News: "I really, really want to win the bracelet"

We catch up with November Niner and newly crowned WPT champion Matt Giannetti as he prepares for the WSOP main event final table.

Matt Giannetti

PokerStrategy.com: Was there any time during the WSOP Main Event where you thought, “I am going to make the November Nine?”

Matt Giannetti: I got very short just around the bubble, from 14th down, but I really had a good mindset throughout the tournament. I was trying not to think about the future.

I was just thinking about each and every hand. Normally, I tend to dwell on things, but throughout this tournament I had a better calm about me and was able to get over things pretty quickly.

PokerStrategy.com: Was that a new approach for you?

Matt Giannetti: It was something that I really tried hard at during the WSOP Main Event. I was never worrying about what the average was or how many players were left. I was just focussing on each hand.

PokerStrategy.com: So was there a moment when you thought you were going out?

Matt Giannetti: I knew there were times, with ten people left, that I was going to be all-in during the next orbit. I was aware of that, but my thinking was not “I am going to be out,” it was “I am going to be all-in, let’s get a hand and let’s get lucky.”

PokerStrategy.com: Emotionally how were you feeling around that time?

Matt Giannetti: Like I said, I kept blocking out the magnitude of the event. I was trying to focus on each hand but when I was all-in, when all of my chips were in the middle and I couldn’t do anymore, I would get nervous. But during my play I was in control of my emotions.

"I really, really want to win the bracelet"

PokerStrategy.com: The payouts on the final table are huge, what do you think about that?

Matt Giannetti: The money is life changing and it would be great to win but I really, really want to win the bracelet. I just want to focus on playing the best that I can.

PokerStrategy.com: Does the money get nullified because you have been a pro for so long?

Matt Giannetti: When you have been around long enough you realise that money is just a way of keeping score. More ammunition to continue to play. You have a whole different view of what money is.

PokerStrategy.com: Are you a WSOP veteran?

Matt Giannetti: I am 26-years of age and have played every one. I am mainly a cash game player and hadn’t had a six-figure score until WPT Malta. Prior to the Main Event I had not played a lot of poker tournaments.

I would dabble in tournaments but I am mainly a cash game player. Over the last few years I have played more tournaments and less cash,

PokerStrategy.com: So how have things changed since the November Nine?

Matt Giannetti: I am travelling the world and playing in more and more tournaments. The publicity is new and being recognised as a poker player is new.

PokerStrategy.com: The current crop of November Niners are unfortunately post Black Friday November Niners. What is your view on this?

Matt Giannetti: It would have been nice if it hadn’t happened because there would have been a lot more money for me. But getting angry over something you cannot control is a waste of energy in my opinion.

PokerStrategy.com: Has it been very quiet?

Matt Giannetti: Not really. I have something that I am happy with for the final table. Nothing has been signed yet but I am happy with what I have got. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on it until it is signed.

PokerStrategy.com: Were you an online cash game grinder?

Matt Giannetti: In the early years I was. Then I went into tournaments before finally making my living playing live cash games. I always used to flit in and out of online and live play but I like the live play a lot more.

"Strangely, I had just started playing online prior to Black Friday"

PokerStrategy.com: So Black Friday didn’t affect you so much then?

Matt Giannetti: Strangely, I had just started playing online prior to Black Friday due to some poor live results but no it didn’t affect me like most people.

PokerStrategy.com: What stakes do you play?

Matt Giannetti: I don’t necessarily play certain stakes and instead concentrate on the good games. I live in Vegas and play a lot there but I also travel to Miami a lot where there are some really good PLO games.

Gianetti goes back to Vegas
as a WPT Champion

PokerStrategy.com: Omaha or NLHE?

Matt Giannetti: Up until two years ago it was purely NLHE but these days I play Omaha. Omaha is where the value is these days as long as you select your games well.

PokerStrategy.com: But now you are a November Niner are you now going to turn into a bread and butter tournament player?

Matt Giannetti: It has crossed my mind. I am always just going to do what I want to do. I am having fun playing tournaments now, so I will continue to play, but if I want to play cash games I will play them also.

PokerStrategy.com: What do your friends and family think about all of this newfound fame?

Matt Giannetti: Everyone is really supportive but nothing has really changed.

"Confidence is everything in poker"

PokerStrategy.com: So after you secure the Nov Nine spot you bubble Partouche and then win WPT Malta and your first six-figure score. What happens to Nov Niners that makes them so successful post the summer?

Matt Giannetti: Confidence is everything in poker. It helps with all of your decisions. When you are sure that your decisions are correct it makes everything so much easier.

Overall I wasn’t that happy with my play in Malta. There were a number of occasions where I made loose river calls which I knew were wrong. During the series when confidence was super high I was just folding those hands so I was a little disappointed about that.

PokerStrategy.com: Is playing poker something you have always wanted to do?

Matt Giannetti: Yeah. There have been some highs and lows in my career, especially when I was playing cash. You can make your own schedule, work as hard or relax as much as you want to. I was in school studying computer engineering but I was enjoying poker too much. I knew I could make some money at poker so I went for it.

PokerStrategy.com: What about the future?

Matt Giannetti: I could still see myself finishing school even if I win the main event. I know enough that I know nothing. It depends where life takes me.

PokerStrategy.com: Who do you hang around with?

Matt Giannetti: Nenad Medic, Noah Schwartz, The Grinder, Chino Rheem and David Williams. We all talk a lot of strategy and collaborate which is one of the best ways to improve your poker game.

by Lee Davy