From March 1-10, Lithuania will be shaken by the “Fisherman's Challenge” poker festival with a guaranteed prize pool of 100,000 euros in the Main Event.
This will be a record-breaking live poker series in Lithuania, which you can enter by participating in the satellite tournaments.
As the “Fisherman's Challenge” approaches, PokerioMokykla.com interviewed Aleksandras Rusinovas, who has triumphed twice in these events.
– I know you went to Costa Rica to live in a grind-house and recently returned to Vilnius. Tell us how you spent those months. We're interested in both poker stories and what you did in your free time. Also, how do you like Costa Rica and its people? What are the prices and conditions for playing poker there?
– Well, first of all, it wasn't a grind-house. A room became available in the house of a foreign poker player friend, where he lives with his family and a few friends, so he invited me to stay. I couldn't refuse. Besides, I wanted to change the environment a bit because I was feeling a bit “stuck” in Lithuania.
I flew to Costa Rica with the goal of playing a lot and working on my game. Since I've spent over a year in total in this country in the past, I didn't travel much this time; I spent my free time by the ocean or doing something interesting with friends. As I mentioned, this is my fourth time in Costa Rica, so it's understandable that I really like the country.
Great weather, wonderful people, delicious food, beautiful girls. Unfortunately, the country is the most expensive in Central America, so, for example, prices in stores are slightly higher than in Lithuania.
– You've probably heard about the upcoming Fisherman's Challenge and the incredible numbers that the organizers have announced? What do you think about such poker evolution in Lithuania? Do you notice that step by step everything is getting better (or higher:) with live poker?
– I heard about the Fisherman's Challenge, the guarantee surprised me in a good way, and I'm very happy that live poker in Lithuania, although slowly, is moving in the right direction.
– The buy-in for the Main Event remains 200 euros, and the guarantee rises to 100,000 euros, maybe we can even expect 30,000 for the first place. That's even 3x more than you got for winning the Fisherman a couple of years ago. I'd say that's very strong?
– As I understand, 30,000 EUR is guaranteed for the first place? Somehow it seems there should be an overlay, but of course, such numbers can only be pleasing.
– By the way, you are the only one who has won the Fisherman's Challenge twice. Technically once, but you also pushed for the winner's title after an agreement and ended up second. That's another record that will be very hard to beat. Tell us about those tournaments, what do you remember most: key hands, any other aspects?
– Both times we chopped heads-up (split the money, remaining two – ed.), and both times we flipped for the trophies, so everything was fair. As for key hands, to be honest, I don't even remember what years I won that tournament, let alone the key hands.
– I really liked your image during the last Fisherman's Challenge. It seems like a small thing, but it's a great example of how to be a poker ambassador and contribute to the popularization of this game in Lithuania. Do you have any ideas for your colleagues on what dress code to come to the upcoming Fisherman?
– Well, regarding the image, I should thank my friends who gave me a fisherman's chair and outfit for my birthday and insisted I wear it to the tournament. As for ideas for colleagues, considering recent events in Lithuania, I would suggest everyone dress as clowns.
– Let's talk about the future. What ideas and suggestions do you have for making future poker festivals in Lithuania even better? Do you have any constructive criticism or observations on what could have been done so far?
– The only thing that comes to mind is somehow solving the reentry problem when there's a waiting list. Reentry loses its meaning if you can't do it immediately after busting out of the tournament.
– You participated in many (all) of the last Fisherman's Challenges, right? What was the ratio of recreational players to strong regs? How does the field strengthen going into the second, third days, and beyond?
This time there are even more satellites to the Fisherman, plus one starting day in Riga and Tallinn, and online. How do you think this will change the player level and game dynamics?
– I'd say that in such a massive field and without a very deep structure, that strengthening isn't really felt. It's great that they made starting days in Riga and Tallinn; I don't think it will affect the field's strength or dynamics. Also, answering the previous question, I think it would be great to have a few starting days in Kaunas and Klaipėda. First of all, it would attract more players, and secondly, people from cities further from the capital wouldn't have to travel to Vilnius multiple times.
– How does the Fisherman's Challenge differ from other Olympic Casino Poker Club tournaments for you?
– I think it's the difference between 30,000 euros and one thousand euros.
– What main tips could you give to poker beginners on how to win – or at least perform well – in the Fisherman's Challenge? What factors do you think determine success in larger live tournaments?
– The main tip would be to try to play good poker, not to reinvent the wheel, but just play your game and not create stereotypes (for example, being afraid to play pots against players you think are better or trying to bluff a well-known player at any cost). As for factors, short-run luck plays a big role; after all, anyone can win a single tournament.
Questions prepared by Miroslavas Siniavskis.
