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Off the Felt
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JAN 04
Off the Felt with Andy Frankenberger: Hidden Talents, John Cusack, and More
Off the Felt is interviewing your favorite poker players to find out a little bit about their lives — you got it, off the felt. Andy Frankenberger sat down with us to tell us a little bit about his hidden talents, experience on Wall Street, and more.
What is your favorite tournament spot?
Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City. It is close to home. I get to drive there and see a lot of local friends.
Where is your favorite vacation destination?
I would have to say St. Petersburg, Russia and Tuscany. They are both pretty nice.
What are some of your hobbies away from the table?
I play piano. I got the piano while I was working in Wall Street and I thought I would just mess around from time to time but I really got into it, I can play for hours at a time and not even notice. I also dabble in photography, like playing backgammon, and I do a lot of bike riding.
Can you tell me the most ridiculous prop bet you have ever initiated or been involved in?
It’s not related to poker, this actually happened to me back at Wall Street. So, I was the new guy at work and I kind of initiated a bet at a bar that I could memorize 50 objects in random order. The guys would say this item is 19, this is 41, etc., and I relayed all 50 items on a first try. It was more of a pride thing than a money thing but I did win $200 or so.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Other than being able to remember 50 things in random order? I learned to speak Russian in high school and went on to learn more in college, so I am fluent in Russian.
If you could pick anyone to play you in a movie, who would it be?
I just had this conversation recently, that’s funny. I would choose John Cusak because he has a quirky sense of humor and is self deprecating.
What’s your greatest poker achievement?
I would say being WPT Player of the Year just because there are so few of us out there and beating Phil Ivey (2012 WSOP $10,000 Pot Limit Hold’em Championship) heads up is a close second.
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing poker?
There are always opportunities to go back to Wall Street, but I have no intentions to do so. But if poker was banned and I could never play poker again, then I probably would go back to Wall Street.
What is next on your poker calendar?
There are always so many variables but I’ll be playing the PCA in January
Ski or Snowboard?
Definitely ski. I try to get a ski trip in once a year because it’s so much fun. I tried snowboarding once and it was not pretty.
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DEC 29
Poker's World Series of Beer Pong Pairings
The World Series of Beer Pong kicks off in Las Vegas on New Year's Day, Jan. 1, 2013, and it will run through Jan. 5. With a $50,000 grand prize, it will be interesting to see the talent that competes in such an event. With over a hundred teams registered, there is sure to be a team with impressive pong skills who will earn the title of Beer Pong Champ.
In the spirit of the competiton, PokerNews has compiled a list of our 10 favorite potential teams from the poker world that could easily snatch the grand prize because of their stature, mental capacity or physical appearance. Throw players in an arena filled with drunken debauchery and an opportunity to throw foolish prop bets ideas into the mix, and it’ll be promised to be quite a show. Especially if these pairs decided to join in on the fun.
1. Huck Seed and Jean-Robert Bellande
With Huck Seed standing at a colossal height of 6’ 7” and Jean-Robert Bellande at 6’ 6", it is no surprise that the two combined would be physically imposing to the other teams, perhaps dominating the field with their arm-span advantage of reaching half way across the table. Good luck trying to see where you’re throwing, they may be tall, but their shadows will be even taller.
2. Jason Mercier and Vanessa Selbst
Aggressiveness, mental toughness, intelligence and hard work are needed to succeed in poker. What Jason Mercier and Vanessa Selbst have going for them in a beer pong event are all of these traits plus their passion for basketball. Mercier lettered all four years of high school, while Selbst is known for setting up frequent games. Maybe they’ve practiced enough free throws and three-point shots to make it rain plenty on their opponent.
3. Phil Ivey and John Juanda
We’ve all seen it — the unruffled, impassive, intimidating facial expression of both John Juanda and Phil Ivey. You have no idea what they have, what they’re betting or calling you down with, and it has you questioning everything you thought you knew. It is the face of intimidation at its finest, and when you have both staring at you dead cold, eight feet away on the other side of the table, you’ll just want to gulp all your cups to get away.
4. Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth
With Daniel Negreanu’s weekly rants, he is sure to have a lot to say about anything in an effort to distract his opponent. Paired With Phil Hellmuth, who was once described as a "big mouse with a big mouth," by Sergii Baranov, it is guaranteed that you will be frazzled and unfocused. Careful to not be tempted to hush these two loud mouths by throwing the balls at them, it could result in a penalty or worse, by official Beer Pong rules.
5. Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Laak
Antonio Esfandiari is known for jet setting around the world, partying at some of the most lavish nightclubs with his flock of friends, or even going H.A.M. while in Las Vegas. On the other hand, Phil Laak is known for his silly antics and as one of the most unique personalities in poker. Mix that combination with drinking and you have a duo that is sure to conquer the task of chugging 10 silly little cups of beer. Perhaps Beer Fest would be more of a challenge?
6. Viktor "Isildur1" Blom and Tom "Durrrr" Dwan
As two of the best online players in the world of poker, Viktor "Isildur1" Blom and Tom "Durrrr" Dwan might be seen as the underdogs in a live beer pong event. A little odd, both are seen as intuitive introverts so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them wing a strategy on the spot. Perhaps play a little first, see their opponents range, then respond effectively. Don’t be afraid to call the clock on Dwan, as he tends to take longer than needed to make a move while he tanks.
7. Jennifer Tilly and Liv Boeree
Of course, both Jennifer Tilly and Liv Boeree are great on the felt, but what advantage do they have when across a table of inebriated men? Their spicy curves mixed with a delicate female appearance. Tilly’s online screen name isn't “Unabombshell” for nothing; after all, she was listed as Maxim’s Top 20 Poker Hotties. Combine that with the rockstar sexiness that is Boeree, who did a full spread for the men’s magazine, you’ll have to compete blind folded so as to not be distracted by the beauty across the table.
8. Matt Matros and Barry Greenstein
Matt Matros was valedictorian of his high school and earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Yale University while Barry Greenstein got a bachelor’s in computer science and studied for a Ph.D. in Mathematics. What does this tell you? That this would be the team to look out for because you know they would be using their great minds to conjure up the degree at which a ball should be thrown and figure the vertical, horizontal and lateral direction of downward acceleration due to gravity. Wait, what? Yeah, let’s leave the formulas of beer pong up to them.
9. Pius Heinz and Jonathan Duhamel
Sometimes confidence is all you need, and confidence is what these two have. Jonathan Duhamel won the Main Event at the World Series of Poker in 2012, while Pius Heinz won the Main Event at the 2011 WSOP. With these two already winning the biggest event in the world, why shouldn’t they win the biggest beer pong tournament, right? Let the run good keep continue!
10. Tony Dunst and Haralabos Voulgaris
Tony Dunst already has a beer pong championship under his belt, winning the 2010 Brunson Beer Pong Tournament with Leo Murphy as his partner. It’s surely possible that Dunst could pull another win if paired with Haralabos Voulgaris as he is known to be quite the NBA connoisseur. With Dunst confident as previous victor, and Voulgaris experienced on what it takes to win a game of throwing a ball into a circle, this pairing could easily dominate the field against any opponent.
*Photo courtesy of The National Beer Pong League.
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DEC 21
Off the Felt with Joseph Cheong: Hobbies, Christmas Lists and Spit Bubbles
Off the Felt is interviewing your favorite poker players to find out a little bit about their lives — you got it, off the felt. Recently, resident third-place finisher Joseph Cheong sat down with PokerNews and gave us insight into his relaxed and easygoing lifestyle, not knowing what he’ll be doing further than a week's time, what he wants from Santa, and his not-so-hidden talent.
What is your favorite tournament spot?
I would probably have to say the Rio [in Las Vegas] because that’s where I’ve won the most money.
Where is your favorite vacation destination?
I don’t vacation very much or all the time. I guess Las Vegas. I just came back from Montreal, but it was a little too cold for me — lots of snow is not for me.
What are some of your hobbies away from the table?
Recently, nothing. I have been playing poker 24/7. Back in the day before poker, I would play tennis. I probably can’t play a whole set right now because I’m sure I’m a little rusty and out of shape.
Can you tell me the most ridiculous prop bet you have ever initiated or been involved in?
I don’t really do prop bets. Little side things here and there, but nothing crazy.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can blow spit bubbles. One day, I had a bubble on my tongue, spit it out, and it floated. I can show you if you want to see.
Thanks, but I’ll take your word for it. What is something you want people to know about you?
I want everyone to know this... I hate Breaking Bad and Lord of the Rings.
If you could pick anyone to play you in a movie, who would it be?
Jackie Chan. Other than the resemblance, he could make me look a lot cooler with his martial arts moves.
What’s your greatest poker achievement?
It would definitely be third place at the [2010 World Series of Poker] Main Event.
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing poker?
You know, I’m trying to figure that out myself. I ask myself this a lot since I’m thinking of retiring. I always say that I’ll retire by the time I’m 30, but we’ll see if I actually ever follow through. I think I would be living out in Asia for a little while, trying to learn a new language. It would be either Japan or Korea since I am Korean. I feel I should know another language, but I don’t.
