Find Out What MikaPaasonen's 'Secret Weapon' Is For The WSOP [Interview]
Finnish Team PokerStrategy.com member, MikaPaasonen, will be attending this year's World Series of Poker. Before the big event, we were fortunate enough to sit down and talk to him about his expectations, goals and plans for the WSOP.
Preparing for the WSOP
PokerStrategy.com: Hello Mika. The WSOP is getting closer. Are you starting to get nervous?
mikapaasonen: Not at all. I'm just waiting for it to start.
PokerStrategy.com: How do you think “Black Friday” will affect the WSOP this year?
mikapaasonen: The level of play will be higher than ever. There will be fewer players through the satellites which will make there be a higher number of pros.
I think the level of competition will be close to basic EPT tournaments depending on the buy-in.
In some bigger buy-in tournaments the field might be a bit tougher, but you can always find a way to gain chips.
PokerStrategy.com: How have you prepared yourself for the mental and physical stress the WSOP will create?
mikapaasonen: During the winter I did cross-country skiing, but now that the snow has melted I have been running. Mental toughness is about knowing that you are in good shape.
I have also studied by watching miikkaanttonen’s videos, and I have tried to learn by watching the replay from tikkari’s Sunday Million Final table. The excitement for playing and for the bracelet hunt I have got from watching The Rounders once again.
High hopes to win a WSOP bracelet
PokerStrategy.com: What are your goals for WSOP?
mikapaasonen: The ultimate goal is of course a bracelet, but reaching the final table would be a good achievement on any scale.
Probably the most realistic goal is couple of times in the money - everything below this would be a failure and after that I would not dare to show my face anywhere for a while. (smile)
PokerStrategy.com: How would winning a bracelet change your life?
mikapaasonen: My biggest dream in poker would then be fulfilled. In reality I don’t think my life would change at all; I would just need to set new goals.
PokerStrategy.com: In 2009 you came close to winning a bracelet by finishing second in $2k NL. If you compare yourself now to yourself back then how have you developed as a player and do you think today’s MikaPaasonen would have won that tournament?
mikapaasonen: I think I have improved in every possible sector, but I don’t think that with the cards I got in the heads-up I would have stood any chance even if my skill level would have been the same as Daniel Negreanu’s.
Plans for the tourney and after
PokerStrategy.com: You are known to be quite superstitious when it comes to online games. How about in the live events?
mikapaasonen: Every morning I get up from the left side of the bed. I put on my left contact lens first and then the right. I brush my lower teeth before the upper.
When I get dressed up I always put on first the left sock/shoes before the right. On the way to the venue I always get breakfast from the same place.
Well, not really. I was kidding. I’m not superstitious. I have one secret weapon for the WSOP trip – Finland tracksuit!
PokerStrategy.com: What are your plans after WSOP? Will you have a break or is your calendar filled with tournaments already?
mikapaasonen: If everything goes well, I’ll enjoy the summer with a new family member. After that, internet tournaments and live events start with EPT Tallinn. If things don't go so well, then I’ll start looking for jobs at the Finnish Employment Office. (laughs)
