25 Jan 10

Leo Margets: Live Poker is my Job

Last week we brought you the first part of our exclusive interview with 888.com professional player Leo Margets. Today we give you the second part, in which we talk about the WSOP, live vs. online poker and more.

Arguably one of the sexiest faces in poker, 888.com Pacific Poker sponsored player Leo Margets sat down with PokerStrategy.com for an exclusive interview.

She told us about her run in the World Series of Poker Main Event, when she managed to be the last woman standing, eventually finishing in 27th place for a $352,832 payout.

Also, she talked about other topics such as the future of her poker career  and how a normal day of her life looks like. The interview was split into two parts, so if you haven't read the first part yet, click here:

• Interview with Leo Margets - Part 1

888.com Pacific Poker is the official Black Member Party sponsor. On top of that, they have already prepared several promotions for our PokerStrategists:

• 5 rake races, $50,000
• Double StrategyPoints in January
• $2,000 + $500 bounty depositors freeroll
• 888.com VIP fast track
• More promotions – coming up!

If you are playing at 888.com Pacific Poker and you have any suggestions for the software, then you can do that in the following thread:

• Feedback to 888.com software

Last woman standing in the WSOP Main Event

PokerStrategy.com: 2009 was a great year for you in terms of poker. You managed to be the last woman standing at the World Series of Poker Main Event. Tell us a bit more about your experience there.

Leo Margets: It is so difficult to explain with words. It’s something I will never forget, not only the moments I lived there at the tables, but the whole experience around it…it was magic. Feeling the support of everyone (from my friends there but also from the ones that were supporting from a distance) makes me almost emotional when I remember it!

It's amazing to realise you are not only making your dream come true, but also thousands of peoples' dream! Receiving messages saying “thanks” rather than “congrats” just makes me wanna get back to the table and put a 7 in the flop, of the AT vs A7 hand in which I was knocked out, and damn well win the ME! I guess is a bit too late now… :p

PokerStrategy.com: Speaking of offline event experiences, do you have any other memorable anecdotes to share with us while participating in such events?

Leo Margets: My WSOP 2009 is full of anecdotes! When I think of my time there I can't help showing a big smile on my face. The intensity of how I was experiencing things there was like magic, almost unreal. It was also my first time in Vegas, so I actually had the feeling of being in a bubble.

"In 5 years' time I will still be playing poker for sure"

PokerStrategy.com: In the great “live poker vs. online poker” rivalry, which one do you support more and why?

Leo Margets: Even if I enjoy live poker more, I could not choose one or the other; to me they are both necessary. Online poker is a must. I can’t really imagine anyone calling himself a poker player if he doesn’t play online. It is necessary because you experience millions of hands online, that put you into situations that you would need years to get to if you only played live!

Live poker is my job. I play live because I love it and because I represent a poker site, 888.com, for which I am the ambassador. I consider live poker a very grateful experience in which many other factors take place.

Even if probabilities are still important, the psychological and human factors obviously carry more weight than in online poker. On the other hand, I l love the convenience of being able to play online when I want to, and for the amount of time I want. And most importantly: always in my pyjamas!!

PokerStrategy.com: With 2009 over, it’s now time to look ahead. What does Leo Margets want to achieve in 2010 in terms of poker? Also, where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Leo Margets: My goal for 2010 is to keep improving, and obviously hope this gets reflected in excellent results both live and online. However, we know that this game can be cruel sometimes, so I am basically really focusing on not getting stuck, to always keep learning and feeling that every day I play better poker than the day before. You know, this is a long distance race!
In 5 years time I will still be playing for sure. I don’t know whether it will be with today’s intensity, but it is definitely not in my plans to stop playing!

PokerStrategy.com: There are more and more players joining the game. What is your advice to them? Also, do you advise female players to follow your footsteps?

Leo Margets: I doesn’t matter whether I am talking to a man or a woman, my advice to those who want to get into the game is the same: first decide what your level of commitment is with poker, and then set yourself realistic goals. Always be honest with yourself and have the capacity to do a self-analysis from time to time… and please… be careful with your bankroll!!

A day in Leo Margets' life

PokerStrategy.com: What is your typical day?

Leo Margets: Well, to tell you the truth I don’t have many typical days! :) But when I am not travelling, I wake up when my body says "enough", unless I have something specific to do (could be an interview or just personal stuff) which usually is around 11am.

Then I spend some time on my computer checking mails and reading the sites I like while having breakfast. Sport time comes next; I am a marathoner and love running, so I have myself a good running session everytime I can. After that I eat; it can be from 3pm until 7pm! :)

In the afternoon, sometimes I start playing online right after lunch, but otherwise I meet up with friends, or maybe even have a home game!
This year I have also added spending more time reviewing my game into my routine, and studying more stuff. I am going deep into learning other poker games and am enjoying it a lot.

PokerStrategy.com: Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do when you’re away from the poker tables?

Leo Margets: So many things!! I have lots of interests besides poker. At the moment I've left some of them to one side because I've chosen to put more time into playing and improving my game, but I have never stopped doing lots of sport. I love running (I actually do marathons) and swimming. Doing an Ironman is in my plans for the future! Sports for me are like therapy for the mind rather than the body! If for some reason I spend more than one day without doing sport, I become super grumpy and you really don’t want me by your side!

Writing is my other biggest hobby. It also helps me clear my mind and it's another therapy that I guess fills me in many ways! Fortunately I enjoy travelling a lot as well, and that’s something that comes together with being a poker pro so… I'm lovin’it!!

PokerStrategy.com: Any final words you would like to add before we end this interview?

Leo Margets: Yes! I am really sorry for missing the last PokerStrategy.com tourney!! I have lots of defects, of which being messy is one of the important ones! With all the Xmas buzz I was absent minded… but it won’t happen ever again! I promise!