What is next on your poker calendar?
I’m thinking about the World Poker Tour in China, but if that falls through, then the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January.
Ski or snowboard?
I am better at skiing, but I’d like to snowboard to fit in — it seems cooler.
Are you planning any winter trips?
I’m hoping to be in China. I don’t really plan further than a week out, so I don’t really know yet. I just kind of go with the flow.
Have you been playing any high-stakes cash games?
Nope. Strictly tournament.
What’s on your Christmas list?
First place in a tournament would be nice. I have been getting third and fourth, but getting first would be great. To be really fun, I would like to one day buy an island, maybe a private jet.
Notre Dame or Alabama?
I’m not much into football, but I’ve heard of Notre Dame more, so I guess I'll go that way.
How will you spend New Years?
There are a number of things that can happen. I’m not much of a club-scene guy, so something fun with friends. Nothing has been decided yet. It usually involves drinking, I know that much.
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DEC 20
Life On the Road: PokerStars European Poker Tour Prague Part II
Last week, I told you about my first day in the Czech Republic for the Season 9 PokerStars.net European Poker Tour Prague. That piece actually documented the day before the Main Event, which I used to do some of the more touristy stuff in the city and attend the EPT Prague Welcome Party at Duplex Nightclub; however, since this is PokerNews, I thought it prudent to take a look at the poker action from the EPT PRague.
The festival, which overlapped with the Estrellas Poker Tour, was held in the Casino Atrium of the Hilton Prague in the heart of the city. The venue was spacious, and it needed to be in order to accommodate a record 864-player field, which was 142 players more than the previous year when Germany’s Martin Finger captured the title. This was the third EPT I was covering, the others being Barcelona and Sanremo earlier in the season, and Prague’s venue was by far the best. It was easily accessible, commodious, and had all the action in one room. What’s more, the hotel was right across the street from a grocery store and numerous restaurants, and believe me when I say that’s a big deal for players and media folk alike.
The EPT Prague started off like the dozens of other tournaments I covered, but it soon set itself apart not only by the sheer size of the field, but also by its quality. Obviously, Europe’s best were in the house, but so were some online stars who rarely come out from behind their computer screens. In this case, it was Ignat “0Human0” Liviu and Gavin “gavz101” Cochrane, both of who I assumed qualified for the EPT Prague Main Event on PokerStars.
These two guys play the nosebleeds on a consistent basis and are very well respected in the poker community. To give you an idea, take a look at what Phil Galfond had this to about the photo of Liviu (below) I posted to Facebook: “My favorite hold’em player is praised by my favorite editor from the live coverage of PokerNews.” While I was flattered by the kind words directed at me, I was even more impressed that one of the most respected players in the world was saying Liviu is his favorite hold’em player. What a compliment!
Ignat "0Human0" Liviu (left of dealer in black)
Gavin "gavz101" CochraneWhile watching dozens of pros do what they do is entertaining, during the early stages of the tournament, most of them inevitably fall to the wayside. When play was down to the final three tables, I saw some of the craziest hands I’d ever seen in my years of tournament reporting. Not only were the hands outlandish, they occurred at a crucial point in the tournament. Imagine making it deep, putting yourself in a great position for an EPT title, and then suddenly it’s snatched away from you by a two outer on the river!
That’s exactly what happened to Mads Amot when just 19 players left. Here’s a look at the said hand from our Live Reporting Blog:
We just witnessed perhaps the most brutal beat of the tournament, and certainly the most emotionally charged.
It began when Mariusz Klosinski opened for 50,000 under the gun and Mads Amot called from the button. Both the blinds got out of the way, and it was heads-up action to the
flop. Klosinski continued his aggression with a bet of 75,000, and then called when Amot raised to 210,000.When the
turn, Klosinski slowed down with a check and Amot bet 275,000. Klosinski, who held the bigger stack, took his time before moving all, and Amot leaned back in his chair. He had approximately 700,000 behind and tanked for 90 seconds before quietly announcing, "I call."Klosinski tabled
for a pair of kings, and Amot proudly slapped down 
for a flopped set. The Norwegian was a huge favorite to double to 3 million, but poker can be cruel as the 
spiked on the river. Klosinski had hit his two outer to steal the pot.Amot was dealt a crushing blow, and all around could fell his disappointment. He immediately shot away from the table and kicked a nearby chair in angst. He also shouted to no one in particular while Klosinski was vocally celebrating at the other end of the table. Amot wasn't upset as his opponent so much as the unfortunate turn of events.
Amot vented a bit more off to the side, and then composed himself enough to return to the table and shake hands with the remaining players, Klosinski included. With that emotionally charged elimination, Amot has become out 19th-place finisher.
