Betfair Qualifiers : HID World Series of Poker

Peter "Shonzo" Sansom

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:47:06 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
Started playing poker when doing paperwork in office as was losing to much on the horses.

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
Been playing on betfair poker (any poker) about 9 months had played b4 but not much, dont like cash games like to play mtt.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
Won a sat on a saturday afternoon played final on nitetime (didnt relise what the prize was) to win my seat.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
Never played live b4.

5) Best online success?
Won betfairs 16k once 5k 3k a few times dont keep records.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
Aim 4 vegas is to come back with some money (even if its mw own) would have a week of work if i won as this would give me enough time to pay off all the people i owe money to,then i would go on the lash.

Fraser "MadCowboy" Dunphy

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:46:47 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
I was at uni when my brother rang me and told me he was playing online poker. I laughed and told him he was an idiot and he'd lose all his money. Two weeks later i had a raging addiction.

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
I've been playing on betfair for around 4 years. I'm usually found at the no limit and fixed limit hold em cash tables, $5/10 and $10/20 NL with the odd bit of $25/50 thrown in when the games are juicy, and $50/100 and $100/200 FL. Oh, and I play higher when I'm really drunk and tend to lose lots of money. But that's my only vice. Unless you count a sports betting addiction as a vice, but that's just plain ridiculous.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
I bought in to a $550 satellite on Betfair and thankfully came in the top 2.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
I final tabled at the 2006 EPT Grand Final. I came 8th for $100K, losing with Aces all in pre. I can't complain too much as it was basically my only beat of the tournament, which is pretty golden for a four day event. Since then my I've played very few live tournaments but my results have been...is depressing the right word...yeah, pretty depressing.

5) Best online success?
My best online result was winning the Range Rover Sport on Betfair. Unfortunately I had managed to bust myself by this point so had to take the cash equivalent. I have had a few circa $10K cashes on a range of sites but nothing of note. Basically I tell MTT players that I'm a cash player and my cash opponents I'm an MTT player, and hope they never meet.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
My aim for Vegas is what everybody's aim should be; bringing home the bacon. Once I've got that out the way I plan to get so drunk I marry one of the Spearmint Rhino girls and get immediately divorced and stung for half. With the remaining half I am going to hire MC Hammer as my personal financial adviser and see what we can get up to. With the meagre remains I am going to hire a brass band of ninjas to constantly play outside my recently ex-girlfriends house, then when the police come...they're gone. Rinse and repeat please boys.

Peter "TenderTrap" Hedlund

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:49:57 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?

Basically the same as most people I suppose: Watched the first WPT season, got hooked, started up home game, deposited $50 twenty times and lost it all, read some books and forums. And so on.

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?

Been playing on the NLSH 2/5 and 5/10 tables on Betfair since January 2006.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?

I rake a lot.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?

I have been all over the world, but I never win. However - I got lucky in my first major tourney, the WSOP Main Event in 2006, and cashed around $42K for 203rd place.

5) Best online success?

In cash games online I especially remember one hand when I flopped quads against some Hungarian guy called sh4rky33 and DID NOT lose. So sick that he did not river higher quads or straight flush. In online tournaments I only have have some 10K-15K wins.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?

I'll try to BBQ a lot in our house and maybe get a nice tan. Haven't really got any other plans. If i win the Main Event I'd instantly retire from poker and buy Estelle Bentall's rugby team and do some Roman Abramovich things with it.

Nick "Nibbles" Sellors

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:52:29 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?

I actually started when I was in sixth form at school, playing five card draw for pennies but I suppose I properly started when Betfair Poker launched, whenever that was (seems like years ago !)

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?

I've been with Betfair from the start and can usually be found on mid-high stakes MTTs (the ones with the decent structures), $50-$200 SNGs and cash $1/$2 up to $5/$10

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?

Won a $100 satellite to the main $550 satellite and pretty much was chip leader all the way through until the last six players or so but got past the bubble when one of the remaining players had his aces cracked by a flopped nut flush.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?

I'm fortunate to live quite close to DTD in N*ttingham, so I'm often over there. Played some of the mid-stakes buy in MTTs in Vegas and of course I've played in all three BFWCOPs in London.

5) Best online success?

In terms of cash value, probably this $16000 package. Back-to-back wins in the 4k on the old Betfair Poker was fun though, especially since I was so drunk for the 2nd one, I woke up the next morning and didn't remember I'd won it !

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?

My aim for Vegas is to show my eight year old son the sights and play some cards along the way ! Realistically, its not possible or sensible to think in terms of winning it but, if I did, I'd pay off my mortgages and buy a Pagani Zonda, an Audi RS6 and an Ariel Atom (they're cars !)

Craig "Hangman" Burgess

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:50:59 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
I've always been a card player and got into poker 5 years ago, initially on line but now I just cencentrate on live games.
My interest in the game came about through watching it on TV.

