events?
RT: Yes! We want to see the fans in the bleachers rooting for the teams! The audience, both live and on the internet are a vital part of the whole experience. If watching online viewers who sign up for memberships will be able to chat online and ask questions online. Some of those questions will be selected and posed to the players.
WTSR: Where did you get the name “Chipburner”?
RT: I got it years ago because of my extreme aggression. When I first introduced Omaha to Las Vegas and California, I would show one or two cards to create action in the game. I would burn up my chips, other players chips and engaged in all sorts of crazy antics. I used to accumulate so many chips that people would want to stop playing. I would often be at the final table with over half the chips. My antics back then would not be tolerated at the tables today, nor do I recommend them.
WTSR: Do you still play?
RT: Yes, I still play tournaments.
WTSR: Will you be playing for a team?
RT: No, I’ll be too busy working!
WTSR: Thanks Robert. We look forward to the first event!
