Vince Van Patten, WPT, teaches poker players Pickelball on the Cayman islands

There are dozens of players playing poker on the WPT Voyage The Valiant Lady, a Caribbean-based poker tournament hostess set up her shop in Grand Cayman on Tuesday April 2. The WPT’s commentator gave the poker players lessons on pickleball. Vince Van PattenFormer tennis professional who has made the switch to pickleball.

Van Patten’s pickleball skills were praised by many. highlighted You can also read about how to get in touch with us. Sports Illustrated Last month I was joined by Mattias Johanson, the pickleball world champion for two sessions on the Cayman Islands. The island is a tropical paradise with palm trees lining the court.

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Pickleball on the Cayman Islands

Early risers, who hadn’t been up all night playing the WPT Voyage Main Event, took a boat to Grand Cayman before taking a shuttle to Pickleball Cayman. This outdoor facility was shaded, thanks to a large canopy.

The players had been divided into two groups: beginners and intermediates. They then received lessons from experts. Van Patten began by explaining pickleball’s nuances, including what the kitchen is and the importance of moving to the net immediately after serving.

Following the lesson, teams were formed of two players and they played some rounds to practice before entering a tournament of six eight-minute rounds. WPT CEO Adam Pliska, along with the usual cruise guests was also in attendance.

A few members of the poker media, such as those from PokerNews Brazil SuperPoker.

In addition to the tournament, players were offered a $20 freeroll if they could slam the ball over the net and hit a small target placed on the other side of the court — something many players struggled with that Johannson was able to accomplish in his first few tries.

A second freeroll was held in which players competed to hit Van Patten or Johannson. The two professionals were forced into a dodge and duck like Neo and Trinity from the movie. Matrix.

Following a group picture, the newly-minted pickleball crushers loaded onto the buses before making their way to Grand Cayman’s docks to board the Valiant Lady and head back to sea. It was then time to play some poker on board the ship.

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_{*Photos courtesy WPT & Alicia Skillman}