The Bernard Lee Poker Show 12-22: Garry Gates, Fourth in 2019 WSOP Main Event

October 04, 2019

Bernard Lee Contributor

Guests:

Garry Gates

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In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the PokerNews Podcast Network, Bernard Lee interviews 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event fourth-place finisher, Garry Gates.

Garry initially describes his introduction to poker through his family, specifically his father. Then, Garry discusses how he became involved in poker media, which transitioned over to Media Coordinator for NAPT with PokerStars and how he survived Black Friday. Currently, he is Senior Manager of Player Relations, Communities and Engagements for PokerStars.

Garry was not a novice playing the WSOP Main Event, having cashed four times since 2011. He discusses his playing strategy and recalls the 2019 WSOP Main Event final table that resulted in his $3 million score.

Show Time Stamps

0:00	Welcome to The Bernard Lee Poker Show as this week’s guest is 2019 WSOP Main Event 4th-place finisher, Garry Gates.
1:38	Steven Sarmiento captured the WSOP Circuit Main Event at Seminole Coconut Creek in Florida over a field of 617 entrants and took home $188,158.
3:12	RunGood Gear Ad
3:54	Bernard welcomes Garry Gates to the show.
6:16	Garry joins the show.
6:56	Garry explains how he became involved in the world of poker and his connection to Las Vegas. “I started to take an interest in the game due to my dad’s interest in the game. I played a bit of poker in college because I walked in on him (father) playing poker (online). My family always had this connection with the city of Las Vegas…I got the bug at an early age and that continued through college.”
8:58	Garry explains how he started writing poker online and then joined PokerNews as a blogger and live reporter.
11:11	Garry explains how he became involved with PokerStars, beginning as their Media Coordinator of the NAPT and how he survived Black Friday. Currently, he is Senior Manager of Player Relations, Communities and Engagements for PokerStars.
15:23	Garry discusses his success in the WSOP Main Event, cashing four times since 2011 and how it helped him during this summer’s run. “I seem to do well in odd years…I certainly draw back on those experiences quiet often…The main event structure is very suitable and fitting to my playing style.”
18:35	Garry discusses about not panicking during the WSOP Main Event, even at 20 big blind ranges.
22:50	Garry explains about the objective of survival during the WSOP Main Event. “The objective is every day you want to put chips in that bag. You do that and you still have a shot at winning this tournament.”
26:35	Garry describes his friendship and support from poker superstar, Jason Mercier. “He’s always made himself available to me.”
30:18	Garry also recalls other professional poker players reaching out to him during the 2019 WSOP Main Event with support and an outlet to discuss hands. “All of them just gave me the space to do my thing, but made themselves available as needed and I leaned on that a little bit here and there with some of my poker circle. But for all intents and purposes, we didn’t want to disrupt what had got me to that point.”
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33:50	Bernard continues his interview with Garry Gates, the 2019 WSOP Main Event 4th place finisher.
34:28	Garry remembers entering the 2019 WSOP Main Event final table and discusses his seat with respect to his opponents. “I loved it actually…It doesn’t get any better than that in terms of stack sizes.”
37:43	Garry remembers the moment of spiking a three-outer on the river on Day 6. “I think I lost complete control over my body, my emotions, my mannerisms, everything. I just remember jumping out of my seat, going over to my rail and just getting swallowed up by those guys. It’s a dream come true.”
40:29	Garry remembers the double up with 13 players remaining versus Hossein Ensan when Garry held kings vs Ensan’s ace-king. This is the hand that Garry feels propelled him to the final table.
42:19	Garry discusses Day 1 of 2019 WSOP Main Event how they continued after eliminating three players quickly.
44:13	Garry discusses his incredible Day 1 of 2019 WSOP Main Event, ending the night second in chips and hanging out with his rail afterward.
46:24	Garry discusses his approach heading into Day 2 of 2019 WSOP Main Event. “My thought process was I think that everyone’s going to be expecting me to be snug, be that guy that protects his chip lead…I was under the impression that my image would gain some credibility from that day.”
51:29	Garry discusses what he feels will be his future. “I fully expect to be more active and play some more tournaments.”

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You can follow Garry Gates on Twitter @GarryGates.

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