mookie99

I’m a little late in getting this posted but I was able to have Pokerpeaker interview Lucko for his 3rd Mookie title. Peaker is a pro and he does a great job not only with his blog but writing stuff for Pokerworks as well. You can find Lucko’s first profile HERE and his second one HERE.

A big thanks to Pokerpeaker for helping out with this profile.

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Champion: Lucko21

Blog: Luckownage

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Probably no poker blogger in our cicles have had as much success lately as Lucko. In fact, he’s won more in tournaments the last two weeks than most of us could hope to win in a decade.

Here’s a few insights from him for his third Mookie title. There are a couple surprises, including the fact that Lucko still considers himself a tight player.

Q: Congrats on your recent run. When you’re on a run like this, what do you think you’re doing right? Is it just a matter of the cards coming your way, or what do you think you’re doing right that helps you win all these major tournaments?

L: I think I have been playing some of the best tournament poker of my life the past few weeks. I have been a lot more focused and motivated than I was. I go through periods where I feel burned out on poker and periods where I have a ton of energy for the game. This is one of the good periods. Running good late in a couple big mtt’s obv helps too tho.

Q: What do you do for a living? Have you considered going pro in poker? If not why not?

L: I do a combination of programming and support. I have a specialized skill that only a few large companies need. I have considered going pro, but never very seriously. In my line of work, if I took a few years off and my skills would get out of date quickly and my marketability would suffer greatly. Playing poker for a living is a very stressful job to have and I think it would take a lot of the fun out of the game. It might change in the future, but I have no plans as of now to play for a living.

Q: I remember you saying that you used to play a pretty tight/aggressive game. When did you start to loosen up, and what helped you form the style you have today? Were there any books you read? Any pros you emulated?

L: What is funny is I still consider my self a tight player. I only play loose when I think the table conditions warrant it. There are definitely some on-line pro’s I have emulated. I used to spend a ton of time on the rail, quietly watching some of the better on-line tournament players. It is an easy/free way to learn about the game. I have read a ton of books, but only a few have been helpful.

Q: How much does your game depend on the cards you get, and how much of it just comes from raw aggression?

L: Most tournaments, it is just trying to play the cards you are dealt better than the rest of the field is. Late in tournaments I have been able to run over some fields with just raw aggression. The win I had at Harrah’s two weeks ago, I think I raised about 85% of the hands that folded to me over the last five hours of the tournament. Almost no one was playing back at me.

Q: Was there a moment when you had a breakthrough using that aggressive style and you knew that it was the right thing to do? How long did it take for you to comfortable switch gears?

L: No breakthroughs, poker doesn’t really work that imo. It is just a process of trying to constantly improve your play. It is not a hard game and I think most people can have good success if they are willing to put in the work. Most people aren’t willing to put in the work tho.

Q: What goals do you have in poker, both live and online?

L: Basically just play as good as I possibly can play. I do plan on winning the WSOP Main Event this year.

Q: How much do the blogger tournaments mean to you? Why do you play in them? What about winning the Mookie?

L: I hate to say it, but blogger tournaments don’t mean very much to me. I am playing them right now mostly because of the bbt and prop bets. Winning the Mookie is kind of cool tho. If it wasn’t for the bbt, the Mookie and Big Game are probably the only blogger tournaments I would play. Oh and the upcoming Sunday Heads Up as well. Check Loretta’s blog for details.

Q: Are they any tougher or easier than the other tournaments you play?

L: Easier. It’s not close.

Q: What’s your favorite online tournament and how often do you play it?

L: The Stars Sunday Million and I play it every chance I get.

Q: How do you think you can improve in the future?

L: I am always trying to work on my game. There are so many resources out there for anyone to get better if they want to. I spend more time on my game than most people would think.

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Congrats and thanks again to Lucko and Pokerpeaker for participating in this profile.

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