A STAY AT MACAO, IN THE FLESH OF THE ASIAN GAME ALWAYS LEAVES SPECIAL MEMORIES. BACK TO OUR PLAYERS WITH SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT APPT 2015 AND THE UNUSUAL TOURNAMENTS.

We asked a few questions to our players about their feelings of this incredible city, the Las Vegas “Made in Asia”. Meeting with Adrien Allain, Paul Francois Tedeschi and Yehoram Houri in this other country of poker, where everything is bigger.

Adrien Allain, “the lover of Macao”

1- The ONPOK adventure just ended in Macao, and putting aside actual crazy events, I would like you to define the three most important emotions you felt on arriving there (it was not the first time for you)?

It’s the third time that I put down my suitcases in Macao, the city where my life literally changed after my victory during the APPT in 2009 with 400 000$.
It is always a special feeling when my plane lands on Chinese ground; I go six years back where many memories revive. It was an even more memorable trip since I had never left the European continent, I was like a kid on arriving there.

When your life changes overnight in that way, it takes little time to feel something. Just walking down the streets again, as I used to do back then day and night to go to the tournament room, seeing again the casino in which I won and even walking by the McDo in which I ate 6 years before, made me feel something.

You have the impression of having a story every time you walk by a place, even if it may have no meaning to others «I ate nuggets here in 2009»

2 – You played several tournaments under the colors of your team, so what is your assessment at the end of this new adventure? You were once again ITM, proud to keep on “perfer” like this?

Making an ITM in two matches remains always a beautiful conclusion, despite having the regret of losing so close to the goal. But then I play for winning tournaments and my true satisfaction will be when I’ll achieve this goal.

Four months ago when my adventure began in Barcelona, I had the urge to make an ITM quickly to consolidate the choice of those who believed in me on this project. Paul and Yehoram having been at the top in Vegas, I had to achieve a small perf quickly for my well-being in the team.

Today I made 8 ITM for ONPOK, but I have not been recruited to make semi –finals, everyone knows that I am a « chatter »machine who came from the future to «ship » loads of tournaments we will do the best to achieve that (smile)

3- Do you have any regrets about the stay or a turning point that could have turned to a TF or a six-figure result (I mean a six-digit Euros version)?

We are more than 50 and I open A6cc with a stack of 160K, an online player defends with a stack of 140K when the average is 130. Flop 863cc he check, 5K my check, he check raise to 16K, I call. Turn a ten; bet 28K with him, I call. You know that if you touch river you become top 5 so you meet all you can. River 2 and shove 100K I fold. I really had the feeling that it was the hit of my tournament. Otherwise no real regrets I have not seen a card and I fell to 5bb, I almost made the bubble! AK vs KJ preflop, flop Jxx but I’m off river with an Ace

4-What will be your program in the coming weeks and how do you feel in this team that regularly performs?

 We have just returned from Macau with Paul, so we have a one week rest in London before moving to the WPT Paris where I will participate in the HR and the ME. In the wake of Paris, we will pack up for Prague where the program looks exceptional with a WPT / EPT festival, a first for me. I feel great in this team; I have no apprehension unlike my previous years of sponsorship. Everything is set to put us in the best conditions before playing the toughest tournaments in the world! The impression of living a waking dream, I only need a win and all, to be continued…

Paul-François Tedeschi, in search of “good performance”

1- The ONPOK adventure just ended in Macao, and putting aside actual crazy events, I would like you to define the three most important emotions you felt on arriving there (it was not the first time for you)?

It was the first time for me and honestly I was not disappointed. It looks like Las Vegas a lot, there are also the same big hotels like the Wynn, the Venetian … It’s the paradise of gambling and shopping, there are also some great restaurants at affordable prices.

As of poker, I found the playing conditions excellent with a spacious hall, competent staff and a catering service available at the tables whether in cash games or tournaments.

Basically that’s all good about this destination, apart from the time zone difference which is really hard to manage.

You will surely see me there for the next edition!

2 – You played several tournaments under the colors of the team, what is your assessment at the end of this new adventure? You were once again ITM, proud to continue to “perfer” as well?

Although I lack the good performance to make a difference, the results are very positive. I had great tournaments that I did not use to play (such as HR EPT Barcelona Main WSOPE in Berlin, ACOP Macau) and I returned several times with money so yes it is a pride to properly represent ONPOK.

3- Do you have any regrets about the stay or a turning point that could have turned to a TF or a six-figure result (I mean a six-digit Euros version)?

No, I really have no regrets; I really put myself into this tournament. I got to Day4 with the 5th largest stack, despite that I had the impression of being helpless all day long in front of very fit opponents.

4 – What will be your program in the coming weeks and how do you feel in this team that regularly performs?

I will do the WPTN Paris next and to finish the year I will go to Prague for the WPT and EPT festival. I feel very comfortable in the team, we meet regularly after tournament to debrief our days , to eat together or even have a drink

Yehoram Houri, ‘‘proving that it was no mistake to trust me’’

1- The ONPOK adventure just ended in Macao, and putting aside actual crazy events, I would like you to define the three most important emotions you felt on arriving there (it was not the first time for you)?

It was the first time but clearly it was the joy of travelling for the first time in my life to Asia, and to meet a new poker. The suspiciousness of a different culture and a feeling of deja- vu of Las Vegas Asian style with many similar hotels (Wynn, Venetian, …)

2 – You played several tournaments under the colors of the team, what is your assessment at the end of this new adventure?

A “extreme” feeling of frustration unlike my team mates who have a deep run the Main Event.I particularly wanted to shine like Las Vegas where I did DAY A. I unfortunately stopped at the end of Day 1 after a very difficult day where I took two setups against stacks shorts blinds QQ <AJ and KK <AQ
Asians clearly have no time to build stacks, and despite the fact of being rather deep they can throw 50bb preflop without any problems.

3- Do you have any regrets about the stay or a turning point that could have turned to a TF or a six-figure result (I mean a six-digit Euros version)?

Yes of course I’m a competitor in the soul and I want to prove to people who trusted me that it was not a mistake, my performances are at well below my needs and my recent “achievements”.

4 – What will be your program in the coming weeks and how do you feel in this team that regularly performs?

WPT Paris and EPT Prague, then welcome my son who will be born in January and that’s already a whole event.