Q: Victoria Coren, 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 London. I'm not married and I don't have children, though I do
have a boyfriend and will probably get round to doing those things one day. That
is one of the themes in my autobiography, For Richer For Poorer: A Love Affair
With Poker. You know, it's about falling in love with the game so much that
sometimes you forget to do anything else. Poker is so full of adventure,
excitement, highs and lows, characters and travel - it's hard to find the
motivation to look for other adventures elsewhere.
What did you do for work before coming a pro poker player?
I was a writer - and I still am! I write for newspapers and do some TV
presenting, and also play poker. I think it's good to have more than one job -
especially if one of them is something as risky as playing poker!
Was there a point where you decided that you'd make a run at going pro?
Not really. Around 2002, I started making a profit from playing poker - a
proper income from cash games - and that is the most important thing about being
"professional". But I didn't really feel like a pro until I signed up for Team
PokerStars in 2007. Wearing the logo, being sponsored, that feels a lot more
like being "a sportswoman" !
What poker books you have red??
I have read a lot of poker books. But I don't read many strategy guides, I
find them boring and I'd rather talk about strategy with friends and colleagues.
I like books that tell stories about the game and the people who play it - Shut
Up And Deal by Jesse May, The Biggest Game In Town by Al Alvarez. I liked Mike
Matusow's book and I've just read Devilfish's new book which is very enjoyable.
That's why, when I was writing my own poker book, I didn't really bother with
strategy - I explained in detail how I played the hands in the London EPT 2006,
which I won, because I thought that might be helpful for people who wanted to
study the route to winning a tournament. But apart from that, it is just funny
stories about the places I have been and the people I've played cards with,
because that is what I enjoy reading about.
How many hours a week do you spend at a table now? And Online?
It depends. In a normal week at home, I spend about three nights a week
playing live poker (so maybe 18-20 hours). In a tournament week, an EPT or the
WSOP, I play for many hours every day. And wherever I am in the world, I always
play about 5-10 hours a week online, sometimes more.
Where do you play online? what's your nickname online?
I play at PokerStars.com under my own name, Vicky Coren
When you play poker, do you play more tournament or more cash games?
Cash games.
Who are your favourite or most admired player?
The players I admire most are the ones who are good people, likable, honest,
fun, with a good nature at the poker table. I probably admire John Duthie the
most because he is all those things and also he is an inspired, flairy, creative
player.
What's your favourite start hand?
I don't have favourite hands. I just have situations I like!
What's the highest price money you have ever won?
In the London EPT 2006, I won £500,000 which was just under $1,000,000 at the
time.
Did you ever played at the Amsterdam Masters?
I have never played the main event there, but I have been to the tournament
and played side events - a long time ago, before I played for big money - and I
always loved it. It's a great casino, great people, and a beautiful city. I
lived in Amsterdam for six months a few years ago, and I'm very fond of it.
Is there a particular tournament you really wanna play and win?
No, not really. I just want to keep making a profit every year!
Have you ever stood up and flipped over a poker table because you were so
furious?
Definitely not. I have never lost my temper at the poker table and I hope I
never will.
Whats the craziest thing you have seen at the poker table?
Oh, you'd have to read my book to find that out! I have seen many crazy
things at poker tables all over the world.
What advice would you give to the people who are watching poker on TV and
playing online, hoping to go pro?
Well, I never really advise anyone to go pro. It's always best to have
another job, another source of income, and play poker as well. That's partly
because of the financial risks, and also because it's important to live a varied
life. You can't just stare at cards all day. But if you ARE going to turn pro,
well - remember to do other things as well, remember to mix with people who
aren't poker players, manage your money carefully and aim only to make enough
profit to live on. If you're always chasing the big dream, you'll go broke. Make
the housekeeping money first, play only the tournaments you can easily afford,
and let the big wins come as a bonus!
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