Exclusive: PokerStrategy.com Interviews ElkY

With the WSOP on hold until November, we managed to get a hold of Team PokerStars pro Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier for an exclusive interview. Here, he talks about how he got into poker, his life as a poker pro and more.

For most of you, Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier does not need an introduction. Having started as a StarCraft progamer, ElkY quickly turned to poker and has over $6 million in tournament winnings to this date.

He was the first player to ever reach the Supernova Elite level on PokerStars and since 2006 he represents Team PokerStars Pro at some of the biggest and most prestigious tournaments across the globe. Amongst other career highlights, 2008 was particularly good to the French pro. During that year, he won the $15,000 WPT Festa al Lago and the $8,000 EPT Caribbean Adventure for payouts of $1,411,015 and $2,000,000 respectively.

From StarCraft to poker

PokerStrategy.com: Hello ElkY, thanks for taking time to join us. You started off as a StarCraft progamer in South Korea and then you switched to poker. How did you get into poker in the first place?

ElkY: At the end of 2003, I was a video top gamer in South Korea. One of my friends, who was also a StarCraft player, told me that he began poker. I'm a curious person, so I asked for more information and he told me to go to PokerStars.com, to download the software and that they'd send me $10.

I was immediately addicted to this game, which mixes psychology, strategy, math and mental strength. I spent more and more of  my free time on PokerStars and what started out as a hobby quickly became a passion. This motivated me to continually improve my game.

I love new challenges and poker gives me freedom and the possibility to travel around some of the world’s most beautiful spots. I took a risk by ending my gaming career and this paid off when Team PokerStars Pro took me on as their new member in June 2006.

PokerStrategy.com: There are a lot of top gamers that became poker players. Why do you think this happens? Are there any similarities between StarCraft and poker in your opinion?

ElkY: Definitely. There are many similarities between Starcraft, a real time strategy game in which I was vice world champion in 2001, and poker. For example, when playing StarCraft, I had to anticipate my opponents’ reactions with very limited information because I could only see a small part of the game.

Poker is quite similar, in that with only some of the hand history and betting levels, I have to guess my opponents’ hands and anticipate their next moves in order to prepare my counter. As with all high level games and sports, it’s important to know how to deal with pressure and to have a developed fighting spirit.

PokerStrategy.com: You are probably looking forward to the StarCraft 2 release. Can you see yourself taking a small break from poker to focus on it?

ElkY: I won't stop playing poker, but I will spend some time on it. I will take part in some StarCraft 2 tournaments, just for fun - why not.

PokerStrategy.com: Since a few years ago, you managed to make a name for yourself in the poker scene. Which is the most memorable win that you had so far?

ElkY: My greatest victory so far is at the PCA 2008. Everything came together perfectly to make this a great moment: a large field (1,136 players), a huge money prize ($2 million), all my friends were present and most importantly, it was my first big victory and it set my new lifestyle in motion.

PokerStrategy.com: As member of Team PokerStars Pro, you get to travel around the world to the biggest poker events, including the EPT and WSOP. Do you have a particular tournament that you look forward to in general?

ElkY: I love playing  poker all around the world and I love to see new places. I am very lucky because the EPT changes its destinations every year: Snowfest, Villamoura, etc.

Thoughts on the 2010 WSOP

PokerStrategy.com: You were in Vegas and played in the World Series of Poker. You also made it into the WSOP Tournament of Champions by winning the 9-man sudden death playoff against some top non-bracelet holders. How was the competition for you?

ElkY: Nine of today's top-notch poker players formed this Sit and Go table, so you can imagine how proud I am to have taken it down! I would again like to thank the WSOP Academy for giving me the opportunity to take part in the ToC.

PokerStrategy.com: You got a seat in the Tournament of Champions invitational. How did it go for you? Are you happy with your play?

ElkY: I finished in 15th place and I'm really happy with the way I played. I missed out on wining in some key moments, but I'll do better next time.

PokerStrategy.com: Speaking of WSOP, how did it go for you? Tell us what you think of this year's edition overall.

ElkY: This WSOP was very disappointing for me. I probably made some mistakes, but that's poker. I’m playing the WPT Bellagio next and I'll be 100% focused on it. [ed. note: The interview was conducted before the WPT Bellagio VI.]

PokerStrategy.com: You have yet to win a bracelet, despite doing quite well in the WSOP over the past few years. Did you set yourself any bracelet goals for this or the next year?

ElkY: Of course. It's the only main poker title that I haven’t won, and even if a second EPT would be huge, I know I'll win this bracelet sooner or later.

PokerStrategy.com: With the WSOP now over, what other tournaments will you join? Can you give us a preview of your schedule for the second half of 2010?

ElkY: Well, after the WPT I'm going to Tallinn for the EPT, then the EPT Villamoura before the WCOOP series, the WSOP Europe, EPT London, WPT Festa Al Lago, EPT Wien, EPT Barcelona, NAPT Los Angeles and EPT Prague. I'll be very busy!

Poker in France and Phil Ivey

PokerStrategy.com: Due to the new online gambling regulations, French players can only play at poker rooms that acquired a license. What are your thoughts on this?

ElkY: I think it's a good thing for poker to open up as a mainstream game. These regulations will surely protect players even more.

PokerStrategy.com: Where do you see the poker market in the near future, especially given these new regulations?

ElkY: Many poker rooms will try to conquer the French market, but in the end only the best ones will survive.

PokerStrategy.com: You are one of the top French players and your career winnings of over $6 million are a solid proof of your skills. In your opinion, which are the best 3 players in France at the moment?

ElkY: It's difficult to say because poker is a game with a lot of variance. I think Ludovic Lacay and David Benyamine are definitely up there, but there are many really good and talented French players coming up these days...

PokerStrategy.com: What about the best player worldwide? Who do you consider to be the strongest these days and why?

ElkY: Ivey, no question about that.

PokerStrategy.com: Which of the big names would you like to play against at a final table and why?

ElkY: Negreanu, Ivey and Tom Dwan are such good players that would also put on a great show. Otherwise Hellmuth, for the chance to put him on tilt, because I think he's the most overrated player of the poker scene.

PokerStrategy.com: What helped you become a good poker player? Did you use any particular learning tools (videos, articles, discussing hands with others, etc.) to develop your game or you simply learned as you played?

ElkY: First of all I read many books, I spent a lot of time on forums and I always discussed about it with my friends. To improve in poker, you have to always be ready to question your level and to adapt to new situations.

PokerStrategy.com: What are your long term plans? Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

ElkY: I am a passionate person by nature. At the moment I love playing poker and I love what I do. If one day I get bored with poker I would probably play less, but it's far from being the case at present.

PokerStrategy.com: Thank you for your time ElkY and best of luck with your upcoming tournaments!