The Muck
Card Guards
Bernard Lee
George Lind III
Maverick Movie
Off the Felt
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FEB 26
The World Poker Tour Remembers Dr. Jerry Buss
Last week, Dr. Jerry Buss, long-time high-stakes poker player and owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away after a long battle with cancer. The loss of Buss, who is best known for bringing 10 NBA championships to town and being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, was heartbreaking to both the sports world and to the poker industry, a fact evidenced on Day 1 of the L.A. Poker Classic when the World Poker Tour paid homage to legend.
As the WPT said in their blog:
"Buss was an avid poker player, friend, fan and a regular on the California poker scene since the early ’80s. He placed third in the 1991 World Series of Poker seven-card stud event. Dr. Buss entered the national poker spotlight when he took second place in the WPT Celebrity Invitational in 2003 and followed that up with appearances on NBC’s Poker After Dark, the $25K National Heads-Up Championship and GSN’s High Stakes Poker... Buss played the WPT L.A. Poker Classic multiple times throughout the 11 years that the event has taken place — Seasons 3, 4 and 6 — and also played the WPT Celebrity Invitational — Seasons 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9 — and WPT Legends of Poker Season 4."
In addition, the WPT honored Buss on Saturday, February 23, as WPT Commentator Mike Sexton paid tribute to Buss before the start of the L.A. Poker Classic at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. According to the WPT live blog, Sexton told a story about Buss and Layne Flack, the man who had won the Celebrity Invitational back in 2003. "That's the guy that I made famous," Sexton said Buss would say every time he saw Flack before adding that the episode from that event is one of the highest rated in the WPT's 11-year history.
Mike Sexton with Vince Van Patten, Kimberly Lansing, Tony Dunst, and Royal Flush Girls Jeannie Duffy, Brittany Bell, Ivy Teves, and Danielle Ruiz (photo courtesy of the WPT blog)
At the end of Mike Sexton's eulogy for Jerry Buss, the entire room stood up for a moment of silence (photo courtesy of the WPT blog)Finally, the WPT put together a tribute video for Buss featuring his various successes on the World Poker Tour:
*Lead photo of Jerry Buss courtesy of the WPT Blog and graciously provided by photographer Melissa Hayden.
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FEB 21
Harlem Shake WSOP Edition
With the Harlem Shake craze taking over the Internet, everyone's jumping on the bandwagon. PokerNews' very own Kristy Arnett and Sarah Grant were some of the first to get in on the fun while at the European Poker Tour Deauville stop. That video has generated over 50,000 views on YouTube and become part of several montage videos.
Although no one has been able to organize a massive Harlem Shake within the poker world, specifically at a poker tournament, our own Rich Ryan put together the following World Series of Poker edition of the Harlem Shake starring Filippo Candio and Joseph Cheong. Enjoy!
And just in case you missed it the first time around, here's the video with Kristy and Sarah from Deauville:
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FEB 14
What Are Poker Couples Doing on Valentine’s Day?
Another Valentine’s Day is upon us, and once again some of us find ourselves alone on this charming day. "Well, despite getting matched on Millionaire Matchmaker, I'm currently single so plan on focusing on my fundraising efforts for the rest of the week," Daniel Negreanu said. While "Kid Poker" has somewhere else to focus his attention, I couldn't help but wonder what others are up to on St. Valentine's Day.
Now let me tell you, it’s not easy to ask people, “Hey, what are you doing for Valentine’s Day?” I understand it comes off as a little creepy, and they might assume my next question would be: “Will you be my Valentine?” As such, I thought it’d be easiest to start with some women who know I’m harmless—The PokerNews Girls.
"Since my husband, Andrew, and I play tons of hours of poker at Aria, we have accrued a considerable amount of comps,” PokerNews hostess Kristy Arnett said. “We decided that we are going to finally take advantage of them and splurge on an expensive dinner at Sage for Valentine's Day. That's just one of the perks of being a poker couple."
