The Bernard Lee Poker Show 11-16: 2008 WSOP Champion, Peter Eastgate

December 20, 2018

Bernard Lee Contributor

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In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the PokerNews Podcast Network, Bernard Lee interviews Peter Eastgate, who catapulted into the poker spotlight by winning the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event. However, after a couple of years, Peter decided to step away from poker and currently is in retirement. Bernard speaks exclusively to Peter as they reminisce about his WSOP Main Event victory ten years ago.

Show Time Stamps

0:00	Welcome to The Bernard Lee Poker Show as this week’s guest will be 2008 WSOP Main Event Champion, Peter Eastgate.
0:56	Before beginning his interview with Peter Eastgate, Bernard Lee discusses this week’s news in the world of poker. Dylan Linde outlasts a record field of 1,001 at the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic, held at the Bellagio, taking home $1,631,468.
2:50	The 2018 WSOP Main Event 7th place finisher captures the WSOP Circut Sydney Main Event for AU$422,796.
3:42	Minnesota native Aaron Johnson accomplished an unprecedented feat in 2018, capturing both the Heartland Poker Tour and Mid-Stakes Poker Tour Player of the Year crowns.
5:36	RunGood Gear Ad
6:18	Bernard welcomes Peter Eastgate to the show.
7:23	Peter Eastgate joins the show and can’t believe how long it has been since he won. “Time flies. That’s for sure.”
8:13	Peter discusses his feelings during the November Nine hiatus. “It was aggravating to wait that long to get the final result…(it) could have a major impact on your life, whether you became economically independent or if you just made the 9th place.”
10:16	Peter recalls what changes occurred and what he did after making the 2008 November Nine.
11:57	Peter remembers how he felt entering the 2008 WSOP Main Event final table. “I would like to say that I wasn’t nervous, but I was for sure nervous. But once the cards were in the air, I was all about the game. I tried not to focus on being nervous and making mistakes.”
13:16	Peter discusses talking with the other November Niners after making the final table. “When we were playing tournaments, there was a very friendly banter. I like them all.”
15:48	Peter describes how initially he didn’t necessarily want his friends and family to come to the WSOP Main Event final table. “I was opposed to bringing my parents over. I was glad they went ‘cause it was an unforgettable time of my life…For me, it was a very individual thing. I was playing poker by myself. I was playing online and I was hanging out with my poker buddies, but I wasn’t necessarily interested in mixing the worlds and bringing my friends and family.”
17:41	Peter remembers how the experience of playing on the Penn and Teller stage was completely different than playing online poker at home. “It’s obviously a different feeling when there’s a cheer after each hand. You don’t (usually) experience that.”
19:18	Peter reveals his strategy entering the final table. “The first million you make is so critical to you…I was trying to squeeze my way into the top five. A huge part of playing tournament poker is the ICM factor. But the way the final table played out for me, I wasn’t put in a situation where I was putting my tournament life in jeopardy. So, it played out pretty smoothly in that regard.”
20:58	Peter discusses a critical hand early on versus Dennis Phillips and Ivan Demidov (Hand #18 at the Main Event final table) and how it affected Peter during the final table.
22:51	Peter describes how he felt after winning the bracelet and his relatively stoic reaction. “I was just into the routine of playing poker…I wasn’t into showing my emotions ‘cause it’s no secret that I am a pretty introverted guy. Obviously, I was jumping for joy on the inside, but I wasn’t showing that on the outside.” Peter also recalled, “I appreciated having respect for your opponent, so that was another factor for me.”
26:41	Share My Pair Ad
27:14	Cabot Cheese/Creamery Ad
28:46	Bernard continues his interview with Peter and asks him how was the first year after winning the 2008 WSOP Main Event. “It was very enjoyable. It’s a privilege to travel the world and play the game that you love.”
30:09	Peter decided to retire from poker and cites being a ‘degenerate gambler’ and his sports betting as one of the main reasons. “At around August of 2009, I began sports betting a lot. I was basically sports betting every weekend and I was betting each game. Throughout eight to nine months, I lost around $500,000 to $700,000.”
34:29	Peter currently plays occasionally, including online. “I have played on occasion, but if you spot me online, you should definitely join in because I don't think I can beat the online stakes.”
36:46	Peter discusses what he is currently doing today. “I’m just drifting around. It’s a big mystery when I have to account for all the times I have done nothing. From the outside, you would say it’s incredibly boring but I’m thriving. I’m not depressed by any means.”
39:57	Peter explains why he auctioned off his 2008 WSOP Main Event bracelet for charity. In the end, he raised $147,500 for UNICEF. “The bracelet was in a drawer collecting dust. I was never using it. I’ve never been a jewelry guy. I can understand there is an affection value to the bracelet, but for me it was all about the actual resell value for the bracelet. So, for me, it was a no brainer to sell it and it could collect a far higher price when it was sold for charity.”
43:03	Peter is surprised how some people reacted so negatively for selling the bracelet. “I’m just very confused and bewildered that people want me to keep the bracelet when it’s just in a drawer for no purpose at all. I’m being misinterpreted if they believe that it’s because I don’t appreciate poker and I don’t like the industry. It was just a trophy I got which I didn’t use and that’s why I sold it. They are obviously entitled to have their opinion, but I appreciate poker and I like the challenge of it. It’s not to show disrespect to the game or the community, but by no means am I keeping a trophy just because they want me to keep it.”
45:47	Peter discusses his legacy and how he wants to be remembered in the world of poker.
48:58	Peter describes his typical daily life. “I have my routines. I’m strolling a lot. I go on two to three long walks each day. It takes about four to five hours…but, I’m very unproductive, if you imagine a Sunday and you just roll it out for each day for the rest of the week, that’s the way I live.”

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