Pius Heinz: I have already given well over one hundred interviews

Nine months have passed since Pius Heinz won the WSOP Main Event. In an exclusive PokerStrategy.com interview, the 23-year-old talks about the increasing media attention he has received since his victory and this year's World Series of Poker. He also tells us about the positive and negative aspects that come with his newfound fame.

Pius Heinz after his victory

PokerStrategy.com: Pius, nine months after your triumph at the WSOP Main Event, here you are back in Las Vegas. How do you feel?

Pius Heinz: It's a very special feeling returning to Vegas, the place where I won the Poker World Championship. I have a lot of great memories associated with this city, even if it isn't a particularly pretty place - except for poker players (laughs).

PokerStrategy.com: You were actually quite a latecomer to Vegas this year compared to most other professional players.

Pius Heinz: There were various reasons for that. Presently, I don't see myself purely as a poker player. I have other business commitments, some of which prevented me from coming sooner.

I have been here almost four weeks now, and I think that's a good compromise. Seven weeks in Las Vegas can be a long time - I discovered that last year. I still really wanted to play lots of tournaments, not just the Main Event - although that was of course the one I was most looking forward to.

"Everyone believes that money changes people, however in my case I can say that is absolutely not true"

PokerStrategy.com: Where do you stay during the WSOP?

Pius Heinz: I live together with some very close friends of mine in a really nice villa. It's the best option for me because I am not a great fan of hotels - I find it hard to feel at home in hotel rooms. Besides that, over such a long period of time a villa is much cheaper and more private than a hotel.

PokerStrategy.com: Your victory at the Main Event 2011 has changed a lot in your life.

Pius Heinz: It has its advantages and disadvantages. It is definitely a great feeling to have won the title and to be famous, but it also brings lots of responsibilty. I am now the most famous German poker player, an ambassador for the game, and no longer just a poker player. The decisions I make this year have a whole other degree of importance than those that I made last year.

Everyone believes that money changes people, however in my case I can say that it is absolutely not true. It is nice to have this security, however apart from that it has had no other influence on me. The only things I bought were a mobile phone, some clothes, and a used car. I am really not very materialistic, nor do I place much importance on money.

It is rare for people in poker to have that opinion, however it is a characteristic that I want to keep. As aggressive and risky as I may be at the poker table, I am very conservative when it comes to my finances.

PokerStrategy.com: How important is it for you to be close to your fans - do you get recognised in the streets?

Pius Heinz: I do get approached, or at least recognised, quite frequently. I often get recognised in places like the metro, in restaurants, or in shopping malls. I always have the impression that it isn't that many people who recognise me, but as soon as someone asks me for a photo others come to see what's happening and then recognise me as well.

My fans are just amazing and have a great deal of respect for my privacy. I also communicate with my fans through my facebook account, and reply to every mail I receive.

Pius Heinz on the European Poker Tour in Berlin

"Luckily I have not had to deal with much envy"

PokerStrategy.com: In the last few months you have regularly given interviews in Germany and have also made a name for yourself outside the poker scene. How does it feel to be such a public figure?

Pius Heinz: I am not someone who enjoys being in the limelight, and it is not always pleasant to be recognised all the time. But in the last few months I have learnt to deal with it. In general I enjoy it, as I see myself as an ambassador for poker and for PokerStars. In Austria, where my home is and where I spend 90% of my time, I am not as well known as in Germany.

What I do enjoy is the positive reactions I often get from people. I have been lucky in that respect because I haven't really had to deal with any feelings of envy, and I have not otherwise had any bad experiences associated with my fame or being in the public eye.

PokerStrategy.com: Truthfully - how many interviews have you had to give so far?

Pius Heinz: It was definitely over a hundred interviews, and in a wide range of media outlets. I plan my time very carefully and, with the help of external employees, I am very well organized so as to be able to use my time efficiently. For instance, if I need to go to my office in Cologne for business reasons, I will schedule five interviews and appearances on that day so as to make the most of my time there.

PokerStrategy.com: You haven't had much coverage in the USA so far - TV show appearances especially have been few and far between. Are more appearances planned during the WSOP?

 Pius Heinz: There were also inquiries from the USA, however not as many as in Germany. Since I was born and raised in Germany, I decided to focus more on that. It is definitely possible that there will be a bit more going on during the WSOP, especially seeing as the travelling will be less of an issue.

PokerStrategy.com: Pius Heinz, many thanks for the interview!

by Tobias tooobi123 Frey