PokerSchoolOnline Live Tour

NewJane Interviews Eddie_the_ritz, one of the top PSO finishers of the Winter Big One

Eddie_the_ritz: I qualified through the Winter Big One. Made it to the final table with the chip lead however managed to only finish in 5th place but at least I got to play in the Live Tour shootout the next week. I managed to build a large stack by the middle of the tournament and pretty much cruised towards the end.

NewJane: Tell us some interesting facts about your life, such as place of employment, family matters, hobbies, or educational background.

Eddie_the_ritz: I currently live in Norfolk, VA (a hotbed of poker). Have lived in this area for about 18 years. I served in the Navy until 1995 and currently run the local office of a National Marine Surveying Company. We generally act as consultants for shipping lines, vessel charterers, and marine terminals in matters dealing with marine cargo. I enjoy skiing and playing golf (or trying to play as my game has suffered as of late).

NewJane: Give us a little glimpse into your poker background. How long have you played? Do you prefer online play or live? Where is your favorite place to play live? Do you like tournaments or ring games? What is your game of choice?

Eddie_the_ritz: As a kid I use to watch my Parents and other relatives play every type of poker game known to man except for Hold Em. Big surprise there! Started playing once a week in the Navy and use to do OK as I was pretty tight with my money and rarely chased cards. Made my first visit to a poker room at the Trump TAJ back in 2000 playing 7-Card Stud. It seemed really boring but it seamed like the Holdem tables were always laughing and joking so I set out to learn to play that game. Started playing 3-6 limit hold-em and have worked my way up to playing 10-20 limit. Mostly play at the Borgata in AC and make about 4 to 6 trips each year. Play in a few NL home games around town and have been doing fairly well in those. Also enjoy NL tournaments.

NewJane: How long have you been a member of PSO?

Eddie_the_ritz: It will be three years in May. Finally went to my first PSO Convention last July and had a blast meeting all the great people on PSO.

NewJane: What do you think was your greatest strength in the tourney? Your biggest weakness?

Eddie_the_ritz: Was able to put people on hands in key situations and lay down hands when I knew I was beat. Weakness….I don't have any stinking weaknesses….LOL.

NewJane: Do you remember any key hands you want to tell us about? Positive or Negative outcomes...

Eddie_the_ritz: Probably the key hand for me was about the 6th hand into the tournament. I had woken up with KK in the cutoff position. Shaky had limped from middle position and I made a standard raise. The button and SB fold but Kailyn31 from the BB pot raises. Shaky goes away and I reraise to about 2200 (blinds were still 25-50 at this point) and Kailyn re-raises all in. I had him slightly covered but I would have been crippled so I laid it down. Put him on AA since I felt it was way too early for him to make a move. (he later admitted he had it) Not to many people could get away from that hand so I guess it was a positive result since I still won.

NewJane: What are some of the differences you notice in online play as opposed to live play?

Eddie_the_ritz: When I first started playing online people tended to be a bit looser than in live play but over the past year I have started noticing some changes. The 10-20 games in AC play like the 3-6 games use to and there tends to be a lot more action in those games than in a 5-10 game online. I have also started noticing some really awful plays in big tournaments. I got knocked out of the PSO live tournament at Harrahs in December by someone calling about 60% of their stack after a raise all in and re-raise all in with A-7 off. First better had QQ and I had KK and of course I came in 3rd. I think what has happened is that the bad players started on line and because they were losing money blamed the online software and moved to live action and they brought the same bad habits with them.

NewJane: If you could have dinner with any current poker tourney pro, who would it be and what would be the question you would ask first?

Eddie_the_ritz: Clonie Gowen and would you marry me. Just kidding. Probably Howard Lederer because I identify with his style of play and he seems fairly levelheaded.

NewJane: What poker books have helped your game?

Eddie_the_ritz: All of Sklanskys books on Holdem are great. Super-system was also great especially Jen Harmans section on Limit Holdem in Super System II. Just started reading Dan Harringtons books on NL Tournys which so far seem really good.

NewJane: What new poker games are you interested in learning?

Eddie_the_ritz: Have been adding Omaha to my list of games. We play PL Omaha Hi in the home game I attend and I have been doing really well with that game.

NewJane: Here is your chance to address anything I neglected to ask that you are dying to share.

Eddie_the_ritz: Happy New Year and see you in Vegas and thanks to New Jane for all her hard work on PSO.

NewJane: Thanks, Ed, for answering my questions! Best of luck to you in the Grand Finale in Vegas!!

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