While Kristy and her husband will be celebrating together, another of our hostesses, Sarah Grant, will find herself away from her significant other. “Heath [Herring] is going to be gone for Valentine’s Day in Argentina. So beforehand, I am going to make a surf and turf. I don't want to share him with anyone. We spend so much time doing fun things in Vegas like dinners and shows and such, that on 'special occasions' when most the world goes out, we stay in. I will also probably try to get him drunk and take advantage of him.”
Grant also had a heartfelt message for her fiancé: “Heath, you are my best friend. Sometimes you know me better than I know myself. I treasure every minute I share with you and I thank God every day for the blessing you are in my life. I respect you. I adore you. I admire you. Now and always.”
Halfway around the word, Jay Tan and “Hong Kong” Kenny Wong planned to spend Valentine’s Day doing charitable work. “We plan to spend our first Valentine’s Day together doing charitable work,” Tan, who recently finished seventh in the 2013 Aussie Millions Main Event explained. “We’re putting together goodie bags and going around Hong Kong visiting the homeless guys who sleep underneath the bridge.”
Jay Tan and Kenny WongWhile Tan and Wong are celebrating by focusing on others, married couple Collin Moshman and Katie “hotjenny314” Dozier use the day to celebrate another special day — their anniversary. Our "anniversary is only a few days before Valentine’s day, so usually we celebrate both with a bang,” said Dozier, who was recently featured in PokerNews’ popular Online Chat series. “Two years ago we rented an apartment in Paris, and last year I made us a hors d’oeuvres and champagne feast, and then we spent the night in a suite at The Cosmopolitan. Since we’re in the middle of moving out of Vegas to live in a new place in Mexico full-time, our plans this year are, unfortunately, bound to be a bit less extravagant. We’re going to go to one of our favorite places in Mexico: the fish market in Ensenada and hopefully get some local mussels and octopus. We’ll eat dinner on our table out on our balcony that overlooks the ocean, and coordinate it to watch the sun set.”
Speaking of married couples, Vanessa Peng Lutz and her husband Tommy Lutz will be spending their first Valentine’s Day together, though they won’t be doing much. “My plans are probably quite boring compared to everyone else's,” Peng admitted. “It's our first V-day as a married couple, but being pregnant, all I really want to do is stay in bed all day and watch movies. I also want to catch up on more sleep. Thankfully, Tommy, who is also a poker player, is totally happy with the idea.”
I’ve always been under the impression that Valentine’s Day was a big deal for every girl, but clearly it wasn’t as big a deal for everyone as Hallmark has led me to believe. I decided it was time to get a guy’s perspective, so I turned to my friend Josh Brikis, who recently joined the ranks of Team Ivey Poker.
Brikis and his family“Our first Valentine's Day with a child, so we decided to celebrate it this past Saturday instead of bothering our parents to babysit that night, so that they can go out themselves,” Brikis said regarding his wife Kristen. “We went to a fancy little place in Pittsburgh's Regent Square called Root 174. It was excellent food and we had a good time. We just went home after that though, kind of different these days with the baby. However, I am cooking on Valentine's Day this week, I am going to make a nice dinner, and we will just relax at home.”
Brikis also mentioned that he got his wife a gift, a domain name (kristenbrikisevents.com), for a startup Event/Wedding Planning business she’s starting. “Life has changed a lot the past nine months and it is very stressful at times with her work and the baby and my traveling, but its all for the love our lives now, Brayden,” Brikis added. “So not very exciting stuff going on for Valentine's Day here but everyday is exciting with Brayden, so its all good! Happy Valentine's Day babe, love you!”
I also wanted to find out the plans of my favorite poker player, David “Devilfish” Ulliott. Over the years, the Devilfish developed a reputation as being a connoisseur of women, but that changed last year when the man from Hull got hitched and added a new member to the family, Lucy K. "If you throw the 'K' in with Lucy, you've got Lucky. I thought of it myself," the Devilfish explained.
