| 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 Jon Friedberg |
|
|
| LA Mike took a few minutes to grill Jon Friedberg on a bunch of completely random topics to see what goes through this guy’s mind. Friedberg is best known on the poker felt for his World Series bracelet victory in 2006. However, he’s also had success in the business world including starting a company called Reactrix in 2001. Oh yeah, he also loves to talk. Let’s get to the conversation. |
LAMike: Hey Jon, the first thing that comes to mind is your online name “Pokertrip”?
JonFriedberg: Yeah, I admit it’s a pretty lame online name. |
LA: I’m assuming there has to be a story behind it?
JF: Yes, let me tell you about that. I started playing online poker in ’03 on Party and Paradise, both under the name “Reactrix”. One day, I wanted to play a tournament at UB and didn’t have an account there. I didn’t want to reveal my identity as “Reactrix” but only had about a minute to think of a clever name. Unfortunately, my clever wheels weren’t spinning too quickly, so I just chose “Pokertrip” which happened to be a domain that I bought several years prior. It was intended to be an online business for tips and travel tools for planning poker related trips. The busineJF idea never matured but I had immediate succss on UB and quickly became known as “Pokertrip”. At this point, there’s way too much equity in the name to surrender it. (LA: Definitely understand, it’s funny when you register a new account, some get lucky and always run “hot”. It’s that luck factor in online poker.) |
LA: Speaking of, you’ve been successful in the business world, any plans to go back into the “real” world and give up the circus lifestyle?
JF: Yes and No. I definitely envision myself getting more involved in business again, but I also envision myself playing in the major poker tournaments as long as I’m able to do so. Poker is a lot of fun and certainly a never-ending challenge, but the financial upside in poker (even in the biggest events) is pennies compared to that of a successful business venture. That said, currently I am fortunate enough to be able to pick and choose which ventures are worthy of pursuit. As a result, I’ll continue playing poker full time until the perfect opportunity presents itself. |
LA: This is a popular question. On the circuit the west coast players typically poke fun at how many of the east coast pros play no-limit holdem. Is there really something to this or not?
JF: That’s because east coast players suck at NLH…no, I’m just kidding. I really think the styles between the east and west coast players are becoming more and more similar because of the Internet. Back in the day, the west coast guys played Limit Holdem, while the east coast peeps played Stud. When NLH became popular, the conversion from LHE to NLH led to a different style of play from the conversion of Stud to NLH. But, I don’t seem to notice as much of a difference anymore. The biggest difference in my opinion is now between the US and Europe. Many of the Euros play way too aggressive and risk their whole stack too frequently. (LA: Little known fact, LA was born in Lisbon.)
|
LA: You won a WSOP bracelet last year, what’s more important to you personally, the money or the title?
JF: Both the money and the title are very important to me. Initially the money was more important, and over the long term it still is. But the credibility factor of professional poker players is judged by the number of titles so I’ve become more interested than ever in earning more titles…particularly because I’m doing a lot of work in the media as a strategist and talk show host. Additionally, with enough money in the bank to where a few thousand here and there doesn’t make a huge difference, the value of the titles increases. (LA: There you have it everybody, Jon is NOT busto.) |
LA: If you could have any super power, your selection?
JF: I would definitely want to have the time-warp super power. |
LA: I’m hesitant to ask, what’s your rational behind that?
JF: How awesome would it be to go forward and backward in time?!? I would do crazy stuff like ride dinosaurs, discover continents, live in the 60’s for a bit, and of course win the lottery a time or two. Oh, and I would somehow pick every WINNER in the stock market. Obviously, the financial success would be as easy as it was for “Potripper” (of AP fame), and get boring rather fast. I would probably spend time visiting different cultures in various past and future time periods trying to figure out the wonder of the world. (LA: It might be fun to go back and “visit” Marilyn Monroe.) |
LA: You went to the University of Arizona in Tucson; obviously it’s time for Lute Olson to hang it up right?
JF: The dude has been coaching forever it seems, but somehow hasn’t aged 1 year in his 234 year career. But if he’s going to keep producing winning teams, then I’m definitely in favor of keeping him around. (LA UPDATE: Olson has just recently taken a leave of absence for unknown reasons, perhaps his time has come.) |
LA: You’re a fan of Fox’s hit television show “24”, who’s the Jack Bauer of the poker world? Who is always dodging bullets or coming up big in crucial times in poker tournaments?
JF: Well the Jack Bauer of poker changes pretty frequently as players can only run like god before the variance catches up to them. Early this year it was J.C. Tran, and then it was Jared “TheWacoKidd” Hamby. But I have to say; today’s Jack Bauer is Scott Clements, who has been on a tear lately. Jonathan Little isn’t far behind, so I would call him the “Clowie” of today’s poker world. |
LA: Is there anyone live or online who you absolutely seem to own? Or for that matter who seems to crush you no matter the situation?
JF: That’s a pretty tough question. I haven’t played with any one player too many times lately, so haven’t really owned or been owned by anyone. I will say I had a pretty good WSOP against Barry Greenstein though. He is a really tough player to play against and somehow I managed to double through him more than any other player I can think of right now. (LA: Supposedly, Mr. Greenstein is really good at poker, might just be a bad rumor though because he hasn’t won a tourney this month.)
|
LA: One of your hobbies is traveling, coolest place you’ve ever gone or experienced?
JF: The coolest place I have experienced is probably scuba diving in the Grand Barrier Reef in Australia. I also think Morocco was really cool to visit because it was so different from the USA. |
LA: Any upcoming vacations, where you planning on heading next?
JF: I haven’t been to Asia yet, so that’s definitely up next on my places to visit. (LA: Wow, that’s going to be a really long drive.) |
LA: Winding this conversation down, please tell me you agree that Pink Floyd should reunite (well mainly David Gilmour and Roger Waters should end their childish tiff) and go out one more time for a full scale world tour?
JF: Of course I agree. Pink Floyd is one of the greatest bands ever. They’re probably getting too old for a full blown worldwide bash, but I’d love to see them in concert a few more times. (LA: Just one more time and quite a night it would be…) |
LA: Jon, thanks for your time. I assume we will see you at Bellagio for the year end Five Diamond? It’s basically a home game for you.
JF: Yes, for sure. |
| LA: Good luck and we’ll see you at another final table soon! |
| |
| |
| |
