"How I prepared for the November Nine" - Interview with Jonathan Duhamel
Ahead of this year's WSOP Main Event Final Table we are republishing our interview with 2010 champion Jonathan Duhamel, where he shares how he prepared during the three month break.
"I played lots of SNGs to prepare for the final table"
PokerStrategy.com: How did you prepare during the four month break when you were a November Niner?
Jonathan Duhamel: At first I came back from Vegas with a lot of media attention and was mostly exhausted after the long series. I did what I had to do with the media to answer all the requests, and then I surrounded myself with good people to help me deal with all that new attention.
I rested for a month or so and then got back to a "normal" life. I did some simulations to make sure to fully understand the dynamic of each player's position at the table, and then traveled to a few places to play in some live tournaments.
I also played a lot of tournaments and SNGs on PokerStars to be sure to be familiar with short stack poker instead of deep cash games. I knew that my focus on the day of the event would be the most important part, so I made sure to be well rested and mentally ready for the challenge.
"The last weeks were excruciating"
PokerStrategy.com: Did you enjoy the experience, or were you desperate to get back to the tables?
Jonathan Duhamel: Both, really. I did enjoy the frenzy around the accomplishment. The community of poker players is very tight in Quebec and we almost all know each other. Everybody was excited about "one of us" making it to the finals, and with the chip lead in addition.
This builds expectations and stress however, so there's no doubt I was eager to finally get back in the action. The last weeks were particularly excruciating.
PokerStrategy.com: What advice would you give to the current bunch of November Niners?
Jonathan Duhamel: Don't over think the game and do not start to doubt yourself. Everybody at this final table had to play amazing AND be lucky at one point. This must be stressful right now, but this will all happen very fast and be a souvenir quick enough. You should try to enjoy yourselves as much as possible and get mentally ready for the challenge.
"Online poker is going strong in Canada"
PokerStrategy.com: This year really was the year of Canada at the WSOP - any idea on why that was?
Jonathan Duhamel: Because we're the best!! Seriously, I suppose that the fact that online poker is going strong in Canada has something to do with it. Here in Quebec, players help each other a lot and we learn and grow together. It's always a lot of fun to see fellow Canadians have some amazing results!
PokerStrategy.com: How much do you think your own Main Event victory raised the profile of poker in Canada?
Jonathan Duhamel: I have the chance to be sponsored by PokerStars, which was already big in Canada and has provided me with a lot of media opportunities. I believe that this dynamic, not only my win in itself, helped a lot to grow awareness toward the game. People see the game differently now, they like to follow the big tournaments and see who's doing well.
PokerStrategy.com: For those of us in Europe who don't know, are you 'super famous' in Canada or is poker still a fringe sport over there?
Jonathan Duhamel: Well Canada is a very large country, so it really depends! It wouldn't be the case in Calgary for instance, but if I take a walk or go out for a beer in Montreal, there's no doubt people will recognise me, ask for a picture, chat a bit, etc.
It's not that poker is so huge, but the media of Quebec provided a lot of visibility when I won and on my side, I've always done my very best to positively respond to any interview request I got. That's a nice win-win relation that made me known here. I appreciate that, and people appreciate it as well.
"My goal is to get an EPT/WPT title"
PokerStrategy.com: You have been racking up a lot of big results and final tables in the last couple of years since the 2012 PCA. Are you happy with the last few years of results, or does the lack of an EPT/WPT/WSOP title ruin that for you?
Jonathan Duhamel: Nothing could ruin the life I've had the chance to enjoy these last 3 years. I'm happy since I'm on the circuit, I play against the best all the time and feel I'm doing pretty well.
There is no doubt that my goal is to get an EPT/WPT title and other WSOP bracelets as soon as possible, but it seems like I'm doing much better in the side events than the Main Event recently. Lots of those side event are High Rollers though so I can't complain.
PokerStrategy.com: How do you re-adjust to poker after you have won the Main Event? Was there a long period where it was hard to refocus because of the enormity of the result?
Jonathan Duhamel: I said in one of the first interviews right after my win that this did not feel like an accomplishment I had finally realised, but like the start of everything that was about to come. I was well aware of what people thought of unknown Main Event winners and the reputation some of them have had in the last 10 years.
From that point, I wanted to prove to people, and prove to myself as well, that I was not that type of winner, that I deserved it and that I would also treat my sport with respect as an ambassador.
"I've learned the value of money at a young age"
PokerStrategy.com: How hard is it to manage your expectations after winning the biggest tournament in the world?
Jonathan Duhamel: Not that hard I feel. I play poker because I love it and it's as much about the thrill, the desire to win, than it is about the money.
I've learned the value of money at a young age and I respect it. I don't feel my attitude toward a buy-in, a potential prize pool or money in general has changed that much. I just want to play and win.
PokerStrategy.com: What are your long term goals in the game?
Jonathan Duhamel: I want to keep playing, I want to win, and I want to continue to promote and be one of the important faces of poker in Canada. To do so, I'll need consequent results. It's a spinning wheel I want to ride for as long as possible!
PokerStrategy.com: Thanks very much Jonathan, good luck at the tables.
