PokerStrategy.com Interviews Andy Bloch

In an extensive interview conducted by PokerStrategy.com, Andy Bloch reveals how he got into poker in the first place. He also talks about everything related to poker - tournaments, online poker, charity, law and regulations and much more.

Andy Bloch (pictured right) is one of the most recognized Full Tilt Poker pros. Seen regularly on the TV poker shows as well as the biggest live tournaments, such as the WSOP and WPT, he has gathered a large fan base over the years and has almost $4.5 million in live tournament winnings.

In an interview conducted by PokerStrategy.com, he reveals how his fame helped him to achieve some of the goals in his life. He also shares his thoughts on the poker world and everything related to it, including his opinion on the numerous services which help people learn poker, but also the ones which gather players' data and track their online successes.

The interview with Andy Bloch can be found below:

PokerStrategy.com: From engineering and law to professional poker – you must admit this is not your usual career path. Can you tell us how did that happen?

Andy Bloch: My interest in engineering comes from the fact that I always wondered how things are made. Take a PC for example. I was intrigued by the advanced technology that powers the machine. After some time, however, I started losing the interest in engineering and turned my attention to poker and Black Jack instead. And then I felt like doing something new once again and I have enrolled at law school - following my passion for law and politics. I must admit I have applied to three of them and was only accepted by one (laugh).

PokerStrategy.com: Have you preferred to play poker more than studying then? I have heard you missed some lectures, because you were away playing tournaments.

Andy Bloch: I was taking part in the World Series of Poker in Vegas in my first and second year, so yeah, I have missed a few of the last weeks of those terms. I could not do that during my third year, because the tournament was taking place at the same time as my final exams, so I would not be able to graduate.

PokerStrategy.com: It is said that you have sued the World Poker Tour organizers and have allegedly boycotted the tournament. What was the reason of the disagreement?

Andy Bloch: I would not call it a boycott. We sued them for using players' names and photos without permission. We have however managed to come to an agreement and returned to the tournaments.

Bloch's focus on charity

PokerStrategy.com: As we know, you help various charitable organizations with the money from your online winnings. Could you tell us more about the sponsorship?

Andy Bloch: I started doing it well before Full Tilt Poker introduced the highest stakes. Because of that, I have not decided so far whether I should give away 100% of my winnings I make on the high stakes, but I do give away everything I make on low limits. I sponsor the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, which is currently known as Prevent Cancer.

I also contribute towards the Bad Beat on Cancer project and collect money for their use, as well as doing the sponsorship for the foundation helping people with Multiple Sclerosis. I am also happy to have had the chance to take part in the Ante Up For Africa project. Oh, add to the list also some of the Las Vegas local charities, like for example homeless' shelters. All in all, there are a few places.

PokerStrategy.com: We can safely assume then that you are one of those few players that care about society, much like Barry Greenstein does. Is it important for you?

Andy Bloch: Of course. You know, sometimes I had this thought that I should do something more in my life, something for the people. But I realized that I can play poker, earn money and make use of my humble fame and do some good in the world.

PokerStrategy.com: What is your opinion then on Full Tilt Poker's involvement in educational projects, such as the Full Tilt Poker Academy or worldwide and local poker support? The poker room supports for example the Polish Poker Championship tournaments.

Andy Bloch: I think it is very important and definitely inspiring. I predict that there will be more of this kind of initiatives in the future, since the cultural awareness of poker is changing and so is the legal situation in many countries. I am sure Full Tilt Poker will adapt accordingly and continue to offer new educational materials and community programs.

"I like playing against Phil Ivey"

PokerStrategy.com: I wonder if there is anyone you would definitely not like to play against, because you are afraid of their skills or perhaps simply dislike them.

Andy Bloch: There is nobody I do not like to play against. There are certain people I do not particularly like, so I do not invite them to play with me, but I am not afraid of any confrontations. I like playing against Phil Ivey, I even have quite a good balance in games with him.

PokerStrategy.com: We have witnessed a true poker revolution in last decade. Every year sees more World Series of Poker participants and online players. Did you expect such a growth of popularity back when you were starting out?

Andy Bloch: When I was starting out, I used to think that poker is something exciting, my real passion. But the TV transmissions were frankly boring. I remember I used to think that if they are able to make golf look interesting on the screen, they could do the same with poker. Or with bowling. Now I know that there is no way to make bowling interesting (laugh).

PokerStrategy.com: So how do you see poker in the next ten years? Still growing in popularity?

Andy Bloch: Unfortunately, the American government is still prejudiced towards the game, which reflects on the legislation.

PokerStrategy.com: We have a similar situation in Poland.

Andy Bloch: Sorry to hear that. We are currently working on changing the law in the USA. Legalization of poker could prove to be quite a revolution in the states. As for the moment, all major businesses are afraid to advertise and promote poker openly and, as a result, they decline to sponsor live tournaments.

One of the reasons why the World Series of Poker has become such a big event is, apart from changing the broadcasting formula, the introduction of online affiliates, which made it possible to win a tournament ticket in a satellite. Previously, if you wanted to play, you had to go to Las Vegas to take part in the satellite, or pay the $10k buy-in for the tournament.

