| 15 Outs ... One Time! |
| Join LA Mike in finding out a little more about these players and what makes them do the things they do. |
| Featuring : Jared Hamby |
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| LA Mike was able to track down Indiana native, Jared Hamby, in between hands at the Borgata Winter Open WPT event. Hamby, known primarily as “TheWacoKidd” online (he moved to Waco, Texas in his teenage years), has amassed nearly $1.3 million in live tournament earnings in the last 15 months. Most notably, he won a pair of Bellagio Five-Star World Poker Classic prelim events in the span of five days, which netted him a cool $525,000. He also came runner-up at the Mandalay Bay WPT event for another $460,000. Waco had a terrific 2007 and ended up eighth overall in the CP “Player of the Year” standings. Let’s get to the questions. |
LAMike: Hey Jared, what’s most important to you at this point? Is it the money, the prestige, winning titles, or simply the challenge and competition?
JaredHamby: It’s definitely a combination of both, but really when it comes down to it, I think we all play for the money. That’s truly what makes the game exciting. If we were playing for play chips, the game wouldn’t be as thrilling…but being a former athlete, it definitely feeds my competitive juices as well. I also happen to enjoy for the most part what doing well on the circuit brings, I like the prestige too. (LA: LA writes for the prestige of being the greatest 15 Outs writer in history, snap!) |
LA: How did your family/relatives react when you told them you were going to be a professional poker player? Did they understand the skill aspects of the game or was it just gambling to them?
JH: They were slightly upset at first, but my mom was supportive. I think deep down they knew I’d be successful if I put my mind to it. Honestly, I’m not sure how they truly feel. I have definitely tried to explain to them that it’s not gambling if I manage my money correctly, and they’ve seemed to have grasped that. |
LA: I imagine it really helped change opinions when you made a huge score?
JH: Yes, it definitely helped to be able to call them and say “Hey, I just won $25k in an online tourney” or “Look for me on TV winning nearly a half million”. (LA: LA wants to know where to sign up to be seen winning a half million on TV? Skip that, screw the TV part, I just want the half million!) |
LA: Quite often on the tournament circuit I hear the west coast pros poking fun at the eastern seaboard guys who play no-limit holdem. Is there that big of a difference in playing styles?
JH: You’re right, the players on the east coast are definitely weaker generally speaking. The tourneys in Las Vegas and Los Angeles are much tougher as you run into people with more aggressive and tricky styles. Many more people play for a living on the west coast.
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LA: Do you think growing up playing stud on the east coast has something to do with this?
JH: I’m not really sure if stud has anything to do with it, but there could be some merit to that theory. (LA: If it’s LA’s opinion, its likely dead wrong.) |
LA: With the tournament circuit comes an insane amount of travel: what’s coolest place you’ve been? Or would you rather just chill and relax at home during dead time?
JH: Well, I’ve really been pretty lazy since I started playing live. I really only like playing in Vegas. I’ve only left the U.S. once to go to the Bahamas. So I’ll say that. |
LA: What’s on your iPod when you’re grinding in a tournament, conversely what about a cross-country flight?
JH: When I’m playing, it’s mostly rap or hip-hop. If I’m just relaxing, I listen to a lot of 80’s music and the 90’s alternative stuff. (LA: 90’s alternative had the potential to be the greatest generation of music, still turned out incredibly well.) |
LA: Along those lines, what’s your “can’t miss” concert or best show you’ve seen?
JH: Well, I saw Rage Against the Machine on Halloween in Vegas. That was a pretty sweet show that is fresh in my mind. Honestly, I’m not that big on concerts overall. |
LA: Who’s the Jack Bauer of the poker world for you? You know, you can have him in jail but somehow he always finds a way to avoid getting stacked?
JH: Joe Tehan. The guy absolutely destroys me whether he has the best hand or not. (LA: Fear not, you’re definitely not the only one Joe crushes.) |
LA: You started by playing online poker. Thoughts on Absolute Poker: never play there again or not too concerned about it?
JH: Never, ever play there again, no doubt about it. The way they lied to us and tried to cover everything up was disgusting. (LA: The love of money is the root of all evil! It makes no difference if it’s Costa Rica or the USA.)
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LA: Online poker in general, with all the programs and bugs computer-geeks can devise, do you think it’s safe and secure?
JH: Yes, I think online poker on the major sites like FullTilt and Stars is extremely safe. The sites do a great job of monitoring collusion, multi-accounting etc. (LA: Collusion is such a dirty word, it should be four letters.) |
LA: Completely obscure question…if you could select any super power what would it be?
JH: I would choose x-ray vision, for obvious reasons both on and off the felt. |
LA: Biggest weakness in your game as of late that you need to improve?
JH: I really just need to race better! (LA: Such as life for a professional tournament player!) |
LA: New York Giants +12 (and currently dropping) vs. New England Patriots: who you got?
JH: Gimme the points. I’ve been taking the dogs during the playoffs and doing quite well. New England will win though. (LA: A bunch of points, a pretty solid G-Men D, good pick) |
LA: Wrapping this up, what’s your schedule looking like after Borgata? Straight to LA?
JH: Yea, pretty much so. I’m heading home to Vegas for about a week and then to LA. I’ll also probably play the main event at Bay 101. (LA: Make sure you have a hot dog from the tourney area concession stand. It’s no Dodger-Dog, but damn close.) |
| LA: Thanks for your time, Jared. Play well and hopefully we’ll see you at the Borgata final table in a couple days! |
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