Devilfish and his brideUlliott also told us his unique plans for Valentine's Day: “Probably get the Mrs. to cook me some fillet steak, give me a nice massage and hot bath, and when she’s done this and got baby to sleep, I might let her hold the TV remote for five minutes. If she's really good i might let her pick a movie out. Then ill take her to bed and she'll hold on to my arse like a tree in a hurricane whilst i give her amazing sex—it’s my duty to please that booty—and she'll scream like a cat caught in a fan belt!
Another man who offered his thoughts on Valentine's Day was Team PokerStars Pro Marcel Luske. "Valentine's Day is for anyone that is in love and knows how important a great relationship is and what it means to have one, but love is for any and everybody, not only the one you sleep with. Of course that is the one you have a special bond and relation with, but I do know that Valentine's Day is for any mother out there, any nurse, and anyone that helps and support others, especially the ones in need," the Flying Dutchman explained. "I love to see these people getting more attention and credit for what they mean for the world as they always the real care takers and deserve more than just one Valentine's Day. For me, these days and moments are more than just Valentine's Day, more than a nice bouquet of red roses, warm, soft rum chocolate, candlelight and open fire — it's to be with the ones you love and even from far away to be able to let them know they are in your heart."
What did you do on Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments section below.
*Lead picture courtesy of data.whicdn.com.
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JAN 24
NBC National Heads-Up Championship Predictions
Thursday marks the start of the 2013 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship, and as the resident prognosticator here at PokerNews, it seems only fitting that I should (completely botch) provide the public with a few predictions. I won’t bore you by breaking down every matchup in the first few rounds, but you can follow along with my bracket to see who I have advancing. Once we get to the round of 16, then we’ll look at each matchup.
Without further ado, here are my predictions for the first round:
Clubs Bracket
Antonio Esfandiari vs. Jennifer Tilly
If this tournament had seeds, then this would definitely be the 1 vs. 16 matchup in the Clubs Bracket. Antonio Esfandiari is coming off of the best year of his career, winning two World Series of Poker bracelets including the inaugural $1 Million Big One for One Drop, while Jennifer Tilly hasn’t really played poker much, cashing in just six events since 2010. The banter in this match will be great, and Tilly will certainly go joke-for-joke with Esfandiari for the camera, but in the end, Esfandiari should able to take care of business on the felt.
Matt Salsberg vs. Daniel Cates
A lot of the predictions that I’m going to make in this article are going to be based upon “who wants it more.” Clearly all of these players want to win a $25,000 poker tournament, but there will be certain players who have more than just money invested. I believe that television producer Matt Salsberg is one of them. Despite winning the World Poker Tour Season XI Grand Prix de Paris, very few people know Salsberg’s name, and he’s started to grind much more frequently on the circuit. By beating Daniel Cates, one of the best heads-up players in the world, he can do just that.
Andy Frankenberger vs. Shaun Deeb
Shaun Deeb played awesome in the 2013 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $25,000 High Roller, and was very unlucky to have been eliminated by Vanessa Selbst. However, I think that Andy Frankenberger has been preparing for this tournament since the very second he received his invite. Because he’s been looked over so many times, Frankenberger carries an enormous chip on his shoulder, and wants to prove all of the doubters and the haters wrong.
Spades Bracket
Viktor Blom vs. Andrew Lichtenberger
By this point, all of TwoPlusTwo has stopped reading this article because I’ve axed both Cates and Viktor Blom. Andrew Lichtenberger is a very underrated and talented player, and I just envision Blom having the shakes at the table because he’s unable to grind on Full Tilt Poker in the states. The faster Blom busts, the faster he can hop back online and try to win $10 million in a single week.
