Interview with Player X

INTERVIEW WITH PLAYER X

Who is Player X? Player X is a unique player. In actuality, there are many Player Xs in the world. They are a group comprised of hundreds, perhaps even thousands of poker professionals.

He, or she, can be found anywhere, wherever the game of poker is played. They are the elite, the top 1 % of the games best players. Yet they choose to remain in the shadows.

Whereas, some of the worlds greats such as Phil Helmuth, Men The Master Nguyen, Doyle Brunson and so many more, become infamous tournament players or high stakes big guns, and choose to spend their careers in the limelight, the Player Xs of the world choose and need to be anonymous. It is a huge part of the reason that they are successful. Almost every poker player in the world has played against a Player X. More over, almost every player in the world has donated money to the coffers of a Player X.

If we were to look for comparative persons in other careers they might be similar to those rare types of individuals that end up becoming a hitman in the Mafia, a Navy Seal in the armed forces or an undercover operative in the CIA. They are often loners, or like you to believe that they are.

Just as in these other professions, this trait makes them less noticeable.

Again, these are the games best players. They can be found in all games, at any level. They all have unique abilities but most posses a few common traits: They are quiet, sometimes even totally silent, yet cheerful when engaged in conversation. They often seem disinterested in whats going on, but in truth, are fully aware of everything taking place in their surroundings.

They rarely if ever have a bad thing to say about anyone. They never complain about bad players or bad beats. They almost never show a card except when they have won. They simply and quietly take most of the money out of the games they play on a daily basis.

Seldom do their opponents know that they are so talented or successful.

The only people who can spot them are the games other top 1%. Those players recognize the signs of Player Xs abilities. If you ask one of the games best to name the players who are the hardest to beat, they will name these un-named heroes of the game. Yet if you ask the next level down about a Player X, chances are they would rate Player Xs game lower than it truly is.

Player Xs have a unique ability to disguise their games and their success.

So why dont we see them or know who they are? Because they have spent years making sure you dont recognize them for who they are. It is their very anonymity that makes them successful. They pose no visible threat to the average player. They lure a weak player into making aggressive moves and then they pounce. They are the camouflaged, chameleons of the game. They are, in fact, deadly predators who feed on the bankrolls of lesser players.

The following is an interview with one of these fine players. For reasons of anonymity, all names, places and dates have been changed to protect the player. But dont think for a moment that this person is not real. He is one of the most successful players on the East Coast. Perhaps even in this country. This Player X was kind enough to allow this reporter to interview him so that we, the average and above average players can learn insight into some of the skills and techniques that make up a truly great player. I had the truly wonderful pleasure of having lunch with this player and he gratiously allowed me to tape our conversation. Here are excerpts from that once in a lifetime meal. I want to thank this player, here in print, for his generous time and frank answers to my questions.

Glen Peterson: I know we promised to keep specific details out, but for the benefit of our readers can you give us some information about how you got into this life?

Player X: I grew up in the Midwest, my father was in the army. When I was a teenager he relocated us to a California base. During college I developed a knack for the game in the dorms on the weekends. From there it was a quick move to the clubs in Southern California.

GP: So you were an Army Brat, huh? How do your folks feel about your choice of professions?

Player X: It was a long time before my Dad and I told my mother. Hes fine with it. She was raised a Southern Baptist and to this day doesnt feel good about it. My father knew pretty early on. He and I had played poker with my uncles and cousins in the kitchen during the holidays. He knew I loved the game.

GP: What did you do before becoming a full time poker player?

Player X: Well, during college I played more and more, every weekend in the clubs. I barely squeaked by and got my degree in Business. I made a few attempts at finding a more reputable career but I always ended up making more at the tables so it slowly took over.

GP: But, for our readers, what else are you qualified for?

Player X: (Laughs heartily) I was everything from a car rental agent to a valet at a Vegas casino.

GP: You worked in Las Vegas?

Player X: I still do! (laughs) But, yes, it was when I first went out there. I went broke during a particularly long session of Omaha and had to get a job for a few weeks. It was a great way to make money and meet some of the big wheels of the town. But soon after, I built up the bankroll and gave that up. Ive never held a normal job since.

GP: So we have you in S. California and Las Vegas, is one of those your home base?

Player X: I primarily live on the East Coast and play in Atlantic City and Connecticut. I dont care for big cities. I make frequent trips to both of those areas, and to Vegas and CA. I like to keep moving from game to game, keeps it fresh.

GP: And I assume keeps you unknown to others?

Player X: Thats a big part of it. I mean, players know me, they know my name, the regulars anyway, but Im seldom viewed as a regular. Many of them think Im in business and am on business trips. I do have a couple of ventures on the side so it gives me a excuse to keep moving.

GP: Alright, lets talk about your game. What do you like to play, levels and such?

