BongBob: You Can Play a Live Tournament Everyday For 6 Weeks At the WSOP
We've heard from other Team PokerStrategy.com members, but now it's time to hear what Konstantin 'BongBob' Bücherl has to say about the WSOP. In this interview he talks about his previous attendances at Vegas and reveals his tournament plans for the WSOP.
PokerStrategy.com: Hi Konstantin, how did you perform at the events you played recently?
bongbob: I recently played at EPT Berlin, San Remo and Madrid but was unfurtunately unable to cash at all of them.
You just hope to reach a final table at some point, though it hasn't happened to me lately. Perhaps that will change in Vegas (smiles).
PokerStrategy.com: In which way does Las Vegas fascinate you?
bongbob: Vegas is just a very special city, different from all the others. When I landed for the first time there at night it was an amazing view over the city.
Whenever you are in Vegas there is always something you can go to, and of course the World Series of Poker is the biggest tournament out there and is so amazing. You can literally play a live tournament everyday for six weeks.
PokerStrategy.com: How long will you stay in Sin City?
bongbob: This year I will stay there about six to seven weeks. I'll head off to Vegas at the end of May and my first WSOP event will start on June 4. Of course I will stay until the Main Event, perhaps even play the Bellagio Cup in the middle of July.
Let's Hope BongBob Doesn't Catch a cold
PokerStrategy.com: How do you like the climate there? Do the constant changes from heat to strong air conditioning bother you?
bongbob: I like the high temperatures, but I don't like the air conditioning that much. I think I caught a cold every time I was there because of air conditioning in planes and casinos. Hopefully there won't be any problems this year. I might use a scarf but that can get annoying too.
PokerStrategy.com: What are your personal experiences in Las Vegas?
bongbob: I have been at the World Series four times now and played the Main Event three times, but every year I busted unlucky. So the only good year poker-wise was the last one for me.
Apart from that, I really like the good restaurants and endless possibilities to go out. But to be honest, after seven weeks there, it becomes too much for me - that's why I rebooked my flight home a week earlier last year. After seven weeks you are just happy that the WSOP is over, it is a long time.
PokerStrategy.com: Which events are you planning to attend? Will you play other games than just NL Hold'Em?
bongbob: I will definitely play a lot of NL Hold'Em events, every $5k event and the Main Event. I won't play every $1.5k and $1k event because that would just be too much. Besides that, I want to play a lot of PLO. I got 14th in a PLO hi event last year and play the game online a lot, both MTTs and cash games.
Lower Buy-ins Attract More Recreational Players
PokerStrategy.com: What do you think about the general skill level at the WSOP?
bongbob: The WSOP has such a big name that everyone wants to play there, and I think that is the reason why there are always a few more recreational players compared to other events.
In addition to that, the buy-ins are significantly lower in comparison to EPTs where you can almost only play €5k events.
That should attract some recreational players as well. So overall, I think the level is a bit worse and the lower the buy-in, the worse the level of play.
PokerStrategy.com: How will you be accommodated?
bongbob: Last year I stayed at the 'Luckbox-Villa' with many other German players, which won't happen again this year.
I will stay at a hotel this year, probably the Palms, and have a room for myself for getting the ideal rest I'll need. But there's going to be many PokerStrategy.com players, so there will be enough to keep me company.
