10 Mar 09

Jonathan 'FieryJustice' Little: An Interview with Our New Video Producer

Despite belonging to the young generation of poker stars, Jonathan Little is already a multiple WPT winner. On Sunday he gave his video debut on PokerStrategy.com - in the meantime he found the time to answer us a couple of questions.

The interview was conducted by: tivaa

PokerStrategy: Dear Jonathan, first of all thank you very much for agreeing upon an interview with Pokerstrategy.com! Most of our members worldwide know you for your major poker successes. We now have the pleasure to welcome you as a new poker video producer - what can we expect?

JonathanLittle: I am excited to be working for such a great company. You can expect videos of multi table and Sit n Go tournaments, with buy-ins ranging from the micro stakes to the highest online, as well as any other videos that may be requested of me.

PokerStrategy: You specialise on SNGs, but also have been seen playing other types of poker such as PLO. Which type of poker do you think will be the most popular throughout the next couple of years?

JonathanLittle: While PLO is going to continue to grow in popularity, I believe No Limit Hold 'em will remain the game to play as long it is the game that is played during the biggest tournaments in the world.

PokerStrategy: In one of your recent blog entries you stated that you "don't really care about the money". If so, then what do you find so fascinating about poker that you keep returning to the tables both online and offline?

JonathanLittle: When I was five years old, my parents made me play baseball in a local league. I fell in love with competing, as well as winning. While the money is an excellent motivator, I love playing poker with the best players in the game and strive to eventually be the best.

PokerStrategy: Before becoming a full time poker professional you studied Physics and Psychology at the University of West Florida - did the study of psychology help you to improve your reads?

JonathanLittle: I initially went into psychology because I thought it would help me develop reads, but I soon found out that psychology in college has nothing to do with tells. I instead, learned my reading ability from multiple books as well as hours of experience at the live poker table.

PokerStrategy: At the beginning of February you were thinking of writing a poker book - are there any news about that?

JonathanLittle: I am in the process of writing it right now, although I am unsure if I will ever release it, as it takes quite a bit of time and energy and I prefer to spend my time playing and studying poker.

PokerStrategy: Your live tourney achievements include winning the WPT Foxwoods against Jonathan Jaffe in an epic heads up of 275 hands. How long are you able to concentrate during these kind of challenges?

JonathanLittle: I make a point to have an excellent sleep schedule. I also drink lots of green tea during the course of a tournament, which tends to keep me calm and focused. Because of this, I am usually able to play my A game for around 20 hours, which is when I tend to get tired.

In this specific tournament, I also gained energy and stamina based on the fact that the tournament was well within reach and when you are playing for $1,000,000, you must force yourself to do your best.

PokerStrategy: What are your poker plans for the near future?

JonathanLittle: I plan to play all the WPT events for the rest of this season. I am also going to play the NBC Heads Up tournament in a few weeks then as many events as I can play during the World Series of Poker.

PokerStrategy: If you could compose your ideal final table - who would you be playing against, where would it take place and which format of poker would you be playing?

JonathanLittle: If I was playing for lots of money, I would prefer to play with the worst players in the world that give off accurate tells all the time.

If I was playing for pride, I would have to say: Tom Dwan, Doyle Brunson, David Pham, Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow, Dave Benefield, Patrick Antonious and Lee Markholt.

As for location, I would prefer to play across the world, where everyone is off their game, due to the time changes. Most people play quite poorly when they are tired and I tend to be very good at making sure I am well rested for tournaments.

As for the game, it would have to be No Limit Hold 'em, as that is the game that is most recognized and respected.

PokerStrategy: According to you blog entries, family and friends play a major part in your life. Do you think the stereotype of the lonesome, unsociable poker player is a myth?

JonathanLittle: That stereotype is definitely a myth. All my poker friends have great relationships with their family, friends, and girlfriends. Most great poker players tend to have conversations with each other, which helps us all become better at the game.

PokerStrategy: In December you got engaged to your girlfriend Katy, commenting "I have a great life ... I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with the person I love the most. :-)" She also plays poker - do you think that there will be more females in the future of live and online poker?

JonathanLittle: As poker becomes mainstream, I think poker will become more diversified than it already is. As of now, in big buy-in tournaments, females make up maybe 5% of the field but I expect that number to rise in the future.

PokerStrategy: You and your fiancée have just moved from your home town Pensacola to Las Vegas. How has Vegas treated you so far?

JonathanLittle: We have actually lived in Vegas part time for the  last two years, but are just now getting settled here full time, as flying from Pensacola to Vegas multiple times per year gets expensive. I also want to spend as little time as possible flying and driving. So far though, Vegas has been great to me.

PokerStrategy: A lot of our members dream of going to Vegas. What activities can you recommend for visitors and how do you spend your leisure time there?

JonathanLittle: I tend to not do much in Vegas besides play poker. I tend to spend my leisure time going to theme parks and on vacations when I am not playing poker. To me, Vegas is my workplace and I treat it like that. If you are coming to Vegas though, there are numerous things you can do. You can gamble at the beautiful casinos, which I do not recommend; go to the numerous great shows, which I suggest; go to clubs, which I suggest in extreme moderation; and spend time outdoors, which is good as long as you have lots of sunscreen.

PokerStrategy: A last question: Where do you see yourself in 30 years?

JonathanLittle: In 30 years, I hope to be semi-retired. I am sure poker will always play a huge part in my life but eventually, I would like to be totally financially secure, as in being able to do whatever I want, and just play the largest buy-in events whenever choose.

PokerStrategy: Thank you very much for the interview!