Mads Amot sees the river card.It was a great call by Amot, but Klosinski, who went on to bubble the final table, hit his two outer to steal the pot. Pretty sick, but I think I was even more stunned by Andreas Berggen’s elimination in 11th place. He was just three spots away from an EPT final table when the following happened:
Andreas Berggren has been eliminated in a cruel blind-vs-blind confrontation.
A preflop raising war broke out between Berggren and Aleh Plauski that resulted in Berggren being all-in and a 3,676,000 pot being created! Berggren showed
and was way in front of the 
of Plauski — but it would not stay that was for long.The dealer put out the
flop, gifting Plauski quad deuces — the second set of quads we have seen today! The 
turn and 
river completed the hand and Berggren headed to rail with an almighty bad beat story to tell his friends.
The crazy quad deuces hand.Those were just two examples of wild hands I witnessed throughout the tournament, and to say there was some great poker action would be an understatement.
For a look at various EPT Prague Preliminary Events results, click here.
While I watched most of the action, I did have once chance to actually play — the EPT Prague Media Event. After finishing runner-up to PokerNews’ Editor-in-Chief Donnie Peters in Sanremo, I was intent on taking down an “EPT title”. Once again I had a bit of success, making my second consecutive EPT final table, but unfortunately my run was cut short in ninth place. I started the final table as the short stack, and on the very first hand an unknown player opened, former MMA star Heath “The Texas Crazy Horse” Herring moved all in, and I called off my stack from the big blind with
. The original raiser called with 
to put both Herring, who held 
, and I at risk, but the flop put a quick end to any suspense. I was hoping to eliminate Herring so I could say I “knocked out” an MMA fighter, but I had to settle with being a part of the double KO by his side.
Robin Scherr won the EPT9 Prague Media Event. That's me above his head to the left.Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the €10,000 High Roller event. The tournament wasn’t supposed to attract a huge field (PokerNews wasn’t slated to cover it at first), but then a remarkable 113 entries generated a prize pool of €1,107,400. I won’t go into too many details other than to say it drew a star-studded field and was won by German Marvin Rettenmaier, who took down the €365,300 first-place and continued his unbelievable year, which you can read about in Rich Ryan’s latest Five Thoughts piece.
All in all, Prague was one of my favorite stops I’ve ever had the pleasure of covering. The weather was cold, but that’s what I’m used to being from Wisconsin. Toss in good people, delicious food, and great poker action, and it all made for a great week. The EPT really is a premiere tour, and I look forward to the next stop in February — EPT Deauville.
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DEC 12
Life On the Road: PokerStars European Poker Tour Prague Part I
Working for PokerNews has afforded me the opportunity to see some wonderful places; however, it wasn’t until earlier this year that I got my first taste of Europe when I had the privilege of covering the first stop of the European Poker Tour Season 9 stop in Barcelona. I followed that up with the World Series of Poker Europe in Cannes, France and the EPT Sanremo in Italy, but I must admit, I was most excited for my visit to Prague, Czech Republic, for the third stop of the EPT9.
One of the best parts about being a poker player, and in my case a member of the poker media, is getting to travel and experience striking locales. Granted, most of the time we’re cooped up in either a hotel or casino, but every once in awhile you can make the most of your visit. That’s exactly what I did by arriving in Prague a day early to tour the city, an experience I would like to share with you. I shall spare you the boring travel details and jump right into the good stuff.
On Monday, Dec. 8, I awoke early, knocked out some work, and ate breakfast with PokerNews' (Kristy Arnett, Sarah Grant and the cameramen before embarking upon a tour of the city. I was excited even more because I had arranged for Hana Čermáková, who had previously worked for PokerNews Czech Republic, to show me around. I’d never actually met Hana in person before, but she was kind enough to take time out of her day to be my personal tour guide.
Hana Čermáková was my lovely travel guideAfter an awkward meeting in the hotel lobby where I bungled the old kiss-on-the-cheek greeting (I never know when to do it), we braved the cold and headed to the subway, which was to take us to Prague Castle. That’s where the kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have held their offices throughout history. It’s also where the Czech Crown Jewels are kept.
You've got to protect those crown jewelsPrague Castle, which is set on a hill alongside the Vltava River, is the largest medieval castle complex in all of Europe. Believe me when I say, it's huge! The vaulted ceilings in the various halls and churches could have comfortably housed giants, and the sprawling grounds provided both wanderlust and the perfect opportunity for a walkabout.
