Interview with Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier: the Poker Star!
He’s the best-known French poker player, and the most feared too! Elky has an incredible track record. He spends his life travelling the world, taking part in the biggest tournaments.
Meet the prodigy!
1) How did you discover poker? At what age? What was your first impression?
I discovered poker at the age of 22 through a friend. That was in 2003, just after the boom that followed Chris Moneymaker’s WSOP main event winnings of 2.5 million. The same Chris Moneymaker who had qualified on PokerStars for just $33 and had never played a live tournament in his life. I was immediately won over by the concept of this game, which requires a wide range of areas of knowledge while leaving plenty of room for creating your own style of play and strategy. All this, with an element of chance thrown in for good measure.
2) What are the advantages of belonging to a team like PokerStars?
There are many! First of all, it allows me to forge links with my teammates and regularly exchange views on the game, which helps me to constantly progress.
Then, from a more practical point of view, having a sponsorship contract means I can play more big tournaments, which is all the more true today with the recent rise in buy-in prices. It also means that I don’t have any financial pressure, even if this didn’t affect me much before. But finally, for me, it’s above all a great source of pride to represent PokerStars, the site where I started out, the world’s number one poker site and the site with the best support and appreciation for its players.
3) Do you still play a lot online?
Because of my professional status, I play a lot less than I used to, as I travel a lot more and take part in a lot more live tournaments.
But as soon as the opportunity arises, I log on and go back to my old habits. It’s still a great pleasure for me to play online, especially as it’s becoming rarer. And I’m always looking forward to the big online tournament series (WCOOP, SCOOP, FCOOP)!
4) What’s your best tournament memory? The worst part?
My victory at the 2008 PCA is, without doubt, my best memory. It was my first major victory at world level! Beating 1,135 players – most of them PokerStars qualifiers – at the biggest EPT of its time was an unforgettable experience. Not to mention the support I received all week from my friends and family who were there. It’s when I remember moments like that that I wake up every morning with the desire to play!
As for my worst memory, I’d have to say the WPT 5 Diamonds in December 2008. While I had a real opportunity to win the “Player of the Year” title at this last tournament, I took a terrible bad beat by losing with “AQ” on “AQ3” rainbow against “68” at heart.
5) Which players do you admire?
Without hesitation, Phil Ivey! He’s quite simply the best player in the world.
He’s capable of going a long time without playing and coming back on top, as he showed us recently at the WSOPs.
6) Do you always feel the same adrenaline when you’re a professional gambler, or do you become a little jaded and accustomed to mastering your nerves?
As far as I’m concerned, the adrenaline’s still pumping!
To achieve a deep run in a tournament (last 2 tables) or to know that your destiny is at stake at every turn of the card is an exceptional feeling!
7) Will you be taking part in the ISPT in London? What do you think of the project?
I don’t think I’ll be taking part. I’m still puzzled by some of the project’s concepts, particularly that of being able to pay for a seat in the live final, when some players have battled online for hours to get to this stage.
In my opinion, this taints the notion of fair competition in tournament poker.
8) Do you consider yourself a top-level athlete? How do you prepare for a tournament?
If I’d been asked this question in 2007, my answer would have been an emphatic “no”. But since then, my outlook has totally changed. Nowadays, I attach the utmost importance to my preparation, both physical (I have my personal trainer Lincon Rodrigues who follows me throughout the year) and mental. As a general rule, a few days before a major tournament, I try to adapt my body to the tournament’s hours of play and keep myself mentally and physically in shape.
On the day I play, I do a morning workout and plan my diet so that I can play my best poker all day long, given that some days can last more than 12 hours!
9) Poker-related clothing brands are multiplying. Have you ever thought of launching a brand?
I’ve thought about it, but it seems wiser to launch an “ElkY” edition with an existing brand than to create one myself. It takes time and skills that I don’t have today.
10) Do you still play games with friends and bet 20 euros?
It’s pretty rare, but it happens. I generally prefer to engage in other activities with my friends, so my life isn’t 100% poker. But from time to time, why not, as long as the company’s good!
11) Are you a Twitter addict?
I read on Twitter that addicts spend 11 hours a day on Twitter. I don’t have that kind of time to be an addict! !
12) What are your upcoming projects? Your next appointments?
The next big dates are the WSOP-Europe in Cannes from October 25 to 5, the EPT San Remo from October 5 to 12 and the FPS Mazagan just afterwards.
But you can follow me and find my calendar and news on my website www.elky.com, which has just been launched!
Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier
twitter.com/elkypoker
Interview by Julien Tissot
[email protected]
Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
