Interview with Rhino – New Editor of Bluff Magazine!
1. When exactly and how did you first get into poker?
Well, I started playing poker quite some time ago. I started playing 7 card stud hi-lo about 18 years ago. We used to play from time to time at our golf course. Nothing serious and pretty much our own version of the game. I never really played poker in any form till about 4 years ago where I started dabbling in Texas Holdem. Mainly online and only playing very small cash games. I took it upon myself to learn the game inside out and studied it passionately. I started winning a bit and moved up a few levels in stakes. I then started playing tournament poker about 3 years ago. I was reasonably successful and improved as I got more tournament experience.
2. Which do you play more frequently: online or live, which do you prefer and why?
Currently I am not playing very much poker. I play a bit online; mainly tournaments and I play live tourneys when I get a chance. I definitely prefer live poker. The feel of it so different to online poker. I like the feel of the chips and being able to see my opponents.
3. We know that you are commentator to AAPT. What other poker activities do you partake in?
I work on the production of poker tournaments, including directing cameramen at the feature table, interviews and links during the tournament, offline editing of the footage, writing for various websites and reading the latest poker publications including books written by international poker professionals.
4. Could you give us a breakdown of your notable poker achievements, online and live? Which events, when & where and how much you won?
My most notable results are as follows:
6th place Sun city Million Dollar poker tournament 2007 $33,000
2ndnd Place Poker Ace Tournament November 2007 R150,000
4thth Place Carousel Poker Tournament January 2008 R42,000
55tht Place World Series of Poker & stud Hi LO event July 2008 $2,450
Winner Sun City Million Dollar Poker Tournament September 2008 $650,000
5. Which are you most favourite or proudest poker moment ever and why?
Definitely Winning Sun City last year. Seeing My official world ranking position after winning Sun City…was around 290th in the world
6. What would you say is your playing style?
I am generally quite tight aggressive, but I also pick my spots to change gears
7. What irritates you around the poker tables?
Obviously I am not immune to bad beats….it really irritates me when players play badly and get rewarded with luck It also irritates me when guys get aggressive at the table over a hand or something petty
8. How did the position as Editor of Bluff come about
The position of editor became available and due to my involvement in the growth of the poker industry and my BSC in Journalism and my passion for poker, I was approached and asked if I would like to take over as the editor. I think it will be a great challenge and I believe the magazine has great potential here in South Africa; so naturally, I was excited to be involved.
9. How will your new position affect your poker career: will you be playing less?
Well, as I have always maintained, I am a part time poker player, I play when I have time and my other commitments with work are fulfilled. So, this will be no different. I might have less time to play, but as the Editor of bluff, I may play one or two more tournaments in the Mags interest. I have also recently been reinstated as an amateur golfer and I am intending to play some golf tournaments this year, so, I think I am going to be very busy in the coming year
10. Where do you see yourself in two years from now as a poker player?
Currently, I don’t see my involvement as a player changing much. I have desires to play poker professionally. I am quite content to keep poker as a great pastime the I am passionate about. I don’t want to turn playing poker into a job.
11. What advice would you give anyone who is thinking of making a career out of poker?
I think if you want to play poker for a living, you need discipline. That’s the biggest key. You have to be disciplined in all aspects of your life. You have to treat it as a job and treat every chip you have as your last. You also need to know if you really have what it takes to be a great consistent player. If poker is your sole source of income you cant afford to go on tilt, you cant afford to gamble in the casino, you cant afford to drop your guard. Poker will bite you if you get to casual, so you have to maintain focus and be prepared to do that for a lifetime.