Player X: Youll usually find me in the $40-$80 range but Ill play anywhere the moneys is. Ive played as high as $500-$1000, pot limit and no-limit and as low as $4-8 in the last year. But the $15-$30 to $40-$80 can be very lucrative.

GP: What game do you prefer... holdem, omaha?

Player X: I play them all, you have to if you want to really make this your life. But I lean towards 7 Card Stud Hi Lo.

GP: Really, that surprises me! I was sure youd say holdem, thats where I usually spot you. Why Hi Lo?

Player X: A lot of reasons really, its a game that offers a lot of variables, ah, creativity if you will. It keeps me fresh. A lot of times holdem can get monotonous, mundane. the Hi Lo keeps my mind working. Plus it can be very profitable.

GP: Hows that?

Player X: Well in most games a good player is looking to pick up a bet to a bet and a half an hour. Because of the scoop ability in Hi Lo, that can rise to 2 or even 3 bets an hour depending on the game. Also, I think most medium and high stake players dont really know how to play the game well, especially when its part of a mix.

GP: A mix, what do you mean by that?

Player X: A rotation game like H.O.E. or S.H.O.E. where you play a 1/2 an hour or hour of each game, Stud, Holdem, Omaha and Eight or Better. This is more true at the higher levels. In a typical $75 -$150 S.H.O.E. game youll have holdem specialists and stud specialists, but few who can play all the games well.

GP: Is it true that theres a big difference between poker in the East vs. poker in the West?

Player X: Yes, its very true. Um, I mean on the East coast, especially here in CT, stud is a big game whereas in S. CA. holdem is the more likely game of choice. Also, holdem is played very differently between the two locales. California holdem is a more aggressive, wide open affair.

GP: Give our readers your thoughts on stud vs. holdem, aside from the obvious differences in the way the game is dealt, what are the major variables?

Player X: Were all told how holdem is a game of position, and thats very true. It has a fixed position throughout the hand. But position in stud is also important, you just have to know where its going to be. Also, holdem is more multi-way, stud is often heads up, so you have to adjust accordingly.

GP: Can you go into more detail about position? How can you know where the position will be on each street in a stud game?

Player X: Lets look at it this way... all the books tell us that in holdem there are hands that we might fold in early position, call with in middle position yet raise with in late position. The same is applicable to stud. You just have to predict where the action is likely to originate from.

GP: Go on.

Player X: O.K. Against a tight players early raise in stud, I might fold an otherwise strong beginning hand. Yet against a weaker player, I may play hands that traditionally might have a low EV but against a weaker player, acting first, pick up value. In addition to that, if a player raises on an ace doorcard, the likelihood is very strong that hell remain first to act through 5th street as well. So position becomes a huge factor and somewhat predictable, just as in holdem.

GP: You mentioned books, whos have you read?

Player X: Ive read them all. I continue to read them all. Anyone who wants to do well in this game must keep learning.

GP: What books do you suggest for our readers?

Player X: Id rather not give un-paid endorsements, thank you! (laughs) But all of David Sklanskys and Mason Malmuths are must reading for the serious player. David is by far, the most intellectually gifted player on the planet

GP: Lets talk about what makes you so successful. First, how much do you make?

Player X: This is anonymous right? (again, laughs heartily) Lets just say I do very well. More than a Senator, less than the President.

GP: What do you do that others dont? What sets you apart?

Player X: First and foremost, I never tilt. Its critical in this game to keep the boat upright. Emotion and poker dont mix.

GP: You never steam?

Player X: I used to. Everyone does at some point, I guess, in their career. But I made it a part of my game not to let things bother me. I mean, what gets us on tilt, bad beats? There are no bad beats. There are players making poor decisions against us that work, but Ill take that any day. Itll only work for a while, then I have them. When I a player gets out on me, I say Nice Hand comfortable in the knowledge that he will play bad again.

GP: What else makes up a great player?

Player X: Paying attention. Plain and simple, if youre talking, youre missing something. If youre eating, youre missing something. If you came to play poker, then play!

GP: Anything else?

Player X: I think the unknown factor is huge. Very few games Im in are with a lot of players I know. I look for games with strangers, tourists. Even if theyre solid players, the fact that they dont know me gives me an edge.

GP: What is the average player missing?

Player X: Everything! For instance, next time youre playing holdem and your not in the hand, watch the players in the hand. Now, I dont put huge stock it tells, many can be misread or faked. But if you watch carefully, many times you can tell if someone made his draw or missed, simply by his reaction. His shoulders sag, he says Crap. (laughs) It happens more than anyone knows.

GP: Its funny you mentioned that. Just the other day I watched a guy, who raised preflop, I watched his eyes go down the line of the cards on the flop. He kept going back to an ace that flopped. I put him on an ace for sure, and folded. He had 2 of them in the pocket. I had never noticed exactly where anyones eyes were looking before.

Player X: Exactly, by paying attention you saw the eyes move from one to the next and to the third. But you can tell which one he keeps returning to if youre paying attention.

