Kristy
Gazes
Life’s
A Bluff
- Interview -
January 2007
Christal
Ashley
LaB: The lives of professional poker players have changed tremendously
over the
past few years. Pro players lives are now jammed packed with TV appearances,
tournaments held on every corner of the earth, website updating and huge fan
followings. What does an average day in the life of Kristy Gazes consist of?
KG:
I try and have balance in my life and do many things other then
poker....
I'm a part time poker pro at this point unlike many other
pro players...I don't have an agent or publicist and really just
play when I want and travel to where I want so everyday is quite
different....I try to get out of bed by 2pm as well…
LaB: How did you first begin playing poker?
KG: I started playing in 1986...under 21 with a fake ID at the Commerce
in LA.
LaB: When did you go professional? What encouraged your career move?
KG: I went pro in about 91-92...It wasn't something I planned....I
started making more playing then working so I went for it.
LaB:
So many players have seen amateurs become celebrities in the blink
of an eye, and would love to do the same. What advice do you offer
for the many players that are trying to go pro?
KG:
Number one thing would be have a proper bankroll and some money
management skills because when you’re broke, you’re
a joke...
LaB: Some players play for titles, some simply play
for the money. What would
you say is your biggest accomplishment in your poker career thus far?
KG: I play for $$$.....at the end of the day trophy's don't pay
the bills...My biggest accomplishment would be first, playing for
over 10 years in the high limit cash games and secondly, winning
the FT tourney on live TV and beating out one of the toughest Fields
in poker history..
LaB: Being in a different city twice a month can be stressful. Not
to mention
the ups and downs that naturally come with playing the game of poker. What
would you say is the hardest part of being a professional poker player?
What is your favorite way to relax?
KG:
The hardest thing about being a pro is the emotional and financial
swings, travel and lack of "reality". I'm the queen of
relaxing ...I enjoy my life...I love swimming, piano, meditation,
music, art and most importantly.. laughing.
LaB: There are quite a few players that are on the fence with on
line play. What
do you feel are the major differences in live and on line play?
KG: People or the lack thereof...on line is more about betting patterns
and math when live poker is more about reading your opponents and
situations well.
LaB: As a professional poker player, you are leaving a path for other
wonderful
up and coming female players to follow. As with any other sport or industry,
it can be hard to break into a male dominated forum. What do you feel is the
hardest part of being a female poker player?
KG:
The toughest thing for new female players is the initial feeling
of being outnumbered so greatly at the table...I
also think that
women tend to feel bad or don't want to look foolish and want to
be nice and miss bets in doing so…
LaB: It can be hard to hide tells and strategy when your hand for
hand action is
televised for all to see. Do you feel that you have to change your game from
time to time because of televised tournaments?
KG:
I think TV or no TV you must try and change and improve your game.
Poker truly does take a lifetime to master…
LaB: With the New Year, most of us make resolutions. What are some
of your goals
in 2007?
KG: To be happy and live in the moment....winning a 10K plus main event would
be nice as well...
LaB: In closing, do you have any advice for your fellow ladies of
the tables?
KG: To remember... POKER IS WAR!! PUNISH THEM BOYS!!!
COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE
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Thank you
again to Kristy for taking the time out to do this interview. She
has recently placed seventh in the Aussie Millions Pot Limit Omaha
Event! Here’s to more success at the tables down under…
To
find out more about Kristy visit her website http://www.kristygazes.com/
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