| 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 : Paul Wasicka |
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LA Mike was able to track down the ever elusive runner-up in the ’06 WSOP main event and reigning NBC Heads-up champion, Paul Wasicka. Wasicka is a sponsored “red” pro representing Full Tilt Poker who currently resides in Las Vegas. He will defend his heads-up title against 63 other competitors in early March. Let’s get to the interview. |
LA: Hi Paul, at this point in your career, what’s more important tournament titles, boatloads of cash or a combination of both?
PaulWasicka: It’s really all about winning cash. I don’t really care about prestige too much. (LA: Pay the man! Basically, you’re saying titles don’t directly pay your mortgage?) |
LA: I know you play a lot of ring games, preference between cash and tourney play?
PW: I like both, cash games are what I play on a daily basis so I’m always looking forward to my next big tournament for a change of pace. |
LA: Favorite forms of poker other than holdem?
PW: Not for big stakes or anything but I really enjoy stud tournaments (not cash games) and some Pot Limit Omaha. |
LA: What is on your iPod when you’re grinding in a poker tournament?
PW: Well, it really depends on my mood on that specific day. Either classical or techno/electronica. (LA: You should try this guy named Ed Vedder, he makes great poker-listening tunes.
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LA: Obviously, you’ve been a “red” FTP pro for quite awhile, any thoughts on them adding a ton of players to the roster and it not being just a select few anymore?
PW: I don’t really care all that much, I’m happy for whoever can land a deal because they likely worked hard for it. I think it does diminish the prestige surrounding it, but it doesn’t offend me in the slightest. (LA: It has to diminish things, I follow poker very closely and half the new folks I couldn’t pick out in a line-up!) |
LA: Online poker, still a money-making opportunity for you or a leak in the bankroll?
PW: I definitely still play regularly online. I don’t crush it by any means, but I still make a little bit on the side. |
LA: Is there anyone who is like the Jack Bauer of “24” for you on the poker table? You can have them dead in a hand but always seem to escape and defeat you?
PW: Hmmm. No, not really. I think that if you have that stuck in your head then you can never really move totally forward. |
LA: You enjoy both skiing and golf, which is more fun?
PW: Skiing is definitely more fun, but golfing is much more challenging. (LA: Skiing seems more fun, well until you ram into a giant pine tree.) |
LA: More challenging because of the type of shape your golf game is in right now?
PW: I don’t play often enough to have really consistent results. Right now, I would be lucky to break the century mark. |
LA: Favorite NFL team? Possibly that team in Colorado?
PW: Broncos obviously! (LA: It’s not America’s Team, the Bears, however at least you didn’t say the Pats! )
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LA: What’s your preference going to the game or watching it at home in HD?
PW: I like to go to one game a year, but anymore than that and it would definitely lose appeal for me personally. |
LA: What do you like to do during your free time or to escape from poker?
PW: All sorts of stuff. Anything from watching movies, playing board games with friends to going hiking with my dog. (LA: LA loves dogs, well big, real big dogs!) |
LA: Do you enjoy traveling or vacationing? Favorite place you’ve been?
PW: I really love adrenaline rushes and in more general terms, new experiences. The coolest place I’ve ever visited was Cinque Terre, Italy. (LA: LA’s never been there, but it sure is a cool name for a city. Probably similar to Fishers, IN I’d assume.) |
LA: Totally random question, if you could have any super power which would it be?
PW: (Laughing) well, ummm, the ability to fly? (LA: LA would love to fly but time travel seems pretty damn cool to me!) |
LA: Wrapping this up, I imagine you’ll be making the long trek to Australia for the Aussie Millions where you had a very deep run last year?
PW: Yes, I’ll be going to the Aussie Millions, which I have a great feeling about for the record! (LA: Do you ever have a terrible feeling about a tourney?) |
LA: Good luck in Australia and we’ll see you at a final table very soon. |
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