Hana and I strolled about the compound for hours, along with hundreds of other visitors, and took in sights that included quaint shops, splendid stained-glass windows and the hourly Changing of the Guard at the front gates where we caught the special noon ceremony. All the while, I had an occasion to become familiar with Hana, who I soon discovered was easygoing, wise, and a fan of both Game of Thrones and the Big Bang Theory. Needless to say, it didn’t take long for our loose affiliation to grow into a genuine friendship.
After leaving the castle, we headed to the Old Town via Charles Bridge, Prague's 600-year-old signature landmark that spans the Vltava River. The 621-meter-long bridge, constructed in 1357 under King Charles IV, is ten meters wide and lined with baroque statues of 30 religious figures. It was during our passage over the bridge that I became caught in a moment. It struck me that I, a small-town kid from Wisconsin, was crossing a bridge that had accommodated millions of travelers over the centuries. To think that the bridge was there before Columbus even discovered America, well, let’s just say it was a powerful moment for a history major like me.
The base of St. Charles BridgeUpon reaching the eastern shore of the Vltava, Hana and I headed to Old Town Square, which dates to the 12th century. There we checked out the Gothic and baroque architecture, the Astronomical Clock, and the various yuletide stalls, including one that served Trdelnik. Hana explained to me that Trdelnik was a tube-like sugary treat — think of gigantic Bugles — served only during the holiday season. It was also in the Old Town Square that we grabbed some goulash for lunch, which was delicious but very different than what my grandmother used to make when I was a child.
Some of the delicious TrdelnikAfter strolling through the city a bit more, Hana and I returned to our hotels and prepared for the EPT Welcome Party at Duplex Nightclub that evening; however, before that I headed to a pub down the street to join what I consider to be the “British Mafia” of the poker media — Marc Convey, Matthew Pitt, Stephen Bartley, Rick Dacey and Howard Swains. All of those men have extensive experience in the poker world and no shortage of stories.
A rare, undercover photo of the “British Mafia” featuring Stephen Bartley and Howard Swains (behind the glass)One of those stories, told to me by Dacey, involved the aforementioned Astronomical Clock, which I had seen just hours earlier. Dacey wasn’t sure of the story’s authenticity, but he had heard that way back in the day, a famous clockmaker had constructed the timepiece and promptly had his eyes poked out by Prague officials who didn’t want him to replicate the clock anywhere else. Understandably upset, the clockmaker instructed his protégé to destroy the clock under the cover of night, knowing full well that no one was capable of fixing the clock. Apparently his instructions were followed, and that’s why the Astronomical Clock is as funky as it is.
The Astronomical Clock in Old Town SquareAfter checking off “Drinking with Englishmen” from my bucket list, our entourage hopped an overpriced cab to the party where we encountered a overabundance of notables including EPT4 Prague champ Arnaud Mattern, Team PokerStars Pro Jason Mercier, World Poker Tour champ Matt Waxman, former MMA fighter Heath “The Texas Crazy Horse” Herring; stars of the Travel Channel’s I Bet My Life, Kevin MacPhee and Liv Boeree; and, of course, the entire PokerNews team.
It was a rather relaxed affair as far as parties go, but everyone had a good time. Unfortunately, most attendees, myself included, called it an early night to be fully rested for the Main Event the following day. While I wish I were playing, I was content to report the action for those at home, and doing so, required just as much rest (if not more) as the players need — after all, we bloggers are there an hour before play begins and stay about an hour after it has ended. In other words, we invest more time in a tournament than the winner does, and that proves wearisome.
Heath Herring, Matt Waxman, Jason Mercier and Rich Ryan at the partyDays like my first in Prague — where I learned that hot wine is awesome on a cold day, goulash isn't what my grandma said it was and Trdelnik is one delicious sweet treat — are few and far between. I’m already looking forward to the next time, but that first day in the Czech Republic will more than suffice for a while.
The EPT9 Prague Main Event is in full swing, and you can follow the live updates right here on PokerNews. Just click here to for all the action. Also, be sure to check The Muck after the Main Event’s completion for Part II of the EPT Prague Life on the Road.
*Lead picture courtesy of 1.bp.blogspot.com.
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DEC 11
Off The Felt with Brian Rast: Learning Portuguese, Scooter Accidents, and More
Off the Felt is interviewing your favorite poker players to find out a little bit about their lives — you got it, off the felt. Two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Brian Rast recently sat down with PokerNews to tell us a little bit about his scooter prop bet gone bad, his influential advice to the world, and more.
What is your favorite tournament spot?
I would say Las Vegas. I have barely traveled for tournaments, so my biggest tournament experience is mostly here in Vegas, and sometimes Commerce. I’ve played once in Montreal, once in Macau, but during the Series in Vegas is the best. There are multiple tournaments a day for like a month, and I enjoy that.