GP: On that note, I notice you wear sunglasses. Is that so others cant see what your eyes are doing?

Player X: Partly yes, but for me its a way to focus. When the glasses are down my game is on. I let nothing else in.

GP: I also noticed once that for more than an hour you never looked away from the table. How do you maintain that level of concentration?

Player X: Like I said, you have to focus, pay attention. I want to play error free. The only way to do that is to give my all, every hand, every session.

GP: Even so, how can you do it, all the time?

Player X: I play shorter sessions than I used to. As my skill developed, my win rate increased and I was able to cut back on the number of hours I play.

GP: How many hours a week do you play?

Player X: It varies. During trips to CA and Vegas, Ill play more...maybe 7-8 hours a day, 4-5 days a week. Close to home its more like 20 hours a week. I play a lot of golf these days.

GP: I hear youre pretty good. Do you gamble on golf?

Player X: I play nothing for money except poker. Ill play an occasional Nassau to be sociable, but I dont have the edge in golf that I do in poker.

GP: What about table games?

Player X: Never! The quickest way to cripple a bankroll is to gamble against a house with a guaranteed edge. Ive seen so many great players do this. They play great poker for days and post huge wins, only to lose it all in an hour of craps.

G.P: Why dont you play tournaments?

Player X: I tried a few but they were not as lucrative for me. I dont want to be famous. Theres a whole new set of problems that follow you down that road!

GP: What is the biggest error the average player makes?

Player X: Id have to say choosing the wrong game. I see good players grinding away in a tight games with players of the same caliber because there are less swings. But with the rake and all, theyll likely not to pull out a win.

G.P: Anything else they do wrong?

Player X: Yes, most never improve. Seriously, look around, most bad players stay bad. I read once that if you play golf, you always have the swing you were born with. You can tweek it, fine tune it...but it remains basically the same. Its also true in poker. Most people develop bad habits that they never change. So if you want to be good at this game, find your weakness, and improve.

GP: What piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to play for a living?

Player X: Be prepared, its not what you might think. First, you need a big bankroll, I recommend 6 months worth of living expenses if you break even only. Second, develop discipline and do it fast. Temperamental players or emotional players will go broke, I guarantee it. Last, be prepared to live a quiet lonely life. I dont mean you cant be married or whatever, but the truly great players, who dont turn to tournament play, cant have too many friends... you lose your edge if you let too many people get to know you.

GP: You have no friends?

Player X: (laughs) No, I have friends, but not many who play poker. My opponents are just that, opponents, not friends. I want their money, not their friendship.

GP: Do you have a memorable poker story for our readers?

Player X: Yeah, you warned me about this question. I dont want to upset anyone or give too much info but heres one... I was once given a huge pot. I mean, given, no questions asked.

GP: Go ahead.

Player X: I was playing $150-$300 holdem in a CA club. I was having a good session, especially chewing up one guy in particular. I had him on real tilt. He was pouring money into the pots. Well, I get pocket 6s in early position and raised, a bit aggressive for me but everything was working against this field. One middle player raises, 1 calls and he 3 bets us from the button. Im sure he has a pocket pair, tens or jacks...maybe bigger. Anyway, I flop a set, bottom set. But there are 2 clubs there too, queen high. So I check, looking to check raise the flop. We all check to him. He bets, I raise...we get both players to call in the middle and he 3 bets me again! So now Im thinking a bigger pair, aces or kings. I cap it trying to lose the middle guys and we do manage to lose one. The turn is a blank and I lead out. The stubborn, middle player calls, the steamer raises and I reraise once again. Finally, we lose the straggler, and I m pretty sure I have the best hand, but to my surprise, I get raised again. Now, Im beginning to worry that we flopped set over set and Im dead. The river is the 3rd club, but it doesnt pair the board. I feel I have no choice but to bet out and hope he gives up. The second I bet he leaps out of his chair and begins screaming about how I played a flush draw and got there. I didnt make a move, I just watched in awe as this man disintegrated before us. The floor comes over, settles him down and he proceeds to call my bet. And in the same motion, he shows me 2 queens, and says see how far behind you were! Then he mucks them, face down, across the dealers right hand into the muck. The dealer looks confused but begins pushing me the chips, as I slowly push my cards, face down into the muck. The guy never asks to see the hand, no one did. It was amazing! He got so wrapped up in the whole scene that he never once thought that he might have me beat. Only one player at the table had a clue. A regular in the game, who knows me a bit, winked at me after the steamer racked his remaining chips and left. What a gift. I went out and bought a large screen TV the next day with the proceeds. Every time I watch an NFL game, I thank the man for the free TV. (laughs)

GP: I see what you mean about keeping you emotions in check. Well, I want to thank you for all you time and honest answers. Its been a pleasure. Any parting thoughts?

Player X: O.K. Heres some words to live by: If youre going to do anything in this life, do it right, give it your all! Anything less is only cheating yourself.