Hot Press meets Poker Pro Marty Smyth

Marty Smyth is a former world champion and professional Irish poker player with a lengthy list of achievements to his name. He is a former Irish Open champion 2007 and winner of the World Series of Poker bracelet in 2008, which he describes as his biggest achievement to date. He talks to Hot Press about his high points as a poker player – and offers advice to those interested in getting a taste of the action.

How did you get started with poker?
I started playing when I was just a kid on my family holidays and I gradually progressed to playing at school during lunchtime, and with colleagues at university. I began playing tournaments in casinos around Dublin – and I finally became a professional in 2002, during the online poker boom. I won my first major competition in 2007 at the Irish Open with winnings of 650,000 euro.
Poker wasn’t always seen as a way to make a living!
The reputation of poker has changed dramatically over the last decade. In the past, if somebody had asked me what I do for a living I would have made something up, but because it’s on the television and people can see it more, their perception has changed. Now people are seeing it being played in luxury hotels and reputable casinos, that image of poker being played in smoky backroom bars is nearly gone. Most people can see for themselves what it means to be a poker player: it’s not the seedy game some people might have thought. I think more needs to be done, and I would support more regulation in the game, to stop people from losing their personal assets in private games and to prevent cheating that can happen. The back-room gambling that occurs away from teh casinos can see people betting their car or house and losing it all. I think it’s important that there is legislation to prevent that from happening and instead for people to use reputable casinos to help stop the back-room culture.
Why has poker become so popular?
Poker is something you have a chance at! Beating casinos, winning at black jack or at roulette is incredibly difficult. In poker, you can improve your game all the time – you can get to the stage where you can win money on a regular basis. For me, it’s the one game where there is genuinely a level playing field.
What’s the highest point of your career to date?
The highest point of my career was winning the World Series of Poker bracelet in 2008– it’s a very big deal in terms of world poker. It was a special moment because it felt like I was there, representing my friends and my country: the Irish support was just incredible!
What are your tips for players getting started?
My number one tip is to play really tight, disciplined poker and be very selective with the hands you play. Manage your bankroll properly, play conservatively and don’t bluff too much until you know the game more. Game selection is also very important: don’t play games that are too big for you and don’t play when your head is not in a good place. Be sensible and be aware of the ups and downs. Above all, don’t chase your losses. If the game is going the wrong way, be prepared to take the hit and walk away before it gets worse.
Do you have any tips on bluffing?
My tip is to make sure the story you’re trying to tell adds up, and stay relaxed. The bet in the end has to add up. The bet at the end must be consistent with the rest of the way you played the pot, and consistent with the hand that you’re trying to pretend you have.
Is there a glamorous side to poker?
Poker has always had a bit of romance to it. People like the idea of bluffing – and there are so many poker scenes in films. There is that glamour to an extent, but it depends what level you are playing at. I used to be sponsored by Boyle poker, travelling around the world with them picking up the tab. I was playing in Las Vegas every year and travelling around Europe, staying in nice hotels and playing high-stakes games. That’s great when you’re winning – but when you have a bad run, it’s not as much fun. That’s the nature of poker: you have to have the mindset to handle the ups and downs.
Do you get a rush from playing poker?
I did at the start. Whenever you win a tournament there is a rush. Even if you’re the best player in the world, you’re going to have a run where you play ten tournaments in a row and don’t make money. The highs are good highs – but you have the lows. There are equal sides to it I suppose.