HollywoodPoker player Thomas Gravesen, or better known here as Xsee5AndcryX, made it all the way to the HollywoodPoker Live London championships starting with a $30+3 Satellite ticket!!
We couldn't be more proud of HollywoodPoker player Thomas Gravesen from Denmark who took up the challenge to get closer to his poker fortune, when he started on one of our daily satellites in the hopes of making it to the championships in London - and guess what...HE DID!! He's testament that ANYONE can try their hand at an international live event, whatever level, whatever bankroll we've made these events more attainable than ever! Who knows with enough practice, you might just take home a nice piece of the prize pool!
The London Live Main Event is the first ever live poker tournament Thomas has entered and we're thrilled he took the chance here with us! Way to go champ! We managed to catch him after his exhilarating experience at the London championships for a little chat. Here's what he had to say...
Team HP: So how did it go in London, Thomas?
Thomas: Well, it was fun, but real hard! On the 1st day, I didn't get ANY good cards. My best hand in 12 hours was J-J and when we were done for the day I ended with a 20,200 chip stack (we start at 20,000).
Team HP: That's awesome! It's great that you made it to the second day - we all know it's got to be tough going against poker professionals. How did it go on the second day?
Thomas: The 2nd day was better. I had quite a few A-K, A-Q pocket combo's. In 2 hours I had a 38,000 chip stack, where I bet 3K on K-K hole cards I had (1st mistake: I should have bet 6K - 7K or even all-in). I was called four times pre- flop, with the flop revealing KD 10D 4H !!!
Having the nuts I got a little greedy and wanted to get paid so I checked (2nd mistake: I should have bet 10,000 or all-in). One of my opponents bet 7K and the rest of them at the table folded. I went all-in, and he called...... revealing a JD HIGH FLUSH with a QD on the turn and I was out....
Team HP: Talk about a poker bad beat! You have to know that it gets the best of us at times. Besides, it's only the beginning for you, we're sure there'll be more opportunities to come. How does it feel though, having made it all the way to the London championships?
Thomas: It's a dream come true, it is what all poker players dream about - high rollers and small time players like me.
Team HP: What was your journey to the London championships like?
Thomas: First, I played a $30+ 3 multi-table satellite. I didn't have the money for a $300+20 HollywoodPoker Live qualifier ticket, so I had to win a $30 tournament to get to play the $ 300+20 London Live Online Finals
Team HP: What were your preparations leading up to the championships in London?
Thomas: I was playing poker 24/7 but I only had bad luck really bad luck, I was really hoping for it to turn around before London.
Team HP: What would you say was your best poker hand in the 3-4 years that you've been playing?
Thomas: I have had four royals in a hand. Had one not too long ago at HollywoodPoker!
Team HP: What would you say was your worst poker hand in the 3-4 years that you've been playing?
Thomas: I was in the bubble, I had K-K with a huge chip stack, I bet 3xBig Blind and someone raises 6xBig Blind, I got a bit scared because he too had a big stack, thinking he might have A-A, so I just called.
Flop revealed K-Q no flush/straight, so liking what I saw and I bet the pot and he went all-in, knowing I am WAY ahead I called. He shows Q-Q, now I am second from being chip leader in a $100-300 tournament. The turn came revealing a Q and all of a sudden I have a low stack and I made my exit before the money.
Team HP: You mentioned that you play online poker for fun as a pastime, would you say you have a daily routine? Perhaps after work, you like to come home and relax at the virtual tables : )
Thomas: Well I do play for fun and to relax but after I won the London Live package I am trying to see if my skills are good enough to make a living out off online poker! About three years ago I stated playing online and after 2-3 weeks my bankroll was at $22,000 - bad for a beginner but then again I had some bad luck and I must say I went on pure tilt, hehe...
Team HP: Trust us Thomas that's NOT BAD AT ALL for a beginner : )! So, which HollywoodPoker tournaments do you frequent once you got back to the tables?
Thomas: Well I play most tournaments at HollywoodPoker. I have played from $10 buy-in to $320 buy-in.
Team HP: Would you say you have a particular poker style?
Thomas: No, not yet. I'd like to say tight aggressive, though it might not be the truth, hehe...
Team HP: Do you have any poker tips or pointers you'd like to share with poker guppies out there who's like to make it to an international championship?
Thomas: Hehehehe...Yeah READ a lot about poker before you start playing for real money....
Team HP: As you must know, the HollywoodPoker LIVE craze continues on to countless European and other international destinations - with plenty of satellites and Main Event Packages to give away.
Do you think you'll be trying your hand at bagging another HollywoodPoker LIVE package?
Thomas: Yes, but I am pretty sure this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me....
You never know Thomas! And for all you hopefuls out there, it could come through for you too. If you don't have $30 to spare, hit our daily satellites starting at just $1 +.20! Head on to HollywoodPoker Live and see which part of the world you'd like to join us at!
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