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Jimmy Sommerfeld Announces His Retirement

Posted by : compncards | 0 Comment

05

Jan

Categories : Las Vegas,Live Poker,Poker news

Got some somewhat sad news today as Jimmy Sommerfeld, one of the best tournament directors in the business, is stepping away from the game.

One of the best in the business retires. (Photo courtesy of Poker Tournament Consultants)

Here is his announcement from TwoPlusTwo forums:

I started in the poker business some 18 years ago, because I was a bad 1-5 seven card stud player.

Yesterday, I turned in my resignation as Tournament Manager for the WSOP. I will be resigning the WSOPCE effective March 1, 2012. I will be the Tournament Director at the upcoming circuit events at Choctaw, Tunica, and Palm Beach.

This decision was based solely on the fact that I want to spend more time with my wife, 3 daughters and my first grandchild that was born this morning.

I want to thank Ken Lambert (First Poker room manager that had enough confidence in me to promote me to Tournament Director of Horseshoe), Jack McClelland( For teaching me all the ins and out of directing Major Tnmts), Jack Effel (For allowing me to be Poker Manager at the WSOP), All the staff and dealers that work for PTC (For their hard work, dedication), and a special thanks to all of the players that have supported me and PTC.

There are also many other people in the business that have been an inspiration to me. I hope that somewhere in my 18 year career, that I have made a difference for the Poker Industry.

Thanks to all, and I hope to see you in Choctaw, Tunica, and Palm Beach!

Jimmy Sommerfeld

I cannot remember whether I met Jimmy around the same time as I met his wife Teresa back in 2006 or not. 

I met Teresa during the WSOP Circuit in Tunica and got to know Jimmy more at the Fall Poker Classic in Shakopee MN. Shakopee is where I usually say I met Jimmy.

Jimmy is by far one of the nicest guys in tournament poker and always ran a great event whenever I played in one of his tournaments. 

Of course, I can’t fault him for wanting to get away from the game. He seems to have a thriving antiques and collectibles business underway in Southaven MS and he can now be called Grandpa.

I think I will make a trip down to the place where I met Jimmy (or at least where I think I did) at the end of the month and go play a couple of events at the Tunica WSOP Circuit. Hopefully it will not be the last time I get to say goodbye.

Although I’ll tell him this when I see him, I’ll say it here as well. 

Jimmy, thank you for your 18 years of service to the poker community and I hope you have a fantastic retirement. And tell Teresa I’m still waiting for my Seven Card Stud satellite seat.

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