Where is your favorite vacation destination?
Brazil is my favorite. I met my wife there, and I really just enjoy Rio de Janeiro; the food is good, the weather is amazing, and the people are just really nice. I also speak Portuguese now, so I can now converse with people when I visit.
How long did it take you to learn Portuguese?
You never really learn a new language because it’s always a work in progress, but I’d say a year to a year and a half is where I became reasonably fluent. I started learning about three years ago, and in the last year I’ve made very little progress because I haven’t really spent much time in Brazil, so I’ve mostly maintained.
Did you learn through Rosetta Stone?
I did buy Rosetta Stone, but used it for maybe an hour or two; I learned mostly from my wife. My wife and I would Skype, literally she would type in Portuguese and I would copy and paste into Google translate, and at first I had no idea what she was saying, but over time it got easier. At that point, I was traveling to Brazil six times a year, so I was always immersed in the culture and was needing Google translate less and less.
What are some of your hobbies away from the table?
I like music, reading, watching Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad. I like racquetball and love playing basketball and would play more if I knew more people that played. I’m starting to get old, but I wish I played more. There’s nothing better than a group of guys that are decently competitive with reasonable skill levels; it’s a great workout and tons of fun.
Can you tell me the most ridiculous prop bet you have ever initiated or been involved in?
I’m pretty sure it’s the one where a group of friends basically gave me a freeroll to drive a scooter that didn't drive more than 30 mph from Vegas to L.A. In short, I basically got injured, but still won. So, I started on the highway leaving Vegas, and it was pretty scary because there were these big trucks that would pass me, and I just thought, “Wow, I could die at any second.” So I decided to drive through the desert and off the road, no matter how long it took me to finish. I was going over some gravel making a turn and didn't realize that I should have been driving more slowly so the scooter like slid under me, and I got pretty cut up and bruised. Funny thing is I kept going for like another 80 miles before I stopped at an Urgent Care where they advised me to stop, but I wanted to keep going. Most of the guys who were in on the bet said they would pay me anyway because they felt I had accomplished enough. I was going to finish, but since they were going to pay anyway, I quit. Nonetheless, it was a memorable experience to say the least.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I don’t feel like I have any... this sucks.
What is something you want people to know about you?
I enjoy life, and even though I am generally a quiet and reserved person at the poker table, I am a pretty thoughtful, caring and compassionate guy. I do enjoy having interesting conversations with people even though I don’t also start them myself.
If you could pick anyone to play you in a movie, who would it be?
Adam Sandler because he looks a lot like me, and he could do a good job of portraying me as that tall, goofy and sarcastic white-guy-type character. When I don’t have the beard, a lot of people say I look like him.
What’s your greatest poker achievement?
Winning the $50K event (2011 WSOP Poker Player's Championship) was amazing. There have been a couple of cash game sessions where I have won more than that prize, and while I’ll say the amount of money that you win is the awarding part, winning that event was so much more monumental to my career than any cash game score. It was a televised ESPN table and I ended up beating Phil Hellmuth heads up. The One Drop was pretty awesome, too, but I came in sixth. If I had ended up second or third it might have been more special, but either way it was for a good cause.
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing poker?
The answer that comes to the top of my head is if I didn’t find poker, then I probably would have finished a math degree at Stanford and would have ended up working on Wall Street. A lot of what traders do and how they think is similar to poker players, so I think it would be something I’d be good at.
What is next on your poker calendar?
There is a pretty good chance I’ll be going to China in January.
Do you have any skis or a snowboard?
Skiing, but not because it’s cooler — it’s the one I actually know how to do. I go skiing once a year, and I would love to learn to snowboard, but I don’t want to spend my trip on my ass from always falling. From what I can tell, being a good snowboarder is more fun than being a good skier, but it’s just something you have to put a lot of time into, and I’m always having to make these efficiency decisions in my life, so I don’t think I’ll be learning anytime soon.
Do you have any winter trips planned?
I’ll be in Brazil for the holidays, and it’ll be very interesting because my family will meet my wife’s family for the first time. There will be a lot of translating going on, it’s going to be like a romantic comedy film, I feel.
What’s on your Christmas list?
For our families to get along and have a good time. I don’t want anyone to go crazy. Honestly though, just to have a good holiday. My wife’s parents and my parents will also be flying to Argentina, and it will be the first time her parents have ever left Brazil, so hopefully our families get close. There are a lot of special things happening this holiday, so I’m excited.
Notre Dame or Alabama?
