TripleAceIRL: Poker and Fun - It's a Tough Life, But Someone Has To Do It!
Italian Team PokerStrategy.com player, TripleAceIRL, will make his first WSOP appearance as a Team PokerStrategy.com player. In our interview, he discusses his thoughts on this year's WSOP and gives advice on becoming a successful poker player.
First WSOP with the Team
PokerStrategy.com: Hi Ivan! The WSOP is getting closer, and for the first time you will be taking part as a Team PokerStrategy.com player. What are your expectations?
tripleaceirl: The WSOP is the most important event of the year for a poker player. Everyone’s dream is to win a bracelet, but only a few are good/lucky enough to do it.
Last year I went to Las Vegas twice and this year I will spend a whole month there, and I am sure it will be a wonderful experience.
PokerStrategy.com: Do you have other plans in Vegas besides going to the WSOP?
tripleaceirl: Apart from poker and fun, Sin City doesn't have much to offer. So I guess I'll focus on playing poker and having fun. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it! (laughs)
PokerStrategy.com: What is your opinion on the WSOP and how do you plan on approaching it?
tripleaceirl: I will go to Las Vegas a bit late, mainly because the bigger events will be played around the second half of June and I don’t want to get burned out. Before the WSOP, I will spend a week at home in Bolzano, Italy to visit my family because I currently live in Dublin.
Side events to accompany the Main Event
PokerStrategy.com: This year’s WSOP consists of 58 events. How many of these do you plan to play?
tripleaceirl: I will focus on the No Limit Hold 'em event - my speciality. I will play 6-7 events which is a relatively small number, but they are the tournaments I want to play the most.
PokerStrategy.com: Of the events you selected, which once are you looking forward to the most?
tripleaceirl: The $10k NLHE 6-Max! I love to play short-handed and I think it's the “purest” form of poker (along with HU). Even though it won’t be an easy tournament, there certainly will be a lot of action and fun in it.
Then obviously the Main Event will be great. Usually there are a lot of fish, but this year there will be a lot less after Black Friday.
Advice from TripleAceIRL
PokerStrategy.com: What did you learn from your past experiences that could help you have a good performance at the WSOP 2011?
tripleaceirl: For an online player, the most important thing in order to play well in so many live events in such a short period of time is to be mentally prepared and be able to keep patient and focused throughout the tournament.
When I play online I never get bored since I can play many tables at once and there is always a lot of action. However, when playing live it is easy to go for long spells of time without getting playable hands and the player is at risk of making some unnecessary spewy moves.
PokerStrategy.com: If you could give any advice to a player who would like to achieve your results, what would it be?
tripleaceirl: My first advice would be to never stop studying and improving and don’t be put down by short-term losing streaks. Observe how better players play and set aside our ego is really a key aspect in order to be successful at this game.
Also, bankroll management is really important. The #1 rule is “never go broke” and the only way to do that is by always playing within our means!
Last but not least, never overlook more important things in life to play poker – in the long run a good balance between poker and “real life” is a key factor for success.
PokerStrategy.com: Thank you for your time and good luck in Vegas!
tripleaceirl: Thank you guys, I will do my best!
