Survivor Contestant Jim Rice Hopes to Outwit, Outplay & Outlast in 2019 WSOP Main Event
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Three years before Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) and changed the course of history, a show debuted on CBS that really launched reality television into the stratosphere. The game was Survivor, and given both it and poker are games based on social dynamics and deception, it’s not surprising the two worlds often overlap.
From Jean-Robert Bellande (JRB) appearing on Season 15 Survivor: China, to bracelet winner Ronnie Bardah a rumored contestant on the upcoming season, poker players have tried their luck on Survivor on several occasions. Likewise, some former Survivor contestants have crossed over into poker.
"I think they’re sweating their one percent harder than I’m sweating my 97 percent.”
Case in point is Jim Rice, who appeared on Season 23 Survivor: South Pacific back in 2011. Rice, who hails from Denver and works in the marijuana field, is in action on Day 4 of the 2019 WSOP Main Event and is already guaranteed to make more money than he did on Survivor.
“I played two WSOP events. The $800 and this. I’ve cashed in both. Pretty excited about that,” he told PokerNews. “This is my first Main Event, though I’m telling everyone at the table it’s my fifth or sixth. I bought in. I have three friends who each have one percent, and they’re very excited for their one percent. I think they’re sweating their one percent harder than I’m sweating my 97 percent.”
Games of Deception
“Without a doubt.”
That’s what Rice snapped off when asked if there are any parallels between playing Survivor and a poker tournament the magnitude of the WSOP Main Event.
“You come in on Day 1, you’re nervous and think ‘Where am I?’ Then all of a sudden it doesn’t take too long to get settled in, and once you’re settled in you’re playing your own game – Survivor or poker. The cameras kind of fade off into the background. It’s just you and eight others in this scenario, 16 others on the island. I think there’s always been a lot of overlap between the two games.”
Despite the similarities that make both a good poker player and Survivor contestant – such as patience, aggression, ability to read opponents, etc. – the former group has yet to go on the show and actually win.
“I’ve always thought poker players would do better than they have done in the past on Survivor,” Rice admitted. “Rob Mariano became a poker player after Survivor. A few people such as Albert Destrade, he’s still grinding poker. He was in this event. He has one percent of me, we did a swap.”
"Once you’re settled in you’re playing your own game – Survivor or poker."
The man Rice is referring to is Albert Destrade, runner-up of Survivor: South Pacific. Destrade is a fairly well-known Florida grinder who mainly plays cash games, though does have nearly $200K in lifetime earnings. He did well on Survivor, but in the end, failed to earn a single vote from the jury.
Rice continued: “I would think it would translate a little better than it has. I’m surprised they don’t have more poker players on there. I know Daniel Negreanu is a big fan.”
A Survivor Rebuy?
On his season, Rice was the seventh player voted out after 24 days and the first member of the jury. He was asked to be a part of a later season but scheduling conflicts prohibited it. He was also one of 32 eligible contestants for the “Second Chances” season but failed to make the top 20 in a public vote. Despite all that, he’s garnered praise from the show’s host and executive producer Jeff Probst.
So, will he ever play again?
“I think the memory of me has waned so I think my chances go down a little bit. If I take down this Main Event maybe they’ll ask me.”
“Probst loves me and I enjoy him, I think he’s a great guy,” said Rice. “I think the memory of me has waned so I think my chances go down a little bit. If I take down this Main Event maybe they’ll ask me.”
For now, he’s focused on playing his best game in the WSOP Main Event. However, he won’t rule out the possibility of a Survivor reunion.
“I’ve got to get to the table with JRB,” he said. “Two Survivors at one table. JRB is much more accomplished as a poker player than on Survivor.”
Given his affinity for poker and expertise in the marijuana business, wouldn’t a place like Vegas that offered both in droves appeal to a man like Rice?
“I tried several times to get in this market and had three or four deals fall through,” he said when asked about trying to set up shop in Sin City. “I don’t think so now.”
For more on Rice follow him on Twitter @jamesloganrice.
To follow Rice’s run in the Main Event be sure to keep up with PokerNews’ live updates straight from the tournament floor. Click here to see what’s happening now.
PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.
