Q: Isabelle Mercier, thanks for your time and this interview, can you tell
something about your self, where you live and if you are married and
have children??
A: I live in Monaco where I consult for the poker room of the Sun Casino,
I also travel the world to play in poker tournaments and to do poker
consulting for BetClic Poker. I am single with no children.
What did you do for work before coming a pro poker player?
I obtained a law degree from the University of Montreal, then I
practiced commercial law for a year before moving to Paris, France,
where I attended Sorbonne University. I pursued a Master's degree
while I worked as poker manager at the prestigious Aviation Club de
France. I was nominated twice for the "European Poker Awards" in the
"Staff Person of the Year" category. I became so enthralled with poker
that I never returned to the practice of law and eventually quit my
job at the Aviation Club to become a professional poker player.
Was there a point where you decided that you'd make a run at going pro?
Right after my first major success in a tournament in Amsterdam in
2002! Then I played at a WPT invitational tournament in
2004, where I took 1st place in the Ladies Night Out event. Although
the cash prize of $25,000 was nice, the victory helped introduce me to
millions of TV viewers across the world and gave me the inspiration to
be a professional.
What poker books you have red??
The major book that influenced me when I started was Super System by
Doyle Brunson. I read this book a few times during my first two years
of professional poker.
How many hours a week do you spend at a table now? And Online?
Since I am constantly on the move, most of my poker time now is spent
online. I am playing about 15 hours a week at my home site which is
Betclic Poker. I also play many tournaments live especially in Europe and, of
course, the World Series of Poker.
Where do you play online?
Betclic Poker exclusively!
what's your nickname online?
No Mercy
When you play poker, do you play more tournament or more cash games?
I am more a tournament type of player. Tournaments are so much more
exciting since it's a competiton and only 1 winner emerges from fields
of 10, 100, 100 or even 10,000 players. It is a constant challenge and
you must be alert and attentive to every details since one single mistake can
lead to your elimination and there is no reload allowed.
Your favourite or most admired player?
I really think Phil Ivey might be the best poker player alive today!
What's your favourite start hand?
It's always nice to be dealt pocket aces, although you must know
when to let them go on a scary board against tricky players. It's
always preferable to try to get it all-in before the flop with aces being
at least 80% favorite against any hand.
What's the highest price money you have ever won?
On July 6th, 2006, I won the sum of $175,404 USD when I finished 5th
in the $5,000 USD no limit Hold'Em event of the World Series of Poker
where 622 players bought in. Notable final tablers with me were Phil
Hellmuth Jr, Marcel Luske and Vinnie Vinh.
Did you ever played at the Amsterdam Masters?
Yes. I even finished in 2nd position of the 800 euros event in 2002
which was my first ever money finish in live poker tournament. The
50,000 euros prize which I won was a huge amount for me at that time!
Is there a particular tournament you really wanna play and win?
Any World Poker Tour or World Series Of Poker event! But nothing would
beat a win at the grand event of poker, the WSOP Main event.
Have you ever stood up and flipped over a poker table because you were
so furious?
No. But at the 2006 WSOP where I made the final table, I was furious at
myself for trying to bluff Phil Hellmuth at the wrong time which
eventually lead to my elimination in 5th place.
Whats the craziest thing you have seen at the poker table?
Players falling asleep in tournaments where there a million dollars
for the winner!!!
What advice would you give to the people who are watching poker on TV
and playing online, hoping to go pro?
Always respect your bankroll. This is the key to success. Your
bankroll is your primary tool to be able to continue in poker, if it
becomes smaller, you must adjust your playing limits. On the other
hand, you can move up in limits only when you have the necessary funds
to do so.
Back to Poker Pro Interview Menu