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Posts Tagged ‘Love’

When I wrote this, I was sitting in Prague where the latest European Poker Tour stop is winding down. I had just busted the Main Event and had been playing cash games and having fun with my friends as I prepared to return home to Hungary where I have been for the rest of the year.

I always enjoyed coming to Prague. It’s the closest EPT stop to Budapest (where I live), so I kind of consider it to be like a “home” event for me. The games are always good, and the field is big and usually soft. And there are usually a lot of Hungarians who come here, too.

Besides being a beautiful city, Prague is also filled with history, which is something that appeals to me because I have a degree in political science and thus am very interested in history. I love all of the stops on the EPT, as all of those cities (Barcelona, Sanremo, Prague, Berlin, etc.) are great to visit and have rich histories that stretch back many centuries. And the organization of the tournaments by PokerStars on the EPT is fantastic, too.

I went to school in my hometown of Miskolc, Hungary, and soon after did some traveling to visit the U.S. and other countries. Then I spent a year working various jobs for low pay, including as a waiter, a housekeeper, and a mover. It was a good experience for me, and in fact had a lot to do with helping me respect the value of money.

After that year of working odd jobs I took a more stable position with an IT company for about one-and-a-half years, and after that moved over to poker full-time which I’ve done for the last seven years or so.

I was fortunate to have success early on in poker, and that initial upswing made it easier for me to make that transition to becoming a pro. But I think having that experience in the working world has helped me tremendously when it comes to bankroll management and staying in the game.

Overall poker has been a great career for me. Traveling to different cities to play has allowed me to continue to explore my interest in history. And my pre-poker work experiences have helped me when it comes to managing money, too.

I didn’t know it at the time when I was getting my degree and working those former jobs, but really I was preparing to be a poker player all along!

For those of you who’ve been following our Jungleman WSOP promotion you’re probably thinking a little like I am, “Who are these people?” and “Where do they come up with this stuff?“ and “I’ll have a pint of what ever Dan Sauva is having” right? Well maybe not that last point but you get my point.

Luckily for me I’ve had the real pleasure of catching up with a few of them. All have a unique story to tell and all have a real love for the game of poker. If only we could take you all to Las Vegas for the WSOP!

Anyway Dan Sauva loves a bit of it

Today I managed to catch up with none other than Dan Sauva, whose currently enjoying his 15mins of fame with his “Free Hugs” video which is proving to be extremely popular, even TonyG thought so!

Alright Dan let’s start with the basics: age, city and a little bit about yourself?

I’m 30 years old, live in London and work in advertising. When I’m not penning punchy slogans for ad campaigns, I’m bouncing between London poker venues looking for entertainment, overlays and soft games with inebriated businessmen. How do they always get there on the river? Sigh.

What was the thinking behind your entry for Jungleman’s good deed WSOP challenge?

I was keen to do something light-hearted and fun that would make people smile. I decided to avoid the ‘tug at your heartstrings ‘ approach as I felt it might be a little insincere given the competition setting. I toyed with a few ideas and landed on free hugs. I felt this would be a good way to spread some happiness and joy on an otherwise mundane mid-week lunch-break and really capture the spirit of good deeds in an entertaining way.

I asked Emily, a good friend of mine, to jump on-board as she has bubbliness in abundance and I knew she’d get the hug-ball rolling. My mate Paul grabbed his camera and we were off. Armed with a whiteboard, marker pen, heart t-shirt, and with hugs on the brain, we set out onto the streets of Camden Town, London and nailed it. I have never seen so many happy people – a bit of free love really does brings out the best in everybody. It was great fun.

What got you in to poker?

I was invited to a home game with some friends about five years ago. After a confusing lesson from a drunken mate I was in for £20 and completely out of my depth. I remember little about the game apart from that I definitely knew how to say ‘all-in’, act out of turn, hit gutshots, fumble chips and generally annoy. I won. There’s nothing like a fortuitous bink to slingshot you into degeneracy and I’ve been on the poker rollercoaster ever since.

To be fair, I’ve studied the game fervently and have had some notable success both online and live. I’m also well versed in spanking chunks of bankroll when late night cash games spiral into the bad-beat and beer abyss.

My main strength is live tournaments and I try to play at least twice a week when I can. For me this is where the real fun and excitement of poker lies, entry to the WSOP Main Event would be crazy.

Who are some of your favorite professional poker players?

I’ve watched every poker show religiously and have spent many an evening sucked into obsessive YouTube vortexes. As a result I have a soft spot for the old guard of poker personalities. The creative aggression of Gus Hansen, the eruptive tendencies of Phil Hellmuth, the ever-effusive Daniel Negreanu and, of course, Tony G and his legendary bike to name but a few.

Which players would you be most scared to see at your table?

