In 2007, the very first chapter of the Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society (GPSTS) was founded at Harvard University. Its initial launch included 68 members under the direction of Professor Charles Nesson. Within a few weeks, the nascent organization hosted one of the industry’s big guns, Full Tilt Poker pro Howard Lederer, who spearheaded a talk entitled, “Poker: A Game of Truth in Life.” One month later, Jim McManus and World Poker Tour (WPT) Host Mike Sexton came to town to discuss the popularization of the game. The 2007 calendar year also saw the debut of the annual Harvard-Yale poker match, which typically occurs on the eve of the schools’ football game. Two years later, the organization continues to boom.

Four new chapters of the GPSTS have come online. The University of Georgia in Athens (pictured at left) headlines the list and is one of the first Southeastern Conference schools to join the fray. Also making its debut is the Princeton chapter, which recently competed in the Intercollegiate Poker Invitational, held at the University of Pennsylvania and also featuring the GPSTS’ New York University (NYU) chapter. Brown University was one of the first schools to host a GPSTS chapter, but it became inactive. Now, it is back online and joins the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse as newcomers to the GPSTS' roster of institutions.

Initially a centralized organization based out of Boston that touted the educational aspects of poker, the GPSTS has since become increasingly local, relying on its chapters to develop their own events and recruit additional members. GPSTS Executive Director Andrew Woods told PocketFives.com, “We're looking forward to a good Fall as we transition to the next generation of students in each chapter. It's gratifying that another generation will be taking the reigns.” As many American Universities feature four-year programs, Juniors and Seniors who helped form GPSTS chapters in 2007 and 2008 have since graduated, leaving a brand new fleet of students to take control.

Despite its local focus, the organization is seeking ways to unify its membership. Woods told PocketFives.com that plans are in the works to develop a live tournament featuring players from each chapter battling against each other in teams. He explained, “We're hoping to do a large tournament with our chapters. We’d like to develop a team poker format that would allow our chapters to play while at the same time curbing collusion.” At the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP), Dream Team Poker held its third tournament. Its format features three-man squads separated from being at the same table until 14 to 16 players remain. In addition, Dream Team Poker awards individual prizes to the top finishers to help curb collusion.

Woods added that chapters regularly compete each other in heads-up tournaments held online. These are, of course, for bragging rights only, but exemplify how technology can bring its decentralized user base together. The GPSTS has even pitted students from Cambridge University in England against chapters in the United States for a continent versus continent battle. Besides the four aforementioned new chapters, others exist at Cornell, Dartmouth, the University of North Carolina, the University of Michigan, UCLA, and the University of Southern California (USC), just to name a few. New groups are constantly being added.

To learn more, visit the official website of the GPSTS. We’d like to extend a special thank you to Andrew Woods for taking the time to talk with PocketFives.com.