Ben “Milkybarkid” Grundy is one of the highest-earning cash game players in the UK. He is known for his youthful looks and claims to have played poker since the age of 7; few realise that he is now fast approaching 30. Ben can be regularly seen at the high-stakes PL Omaha tables on Betfair playing under the alias “bennyboi”.
Quick chat from the rail…
1 – Can you tell us about your family and background?
I was born in York before I moved to Cardiff where I grew up and went to university. I moved to London five years ago. I have two sisters who both live in New York at the moment. My parents are still based in Cardiff.
2 - Online or offline?
Online for cash games, and offline for tournaments. For the day to day playing cash games, it’s much nicer to be able to go home! It’s also a much nicer environment particularly when you put in the hours that I put in.
3 - Best online and offline successes?
Online – Making the final of the WCOOP in 2006 where I cashed for over $100,000.
Live – Probably making the final of EPT Monte Carlo when I had just started playing big tournaments.
4 - Preferred game?
Pot Limit Omaha. I love the amount of action and hands I can play.
5 - Most memorable hand?
There are so many. Probably the biggest ever cash game pot I won for $120,000 on Betfair. Playing $100/$200 No Limit I made it $700 to play with AK. I got called by both blinds. It flopped AAK. They both checked and I checked behind. The turn was a 4 and they both checked again. I bet the pot. The small blind called. The river was a Q. So the board was AAK4Q. The guy in the small blind led out for $4000. I made it $12000. He made it $36000. I just assumed now it was a split pot, and moved all in. He called and mucked.
6 - Do you have a specific approach to your game?
I think I am quite an aggressive player especially online. When I play live I rely a lot on my instincts, and feel like I have pretty good reads on players.
7 - What would be your ultimate final table?
One that I won from making some great calls when my opponents were bluffing. I like playing the crazier players. So people like Gus Hanson, Tony G, Ivey and Antonius would be fun to play at a final table.
8 - Aims for the coming year?
To finish top three in a big tournament, and be one of the biggest Pot Limit Omaha cash winners online.
