Weekly Champion Profile – Astin
Congratulations to Astin on winning his first Mookie title. The secret recipe for this Canadian champ ? “It’s winter up here, so there’s not much to do in our igloos other than play cards, drink beer and watch hockey. Also, our touques keep our brains warm for better thinking.” Here is his profile…
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Champion: Astin
Blog: I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing !
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Q: What is the story behind your ID, Astin ?
Astin: Years ago, in the days of BBSes and online services like Prodigy, I signed up on a MUD that was on an online service called EntreNet. I had to come up with a name, and the first few I chose were already taken. I finally decided to make one up and came up with Astin. It’s been with me for 16+ years now. So no, neither Sean, John, nor Mackenzie have anything to do with it. There’s a story about a $1000 phone bill in there somewhere too…
Q: How did you get into poker ?
Astin: Honestly? I think I was 12 and someone gave me a copy of Strip Poker for the C64. You learn a lot about hand ranking when nudity’s on the line. Once I outgrew (*cough*) pixellated 16-colour women, I actually didn’t play for years. Once I was out of University, a friend finally took me under his wing to teach me a bit. Strangely enough, after I started playing for real, I found out my grandparents used to have their own home game and visit Vegas to clean up a bit. So I guess it’s genetic.
I started playing online when I signed up to play the play money games on Poker Stars to kill time after a rough break-up around August of 2005. Wil Wheaton then hosted his Katrina benefit tourneys and that got me to deposit my first bit of real money. This lead the WWdN’s and I haven’t looked back since.
Q: Do you have any poker related goals and if so what are they ?
Astin: I play mostly for fun and to improve my game, so monetary goals don’t really exist. That said, I’d like to win each of the blogger tourneys at least once this year. Of course, like anyone else who plays, I’d love to win a seat in WSOP too, even if it ends up just being for the experience.
Q: Who would be at your 6-handed SNG ?
Astin: Tough call. I could list a table of hot women poker players… or the loudmouths for entertainment value… naw.
Negreanu, Brunson, Ivey, Jesus and Chan.. and me of course, so I could fold all day and watch.
Q: What was the first poker blog you read ?
Astin: Do Wil or Card Squad count? If not, then it was Kat. In fact, if not for Kat, I wouldn’t have a blog, since I only signed up to Blogger to post a comment. Turns out poker was the second time we crossed paths online.
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)
Astin: I think the past 6 months have been my most successful improvement-wise. I’ve upped my aggression, trusted my instincts more, and played with less fear. To continue getting better? I’ve been espousing focus of late, and that’s still a sticking point for me. I can’t seem to play online without 3 distractions going at the same time.
Q: How would you describe your poker style ?
Astin: I like seeing flops, but I’m not going to chase draws forever. I’m aggressive, but not stupid. And I’ve been watching you, whoever you may be.
Q: Who is your favorite poker player ?
Astin: Negreanu. He’s Canadian, and successful across the whole poker spectrum. Plus, his style is fun to watch and play, and keeps things interesting. He’s a bit of dweeb away from the table though… but he’s his own brand, which is always admirable from a capitalist standpoint.
Q: What’s the last book you have read ?
Astin: From cover-to-cover? American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I have a bookshelf full of books I need to read sometime.
Q: What level of static do you get over your poker habit ? (Submitted by Drewspop)
Astin: None. Well, other than my cat being annoyed that he’s not getting enough attention. No wife, no kids, and it’s not so important or time-consuming that it interferes with the rest of my life.
Q: Between Nihilism and Masochism, which do you think better describes why you play poker? (Submitted by Iakaris)
Astin: Masochism. Any game that kicks you in the junk as often as this one does is made for masochists. Even a nihilist would start to care.
Q: Tell us a little known fact about yourself.
Astin: If I did that, it wouldn’t be little known any more. Very well, I’m a Canadian who can’t skate. I’m so ashamed.
Q: What’s the frequency, Kenneth (Submitted by BSN) ?
Astin: Must we make light of the trials of Dan Rather? Hasn’t the man suffered enough? Apparently not. Let’s say 631,578,947.37 Hz
Astin’s question for next week’s champ…
Q: Who put the bomp in the bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp ?
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Congrats again to Astin and thanks for participating in this profile.
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