mookie99

Congratulations to Mclarich for winning his first Mookie title last week. Here is his profile…

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Champion: Mclarich

Blog: Just Another Donkey

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Q: What is the background of your online name…mclarich?

MC: It’s German, I believe it means “a whale’s vagina”. Ironically, it’s also my 1st initial & last name.

Q: How did you get into poker?

MC: The 2003 WSOP broadcasts got my interest started, then I found out one of my best friends was running home games. Making $80 the first night by doing nothing other than drinking beer & hanging out with friends was a huge catalyst too.

Q: Do you have any poker related goals and if so what are they?

MC: I started my blog as a way to record my progress towards competing (not just playing) in the 2010 WSOP. In the short term, my goals revolve around building my bankroll to $2k – about 5x what it is now. Winning a Mookie was on the list too – I can now say I accomplished a goal this year.

Q: What are key improvements that you’ve seen in your game over the last six months, and what is one priority you have for improving? (Submitted by CC)

MC: I’ve improved my big-stack play – I’ve reduced how often I try to run people over, especially in the lower stakes, where the concept of folding is something many of those players are still learning. The one thing I need to improve is how much effort I’m putting in to becoming a better player. My goals are nothing more than wishes until I dedicate the time & energy needed to accomplish them, but I’m still trying to balance that with other priorities in life.

Q: How would you describe your poker style?

MC: Fairly tight with traces of fishiness & an occasional stroke of brilliance.

Q: What would be your first piece of advice for someone wanting to learn to play poker? (Submitted by Maudie)

MC: Luck in inherent in poker – you cannot get around that. You should accept it, even embrace it, but focus on minimizing it rather than eliminating it altogether. The sooner you do this, the closer you’ll get to focusing on decisions rather than outcomes (which would be my second piece of advice).

Q: What level of static do you get over your poker habit?

MC: Probably less than I believe I do. My girlfriend has been extremely supportive of my poker goals.

Q: What was the first poker blog you read?

MC: I Google’d “seattle poker” and found Seattle John, but the first blog I read comprehensively was DoubleAs.

Q: Who would be at your 6-handed SNG?

MC: Me, Cayne, Josh, Chris, Michelle & John. It was so easy taking money from them the first time, it’d be silly to pass that up again!

Q: Between Nihilism and Masochism, which do you think better describes why you play poker? (Submitted by Iakaris)

MC: There are hints of Nihilism in my general philosophy on life, so I suppose that would be my choice. Can’t say I’ve found any sexual gratification via a bad beat recently.

Q: What’s the last book you have read?

MC: 7 Seconds Or Less by Jack McCallum. A great read for basketball fans, especially Phoenix Suns fans.

Q: Tell us a little known fact about yourself.

MC: I was born without my left nipple.

Q: If someone were willing to stake you, which WSOP tournament would you play and why? (Submitted by emptyman)

MC: The $5 Ante Up For Africa event. I’d be dead money anyways, so might as well put the best use to it. Who am I kidding – the Main Event, of course, as long as there are no strings attached. I have no problem blowing other people’s money.

MClarich’s question for the next champ…

Q: Now that you’ve just won the Mookie, what will you do next?

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Congrats again to Mclarich and thanks for participating in this profile.

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