A poker legend on preparing for the Aussie Millions
Ray Rahme will forever go down in history as the first ever South African to make it to the WSOP Final Table. However, Rahme’s performance was not just simply a flash in the pan. Ever since then, he has managed to consistently feature at the final tables of world wide major poker events…And as Team All Africa Poker is preparing to participate in the 2009 Aussie Millions soon, it’s only suitable to take a few tips from the poker legend himself… So let’s see what Ray Rahme has to say about playing poker internationally:
Q: Ray, you’ve made poker history by becoming the first ever South African player to finish 3rd at the 2007 WSOP Main Event. At the time you were only playing poker for around two years. What would you attribute that success to?
A: A lot was luck and the rest was:
Endurance (17 hours a day for 11 days)
Patience
Getting a good read on other players
Knowing when to call, raise or put a big hand down (having lost my whole stack on a pair of Aces in the 2006 WSOP)
..And determination to better my 1600 position (out of 8890 players) in 2006’s WSOP.
Q. Was it intimidating to compete against thousands of poker players from all over the world, including some of the most formidable international poker professionals and celebrities? If so, how did you overcome that?
A. I knew that they were some big name pro’s that had more experience then me, but at the end of the day it’s the cards you are dealt and how you decide to play them.
Q. Ever since then, you have been on the roll and have featured at the final tables or finished deep at major tournaments internationally and locally. Why do you think you have managed to be consistently successful?
A. I didn’t need to make any changes to my style, because I succeeded with the format I used in Vegas…Yet you have to have a few good breaks and your big hands need to hold up, or you can go out of the tourney….. That’s Poker!
Q. During 2008, you finished in the money at three international poker tournaments that we know of: the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final; the San Remo EPT Event and the Crown Aussie Millions Championship. Locally, you won an All Africa Poker Tournament, the PokerAce, the Inaugural Emperor’s Palace Poker Classic , and was seen performing well at the SA Poker Open, Monte Casino and Rumble in the Jungle. Which one of these achievements were you proudest of, and why?
A. After being taken out in the EPT Grand Final with pocket Q’s, winning the All Africa Poker Tournament for the first time towards the end of 2008, after placing 4th and 5th before, is definitively one of my proudest moments.
Q. You have competed in the 2008 WSOP again. Why would you say have you not been able to improve upon or at least equal that fantastic performance of 2007?
A. Well I managed to recover from my worst start ever, only to be taken out by no less than two bad beats. Once I flopped an Ace-High Straight, but got beaten by a Full House and the second time my King-High Flush didn’t hold up against a 4 card Ace-High Flush… Once again… That’s Poker.
Q. Will you be competing in the 2009 Aussie Millions again?
A. Yes I am in Australia already and will be most certainly be trying to better my 46th position of last year.
Q. Rumour has it that Australia is one of your favourite places. Why is that?
A. I’ve been going to Australia for the past 20 odd years and because it’s so similar to South Africa, it feels like a home away from home.
Q. In 2008, you managed to place 46th out of 780 players at the Aussie Millions Main Event, and earned $18,984 for your effort. What was it like to compete in this illustrious event?
A. The tourney, blinds structure and Poker Room, are all very well structured and controlled… and the Hotel rooms with its friendly management and staff is outstanding. The Crown Casino Venue is one of the best, if not THE best.
Q. Many seem to think that our local players still have a long way to go, compared to international standards. What is your stance on that?
A. I don’t think so… If I could perform on an international level, so can everyone else. Most of our local players are just as capable as I am.
Q. What advice would you give the players who are preparing to compete in the 2009 Aussie Millions?
A. Remember that as good a game as it can be, poker can also be cruel. Try not to go on tilt, play your cards well and make the absolute best of your good hands!
