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 McCleland( 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

A little sooner than I expected I thought you were doing poker next year. Do you have a location for the auction house yet?

Southaven, across from Dales Restaurant.

Jimmy,

Sorry to hear that. You have been one of the best in the business. What will happen with PTC? Ill see you in Tunica most likely.

Great my favorite auctioneer and good food close . By the way how does it feel being a grandpa? Is that in the strip center where the antique store was?

Thank you for all you have done to improve the state of tournamnet play! You only have to experience bad tournament direction once to appreciate good direction. Sad for us that one of the really fine directors is stepping aside, but the reasons you list sound like it will be good and right for you. When I see pictures of my brother with grandchildren on his knee, I see I look of happiness that is hard to surpass. All the very best!!!

Bill will take over PTC, and it should continmue to be the best in the business.

Yes, next to smith and Brumley.

Thanks, PTC will continue with the supervisors that I trained...

I'm sad to hear this, but I know that PTC will be in very capable hands with Bill & company at the helm . You'll be missed Jimmy!

Jimmy,

Comgrats grandpa!! Thanks for everything. Gl in your new endeavor.

Jimmy,

All the best in your future endeavors! As everyone said, thanks so much for drastically improving the state of tournament poker. I was nervous when you said you were stepping down, because I had visions of Caesars and the WSOPc thinking they could save some money by running in-house more often and hiring less experienced people (just as they've done to destroy every cash game room they have in AC and Las Vegas). But I was relieved when you said Bill and the rest of your staff would be continuing.

Thanks again!

Played my first WSOP this past year, and it was an amazing experience. Thanks for putting together such a great event; looking forward to perhaps meeting you at Choctaw and Tunica.

Good luck and thank you. Yes. You made a difference. Big shoes to fill.

Congratulations Jimmy and Good Luck with retirement it sounds great!

Good for you!

Congradulations on the grand baby. Enjoy the "retirement" years, and knowing what I do of you I'm sure you're next endeavor will be at least as rewarding as the past 18...you've given a lot of yourself to all of us players. Thank you.

See ya in Durant

Congrats and good luck!

Congrats and good luck. Hope to see you in Tunica.

Jimmy,

I have only had the opportunity to work with you 2 times and a 3rd this upcoming February.

I have learned more about tournament poker in those few brief tournaments, than I have and will learn in the next 3 decades. Your vision and professionalism is second to none. You think outside the box even though you have made the box what it is today. You are a huge presence on any poker room floor even though you are somewhat tiny in stature (had to throw that in).

I hope one day that my name will be mentioned alongside yours as people who had a positive impact on the game and business of poker, at a time that it was critical.

Thank you for letting the Palm Beach Kennel Club be your final stop. We are truly blessed to be the ones to host your final show.

Take care,

Noah Carbone
Cardroom Director
Palm Beach Kennel Club

Jimmy,

All the best. Your tourneys were well-run and you trained a bunch of guys who can carry on.

Also- I don't think your Day 2 or 3 reseating scheme gets enough love. Balancing all the tables with about equal chips makes a lot of sense.

Good luck, all the best!

Don't get any ideas.

Favorite Jimmy Sommerfeld memory:

Hearing him announce a final table in Tunica at the WPO in 2003 or 2004. Introducing someone from La Jolla, Ca as " luh jawla, california". Priceless.

I learned a lot from you Jimmy. Good luck to you and Teresa, and have fun with the new business. The community will certainly miss you.

Jimmy,

The impact that you have had on tournament poker goes without question. It has always been a pleasure participating in one of your events, not just because of superior structures, but because of the overall positive experience created by you and your team, win, lose or draw. The most impressive thing is your willingness to say hello and shakes hands with everyone, regardless of how busy you are. When speaking with you you always demonstrate a level of courtesy, respect, professionalism and humbleness that cannot be over stated. These qualities are always delivered with a smile and it doesn't matter if the player is in a $45 sng or higher buy in main event.

Thanks for everything Jimmy, you will be missed!

Jody

Congratulations and Good luck.

Have a question for you. Why WSOP is so stingy about starting chips? When I played 1000 K first time (2006) I think I started with 1000 chips. Now it is 3000. still it is a joke !