Player Focus: stevesbets

‘stevesbets’, aka Steven Jacobs, is one of the most infamous players on the internet, known for his berating of opponents as much as his undoubtable poker skills.

Born and raised in native Philadelphia, Jacobs graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005 and quit the graduate scheme within a week of enrolling, claiming it to be ‘way too fluffy & not substantive’ – which seems to sum up his opinion on a lot of poker-related matters. He saw a more profitable future in poker and clearly he has not been mistaken.

‘stevesbets’ started his career as a sit and go specialist, particularly the 10-man NLH games on PartyPoker where he turned over a substantial profit. After its closure to US customers in October ’06, however, Jacobs knew he had to expand his CV to succeed and turned his hand to heads-up SnG’s, 6-max cash games as well as live & MTT tournaments.

He has enjoyed success in all but is now best known for his heads-up prowess at the highest levels on PokerStars, with many opponents unable to cope with his ultra-aggressive style at the $1k, $2k & $5k levels. His skills were demonstrated when he won the first ever PokerStars ‘High Stakes Showdown’, a $10,000 heads-up tournament also frequented by the likes of Andy McLeod, Sorel Mizzi & Brian Hastings (who he has described as a 'lucky moron' on Two Plus Two). His MTT highlight is undoubtedly a second in the Full Tilt $1k Monday (July ’07) for $34,320 & in the 2008 FTOPS he went deep in Event #12, eventually busting in 19th for $7,650. Live tournaments have proved to be fruitful as well and he has offline winnings in excess of $340,000. Highlights include a 10th place finish in the 2005 WPT Foxwoods for $117,300 (won by Allen Cunningham) & a 3rd a 2006 WSOPC in Atlantic City for a nice $132,308. He also made the money in the 2007 WSOP Main Event, finishing 229th for $45,422.

He is also a regular in the highest NLH & PLO online cash games going; it is here that the legendary ‘stevesbets tilt’ is often demonstrated. He is well-known for not rating many players in the world and this exchange with John D’Agostino & Mike Matusow shows just how bad he can get (and how bad Mike’s wit can reach):

stevesbets: its really so sick
stevesbets: how do i never even get a piece
stevesbets: doenst matter if i'm a head
stevesbets: behidn
stevesbets: makes no differnce
stevesbets: omfg
stevesbets: i'm just gonan kill myself
stevesbets: ivelost 150k todya
stevesbets: at 200 400 and 300 600
stevesbets: no point living
John DAgostino: believe it or not, me too
John DAgostino: i ran like you are at 1-2k today
Mike Matusow: if u killyourself who willme an ddags have to
play

In an excellent interview with Card Player (see here) he talks extensively about his poker strategies & tactics, and also why he has no respect for live players: “I have a great deal of disrespect for most live poker players for various reasons. You see them cursing at dealers, throwing their cards around, acting like total morons who have never been beaten before in their lives. Online players just don't act that way.” He certainly provides us with entertainment telling those people to their faces.