By James Potter and Eliot James

One of the interesting things going on at the PokerStars APPT SkyCity Auckland Festival of Poker is the inaugural World Poker Seminar. This exciting concept was developed by Team PokerStars Pro's Joe Hachem and Lee Nelson. Joe and Lee host the events, with the help of some of their friends, and are also intending to take the concept to other cities around the world.

The idea is simple: it’s a seminar to help poker players improve and develop their game. There were over 20 players turning out, who ranged from the novice to some very seasoned players, all of whom were keen to see their game move to another level. Lee took 5 minutes out of his busy schedule to explain his motivation behind the seminars.

“I have always enjoyed teaching and I have always wanted to give something back to the game that has given so much to me. I wanted to take the next step from the books that I have written and wanted to try a live teaching format with my mate Joe. If you are going to do something, then do it right. I really feel that we have a formula that will turn learners into good players and good players into even better ones.”

Budding New Zealand pro player James Honeybone, who made the final table of APPT Seoul in 2007 and would love to do the same on home turf in Auckland this year, attended the conference and was the first to sing its praises.

“It was a great thrill to attend today. I have always been a student of the game and chance to learn like the likes of Lee and Joe is something that not everyone gets to do. I especially found the Q and A part of the seminar invaluable because I got the chance to ask some of the tough questions that the very best hate answering.”