Nicolas Levi: a pillar of the Winamax Pro Team
The first time I discovered Nicolas Levi was on YouTube. I was watching (somewhat by chance) the final table of a tournament at the Aviation Club de France in 2009. Nicolas Levi was one of the finalists. I found him funny and at ease at the table. He didn’t hesitate to tease the other players. During the Paris leg of the Winamax Poker Tour, which took place at the end of October, I had the chance to meet him and find out a little more about him….
With a broad smile and a hat screwed on his head, I was able to share a moment with one of the most talented French players on the circuit. The interview was relaxed. I’d already exchanged a few preflop tweets with him. An opportunity to check out the boy’s sense of humor.
Nico Levi took up poker in England in 2004, during his computer studies, and was soon convinced that it would become his profession. A kind of revelation. A fan of Excel spreadsheets and curves. The rapid progression of his winnings encouraged him to continue playing and to “look chance in the face and try to beat it”. He quickly reached a good level in cash games and tournaments.
Then, he multiplied his good performances in tournaments and joined the Winamax Pro Team in 2007. He describes the team as a “close-knit group”. He feels really fulfilled in this small community where he has nothing but friends.
Depending on the week, he can play between 30 and 70 hours a week. Among his reference players, he cites Phil Ivey , Tom Dwan and Mike McDonald, a player who had the intelligence to stack better players than himself thanks to the money from his first winnings.
He remains a little sceptical about the ISPT tournament to be held at Wembley Stadium next May, even though he thinks the project is absolutely enormous.
Nicolas Levi often defines himself as a “Geek”. So it was natural for him to adopt Twitter at an early age. He likes to tweet at the table when he doesn’t see a game, and considers the social network a “great tool”. The interview ends with considerations that have nothing more to do with poker. This discussion could have gone on for hours, but protocol awaits. He has to take the stand in front of the 2,000 players present at the Grande Halle de la Villette.
www.winamax.fr/team-winamax_les-pros_nicolas-levi
twitter.com/CrocMonsieur
Photos Copyright : Laurent Clément
Julien Tissot
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Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
