'Coming to America'

This column is about a young man who moved to America 20 years ago from a war-torn country in East Africa. He truly has lived the American dream. He currently resides in one of the most exciting cities in the world, Las Vegas, and he makes his living as a poker tournament professional. In my opinion, he is one of the best poker tournament players in Las Vegas. Please meet Yohanes Muruz.

Rick Young: First, tell us about your background.

Yohanes Muruz: I was born in Eritrea, which is in East Africa. When I was 17 years old, I moved to Athens, Greece. At that time, conditions were terrible in Eritrea because of the war with Ethiopia. My parents thought it would be best for me if I left the country. I stayed in Athens for three years. I then was able to get a visa and move to the United States because of the refugee status that I had acquired. I was able to acquire this refugee status because of the war in Eritrea. I originally moved to Mobile, Alabama, and then to Bakersfield, California, New Orleans, New York City, and finally Las Vegas in 1990. I have now lived in America for 20 years.

RY: I understand that you are proficient in several languages. What languages do you speak?

YM: I speak English, Arabic, Italian, Greek, and Eritrean.

RY: How long have you been playing tournament poker?

YM: I have been playing tournament poker for eight years.

RY: Do you mainly play the smaller buy-in tournaments ($100 and lower) or do you participate in larger tournaments, as well?

YM: I play in both small and large tournaments. As far as the major tournaments are concerned, I mainly play those in Nevada and California.

RY: What have been your biggest tournament wins?

YM: At the 1997 Orleans Open, I won the biggest tournament in the world, as far as number of entrants was concerned (more than 1,000 players). I chopped first and second places with one other player. My share was $20,000. At the 2001 Orleans Open, I won the $200 limit hold'em tournament. There were 371 players and first place paid almost $26,000.

RY: In the daily small tournaments in Las Vegas, what percentage of the time do you finish in the money?

YM: I finish in the money 50 percent of the time. I do my best at the Mirage. The Mirage poker room staff told me that I was the No. 1 money winner in their tournaments in 2000 and 2001.

RY: How would you rate your overall tournament strategy: conservative, moderately aggressive, very aggressive, or maniac?

YM: I study the people at the table. With people who do not know how to play, I play conservatively. But with people who know how to play, I play very aggressively.

RY: Do you enjoy playing in poker tournaments?

YM: Yes, it is my life. It is the way I make my living. I like tournaments much more than live play.

RY: What do you think are the main differences between live play and tournament play?

YM: When you play in a live game, you can always rebuy. You cannot do that in a tournament, except in some rebuy tournaments during the first hour. You must treat those chips in a tournament like your best girlfriend.

RY: What is your favorite tournament game?

YM: Limit hold'em.

RY: How do you approach a limit hold'em tournament in the early rounds?

YM: I like to play suited hands, J-10 and higher, and any pairs. I want to see the flop with these hands to try to accumulate some chips.

RY: What about the middle rounds?

YM: I try not to give away any chips. I play only good cards. Gambling stops at the middle rounds.

RY: How do you play the final table?

YM: I try to play carefully. I raise only the small stacks unless I have a big hand. Then, I'll raise the big stacks.

RY: How do you play heads up at the end?

YM: It depends on my opponent. If he is aggressive, I want to trap him. If he is conservative, I am aggressive. I play the opposite of my opponent's style.

RY: Are you amenable to making deals when it gets down to the last three or four players in a tournament?

YM: Yes, if it is in my favor.

RY: How do you usually negotiate deals?

YM: Chip count, normally. If my opponent is not a good player, I will not make a deal.

RY: What do you think about the current structure of payouts at most tournaments?

YM: I think it should be 50 percent for first place and 25 percent for second.

RY: Do you have any comments for players considering playing in small poker tournaments?

YM: Tournaments are fun. You can risk a small amount of money and win big. Everyone should try to play in tournaments.

I first met the "Eritrean tiger" soon after I moved to Las Vegas in 1993. I continually encountered him while playing $3-$6 hold'em. Over the past eight years, I have seen him at every major and minor poker tournament in Las Vegas. I am proud to call him a friend. He has a very likable personality and conducts himself as a perfect gentleman at all times. I have never seen him get upset with any other players or dealers at the poker table. In every poker room where I see him, it seems as if all of the tournament players know him, and it is obvious that they genuinely like and respect him.

His exterior personality portrays a cool, calm demeanor. However, do not let that exterior demeanor fool you. Inside, he has the heart of a lion and the skills, cunning, and strength of a tiger that he will use to devour your chips and vanquish you from a poker tournament. He could one day win the World Series of Poker. He would make a great ambassador for the poker tournament world. He also would be a good candidate for a television movie. Is anyone in Hollywood listening?

Good luck at your next tournament.