Mike Matusow vs. Michael Mizrachi
This is going to be the shortest, yet loudest match of the tournament. On one of the first hands, Michael Mizrachi is going to do something squirrely with a special hand like
. Mike Matusow will wake up with a monster like 
, and the two will get all of the chips in on a 
flop. The turn and river will both be spades, and Matusow’s shout will be heard from the top of Mount Everest.Phil Ivey vs. Phil Laak
Phil Laak: This is so sick, kid! The greatest and me!
Phil Ivey: (Silence)
Phil Laak: What’s it like to be the best, kid?
Phil Ivey: (Silence)
Phil Laak: Look at that look! LOOK AT THOSE EYES!!!
Phil Ivey: (Silence)
Hearts Bracket
Faraz Jaka vs. Eugene Katchalov
This is a revenge match from the 2011 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship, where Eugene Katchalov defeated Faraz Jaka in five minutes. Jaka won’t want to fall to 0-2 lifetime at NBC Heads-Up, and he sold action for this event, so you know he will be trying to do his backers proud.
Phil Hellmuth vs. Mike Sexton
Phil Hellmuth lasted all of 30 minutes in the Super High Roller at the 2013 PCA. He lasted a little longer in the High Roller, but couldn’t really get anything going. However, the fact that he went to the PCA shows that he is ready to grind this year, and I think Hellmuth will make a deep run in this event.
David Sands vs Robert Salaburu
I believe that David Sands will win this match, but Robert Salaburu is going to get under his skin. Salaburu is very carefree – and he’s probably playing with a very small percentage of himself – so he will use this semi-freeroll to garner attention and attack Sands. Part of me wants to see Sands snap for entertainment purposes, while another part of me wants to see Sands stay composed and handle his business.
Diamonds Bracket
Erik Seidel vs. Tom Dwan
Tom Dwan will certainly be heading to Melbourne for the Aussie Millions. Erik Seidel said in the Bahamas that he wants to go, but was still on the fence at the time. Knowing that Dwan is ready to jump on a flight at anytime, I have to take Seidel.
Greg Merson vs. Joe Serock
The first person to speak will win this match. I was tempted to write in “draw.”
Liv Boeree vs. Gaelle Baumann
With only a few women in the event, and Vanessa Selbst and Jennifer Harman opting not to play, it seems criminal that Gaelle Baumann and Liv Boeree will meet in the first round of this event. I have to give the nod to Boeree in this matchup, simply because Elisabeth Hille should’ve been invited as well. You can’t have one bubble girl without the other!
Clubs Bracket
Moorman vs. Salsberg
What are the chances that an English rail forms if Chris Moorman goes deep? If there is even a 20 percent chance that a few dozen Brits will get hammered and start chanting “Moorman1,” then I have to support him. Sorry Salsberg, but a 1-1 record in this tournament isn’t too shabby.
Andy Frankenberger vs. Yevgeniy Timoshenko
And you thought I was kidding about Frankenberger really wanting to win this.
Scott Seiver vs. Kyle Julius
This would be a very enjoyable match for a few of reasons. First, both of these players are really good. Scott Seiver just took down the Super High Roller at the PCA, and Julius is coming off of his most profitable year ever. Second, these players are both goofy. Seiver is goofy because he’ll joke about anything at the table, and Julius is goofy because, well, he’s just goofy. The edge here goes to the hot hand.
Spades Backet
Ben Lamb vs. Greg Raymer
No, Greg Raymer does not have his own show. I just think that video clip is hilarious.
John Hennigan vs. Sam Simon
John Hennigan received a bit of grief in our “snubs” article on PokerNews, but not because he’s a bad player. Hennigan isn’t excitable, and isn’t a good fir for a made-for-TV event, but he’s still very solid. If he can get past David Williams, then it seems like he’s a shoe-in to reach the Round of 16.
