Introducing New Zealander Adrian Key, the latest KKPoker Vegas Dream package winner!
His reward is the ultimate $12,000 poker package to play the biggest live poker Main Event in Las Vegas in July 2025.
Adrian has long had a passion for poker, and in 2024, he decided that his aim to win a big poker event needed to be taken even more seriously!
Having joined the KKPoker community, he quickly took to winning ways, earning a WARRIOR title and becoming the $100K SANTA Mystery Bounty champion.
And now, as part of the KK ELITE Team, alongside fellow winners such as Warren Joe, Toni 'ZENGA' Zengovski, and Sharath Maddur, Adrian will have a chance to win a prize worth up to $10,000,000!
"KKPoker would be my new home!"
Adrian, congratulations on your Vegas Dream package win! We know you've had great success since joining the KKPoker community. Share your journey so far with our readers!
"My journey in poker started what feels like centuries ago during the poker boom! But it was only recently that I decided to take the game a bit more seriously." said Adrian.
"In late 2024, I heard about KKPoker a few times at the live poker tables, so I thought I would join up. Shortly after, I won a $3K WARRIOR MTT then in December, I won the $100K GTD Santa Mystery Bounty. After this, I decided KKPoker would be my new home!"
What motivated you to enter the Vegas Dream event, and how did winning it impact your poker goals?
"Mid-2024 I decided that in 2025, I would give poker a serious go and try to win a major tournament. One of the tournaments I would dream of playing is obviously the Main Event in Las Vegas. I was still undecided about whether I would go, but I decided that if I could win a satellite online, that would seal the deal. I saw the KKPoker Vegas Dream event announced and instantly started the grind.
"Winning it alone is a great impact, but it also gets me in the mix for a shot at a big payday, which aligns with my 2025 goal."
How was your path to winning the $12K Vegas Dream Package? Did you have any key strategies?
"I had been grinding the KKPoker $200 ticket satellites whenever I could and seemed to accumulate quite a few. My strategy was to collect as many tickets as possible to fire more than one bullet in a game if needed. Knowing you have that second chance there in the back pocket can help when you have a tough decision."
"just put my emotions aside"
Walk us through one of the toughest hands or moments you faced during the tournament and how you navigated through it. How did you approach heads-up play?
"One of the toughest moments I faced was early in the game, and it wasn't exactly a tough hand, but it was more of a mindset thing during the second hand we played.
"Two of us were sitting on roughly 65bbs; the other four had 30bbs max, with two under 20bbs.
"I raised the cutoff with KQo, and SB 3bets, and I made the call. Flop comes 445 rainbow, and my opponent bet a small size. I made a pretty standard call, and the turn is Ad, and we both checked. The river came a Jd, and he checked again, so I checked behind.
"He showed A3o. That tilted me a bit. I don't think A3o should be taking that line against the only other big stack at the table. I had to adjust my Button opening range instantly so we don't get tangled and blow the whole game.
"Funnily enough, my heads-up play was against the same opponent.
"I had taken a back seat and was being perceived as an ultra-tight player, which helped me heads-up. When we both got to heads up, I gained the chip lead, put my foot on the gas, and applied a lot of pressure.
"I knew how much winning the game meant to me, so I knew he would feel the same. I kind of just put my emotions aside so I could exploit his.
"The moment I won was such a relief, knowing I didn't fumble the bag. I was super pumped, but here in New Zealand, it was late at night, so I couldn't really yahoo too much haha.
"Being part of the KK Elite Team will be awesome, I hope we can achieve some deep runs!
"My goal is to run deep in the Main Event, if I can return home with a win booked that would be amazing."
"study first and foremost"
Away from poker, Adrian is a fast car and motorbike enthusiast. So, how will he prepare to shift gears and participate in poker at the next level?
"My preparation will be study first and foremost and some light exercise and plenty of healthy food.
"I am lucky that I run my own business so I can manipulate my hours if I have to although it still gets tricky sometimes. My job involves having good interpersonal skills which are helpful at the tables."
Do you have any superstitions while playing poker?
"In live poker, I don't like to touch the first card before the second card is dealt to me. I considered it bad luck for so long, but now I think I am past it…
"Although if it were an important game, I still wouldn't risk it haha!"
Could you describe the poker scene in New Zealand, especially in your area?
"The poker scene in New Zealand is quite good; roughly every 2 or 3 months, a series is held in Christchurch or Auckland. In our area, we don't have a casino, but a couple of poker clubs put together some good games."
"exercise patience"
Who is your favorite poker player, and why?
"Adrian Mateos because the way he can break down a hand is incredible. I think he had the highest live earnings of any player in 2024."
What skills do you believe are crucial for beginners to develop in poker?
"A crucial skill for beginners to develop is to learn correct opening ranges and exercise patience. Those two things combined will take you far."
"When starting, find a live soft game where people aren't too serious and have a drink or two. If you can get a mate to join in, that will also help the nerves. If you fall in love with the game, the rest will be history."
Finally, what advice would you offer to new players joining KKPoker for the first time to maximize their experience on the platform?
"Get amongst some Mystery Bounty tournaments!"
VEGAS AWAITS THE KK ELITE TEAM
The opportunity is huge, with the chance to play for a prize in the millions of dollars!
In 2024, the KKPoker Elite Team won over $650,000, with Robert Renaud turning his Vegas Dream package into a life-changing $250,000!
Stay tuned across our social media for continued coverage of the KK Elite team in Las Vegas.
