PokerSchoolOnline Live Tour

NewJane Interviews jpatmull, Top PSO Finisher at the WPO at the Goldstrike

NewJane: Congratulations on your excellent finish at the Live Tour event! Tell us about the event that qualified you for the Live Tour Final tourney next year.

jpatmull: First of all, I'm totally psyched about being a part of the Live Tour Final next year!! I just missed getting to be a part of this year's, so I'm proud I got another chance. I entered the PSO Invitational at the Goldstrike Casino in Tunica, MS, on Jan 14. The $500 buy-in tournament had 388 participants, and paid the top 29. I finished 42! Excited for the finish…but disappointed not to cash!

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

jpatmull: Lots of topics! My life has taken many turns, some of them "high G" turns! I live in rural West Tennessee with my beautiful wife (Nin), and two pretty cool teenagers (Katharine, 17, and Justin, 15). I completed my undergrad work at Memphis State in Electrical Engineering, and received my Masters from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I spent 14 years active duty (US Air Force) as a pilot - flew F-15C Eagles and worked as an instructor pilot in both the T-37 and T-38. I had a blast flying all around the world chasing the bad guys around the skies! Since separating from the military, I've settled into a pharmaceutical sales job and started my own small business.

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?

jpatmull: I've been playing cards for many years - you know, all the crazy wild card games you play at home. I started playing hold'em about two years ago, but only occasionally. Finally got hooked this last year after joining PSO. I am addicted! I prefer to play live - mostly in Tunica at the Goldstrike Casino. Most of my live play has been in ring games - with mediocre success. I am fast becoming a bigger fan of the tournament - especially after my recent successes at PSO, and at this year's World Poker Open.

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

jpatmull: I am finishing my first year at PSO - and I am excited about getting started on my second! What a great place to learn and play!

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

jpatmull: Selective aggression and patience were my strengths. Both are things that I have learned from playing here at PSO. I believe my biggest weakness is trying to "read" other players at the table. I also believe that there were a couple of dealers that I had that contributed to losing chips from my stack! Just kidding - but it is amazing how cards run hot and then cold, you know?

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

jpatmull: One major "learning" hand for me in the tournament. It was a classic goof - I made a HUGE mistake, but got very lucky on the river. I held KQs in the big blind. The blinds were 300/600 with 25 antes. The SB was FTA, and he raised to 1800. I must have been focusing on how much I planned on raising him (you know, trying to do math in my head!), because I did not hear him say raise, nor did I see his chips prior to me saying "raise". So, I placed my 1200 chips out there, totaling 1800…thinking I had just raised to 3xBB and the dealer just looked at me…waiting…for my supposed raise!! I was lost! What an idiot. I tried to whine my way out of it, but to no avail! So, you see where this is going! I get raised all-in after the flop comes - and I am committed. Luckily, I hit the straight on the river to beat my opponents AT! Unbelievably huge suck out - and to make it worse I eliminate the same fellow two hands later!

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

jpatmull: The biggest difference I saw in this tournament was that the play was much more controlled it seemed. By that I mean, I didn't see much wild play out there at the tables I sat at. Not to say that there weren't some bluff attempts, but none of those "all-in" maniacs we occasionally see on the internet.

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?

jpatmull: This is a very tough question! I think I would most like to hang out with Howard Lederer. I would ask him how he seems to always have a read on his opponent, and could he teach me!

NewJane: What poker books have helped your game?

jpatmull: I think Dan Harrington's two volumes on Hold'em play are at the top of the list, but there are tons out there that have helped over the last year.

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

Jpatmull: Probably Omaha and its variants and Badugi NewJane: Here is your chance to address anything I neglected to ask that you are dying to share.

Jpatmull: Just the opportunity to say "thanks" to PSO for the opportunity to represent the school in several tournaments over the last couple of weeks in Tunica through the use of sponsorship points. The environment here at PSO provides a challenging and competitive arena to improve your poker skills. I am looking forward to this new year of poker, and improving my game with the resources here to the point that you will see my name on some big final table lists when you read the Blogs on PokerPages!!! Good luck to all. Shuffle up and Deal!

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