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Scott Epstein
 HCW Poker Team Player Profile
Home state: New York
Current residence: Las Vegas
Education: Hofstra University, Long Island, NY
Career winnings: $250,000+
Final tables: 26
Televised appearances: 5
About Scott:
Scott started playing tournament poker in 2004, and he currently plays an average of 30-35 tournaments per year. Because of their larger fields and payouts, his primary play is No-Limit Hold’em.
2008 was a career-changing one for Scott, not only did he win his first three tournaments of the year, but he placed in the top 20 finishers in every competition entered. Scott also came in third in the prestigious Venetian $2,500 No-Limit event, winning a $60K prize in this mega tournament, which draws a field of up to 500 players.
Scott on Poker:
"I'd rather play in tournaments as compared to cash games, because I can have an opportunity for a much larger pay day—one tournament could be worth more than what I can win all year in a live game. However, I do enjoy playing live games, and when I do, I usually play 10-20 No-Limit Hold’em, but I’d prefer to play 75-150 Stud or Hi/Lo."
Scott on HCW:
“I wear the Hardcore brand because it is part of my lifestyle. Steve’s watches are truly amazing. I just won my last three tournaments—including the Wynn’s $2000 No-Limit event, on March 12th, 2008—wearing one of my favorite pieces, one of his original designs ‘Soul Collector.’ Thanks for everything Steve!”
Steve Soffa on Scott:
“I have known Scott for many years, and I appreciate and respect his play. I have watched him in several tournaments, and he has an incredibly natural feel for the game. This year his career has really caught fire: He has already won quite a few NL tournaments, and his prize winnings are well over $250K to date. Scott is definitely on his way as a force to be reckoned with at any tournament or cash game, and I’m thrilled to sponsor Scott and have him as an official representative of the Hardcore Watch brand.”
Sam Kassis
 HCW Poker Team Player Profile
Birthplace: Lebanon
Current residence: Temecula, California
Nickname: Sam K
Age: 49
Career winnings: $269,000+
Tournament wins: 8
Final tables: 15
Cashes: 23
About Sam:
Playing poker since childhood, Sam Kassis nicknamed simply Sam K is a well-known high-stakes cash player. Often seen locally at the Commerce Casino or in high-profile games at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Sam plays nearly all games of poker, but favors No-Limit Hold'em. A married father of three, Sam's poker hero is Chip Reese ; when not playing cash games or tournaments, Sam is usually found listening to classic rock, playing table tennis (ping pong), or hanging out with his family.
With eight tournament wins under his belt and 15 final tables, Sam's respect for the skill involved in poker is helping him become one of the industry's major players. When asked what he would change in the world of poker, Sam's response is telling: Nothing. It's just perfect.
Sam on Poker:
''I have not played lots of tournaments in the last three years; I tried to capitalize on the large action that tournaments bring to the table. Poker is a game of skills, therefore I play mostly all games of poker, although I concentrate primarily on No-Limit Hold'em, 10/20 or 25/50.''
Sam on HCW:
''I met Steve Soffa on a poker game. As I carried on a conversation with Steve regarding his products, I knew right then that I would like to be part of the team. I love HCW product. I think it fits my personality. The time and the sincerity that has been put into the design of the products is what makes it a top competitor in the watch industry.''
Steve Soffa on Sam:
''Playing cash no-limit games is something that I very much enjoy; however, on the night I met Sam, sitting at his table in a large cash game proved not so enjoyable for me. At one sitting, when both of us were in hands, he beat me each time. I went home and licked my wounds. Two days later, I found myself once again playing at the same table against Sam. Within the first hour, he and I were in three- and four-way hands, and I won two fairly large pots. I thought my ship had come in. As the evening progressed, however, the rain started and he gradually sunk my ship!"
"At that point, I asked Sam for dinner (his treat of course as he now had all my money), and instead of trying to beat him, I asked that he join HCW as part of the team. He smiled, said cheers, and gladly accepted.
Sam is regarded as a top-notch cash player, and I can truly say I am glad he is on my side now!"
Todd Brunson
 HCW Poker Team Player Profile
About Todd:
Todd Brunson is the son of legendary poker pro Doyle Brunson; even such, he did not learn to play poker until after graduating high school when he accompanied his father to a tournament in Australia. After the trip, Todd continued his education, attending Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas; however, it seems poker was in his blood. While on campus studying to become a lawyer, Todd began playing with friends and eventually began entering tournaments. At 21, he won his first significant prize, placing first at the prestigious $200,000 Diamond Jim Brady tournament. This win provided him the impetus he needed to drop out of college and pursue a professional career in poker.
Since his entry into the world of pro play, Todd has become a fixture on the circuit, a familiar face at the Bellagio’s high-stakes cash games, and one of the most respected players in the industry. Initially drawn to cash games because of the earning potential, in recent years, Todd has increased his tournament play as a result of the larger prize pools. Known as one of the best high-stakes cash-game players in the world, his success in tournament play has also been notable: In addition to a first-place win at the 2005 World Series of Poker (which made him and Doyle the only father-son duo to win bracelets at this event), Todd has won the Poker Superstars 3 Grand Final as well as the Poker Superstars 2 Quarter-Final Freeroll and has steadily finished in the money at dozens of worldwide tournaments.
In 2005 Todd showed the world his writing skills with the book The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King, which details an over $13.5 million win, in a two-day period, during a heads-up, $50,000-$100,000-limit game of Hold’em. He also contributed to Daniel Negreanu’s 2008 Power Hold’em Strategy as well as penned the “Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo” section for the book Super/ System 2, the follow-up to his father’s renowned Super/System.
Nicky Roeg
 HCW Poker Team Player Profile
Born: 11
September 1972
Current Residence: Amsterdam, Holland
Career winnings: $55,000+
Final tables: 2
Televised appearances: 8
About Nicky:
I started playing poker in 2005, I still worked then, so I played a bit in between work. In July 2007, I quit my job (after 17 years) in the fashion industry. I choose to take some months off to get my head clear and see what was going to be my next steps. Directly after that decision, I played a freeroll for qualification to the European Poker
Tour in London. I won the tournament and also won my seat for my first big tournament. Not only did I play with people I only saw on television, like Daniel Negreanu, Chris Moneymake and Barney Boatman, I also made it to a 23rd place finish.
One month later I played my 2nd big tournament, this time in my home city, during the master classics of poker in which I finished 6th. I played the main event of the Wsop this year but unfortunately without any result. I am mainly a live deepstack tournament player. I love to entertain the table and see the players when they make their decisions. Every week I write a column for a Dutch pokersite and newspaper.I also started my own site: http://www.nickyroeg.nl/ (currently only in Dutch but soon will also be English). During my Wsop tournament I played wearing the Hardcore Watch Co. Joker Poker Series watch. I like this piece because I see myself as a joker and love to make fun all the time and the watch is just beautiful.
I would like to thank the Hardcore Watch Co.for giving me the beautiful watch and think and hope the watch will give me lots of luck in my upcoming tournaments.
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