I have made an efficiency decision to stop following all sports and only follow professional basketball, but I will go with Notre Dame.
How often do you play Macau cash games?
I went four times this last year, and I try to go when I can. When I have a chance to make a trip, I work it around the events here in Vegas, but with a family and all, it is not too often.
Who is more competitive: You, Antonio Esfandiari or Phil Laak?
Probably Antonio. Antonio does try to create the most bets for sure; it’s not necessarily a sign of being most competitive, but he’s the person where if you are playing racquetball and he’s losing, then he’s the most audibly frustrated. We’re all pretty competitive and I was probably more competitive earlier in life than I am now, but now I am maybe more controlled in how competitive I become.
What is your favorite cocktail?
It is vodka mixed with soda water and lime juice. I think it is healthiest because it doesn’t have too much sugar and you are getting some water to stay hydrated and it just tastes good. I don’t drink as much anymore but it is my go-to drink. When it comes to beer, I like Blue Moon with a little orange in it.
What advice would you give to anyone about anything?
I’m going to give advice that I feel I have learned in my life because the idea is that in time, you learn through experience, so here it is. You’ve got to follow your heart. You have to do what makes you happy. If you find something you love doing, then you’ll find a way to make a living at it and you’ll probably end up making more money doing something you love than doing something you hate in the long run. You will be much happier as a person, which is the most important thing anyway. Try to be happy, be free, and follow your heart.
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DEC 05
What the Pros Think: Unlimited Re-Entries at WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic
Twitter has quickly become the main source of digital debate. It is the safe haven of exchanged words without having to dispute face-to-face but still getting points across and stirring buzz with various topics.
This week, a major Twitter discussion among poker players is the reentry format at the $10,000 buy-in World Poker Tour Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic. For the first time, players can reenter the prestigious event after being eliminated and can do so as many times as they wish before the end of Level 8. Former WPT champ Curt Kohlberg fired three bullets on Day 1 alone.
Two participants in the heated topic were poker pros Matt Glantz and Vanessa Selbst, both of whom provided compelling arguments and giving players enough ammo to form opinions.
Stop complaining. No rule that u have to play every event. Make ur voice heard by choosing to play only the events u like u dummies!
December 03 2012Follow@MattGlantz normally I agree with you but here I don't. Problem is almost every WPT is now a re-entry and its terrible for poker longevity
December 03 2012Follow@VanessaSelbst how many times have you re-entered more than once in a day in a main event? I am guessing zero.
December 04 2012Follow@MattGlantz the festa 10k that JUST happened I bought in 4 times, 3 in day 2. So, the last 10k. & then went pretty deep before punting!
December 04 2012Follow@VanessaSelbst You would like to see 1 re-entry per starting day, 1 re-entry total, or no re-entry at all?
December 04 2012Follow@MattGlantz personally I think no re entries is far better for everyone in the long term
December 04 2012FollowPokerNews caught up with some players at Bellagio this week to get their take on the issue.
Phil Galfond: “It’s something that definitely makes tournaments tougher and maybe bad for the game, but I think any tournament should be allowed to have any structure they want, and players can either play or not play.”
Matt Giannetti: “Whenever it will increase the prize pool, I like it. It also encourages players to take more risks early, which you can choose to take advantage of or you can choose to be one of the players that has taken more risk with a reentry. I really don’t have a problem with it at all.”
Thomas Marchese: “I prefer rebuys in tournaments like this. I mean, right now while American poker is kind of dead and there aren’t huge prize pools, it’s really good if you have tournaments with reentries because you get 400-500 people instead of 300. I'd rather keep rebuys.”
David "Doc" Sands: “I think it’s probably bad for the longevity of poker in the long run just because the good players are going to win more money more often and the bad players are going to lose more money more often. From a self-interest standpoint, I like it because I am prepared to fire as many bullets as I need as it gives me a better chance to win a tournament. I think my equity in a tournament is bigger than my chip equity because I think I have an edge on the field, but if I bust and rebuy for $30K chips for $10K that might instantly be worth $13K to me by factoring the scale. So basically, from a long-run prospective I don’t think it’s good for poker but from a self-interest, I don’t mind it.”
Justin Young: “I don’t really have a huge opinion on it. In the long run, it’s a bad thing because it will make a lot of players go broke quicker.”
Carlos Mortenson: “I really like the rebuy system because you always have another chance, like me today. I’ll buy in again.”
When asked, Selbst declined to comment.
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DEC 01
PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Infographic
In January, the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure will be celebrating its 10th year in existence. Deemed "The Best 10 Days of Poker On the Planet," no one doubts that the 2013 PCA will be another extraordinary series. The live festival takes place the Bahamas and is held at the Atlantis Resort and Casino January 5-14, 2013.