Isaac Haxton vs. Phil Ivey
Isaac Haxton: (Silence)
Phil Ivey: (Silence)
Isaac Haxton: (Silence)
Phil Ivey: (Silence)
Hearts Bracket
Olivier Busquet vs. Jean-Robert Bellande
This matchup features the two classiest names in the tournament. Olivier Busquet dressy extremely classy, and can out-class anyone in a heads-up sit-n-go, while Bellande will probably be wearing an un-tucked Aria shirt, and can out-class anyone in being broke yet still being able to play in the biggest game in town.
Phil Hellmuth vs. Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier
I think the loser in this match should have to dress like their opponent during Day 1 of the 2013 Main Event. Think about how devastating it would be for Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier to wear an unstylish, all-black outfit with a baseball cap. Likewise, think about how hilarious it would be to see Hellmuth in a bedazzle jumped with bleached blonde hair. Regardless of the outcome of this match, someone will fire off a depressing tweet about how they never run good.
Just an FYI, these two have combined for nearly $28 million in career live tournament earnings.
Diamonds Bracket
Tom Marchese vs. Erik Seidel
Tom Marchese was the last player to enter the tournament, thanks to Harman bowing out. Marchese was at the top of everybody’s “snub” list, and really doesn’t have to prove anything to anybody. He’s a sick player with sick results, and we’ll see him in the Round of 16.
Mohsin Charania vs. Greg Merson
It’s the battle of breakout stars. If you aren’t a poker die hard, then you probably heard these two names for the first time in 2012. Mohsin Charania and Merson are on the shortlist of people who binked seven-figure scores in a live tournament in 2012, and are looking for repeat success in 2013. I have Charania winning because Merson hasn’t been playing many tournaments since his Main Event win, and I fear that he might be too laxxxed.
Clubs Bracket
Antonio Esfandiari vs. Chris Moorman
The only thing better than having drunk Brits on the rail is having Michael Phelps and/or Bill Perkins on the rail. Plus, having the One Drop winner go deep in this thing is good...#forthegame.
Andy Frankenberger vs. Scott Seiver
At this point of the tournament, I think Frankenberger will unveil the salmon pants. There's nothing scarier than poker's flying tomato wearing salmon pants. Ask Ivey.
Oh yeah, and Frankenberger wants this.
Spades Bracket
Greg Raymer vs. Andrew Lichtenberger
Both Raymer and Lichtenbeger have iconic nicknames, but "Chewy" is stronger than "Fossil Man."
By the way, why hasn't anyone used Juraasic Park one-liners against him? No "clever girl?" "Hold on to your butts?" "Dino DNA?"
John Hennigan vs. Isaac Haxton
All joking aside, whoever wins the Haxton/Bonomo matchup is going to go far in this competition. Both players are very tough, and the bracket is generally easier than the others. We expect Ivey, like Dwan to be ready to board a flight to Aussie Millions, and neither Hennigan or Simon pose huge threats.
Hearts Bracket
Olivier Busquet vs. Phil Galfond
Is there a more enjoyable potential matchup than Busquet and Galfond? These are two super bright players who have both had a ton of success playing heads up online. This would be a treat for anyone - even the casual fan - and I have to give the slight edge to Busquet for selfish reasons.
You'll know why soon.
Phil Hellmuth vs. Jason Somerville
Jason Somerville is a friend, and is one of the most media-friendly players in the game, but we have to be pulling for Hellmuth. Hellmuth helps the ratings, he increases the entertainment value, and the longer he lingers, then the more chances we get to watch an epic blowup.
Come on, Phil! Let one rip! Don't let these nerdy, idiots from Northern Europe run you over!
Diamonds Bracket
Tom Marchese vs. Matt Matros
Matt Matros won his third bracelet in as many years in 2013, but Marchese won five events at the Bellagio. Five!
While both players are very deserving, and have extensive poker résumés, I truly believe that Marchese is going to take his initial snubbing to heart. There’s no better motivation than being told you’re the 66th-most deserving player in a 64-player field.
Mohsin Charana vs. Liv Boeree
Boeree is the only female remaining. It’s as simple as that. With a former winner (Annie Duke) being a female, we really need a lady to step up and represent. Boeree hasn’t recorded a six-figure score since her big win at EPT Sanremo in 2010, so she’s due.
