Interview with "euras79", who won the WCOOP-31-M 109$ buy-in tournament

Blogs Pokeriomokykola.com The site's compatriot "euras79" triumphed in the WCOOP-31-M 109$ buy-in tournament, winning nearly a fifth of a million!

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm Aurelijus I'm 26 years old, born and raised in Alytus. Since childhood I have had a penchant for strategy, computer and board games. In the fourth grade I started playing chess. I did well, but the influence of my friends did its work, and at the age of 13, I traded chess for cards. Later on, online poker came along, which I did not spare any spare time for during my studies and has become my main activity to this day. In my spare time, I mostly play sports (basketball, wakeboarding, running, football, tennis, gym).

How did you discover poker?
Poker came about in the standard way, in a circle of friends, when we organised a tournament. But probably my first introduction to poker was on the computer playing "Governor of poker".

Why do you like playing poker?
I like poker because you can beat your opponents with your decisions and be rewarded with a cash prize. This is where I think I can maximise my potential.

How long did it take to become a winning player?
I wasn't a steady winner on my own at the start, but I also put in the effort, which was practically zero. During my studies, I got the chance of a lifetime from my childhood friend "fearless777". He offered me a stake/coach arrangement. Lessons with one of the best players in the world bore fruit from day one. Thank you, Matai J

 Where and how do you learn to play poker?
After the first bankroll, I decided to start playing on myself. It was difficult, both financially and psychologically. At one point, I really wanted to quit. But I invested in private poker lessons, video packages. I've worked with Lithuanian poker masters such as "pelėdažmogis", "merfinis", "mikensonas", "arbaarba". Gradually the game improved and the results grew.

You won one of the WCOOP tournaments, how was the game?
The tournament was fabulous, I got AA maybe five times, of which four were paid by my opponents. I definitely felt the psychological pressure of the money jumps. As a result, I didn't get to play my A game, but fortunately everything worked out perfectly. On the final table, the most dangerous opponent lost a big coin flip against a freelancer. This allowed me to take the lead and put pressure on the rest of my opponents.

How did it feel to win?
I felt wonderful, uplifted. I've never been in such euphoria in my life. All the black work of almost five years was rewarded with a WCOOP victory!

You wrote a blog in poker school, did that influence this win or your development?
Writing a blog post did not directly affect the victory. However, I have improved my presentation of my thoughts, something that has been forgotten since my school days and is now even funny when reading my own blog.

What do you plan to do with your winnings?
I haven't made a final decision yet. I think it's a great opportunity to buy my own home.

Do you only play online?
I mostly play online, but I've been on a few live poker trips in the last year. Unfortunately, neither Las Vegas nor Barcelona worked out.

Was this your first such big victory?
Yes, this is my first such big victory, and hopefully not my last.

What are your future goals for poker?
The main objective is to establish a presence in live poker. I want to learn the intricacies of the game and feel confident at the tables, because before winning the Sunday Million, it was one of the biggest downswings I've ever experienced.

Can you wish the members of the poker school something?
I wish you all the strength and desire to improve. In poker, it is very important not to overestimate your strength, but at the same time to have confidence in yourself. Work hard and sincerely if you choose this path. Only then can you expect stable results.