Below you will find a giant PCA infographic that outlines the entire history behind the event. From the beginnings and various celebrities that have taken part, to field sizes and former champions, this graphic has it all. Check it out, and enjoy.
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NOV 28
Michael Phelps Surprise Rail in Montreal
On Monday night, Jeff Gross made the official World Poker Tour Montreal final table. Tuesday morning, Gross woke up to a very welcome surprise.
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time and an avid poker player, surprised his best friend by making his way up to Montreal to sweat the final table. Gross has made a few big final tables in his poker career, but none of those provided the bright lights and cameras that this official WPT final table brings, and when you're on the biggest stage, you always want your friends by your side.
WPT official final table! Down to 6 tomorrow back at it 4pm live streaming online. Im neck and neck for chip lead have 8,650,000. Let's go??
November 26 2012FollowSick kid!!! Trying to figure out a way up there now!!! "@Jgross5: WPT official final table! Down to 6 tomorrow ... http://t.co/xoVpUgM1
November 26 2012FollowIt turns out, Phelps was able to find a way up to Montreal even despite the short notice. And why wouldn't he be able to? He's Michael Phelps.
Pumped for the kid today!! Just surprised him for the final 6 of the #wptmontreal @playgroundpoker !!!! #weeeeneedit
November 27 2012Follow
Phelps surprises Gross and friends on the morning of the final tableIf you can't tell from the lead picture above, Phelps is on the far right. The man with his shirt off? Well, that's two-time WPT champion and three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Antonio Esfandiari. Esfandiari was in Montreal for several days, both to play on the felt and on the "ice". He's also been sweating his buddy Gross as he made his deep run. On the morning of the final table, Esfandiari tweeted the following:
This is what the future champion of @wptmontreal Does before his final table. Go @Jgross5 alllllll the way baby !!! http://t.co/e1LsI2p8
November 27 2012Follow
Gross making sure he looks good for the TV final tableThere's nothing wrong with wanting to look your best for a big TV poker experience. When PokerNews asked Gross how it felt to have all the support and to wake up to Phelps coming in to rail, he said, "[It feels] pretty nice. I feel very confident today."
Unfortunately for Gross, his fresh new haircut and confidence only allowed him to get as far as third place. The payday, which became the largest of his career, wasn't too shabby at $317,450. After his best friend's finish, Phelps proclaimed on Twitter how happy he was for Gross with the following Tweet:
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NOV 27
Esfandiari Takes on Laak in the WPT Montreal Playground Poker Hockey Challenge
The World Poker Tour Montreal, the first-ever $3,300 buy-in WPT Main Event at the Playground Poker Club, has already been deemed a rousing success after drawing a field of 1,173 entries — a record in Canada for a tournament with a buy-in of $1,000 or more. While that event is still going on, the WPT Montreal Playground Poker Hockey Challenge has come to an end.
According to the WPT Live Blog, which was on hand to capture the spectacle, the challenge was actually a prop bet between Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Laak to see who was the better ice hockey goalie.
The duo, who are notorious for their outlandish prop bets such as the highly-publicized dunk-tank wager at the Playground Poker Club earlier this year, even invited a number of notables to take part in the affair including Daniel Negreanu, Marvin Rettenmaier and pro hockey players Guy Carbonneau and Phil Kessel, the former retired captain of the Montreal Canadiens and a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively.
A special iceless rink was built for the shootout, UFC announcer Bruce Buffer (who finished 19th in the Main Event for $17,615) was brought in to give the introductions, and then the aforementioned guests took turns shooting pucks at Laak and Esfandiari, who were dressed in full goalie gear.
Negreanu, who is an experienced hockey player, scored five out of five against the “Unabomber”, but that didn't stop Laak from actually defending more shots than Esfandiari. So, while statistics and specifics aren’t available, Laak has once again defeated his friend in a prop bet at the Playground Poker Hockey Challenge.
What's more, Royal Flush Girls Angelique Velez and Ivy Teves, who were both wearing high heels, spent some time testing their hockey skills after the match, and we don't know about you, but anything the RFGs do in short skirts is worth watching.
Here are some photos from the WPT Montreal Playground Poker Hockey Challenge courtesy of the WPT Live Blog:
Guy Carbonneau and Phil Laak
Phil Laak gets ready to defend with a special helmet cam
Negreanu celebrates after owning Laak
Guy Carbonneau takes a shot while the crowd looks on
Esfandiair and Laak give an interview after the eventTo see Esfandiari and Laak in action, check out the following video:
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