| 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 : Steve Sung |
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| LA Mike was able to track down and spend a few minutes with a very busy Steve Sung. Sung is a young Californian who has been quite occupied recently, both by making the TV final table of the WPT Barcelona event, and with rooting for the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. He’s a witty and quiet-mannered guy who is much underrated on the felt and also happens to be a blogger for right here, on PokerRoad. |
LAMike: Hey Steve, I know it’s been a busy time for you, as you just finished up playing the WPT final table in Barcelona. Tell me, what is more important to you right now, the money or the title?
SteveSung: Definitely the title! I really feel like I have a lot to prove out here and haven’t been able to as of yet. I’ll be honest though, the money’s not too bad either. (Laughs) (LA: I definitely understand. I’m not only interested in being the top low no-limit grinder in the world, I crave the respect!) |
LA: Where did you learn the game?
SS: I really learned the game through making tons of my own mistakes. My game has really changed and evolved from being this hyper-aggressive maniac madman to a much more well-rounded and controlled player. |
LA: Do you discuss strategy and hands with anyone, or just go on your own instincts?
SS: I mainly discuss poker strategy with Nam Le. He’s really the best at breaking down hands and really thorough at explaining everything. (LA: When you’re ready to advance your game to the next level, let LA know. We’ll start a ridiculously strenuous mental exercise regiment.) |
LA: You’re from the west coast, what’s your favorite casino out there?
SS: Commerce Casino. Really the best games in the world are at Commerce. The overall action is incomparable to anywhere else. The whole casino is filled with CAG’s. You certainly can’t find anything like that on the east coast. (LA: Personally, I love the real estate in and around Commerce-- beautiful area!)
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LA: I hate to ask a dumb question, but CAG’s??
SS: Ah ya, CAG’s…Crazy Asian Gamblers. (LA chuckles) |
LA: Speaking of the east coast, the west coast players sure seem to poke fun at the way the majority of the east coast professionals play NLH. In an interview I did with Amnon Filippi, he seems to disagree. Do you make fun of them? Thoughts?
SS: Well, I personally don’t make fun of the way east coast pros play, but I gotta admit I do enjoy playing against east coast players more than the west coast guys. The reason, I guess is because the east coast guys aren’t used to the aggressive styles of the west coast players which definitely makes them more passive. |
LA: So you think the east coast is slower to adapt to change in NLH?
SS: The advancement of no-limit holdem seems to be delayed on the east coast. Probably because they are more used to playing more limit oriented games. For the record, if I disagree with Amnon, that’s not a bad thing! He doesn’t know sh!t! He’s just an unnecessarily rude and very opinionated NEW YORKER! (Laughs) (LA: Rude people are mean, just like that bartender who cut me off last night and wouldn’t serve me another shot. So mean!) |
LA: On the road, LA sees you playing a bunch of Chinese poker. Is that your favorite form of poker?
SS: I definitely prefer Chinese a lot of the time. The stress ain’t that bad. Well, actually when you are losing in Chinese the stress level can be really brutal. I am getting a little too old and gun-shy for no-limit holdem. Pretty soon I am going to quit all NLH and just play Chinese full-time! (LA: Too old? Compared to LA, you’re a spring chicken. Just wait until you get to be LA’s age and need a golf cart to get around the Bellagio.) |
LA: There’s some free time coming up toward the end of the year; any plans to chill and relax?
SS: To really relax I like to do the normal things. Getting massages, just hanging out by the pool and getting some drinks. I also love sightseeing. |
LA: Sightseeing? Anything in particular?
SS: I just enjoy it; it really brings me back to reality. (LA: Indeed, you’re a very grounded guy.)
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LA: LA is curious, what super power do you wish you possessed? What would you like to be able to do?
SS: It would definitely be able to see through my opponent’s cards. Oh wait, that’s not a super power, is it? That’s just the CEO of Absolute Poker! (LA: Seriously, how ignorant were these cheaters? It’s stunning to me.) |
LA: Since you brought up online poker, money making opportunity or a huge “leak” in your poker game?
SS: I actually started off playing online. I USED to make a bunch of cash. However, now it has turned into the biggest “leak” of my life. No question, online poker single-handedly ruined my bankroll for YEARS. I wish the US government could ban online gambling FOREVER! (LA: Out of curiosity, you don’t by any chance play at AP, do you? LA’s biggest bankroll leak is, without a doubt, hot chicks. So BRUTAL!) |
LA: You seem like a really competitive guy, anyone in particular who you strive to defeat? For instance, if you could select anyone to be heads-up with for the Bellagio title, any names hiding under that Red Sox hat on your head?
SS: It really doesn’t matter who I’m heads-up against. I really want all my friends to do well and wish them the best. However, since I started playing with Danny (Wong), we’ve always been very competitive with each other. In other words, he’s always giving me a bunch of sh!t. But, mainly I’m sure it’s just to fire me up to play my best. (LA: Sounds like you agree with LA’s approach, take all comers anytime, anyplace.) |
LA: I suspect we’ll see you at both Foxwoods and Bellagio to end the year?
SS: You bet! I am definitely going to try to end this year strong and then who knows what will happen. (LA: Sweet at Bellagio, LA looks forward to a $1 a point epic Chinese match, likely one for the ages!) |
| LA: You seem to be running well lately, congratulations on the success in Barcelona and on the Red Sox World Championship. Thanks for the time and good luck the rest of the year. |
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