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
The rare occasions when I do play on line are now just purely qualifiers for bigger tournaments.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
I qualified last year through betfair, this year however I qualified through a sattellite at a pals in Norwich where the winner won the betfair package, so many thanks to Dale Hoy (dellboy 123) for organising that.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
I qualified through betfair for the Singapore Open in 2006, Aussie Millions 2007, WSOP 2007 and the Irish Open 2008. As yet I have yet to cash but I've hit the post twice. I did this year finish runner up in the European Open which was worth 100K. Was at the final table with Annette, Ian Frazer and Juha Helpi, I beat all them but couldn't beat Nick Slade.

5) Best online success?
My best online sucesses have been to qualify for the 4 tournaments mentioned earlier. Basically poker has taken myself and the Mrs round the world.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
I'm due to get in the money in Vegas as I have been so close before but my ambition is far greater than just getting in the money. Finishing runner up in the European Open has showed me that my game is good enough to compete at the highest level.
If I did happen to win the first thing I would do is make a film as thats always been an ambition and Ive got a feeling that the quest for the poker holy grail may be at the heart of the film.

Vinod "pirahn" Jadav

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:50:10 +0000

Ninos "PooL" Brahim

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:29:35 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
I went to school with Erik Sagström and when we were 15 he taught a few of us how to play poker, so every break we would get the cards out and start playing

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
I have been playing for around 4 years and I can normally be found playing in MTT tournaments which have a prize pool of around $15k and up.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
Through the $525 Satellite which had two packages guaranteed.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
I played the Spin Croatia 07, I won both side event there and finish 16 place at the main event.

5) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
I aim to finish in the top 200 runners in the main event, and hopefully pick aup a bracelet in one of the smaller events. I win the main event I will be buying myself a BMW M6

Lewis "bladelew" Pilkington

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:25:56 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
Just starting playing Sit&Go's on Betfair poker about 4 years ago. Didn't come about from seeing it on TV or anything like that, just saw the advertisement of online poker and thought I'd give it a shot as it seemed like something I might enjoy and hopefully be able to make a bit of money at!

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
Been playing at Betfair for 4 years now, maybe a bit longer; it's always been where I play the majority of my poker. Sit&Go's still what I play mainly, although I do have a dabble with cash and the odd MTT. Not been playing all that much though since the turn of the year.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
Qualfiied via satellite, and the same night I also qualfied for the WSOPE Main Event with Betfair in another satellite I had running at the same time!

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
I have played the WSOP Main Event every year since turning 21, each time qualifying via satellites with Betfair. This will be my third crack at it! I was fortunate enough to cash last year, finished 313th for $39,445. I've also played the EPT London 2007 and the Irish Poker Open 2008, again via satellites with Betfair.

5) Best online success?
Would have to say that qualifying for the WSOP Main Event for each of the past 3 years is my greatest success online so far.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
My aim for Vegas is to give it my best shot and have a great time! I don't want to jinx myself with 'If I Won', but I would definitely quit my job and spend some time travelling/seeing the world, and do many other things that only having $8+ million could allow!

Lee "LordBath" Johnsey

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:15:25 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
With my father in-law, he was a dealer back in the 1960's in Manchester.

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
About 1 year, I like to play MTTs and Sit and Go's.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
With Betfair WSOP and WSOPE tourney in December which is great as I have won a seat to both WSOP and WSOPE .

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
Yes, many times, one in Las Vegas MTT $20000 prize guaranteed came 3rd. and just came back from Vegas; paid for the trip at the cash tables.

5) Best online success?
$40,000.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
Have fun and I'm sure I've met Estelle Bentall and a few of the guys from Betfair Poker Player Management in Cheltenham at the Cheltenham horse racing festival in March they are all real good fun and the hole players team I'm sure is going to have a good time and be looked after very well. If I was to win I'd drink a very big bottle of champagne.

Michael "vespat5" Duke

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:11:01 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
We used to play 5 stud ,7 stud and 3 brag etc when were kids for our paper round money.

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
I played on Betfair for a few years now and usually play 50/1 or 1/2 sometimes 2.5/5 6 seaters or 25 9 seater sit and goes ...but if i've a few hours I play the soonest available tournament.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
I qualified by winning 3 tournament in a row.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
I have played in a few live events here in N.Ireland, The Cavandish Club and the Fortune Rooms were the main venues and I have been placed on a few occasions sadly neither of these venues are open any more. I have won the Friday night competion in the Manor snooker Club and now play occasionally in Bangor and have made the final table a few times. My biggest win is probably about £600 -£800 in a cash tournament.

5) Best online success?
Apart from this package, which is my biggest win to date, I have won a few tournamnets on Betfair which paid about $600.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
The Vegas plan is to try and reach the money... from there I plan to add to my chip stack until I have problems seeing the other player at the table over them. I am hoping to reach the final table and be a fixture for the next three years, at least as far as aims go, that's it.

Marcel "Tafkam" van Wijk

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:06:47 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
I started playing NLH with some friends in a bar 8 years ago. About 5 years ago I got introduced in online poker and became a Pokerchamps member. Last year during the take over by Betfair I automatically became a Betfair member.

