Player Interview: Jon Kalmar

First of all congratulations on joining Ladbrokes officially. What made you sign with them permanently?

“Well, they offered! No, there’s a bit more to it than that because they are taking my advice on how to run the site, what to do for qualifiers and things like that. And having started online playing little sit and go’s that’s quite important to me. I get to go in all of the events. I’m mates with Jeff Kimber already, which is helpful, and I know all of the staff already.”

Your well known for the 2007 Main Event last year. You’ve had some other major tournament cashes as well. Would you consider yourself a multi-table specialist?

“Yeah I think so. I used to like to think that I was more of a cash player but I think tournaments are the way to go.”

Rumour has it you were on a terrible run before the Main Event.

“Yeah I was.”

Were you close to quitting the game?

“I got offered a job back in I.T. I was thinking of taking a break from poker, maybe just trying to qualify for events rather than doing it full time.”

Was that due to a bad run of cards or bad play on your part?

“I’m looking now at the results I’m getting and I don’t think I’m any better than I was before. I think when your lacking in confidence you certainly do some things wrong. It’s a lot easier to play when you’ve got some money in your pocket. The thing is people seem to underestimate how much luck there is in poker and there are no guarantees when it will turn round. I’ve had people tell me ‘Oh, I’ve been on a bad run for weeks’ and I’m just like you don’t know the half of it mate! They think that’s a long run and it just isn’t.”

You play online as skalie. Would you say you are primarily an online or live player now?

“Live player, definately.”

Do you play much online?

“I haven’t done as much since the World Series. I haven’t really played anywhere. Basically because I’ve been pottering about but now I’ve got this Ladbrokes deal I know which events I’m going to be playing in and when I’m going to be playing them so it will give me more time to be at home. Obviously quite a big part of the deal is to play on Ladbrokes so I’ll pretty much be playing exclusively there.”

What are your plans for Vegas this summer?

“I’m not going over till the 24th of June. I’ve got a friends do before I go which I can’t miss; I’m just glad it didn’t fall during the Main Event! Then my wife is going to join me on the 3rd of July. And we’ll stay until the 17th, until after the final table.”

And what events are you going to play?

“Obviously the Main Event and I quite fancy that $5,000 short-handed. Other than that I’m just going to see what’s on. I think there’s a $2,500 shoot-out as well which I quite fancy.”

Would you have any advice for first-timers going to Vegas for the World Series?

“Just because somebody is famous doesn’t mean they are better than you. Don’t be intimidated. There are a lot of famous players who can’t play.”

Would you have any tips for English players to do well at the World Series?

“Well Channing is on fire at the moment. I watched him in Dublin and he just f***ing crucified that table! So yeah Channing is in with a shout. John Tabatabai will be one to watch this year obviously. Karl (Mahrenholz) and Praz (Banzi) are obviously two prominent ones. And I think Nick Gibson is long overdue a good result.”

Have you got any poker books or DVDs you could recommend to newcomers?

“Doyle Brunson’s Super Systems: you can’t go wrong. If you’re a beginner then the Sklansky stuff; I know it’s a bit out of date but it’s a great way to learn. And obviously the Harrington books: not that I necessarily agree with all the staff that’s in it but it’s certainly worth reading because then you’ll know what everybody else is doing.”

And finally, would you have any bankroll advice for new players?

“Playing in the game is the easy bit: bankroll management is not. You’ve just got to take it easy; don’t get out of your comfort zone. If your at a cash game and your uncomfortable with the amount of money that’s in front of you then your in the wrong game.”