How Jorryt Van Hoof is preparing to win $10 million
We chat to November Nine chipleader Jorryt Van Hoof about his mental game, how he is preparing and relearning No Limit after playing PLO.
"I wanted to keep playing"
PokerStrategy.com: You are the chipleader of the WSOP Main Event. Would you have preferred to carry on playing instead of taking a break?
Jorryt Van Hoof: I definitely would have preferred to carry on playing, not only because I had the chip lead but also because I was really playing my A-game.
Most of the other guys seemed more emotionally or physically drained, and I felt really good.
PokerStrategy.com: Why were you playing so energised compared to them?
Jorryt Van Hoof: It’s something I really pay attention to. I work on developing more stamina. I had also been working a lot on my mental game with Jared Tender's coaching. I have a lot of awareness of what is inside me by doing meditation and yoga.
I don’t think I would have made it to the November Nine had I not done so much preparation beforehand.
"It's been crazy since the break"
PokerStrategy.com: Is being the chipleader the least pressure because you can afford to make mistakes, or the most pressure because you have four months worrying about how you might blow it?
Jorryt Van Hoof: I get that question a lot; it’s hard to answer. I definitely want the chip lead, but maybe theoretically it is better to have the 2nd chip lead and just a few chips less than the leader.
It’s much better to have this than the fear of busting out immediately.
PokerStrategy.com: We place so much importance on this concept of the November Nine, did it affect your play as the final table bubble got near?
Jorryt Van Hoof: I really wasn’t focussing on the November Nine; I was just playing as if I wanted to win the tournament.
PokerStrategy.com: From the outside it seems like there is less hype for the November Nine this year, have you noticed that?
Jorryt Van Hoof: It’s still been pretty crazy. If this is the slow version of it, it’s still crazy.
Before the November Nine, I thought I wouldn’t like it, but most of it up until now I’ve liked. It’s just a cool experience.
"I played a High Roller as practice"
PokerStrategy.com: I noticed you played the €50,000 EPT Super High Roller last month, was this a tactical decision to experience the pressure of a big money televised tournament?
Jorryt Van Hoof: I wouldn’t have played it if I had not made the November Nine for sure. I thought it was the closest situation to the November Nine: a high pressure situation, lots of money at stake, good players, cameras and a good chance of making the final table because it was a small field.
It was a good experience because I got what I came for, I was happy with my game, but I wasn’t as in the Zone as the November Nine.
PokerStrategy.com: You are a PLO specialist who is currently relearning No Limit, are you noticing any big differences in No Limit this time around?
Jorryt Van Hoof: Maybe I am too loose defending the blinds. I’m not convinced it’s a mistake yet because a lot of really good No Limit players also defend their blinds a lot, but that is definitely different compared to a couple of years ago.
Players are definitely betting and raising smaller than I am used to in No Limit, I am still betting and raising on the bigger side.
"There is a price to studying too much"
PokerStrategy.com: With all this work you are doing away from the table, is there a concern you may forget the strengths in your game that go you to the final table?
Jorryt Van Hoof: That is something I try to make very conscious decisions about. I could become aware of some leaks in my game and try to plug them, but I only have a few months and it could result in me playing worse.
So what I try to do is focus on the right stuff (obviously I don’t want to go into the specifics). It is really important in poker to know there is a price to studying; it affects your main game when you are playing.
PokerStrategy.com: Finally, do you plan to have a big rail flying out to Vegas to cheer you on?
Jorryt Van Hoof: Yes, for sure. I have a lot of family and friends coming over, somewhere between 80 or 90 people. Lots of my friends wanted to go to Vegas at least once in their life, and now they have a reason. It’s pretty cool to have a lot of people supporting you.
PokerStrategy.com: Thanks Jorryt, good luck in Vegas.
You can follow Jorryt Van Hoof on Twitter & Facebook.
How would you prepare if you were the chipleader of the November Nine? Let us know in the comments.