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
I've played on Betfair since October 2007. I play almost every day for (too) many hours :) I play only full ring games NLH and turbo / regular tourneys.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
I qualified by playing a satelitte in the afternoon for $55. That night I won the 16K package in the Final.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
I not have yet played in any big poker events before. Sometimes I play in live in Dutch casinos. Last year I went to Vegas to play some live tourneys for fun and made two final tables.

5) Best online success?
About 90% of my online time I play cash games. My best online succes was winning the Daily 16K tourney and made a 4.8K profit.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
My aim for Vegas is first of all to enjoy the experience. I hope that my full ring online experience will bring me through the first 3/4 days and from there we will see what happens. Of course, like every player, I hope to end up in the money. For me that would be a great honour. If I win I wouldnt change my lifestyle and make many people happy.

Phidias "phidias" Georgiou

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:59:43 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
I started playing 5 card poker when I was 13 years old, because it is the most known form of poker in Cyprus. I started playing Texas Hold'em 5 years ago when I was studying in England.

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
About 8 months. I play the high buy in tournaments and 2.5/5 $ cash games.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
I won the 16k package at the $550 buying on Sundays.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
I played 3 EPT enents this year. London, Dublin, Warsaw and came 11th at London for £28,537.

5) Best online success?
I have won the Sunday Warm Up on pokerstars two times.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
My main aim is try and play my a-game and above all enjoy my self.If win i buy a house and give a ortion of the money to my family.

Charles "chuck"Sanderson

Fri, 23 May 2008 11:11:14 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
I first played in a regular monthly home game in the early 90's. The odd visit to the Vic for their cheap tournaments over the years. Too scared of the cash games!

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
Since it first started. Usually play tournaments of $50 and above - in particular satellites to WSOP. I won a trip with you to New Orleans a few years ago.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
Came 4th in the WSOPE qualifier.

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
Came second in a gutshot tournament:
http://www.gutshot.com/gscontent/view.php?id=433&k=70
Came second in this tournament last year:
http://www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=802.0
Have played in the WSOP main event twice courtesy of Ladbrokes(!) and have cashed in a WSOP event.
http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=46535.
Made it to the second day of the WSOP the first time I played in it.

5) Best online success?
I've won a couple of pokerstars tournaments for $3000 or so, but best results are qualifying to WSOP with you and twice with ladbrokes.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
To get in the money. If I won I would buy a large house and take a very long holiday...

Keith "Loftusrd" Hawkins

Fri, 23 May 2008 11:08:51 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
Been playing poker since I was about 12. Still hoping to become a winning player someday...

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
Played at Betfair since it's inception. Play all types of games.. if you see me playing PLO, jump into the game quickly. Just my presence in the game means I'm on tilt because I am absolutely hopeless at Omaha.

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
Came 4th in the first Dream Team tournament which meant I won a free entry in the pre Christmas Dream Package tournament. I totally forgot I was entered and was on the piss when Dave Colclough called me up to tell me I was being anted away. I fired up my computer and immediately got allin on my first hand with 66 against JJ on a 533 flop. I rivered a 6 and never looked back and won one of the 2 packages on offer. A nice Xmas pressie!

4) Have you been to any live poker events before?
Any success? I've made a few live finals, often with a big chip stack... but I invariably bottle it and miss out on the big payday. My biggest payout was coming 4th in the Master Classics of Poker at Amsterdam in 2006 for about 120,000 Euros.

5) Best online success?
Made the final of the Sunday Million on PokerStars in 2006. Can't remember how much I won.. it's all been spent ages ago!!!

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
My aim is to come home with some money.. been to Vegas 20 times and it hasn't happened yet!!!

Hugh "bethammer" Murray

Fri, 23 May 2008 11:02:54 +0000

1) So how did you start playing poker?
Started playing poker about 3 years ago, when I went to a bar in Benalmadena where they played most nights. The owner, a Mark Griffin, was a successful player online and he gave me some free leesons. Within a few weeks I won a tourney on paradise poker twice for $4k each time. I then joined his team you can look this up at betdempseyspoker.com.and have played ever since(probably too much).

2) How long have you been playing on Betfair and at what type of tables can you normally been found?
I started playing on Betfair earlier this year when we entered a team in the dreamteam series. I only really play tournies and normally try and sat the bigger buy in ones

3) How did you qualify for the WSOP?
I qualified for the wsop throught the sats on Betfair winning the $7R&A ($21) then that took me into $100 sat which I then won a $550 seat then qualified

4) Have you been to any live poker events before? Any success?
Play at a local poker room sometimes where I have won a few times. Won a trip to vegas for the mansion pokerdome Dec 2007 then Aussie Millions 2007 and the wsop last year with no success at all.

5) Best online success?
Best online success has to be winning 2 wsop packages in a week on pokerstars last year. My aim for Vegas is to play well hopefully get some luck and maybe come home with some cash.

6) What is your aim for Vegas and what would you do if you won?
To learn as much as I can maybe get some tips from your pros and generally have a good time. If I won I would probably cut down how much poker I play and just play the odd event for fun and just enjoy the money.