Andy Tillman’s Journey from Deadwood Dealer to WSOP Tournament Director

After practically 20 years within the poker business, working tons of of event stops from Las Vegas to Rozvadov, Andy Tillman was simply tapped as the brand new World Collection of Poker (WSOP) Worldwide Circuit Event Director.

Tillman, a longtime WSOP event director who had already overseen worldwide WSOP stops, was given the official title because the WSOP and GGPoker introduced the remaining 2025 WSOP Circuit schedule, which incorporates 17 U.S. stops and 12 worldwide stops.

Tillman spoke to PokerNews in regards to the new position, the introduction of the WSOP+ app, and what poker gamers around the globe can anticipate at future Circuit stops.

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“There Will Be New Stops All Over”

Tillman, who’s from Nebraska, bought his begin within the poker business when he took a dealing job at Previous Model Saloon No. 10 in Deadwood — the situation the place poker legend Wild Invoice Hickock was infamously assassinated on the poker desk — whereas learning politics and worldwide relations at Black Hills State College in South Dakota.

In 2008, on the top of the Poker Growth, Tillman moved to Las Vegas to start out dealing. “And I have never actually seemed again.”

For the previous ten years, Tillman has overseen WSOP event operations at worldwide stops across the globe, in addition to serving as a event director through the summer time competition in Las Vegas.

As the brand new and official prime head of worldwide stops, Tillman stated there are thrilling issues to anticipate on the horizon for the WSOP Circuit, each domestically and internationally.

“There will probably be new stops throughout,” he stated. “There will probably be new stops with worldwide, with the US market, principally the worldwide market. GG desires to develop poker, and it is a massive push from GG to broaden and construct extra poker.”

“There’s going to be much more happening the subsequent 12 months.”

Rollout of WSOP+

One of many greatest adjustments to the WSOP this 12 months has been the official launch of the brand new WSOP+ app, permitting gamers to pre-register for occasions and due to this fact skip registration strains.

“It makes every little thing a lot smoother,” Tillman stated. “The times of the lengthy strains of registration, the strains for getting your seat and your chips, are gone now. It is only a higher expertise on the participant aspect and a greater expertise for the workers aspect.”

The WSOP+ app was first launched at 2023 WSOP Paradise and has now easily been applied on the a lot greater summer time competition. The sport-changing app will probably be additional applied at WSOP Circuit stops down the street.

Such a widespread rollout hasn’t come with out challenges, however the brand new Worldwide Circuit Event Director is up for the duty.

“It is the one factor I have been actually centered on making an attempt to get to since a number of years into touring and dealing,” Tillman stated. “It is one thing that has turn into my whole focus to get there. And now that it is right here, I am not likely letting up. We’re truly selecting up and doing extra.”

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Connor Richards is a Senior Editor U.S. for PokerNews and host of the Life Outdoors Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for 3 World Poker Awards for his writing.