World Tavern Poker

The concept of the World Tavern Poker was developed in 2003 while I was sitting with Joe Hatch, the owner of a local tavern.

As we enjoyed a few beers, the World Series of Poker was playing on the television screens. He and I were both avid amateur poker players. As I looked around, I noticed that everyone in the place was focused on the poker on the TVs.

“Look how popular this game is”, I said, “imagine if you could hold poker tournaments for fun right here, do you know how crowded you would be? We will make it free to all the players so that it is not gambling and give away great prizes to the winners”

And that was it; Joe agreed to give it a try, and a few weeks later we held the first World Tavern Poker event. With no advertising and only a week of planning, Woody's was packed. We were turning players away and they did 2-3 times the normal business.

From that time forward, the success of these tournaments kept growing until we decided to take the concept nationally. We knew that in order to make this venture successful, we would need to focus on 2 critical success factors-Make It Affordable & Make It Easy for the bar owners.

With other companies charging up to $300/night to run tournaments, the extra profits are quickly eaten away. We knew that we had to create a system that is so simple that anyone could run a poker tournament.

Our Mission

To create an International Organization that provides tavern owners the system & tools to create, manage and market successful Poker Tournaments resulting in both great excitement and great profits for their business.

So if you are a Tavern Owner looking to take your business to the next level or simply fill up the place on a slow night, then we encourage you to join the World Tavern Poker Tour.

You simply won't believe the crowds!

best wishes,

Mike Matsinger
Founder

Our Team

Mike Matsinger
Founder
“Big Stack”

Mike grew up in Southern New Jersey and lived in and around Atlantic City during college. He has always worked for himself, primarily because who the h**l would hire him? He loves creating new companies, playing poker and shots of just about anything.
MikeM@WorldTavernPoker.com

Nancy Matsinger
Co-Founder/National Sales Manager
“Chip Leader”

Nancy grew up in Brick, NJ and has years of experience in sales and marketing as well as many years of experience putting up with Mike...that alone qualifies her for almost any position in any company. Nancy and Mike have 2 sons and daughter (Brittany, Michael and Riley) who love playing poker. In fact Michael won 2 online tournaments at the age of 4! Nancy@WorldTavernPoker.com

Stephen Clossick
Controller
“Chip Counter”

Stephen has been in Chapel Hill, NC since high school and has worked with Mike at his chain of mattress stores. He has also been the administrator for a local angel investment group. Stephen is married with 2 children and is living proof that there is an element of luck in poker!
Accounting@WorldTavernPoker.com

Ben Dawson
Regional Sales Director

"Pit Bull Boss"

Ben is a native North Carolinian and has been playing poker with World Tavern Poker since its inception in the winter of 2004. After attending East Carolina University in Greenville, NC he became a paratrooper in the US Army. He proudly proclaims to be a part of a select breed of soldier, "Airborne...All the way!"

Ben@WorldTavernPoker.com

Kathy Kennedy
Executive in Charge of Keeping the ADHD Founder on Task

"Turk"

Kathy grew up in Thomasville, NC and then showed her superior intellect by choosing to attend Duke University. Go Blue Devils! She has lived in the Triangle area for the last 25 years. Kathy has been a stock broker and was a franchisee with Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. She sold her stores a couple of years ago and is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows. What she does know is that she loves to play poker. She has been playing WTP for almost 2 years and that is how she met Mike and started this latest journey.

Kathy@WorldTavernPoker.com

Dave Keltonic
Graphic Designer/Marketing Assistant

"Craigslist"

Dave grew up in Richmond, VA and recently graduated from James Madison University. He joined the WTP team this fall after finding out about the position through Craiglist. He is threatened daily with the reposting of the Craigslist job ad if he screws up.
Dave is married to his gorgeous wife, Julie.
Dave@WorldTavernPoker.com

Traci Penland
Director of Brain Freeze Trivia

Traci comes from the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Once relocated here in the Triangle, she worked for Duke Health as a Corporate Trainer and is the Customer Service DIVA! She brings all her knowledge and experience to World Tavern Entertainment to help our bars make money! Traci enjoys college basketball - she pulls for the Carolina Tarheels and ABD (Anybody But Duke)!!! She also enjoys football, poker and playing trivia! (She still denies she has an accent!)