Players on the Move: The Fielder, The Bluffer, and The Investor

September 08, 2018

Sean Chaffin Contributor

Brock Wilson, Jeff Fielder, Kobey Simpson

Whether it’s a big win, a hot streak or some other poker feat, Players on the Move takes a look at some of those making moves on the tournament scene. This month’s edition features players from the East Coast, Midwest and the American West. From big wins to breakthrough performances, here are a few players who have recently upped their games.

The FIELDER

Jeff Fielder

Age: 41
Hometown: Glidden, Iowa
Living now: West Des Moines, Iowa
Occupation: Poker player and investor
Twitter: @fielderdream

A few years back, poker just didn’t have the same priority anymore for Jeff Fielder. He and his girlfriend of nine years struggled through some tough times. In 2013, Jen was diagnosed with breast cancer. As she battled the disease, Fielder was there for support.

“It was a tough three years,” he says. “For the last two years though, we’ve been in remission. Although she’ll always have to take chemo because it’s in her genes, she’s kicking cancer’s ass.”

“We started out with a bucket list years ago and have now turned it into a ‘what’s next list.’”

Fielder is now back at the poker tables on a regular basis with Jen’s support, and credits her with a recent run of success. The two now travel together – joining a love of travel and poker.

“Her ass-kicking vibes have been rubbing off on me on the felt,” he says. “We started out with a bucket list years ago and have now turned it into a ‘what’s next list.’”

It’s been quite a year for Fielder. He’s had some big scores in the past, but since December he just keeps making deep runs and final tables. That included a big win in July at the Heartland Poker Tour $1,650 Main Event at Ameristar Casino in Kansas City for $94,713.

In April, he also finished sixth in the $3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown Championship for $144,775. In December, he took down the WPTDeepStacks $2,500 Main Event at Thunder Valley Casino in California for $220,216.

“I’ve been on a heater, but I don’t know if there’s a secret,” he says. “I try to remain positive and not dwell on negativity. As my friend says, ‘think bink.’ Of course, I talk hand histories with a wide range of different players to get different aspects and thoughts on different styles. Meditating has also become a big part of my life.”

The approach seems to be working. Fielder grew up playing card games, but got into poker like many – inspired by Chris Moneymaker's WSOP victory and watching the World Poker Tour at night in the early 2000s.

“What I like about poker is the competition, the money, and the travel and life experiences it’s given me,” he says.

“What I like about poker is the competition, the money, and the travel and life experiences it’s given me.”

Along with his HPT title, Fielder has two WSOP Circuit rings, two WPTDeepStacks titles, and numerous other top finishes. Life isn’t always easy on the poker road, however. It was a brutal summer in Las Vegas, and his recent winnings have helped to replenish his bankroll.

Fielder grew up on an Iowa farm, and in high school he did what most athletes do in small towns – play every sport offered. That brought out his competitive side, which he now satisfies at the poker table.

When not playing cards, Fielder is a huge movie buff and sports fan – “anything that’s bettable,” he adds about the latter. He enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and is always willing to try new things.

What’s next for this Iowan with $1.68 in tournament earnings? Spreading some more of that winning around.

“Clearly I want to win every tourney I enter,” he says. “But this recent win has fed my drive to achieve a title from as many tours as possible. I would love an MSPT or RunGood title, but have mostly WPT trips planned for rest of the year. Hopefully by this time next year, I’ll have three new and different tour titles in the trophy case.”

For more with Fielder, click here to listen to his appearance on PokerNews' LFG podcast.

THE INVESTOR

Brock Wilson

Age: 24
Hometown: Ardsley, N.Y.
Living now: Manhattan, NY..
Job: Professional Poker Player and entrepreneur
Twitter: @Bwilson9999

While Brock Wilson may be quite the young poker player, the New Yorker is putting his degree in finance from Fordham University to good use. While he’s investing some of his recent winnings in his poker bankroll, he’s got his eye on other ways to produce income beyond the game. Some of the $65,250 from his win at the WSOP Circuit $3,250 High Roller event at the Foxwoods has already been earmarked for investing.

“I want to use my winnings to play more poker tournaments,” he says. “But also investing it in various stocks, ETFs, and soon trying to purchase real estate assets on the East Coast.”

“I want to use my winnings to play more poker tournaments. But also investing it in various stocks, ETFs, and soon trying to purchase real estate assets on the East Coast.”

If Wilson’s luck continues, he’ll have plenty more cash for those plans. Along with the win at the Foxwoods in late August, Wilson finished runner-up earlier in the month at a $570 No Limit Hold'em Six Max event at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open for $17,095. In July, he also finished fourth in a $1,100 No Limit Hold'em event as part of the Wynn Summer Classic for $52,238.

While on the poker road, Wilson travels with some friends and attributes much of his success to them.

“I fortunately have a really good group of friends who I enjoy traveling with and it’s useful talking strategy with them,” he says. “Also, I just like thinking about and analyzing the game a lot off the table.”

Wilson began playing poker with friends in middle school. The junior high and high school games he played came pretty easy and he was a regular winner. Graduating to college games proved a challenge, however.

“I got smashed in college by one guy,” he says. “It forced me to study and really improve. I’m happy to say I later won back most of what I had lost. What I like about poker is how it combines psychology, math, and logical reasoning ability with risk taking.”

"What I like about poker is how it combines psychology, math, and logical reasoning ability with risk taking.”

After graduating from Fordham in 2016, Wilson worked at a bank for two years. He enjoyed the job and his colleagues, but wanted to try something with a bit more risk. So far that risk has been paying off at the tables, and in his portfolio.

Away from the tables, Wilson likes to stay fit and enjoys playing tennis and basketball, and running. A few entrepreneurial enterprises are also in the pipeline. Now with more than $266,000 in tournament winnings, Wilson’s also hoping more final tables are on the horizon.

“I just really love poker and am enjoying traveling with guys I really like, and am enjoying constantly striving to improve,” he says. “Hopefully this decision to leave my job and pursue these other things I’m passionate about continues to go well. It’s not even about the money. I’m just trying to do what I enjoy and what I find intellectually stimulating and enjoy each day.”

THE BLUFFER

Kobey Simpson

Age: 21
Hometown: Lander, Wyoming

As he battled it out on Day 2 of the Wyoming State Poker Championship at Wind River Casino, Kobey Simpson knew he had to make some moves to survive. With just 15,000 chips, he wouldn’t last long as the blinds were growing and he needed to double up. He quickly caught fire, and found a few spots to take advantage of – and soon was in front of a stack of 75,000.

Later, Simpson ran two big bluffs that were huge momentum shifters. One particularly sticks out in his mind.

"It brings out a competitive aspect when you look at the other guy and get reads on him – if you can tell he's weak or strong."

“I shoved all in representing a flush,” he says. “The other guy folded trip sixes and I had nothing. He didn't like it. It was a pretty big momentum booster.”

After that, Simpson continued to roll and took down the $400 buy-in event for $21,120. The event drew 220 entries, and he also won a seat into the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event.

Simpson jumped into poker five years ago as a teenager, playing small-stakes games with friends. In the last year and half, he began taking the game more seriously.

“I'm a competitive guy,” he says. “It brings out a competitive aspect when you look at the other guy and get reads on him – if you can tell he's weak or strong."

The win was Simpson’s first win or major score, but the Wyoming rounder is certainly looking for more.

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas. His work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions. He is also the host of the True Gambling Stories podcast, available on iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, PokerNews.com, HoldemRadio.com, and TrueGamblingStories.com.

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