I'm Going To Punish ElkY - Interview with Lex Veldhuis Part 2

Online cash phenom Lex Veldhuis has challenged fellow Team PokerStars Pro Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier to a six figure kick boxing prop bet later on this year. We caught up with him at EPT London to find out more about it.

"I am going to punish ElkY"

PokerStrategy.com: We heard you think you have a big edge against ElkY in your upcoming kickboxing prop bet, why is that?

Lex Veldhuis: At the time we made the bet neither of us had any kick boxing experience. I actually boxed for two years, but that hurt me in kick boxing because my footwork was all wrong. I placed my edge on the fact I think I am more athletic than ElkY.

I think my edge has decreased because he has been training harder than I have, but I can't see myself losing against ElkY in anything that involves coordination and sport. I have always been playing sport; sport, tennis, soccer, boxing - he just works out. I don't think strength matters all that much.

"I placed my edge on the fact I think I am more athletic than ElkY."

PokerStrategy.com: Are you not worried he will take it very seriously because a six figure sum is on the line?

Lex Veldhuis: We are gonna fight, I want to knock him out, which will be a bit of a shock to him, it will really play with his mentality. I think the fight is gonna have something ElkY has never experienced before, the pressure of someone really wanting to hurt him badly. I know he has the drive, but I have the same personality which is why we do a lot of prop bets.

PokerStrategy.com: What other prop bets do you make with him?

Lex Veldhuis: We both did a weight loss bet, which we both won. I was unhappy with the fact he used a Turkish sauna right before the weigh in, that's not losing weight. But we didn't stipulate before so it was ok. I was 94 kilos and wanted to lose weight, I lost 8 kilos in one month, and I Lost 7.5 kilos in the first two weeks.

I did one where I wasn't allowed to play higher than $3/$6 for half a year after blowing my bankroll at $200/$400. I was also working on a bench press bet with ElkY but tore a muscle in my arm.

"There is no dishonour in competing and losing, you add money to add more pain."

"Financially you can always bring pain to someone"

PokerStrategy.com: Why is it that prop bets are such a big part of life for a poker player?

Lex Veldhuis: Part of it is to motivate yourself, or curiosity. Part of it is money, but its the competitiveness. I never played poker for money, that's why I don't like HUDs, don't like grinding, I don't go out of my way to exploit tiny edges like that because I enjoy the sport, the competitiveness, and I really enjoy learning and getting better.

This is what drives me to prop bets. with ElkY, part of it is me trying to punish him for his run good. He would win a tourney and the next day he would bust the next one and say 'when will it end?' 

I know Jason Mercier says it for fun, ElkY doesn't say it for fun, he really believes he should win another one, so it's my job to say sorry ElkY, you are gonna lose heavily and embarrass yourself.

One friend of mine wants to play backgammon at ridiculous stakes and has given me three months to train, he is not world class. When someone challenges you, you want to win on determination and dedication.

I won't make bets where I have a big disadvantage, but if I think I can get better, if I can excel faster than someone else, I will take a bet where I am a small underdog.

PokerStrategy.com:  And what if money wasn't involved? Could you motivate yourself to do them?

Lex Veldhuis: It would change a lot, not because I want the money, but because it has to hurt. When I play poker if it doesnt hurt I cant play my A game. I am genuinely convinced I play my A game when my whole bankroll is on the table.

Financially you can always bring pain to someone, that's why money will always be involved, sometime honour is not enough. Like with our kickboxing bet, there is no dishonour in competing and losing, you add money to add more pain.

You can see part 1 of our Lex Veldhuis interview here.

follow @Barry_Carter on Twitter.