Praz Bansi: I Decided to Quit My Job and Go to Vegas For The WSOP

Full Tilt pro, Praz Bansi, has collected over $2.3 million in his career, including his second bracelet in last year's WSOP $1,500 NLH event. This Londoner is a member of Hitsquad and a friend of James Akenhead. Check out what he had to say in this interview.

PokerStrategy.com: How did you first get into poker?

Praz Bansi: I watched my friend win a big tournament and always liked to gamble, so I gave it a try and was hooked really quick.

PokerStrategy.com: When did you first realise you could make a living out of the game?

Praz Bansi: When I used to stay up all night playing poker and go into work with pockets full of cash on no sleep, I decided to quit my job and go to vegas for the WSOP in 2006.
 
PokerStrategy.com: What is your favourite form of the game to play?

Praz Bansi: Big buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournaments.
 
PokerStrategy.com: What is your favourite hand you have played in your career and why?

Praz Bansi: A-8 offsuit is my favourite hand. It's a really bad hand to play but was the last hand I had when I won my first bracelet in 2006. It's called the 'dead man's hand', but it seems to work for me!
 
PokerStrategy.com: Which opponents would you least like to see sit down at your table?

Praz Bansi: I'm not the type of person who goes looking for soft games or hunting value. There are lots of upsides of playing in a game with tough players, so it doesn't really matter who I play with.

PokerStrategy.com: Where is your favourite place to play poker?

Praz Bansi: Empire Casino for the WSOPE and Fontana Bar in the Bellagio - when that room is full and buzzing it can be one of the best places to play tournaments in the whole world.

PokerStrategy.com: What are your rules for bankroll management?

Praz Bansi: Bankroll management and discipline are not my strong points, but I think it's good to always take shots at bigger games if you're regularly beating the games you are playing.

Just make sure you're not risking too much of your bankroll if it all goes wrong. Drop down another level if it doesnt work out - there's always time to recoup and have another shot later.

PokerStrategy.com: Which players are you closest to in the game? And do you enjoy playing against them?

Praz Bansi: I'm closest to the other Hitsquad members and a few other guys we hang around with. In some ways it can be fun, but I don't like playing against them because we know eachother's games better than most, so it makes for a harder day's play if we're seated together... and I will do anything for an easy life!

PokerStrategy.com: And finally, what is the most important advice you would give to someone thinking of turning pro?

Praz Bansi: Make sure you're a consistent winner in the games you are playing in for a long time before turning pro. Find your niche, whether its tournaments or cash games.

Poker is not easy at the moment and there are a lot of decent players around, so stick to whatever you make money at.

Play your own style and play more and bigger when you're winning and play less and do other things when its not going great. The game isn't going anywhere so always try and think of the long-run!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's interview with James Akenhead.