Hmmm, I’m not sure I’d be ‘scared’ of anybody per se, I’m a confident player with belief in my abilities. Although saying that, I wouldn’t be overjoyed with a table draw that had me pitted against the ‘genius generation’ of tournament pros. You know, players like Mercier, Grospellier, Katchalov, Cody and the like. Scrap that, I’d be petrified.

Any pros you hope to play with?

I’d like to play with Daniel ‘jungleman’ Cates himself. It may seem like an obvious answer but I genuinely respect what he’s achieved in poker and his generosity with opportunities like this WSOP Challenge. In return I’d attempt to 5-bet bluff him out of a big pot and table it proudly. Joke! I wouldn’t dare

Anything else you’d like to say?

Thanks again to PartyPoker and Jungleman for this once in a lifetime opportunity and thanks to Tony G for his support of Good Deed Hugs on Twitter. If you like the video, then why not send a vote my way. Thanks to everyone, and if the poker gods are looking down on me, see you in Vegas? One time?

Many thanks Dan, good luck it would be great seeing you playing at the WSOP!

So if you missed it here’s Dans ‘Free Hugs’ video, and remember head on over to the ‘Daniel ‘Jungleman’ Cates WSOP Main Event Challenge – So Who Would You Pick?’ page, watch all the videos, like which ones you want and tell us which ones rock in the comment box!

The first time I noticed something might be wrong was when I got a tweet saying: “@TonyGuoga something must be wrong, Phil Hellmuth wasn’t dressed as Neo from The Matrix today.”

I laughed, smiled and thought… actually I want him to win the bracelet, I would quite like to see him beat Juanda.

I don’t think I was the only one who found themselves in that position but it didn’t sit comfortably. I wanted him to win so I have to put up with months and months of bragging? I need counseling, I need help I thought.

I bet there were many people out there who wanted him to win but felt guilty for doing so. After he lost and Hellmuth’s 72 hours of self flagellation started I felt sorry for him. Why, why, why! Pull it together Antanas!

WPT Slovenia - lots of tasty Italians there

Someone else tweeted me saying there was a ‘strange force’ at work that made them cheer on Hellmuth. I don’t know about that but there was definitely something in the air.

I remember when Hellmuth bust from the WPT Bay 101 last year and he curled into a ball and looked like he had a breakdown. I said then that I thought he could be on the cusp of a mega comeback but I was wrong.

I would be interested to hear what price anyone would lay about Phil getting a bracelet this year though. That said, if he has to pay himself will he play in many events?!

Since then I have pulled it together and got over my Hellmuth man love. I don’t think I am going to be going to WSOP this year but I don’t rule anything out. I am going to WPT Slovenia in Portoroz between 17th – 21st July as there will be lots of tasty Italians there.

By that I don’t mean models or bunga, bunga parties (though I heard the casino is putting on some free parties for those who want to wind down from Vegas in a suitable fashion) – I mean fresh seafood.

Pull those Italians across the border and let’s feast – I’ve always told you I remain a hungry big saltwater crocodile with Lithuanian stripes.

Qualifiers for WPT Slovenia have started on PartyPoker.com – come and join me.

Im about to make the most obvious statement ever but during the last few days it has never been emphasized more for me. When you get dealt Aces in a tournament, when the hand is over, you will either be really happy or really mad. You’re gonna lose with them or get no action with them, or win with them. And anytime you lose with them preflop, it’s pretty disheartening.

In last sunday’s 200k, the 3rd hand of the tournament I get dealt AA, and manage to somehow have my 5 bet shove called by AK at 300 Big Blinds deep. The flop was 10JQ and I couldnt hit my chop outs. I was left with 320 chips. I grinded for 4 hours to get deep in the money, down to 50 players and was dealt AA again. The money gets in preflop and I’m against K8. Again I lose and Im out of the tournament. Im not here to wine about bad beats. But I almost dread getting aces. Don’t get me wrong, it’s the best hand in poker and I love getting them, but getting them late in tournaments you will often be putting your whole stack in the middle and risking your tournament life. I know, I know, I am a huge favorite and I’ll take them any day. It’s just there is really something to be said about not being all in and at risk of being knocked out. Think back to the times you have won tournaments or done really well in them. I can guarantee you, you somehow found a way to avoid as many showdowns as possible, while winning uncontested pots. Of course running well at the same time:)

Getting AA early in tournaments is also a tricky situation in my opinion. You start with 300 bbs in UB tournaments. 3k starting stack and 5-10 blinds. Say you raise to 30 and get called once out of the BB and the flop comes 1062. How much do you love your aces? I like them, but about 10x less than I liked them preflop. How many times can you justify getting 300bbs in, on a flop with 1 pair? Again, its safer to find a way to get the money in preflop, in turn making you play pots for your tournament life.

Aces are a great thing, but you win huge pots or loose huge pots with them and sometimes they happen at the worst times. I can still remember some of my bad beats with AA for huge amounts of equity that happened 5 years ago. Here is to better luck with AA for everyone!!