Right?
Clubs Bracket
Andy Frankenberger vs. Antonio Esfandiari
You heard it here first, Andy Frankenberger will represent the Clubs Bracket in the semifinals. NOBODY WANTS IT MORE THAN FRANKENBEGER!!!
Spades Bracket
Isaac Haxton vs. Andrew Lichtenberger
This matchup is perhaps more goofier than the matchup between Seiver and Julius. Few people in poker laugh more than Haxton and Lichtenberger, and even fewer people in poker have more unique laughs than Haxton and Lichtenbeger. Of all of the "non-television" pros, Lichtenberger and Haxton would surprise the viewers the most by just how talkative and enjoyable they can be.
We'll give the advantage to Haxton because of our previous claim about the first round Haxton/Bonomo matchup - which I can't wait for Bonomo to win.
Hearts Bracket
Olivier Busquet vs. Phil Hellmuth
Busquet has ripped Hellmuth a bit during his appearances on WSOP live streams, and now he'll have a chance to prove that his analysis was correct. We've seen Andy Bloch and Chris Ferguson, two very analytical players, dominate this event, and there's no reason that Busquet can't follow in their footsteps.
If Hellmuth is fortunate enough to get this far, it will still have a positive impact. I don't see him making a return appearance to the championship match.
Diamonds Bracket
Liv Boeree vs. Tom Marchese
It pains me to take Marchese out of the competition, but it must be done. Once and for all, we must know who the real "Liv B" is.
Semi Finals
Olivier Busquet vs. Liv Boeree
We may never know who the real David Baker is. Who is the real Superman? Shaq or Dwight Howard?
Nickname battles are rarely resolved, but this is our chance to finally find out who the real Liv B is. Is it the beautiful Brit with a passion for rock music? Or is the well-dressed, athletic, heads-up sit-n-go wizard?
Is the ridiculous? Yes. Have I carried Boeree through this bracket for too long for selfish reasons? Absolutely. But I want to know. I have to know.
My heart tells me it's Busquet, but I'd be lying if I told you I didn't tank for the better part of 15 minutes before making this decision.
Isaac Haxton vs. Andy Frankenberger
Even the incredible powers of Frankenberger's salmon pants can't stop the dynamic duo that is Haxton and Bonomo.
Yes, I will be taking full credit if Bonomo makes it this far in Haxton's place. Deal with it!
Frankenberger's unorthodox style can trip up most players, but having played heads-up exclusively for quite some time, Haxton knows that he will have to adapt to each opponent. If Frankenberger does make it this far though, I hope he gets the credit he deserves. Variance may have helped him along the way to winning two WSOP gold bracelets, but he has certainly put time and effort into his game.
Championship Round
Olivier Busquet vs. Isaac Haxton
As you can obviously tell, I’ve had a little bit of fun with this bracket. We’ve discussed Frankenberger’s salmon pants, silly videos that have very little to do with Raymer, laugh inflection, potential drunk railbirds, and more. However, I do believe that my two finalists will make deep runs…
…just as long as Bonomo doesn’t beat Haxton in the first round. Have I made that qualification yet?
Busquet and Haxton are heads-up poker masters. Both players have cut their teeth online playing heads up, and both players are huge favorites against this field. Likewise, while they’re both wizards, Busquet and Haxton are enjoyable to watch. Both players are light-hearted, funny, and will engage with one another if they are to meet in the championship round. It’s a win-win for viewers, producers, players, fans, and media members alike.
In the end, I have to pick the one and only Liv B to take this down. Busquet has done a lot of good things in the industry, including his apperances on the WSOP live stream, and truly is due to bink a big large score.
So there you have it. A predictions piece that will most certainly be shredded to pieces by the time play ends on Thursday. Enjoy the tournament, and good luck with your brackets!
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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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