Playing high-stakes cash on television for potentially life-changing money isn't something we all get a chance to do. That's why we're so jealous of Courtney Gee.

The PokerStars Big Game is taping a brand new episode this week and Courtney is the Loose Cannon.

She's getting staked $100,000 to play against some of the best players in the world and she'll be blogging about it right here on PokerListings.com!

Read on for Courtney's first post and check back early next week for her trip report!

Hello, my name is Courtney Gee and I live in Vancouver, British Columbia. Tomorrow I’ll be traveling to Vegas to play in the PokerStars Big Game!

Nice to donkeys in real life only.

 

I'm 25 years old with a Science degree from the University of British Columbia. I learned to play poker when I was going to school around 5 years ago, and I used to always look forward to our home games.

I couldn't get enough of poker, actually, so I started playing online at PokerStars. I built my bankroll playing sit-n-go's, and since then it's been my favorite hobby.

I started to play poker more seriously last year after quitting my full time job. Having run a student painting business for 3 years while in university, I wasn't happy working for someone and I wanted to take some time to figure out what to do with my life. I got a part time writing job with a website and decided to spend my extra time playing poker.

I came across the Big Game concept when I was writing news articles for the website and was really intrigued by it.

I started playing the Round 1 satellites back in May and I remember being amazed at how difficult it was to win them! I don't know how many I played in total, but it was definitely a number in the (multiple) dozens before I finally won a Round 2 ticket. I busted my first attempt at Round 3 but made it after my second try.

About a week later I spent an entire day making my audition video with a friend. My theme for the video was my current goal in life: to avoid working another full time 9 to 5 job as an employee. After I submitted the video, it was a waiting game.

More smiles to come.

 

In total, I filled out a questionnaire, did a phone interview, and then did a video interview on Skype. Each time I made it to the next step in the selection process I was a little more surprised. Even though it was a long shot to be chosen as a Loose Cannon, it was exciting to think "I haven't been rejected yet - I still have a chance!"

It's been a rollercoaster ride since I found out that I made the show. I’m extremely excited and of course I am also nervous! I have been practicing my live game, thinking about strategy, and mentally preparing for the big day.

While I obviously would like to leave the game with a healthy profit, my biggest goal is to have fun and enjoy the experience. I never imagined that I would have an opportunity to play a cash game with such an elite group of players!

While all of the pros that play on this show are first class, every Cannon has his or her dream lineup. I think mine would include Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Laak, Doyle Brunson, and a rich businessman.

I'd like to play with Negreanu, Hellmuth, and Laak because they all love to talk at the table and I think it would be extremely entertaining. I would love to play with Brunson because he is just such a poker legend. And then of course the businessman could be the one to double me up!

I really enjoy tournament poker, and I would use my profit in the Big Game to play some high buy-in events. I haven't had the chance to travel much, so it would be a great opportunity to see the world.

If I can get lucky and run good at the right time, maybe I can make a name for myself and achieve that goal of never working another 9 to 5 job ever again!

Check back next week for the trip report from Courtney's Big Game experience!