There used to be special one-step satellites for $1k and super-satellite for $100 plus re-buy, so in theory you could buy your ticket into the Main Event with even hundred bucks, but you could do so in Las Vegas only. Now, when you can easily play satellite for $10 while sitting comfortably at home at the other end of the world, the number of participants has risen significantly.

PokerStrategy.com: What is your opinion on World Series of Poker Europe in London?

Andy Bloch: I like it a lot. It is more of an intimate event, much like the old WSOP used to be, back when they were hosted by the Binion Casino. The place was much smaller, people used to know each other; therefore the atmosphere was completely different. And this is how WSOPE is. For comparison, the Main Event room at WSOP with its hundreds of tables reminds me of an airport's landing strip – that is how huge it is.

PokerStrategy.com: Is Andy Bloch superstitious?

Andy Bloch: Andy Bloch thinks that if you are superstitious, you get bad luck.

PokerStrategy.com: So what is the story behind your hat? If it is not to secure good fortune, do you wear it for style or as a trademark?

Andy Bloch: I have no idea actually, I simply started wearing it and I got somehow labelled as a cowboy. I even got to play in Poker After Dark Cowboys Week because of it (laugh).

Bloch on tournaments and cash games

PokerStrategy.com: Do you prefer poker live or online?

Andy Bloch: Live tournaments, online cash. It is simply easier to play cash games at your convenience at home, rather than get into a car, drive to the casino, look for a table, etc. However, when it comes to tournaments, you know in advance when and where they will be hosted, so you can plan accordingly. It still can be annoying, because you get to drive some way and then you lose in the first hand. But that is the way it goes sometimes. That is why I like those events that offer you a couple of tournaments, such as the WSOP or WSOPE.

When you took part in the WTP on the other hand, you often had to fly to God knows where, lost immediately and then what? You pack your stuff and fly back home? There used to be some simultaneous tournaments, but they were neither prestigious nor profitable. WSOPE offers tournaments every second day; they could do even more, if you ask me.

PokerStrategy.com: Do you think that the WSOP's Main Event lost some of its prestige?

Andy Bloch: Not at all. The difference is, that before I could be sure I would win if I played well. Or at least make it to the final table. Nowadays you cannot be so sure, because there are so many players. Now you cannot say that the winner of the Main Event is the best player ever, because recently, the winners were completely unheard of. They can be brilliant at poker, but what else have they done?

This year is slightly different, because if Grinder (Michael Mizrachi) wins, his victory will be sort of justified, because he already achieved a lot. And if he wins in 2-3 years in a row...well, that will be really something.

PokerStrategy.com: Would you say that the 50k HORSE tournament replaced the old Main Event, at least when it comes to the professionals?

Andy Bloch: It is definitely more prestigious. You have to be really good in a variety of games. Amateurs will find it much harder to win a mixed-game tournament, especially when playing Limit. It will not help if you had learnt by heart when to go all-in or when to scare your opponent; even a stroke of luck may not be enough. No Limit can be slightly mechanical sometimes and some people can win this way. When playing HORSE you have to really know more.

PokerStrategy.com: Who is Isildur1?

Andy Bloch: No idea, never met the man. I have heard some gossips, but you probably know as much as I do.

PokerStrategy.com: Do you believe he will come back? He came, he stirred up, he disappeared.

Andy Bloch: It remains to be seen. I have predicted that at the very beginning, when everybody started talking about him, there is always someone who has good fortune for a while, earns some heavy cash, and then loses – and that was his case. In the end you will meet some worthy opponents and give them back what you took. You can have a nice style and win against durrrr, for example, but you will come up against Phil Ivey and you will start losing.

Bloch on online services such as PokerStrategy.com

PokerStrategy.com: What do you think about the services like PokerStrategy.com, where people can learn how to play poker?

Andy Bloch: I am glad they exist. Some of those sites are pretty good; they offer some good tips and can show people how to improve their skills. There are however some bad businesses which I can't approve of, like those that monitor players and sell their data, or follow users' victories etc.

I'm not really sure the poker world can benefit of such actions, but I realize there is no way to stop it. That is why I like Rush Poker so much – you cannot monitor users' actions there.

PokerStrategy.com: So you are a fan of Rush Poker?

Andy Bloch: Oh yes. I would love for it to be available on higher limits. Sometimes you play for some serious cash and you are suddenly slowed down by some guy who opens 8 tables simultaneously. In Rush Poker you simply move to a new table when you fold. I am waiting for the moment when they include the higher limits; I am sure it will happen soon.

PokerStrategy.com: What is your favourite game?

Andy Bloch: HORSE, mixed games. I do not like playing one game only.

PokerStrategy.com: And your favourite hand?

Andy Bloch: Pair of aces (laugh).

PokerStrategy.com: What was the best bluff in your entire career?

Andy Bloch: Hard to say, I usually do not remember my bluffs.

PokerStrategy.com: So you want you say you never bluff and you are a sincere player?

Andy Bloch: (laugh) Of course...not!

PokerStrategy.com: Thank you for your time