We recently caught up with young Hitsquad star Karl Mahrenholz for a chat at the London leg of the GUKPT…
Lucy: So, sitting down to play in the London leg, do you feel any different to previous legs of the GUKPT?
Karl Mahrenholz: I’m extra keen to try and do well obviously. I guess it’s the same as the London EPT, it feels like home. I’m just a few minutes walk up the road, and there’s extra people here that you know. Plus the London leg has a bit more prestige, so it would be extra nice to get a result here.
Lucy: Do you live just up the road to be close to the Vic?
Karl Mahrenholz: No! I don’t come to the Vic that often. I only play cash online, so will come here if there’s a tournament on. I’m moving again soon, with James Akenhead. We’re going down the Docklands. It’s nice here – you can walk to the Vic and to the Sportsman but it’s not that important really.
Lucy: So you why do separate your games into live tournaments and online cash?
Karl Mahrenholz: Live cash is boring, especially if you get off to a bad start. You get bored and play hands that you shouldn’t, but online you can play four or five tables at the same time and if you get a bad beat you can just move on quickly. It feels a lot more efficient. In a tournament I’m happy to play less hands per hour because I’m working towards something, but in a cash game it’s just boring. I don’t really know why I don’t play online tournaments. I think I find it hard to concentrate for that amount of time, there’s no interaction. I’m a bit funny that way, I like online cash and offline tournaments.
Lucy: Do you think the UK live poker scene is different to the American or European scene?
Karl Mahrenholz: I wouldn’t say it’s any different. When you’re playing in the UK there’s more people you know, so you have a bigger group and you can go out together. When you’re travelling away you’re only really gonna know a few people. Though in fact, we probably go out more when we’re travelling to see the sights. Here when we get knocked out we go home. For us, when we travel together it’s like a social thing.
Lucy: When you say ‘we’, you mean the hitsquad. So tell me if playing as mates puts you off? For example, today Sunny and Praz were next to each other. Would that be difficult for you?
Karl Mahrenholz: It’s not awkward. We know we’re not going to be making big bluffs against each other but if we both have big hands we’re going to play them out. In a way it’s easier because you know where you are with these players. I don’t like to have them on the same table because it get’s a bit clostrophobic because everyone has to steal blinds here and there, but if you play lots of tournaments you’ll be on the same table at some point. You get used to it. You play the cards you get.
Lucy: I would describe the hitsquad as a group of young players still discovering their game. Do you feel you are?
Karl Mahrenholz: I am, yeah. When I look back on this time last year, I can’t believe how much I’ve improved since then. My game’s improved infinitely. Even if you play the game for 20 years you’re still learning every time you play.
Lucy: Besides from the hitsquad, who would you rate most highly in the GUKPT?
Karl Mahrenholz: I don’t know really, it’s quite good value. There are a lot of bad players. I mean, there are a lot of good players around like Jeff Kimber, Ben Carter… erm…
Lucy: Are you struggling to think of good players?
Karl Mahrenholz: I’m struggling because a lot of the top British players don’t play in it. I think also you play with these people more often that nobody really stands out that much. Who would you say? I mean Surinder Sunar is good but he doesn’t play regularly in these.
Lucy: Surindar is a fantastic player. I’d also name Dave Colclough, I’ve never played the big names but I’d definitely fear Dave.
Karl Mahrenholz: Dave’s funny, we’ve got a history. He never believes I’ve got a hand. I know I’m gonna get paid off with him. Obviously he’s a very good player though.
Lucy: I’d also name one of your guys, Praz.
Karl Mahrenholz: Yeah, Praz. Obviously he’s a great player. I don’t think there’s any one else I’d name.
Lucy: Well, in this case, I assume you are confident you could take down a GUKPT?
Karl Mahrenholz: Absolutely yeah. I don’t want to be over confident but I think I’ve got quite a big edge I think over the general standard if I don’t get unlucky. I’m confident I can make a final table again.
Lucy: If you were to win one, would the money or the status be more important to you?
Karl Mahrenholz: I can’t say that money isn’t the most important factor but it would be nice to win one. Two or three handed I’d be happy to do a deal for the money and then play for the title.
Lucy: How did you get into this lifestyle and tell me a bit about living it?
Karl Mahrenholz: I used to be working 7 days a week, 9 in the morning until late. I was an investment banker, and I quit after 3 years. I didn’t quite for poker though, I quit because I had enough of the job and wanted a year out. Then I happened to fall into poker with a couple of mates who were already into it. And now I can just do whatever I want. I can’t believe I did that job for three years! I guess this lifestyle is ideal – there’s nothing I’d rather be doing.
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