Generation Next -- Jeremy Gaubert

Dr. Frankenstein knew how to build a mighty giant with a soft heart from scrap human parts, but the monster lacked a formidable brain to cope with a hostile environment. Jeremy “thechemist83” Gaubert knows how to build a table-crushing poker machine that thinks clearly under pressure, destroys opponents, and brings a high return on investment: a player who adjusts to table dynamics and balances risk and reward like a mad scientist concocts a volatile brew without blowing himself to pieces.

Gaubert is the co-founder of MTTbacking.com. The company backs players by paying their buy-ins for a share of the profits, while working them up the ladder to higher levels and, hopefully, bigger cashes. He invests in players who he believes have “it,” that intangible X-factor that he perceives to be the chemical makeup for huge success.

“I met a dedicated player on the forums who asked for help in improving his game,” said Gaubert. “I eventually ended up backing him, and put him in $55 freezeouts and $11 rebuys. In the first two months, he made me $10,000. I then realized that I could make some serious money if I could help 5-10 more people. I asked my friend Todd “8alldeluxe” Blaeuer to be my partner, and we started the business.”

Gaubert has seen his business grow substantially over the last two years, but so has his own poker bankroll. In the 2008 World Series of Poker main event, he finished 58th and cashed for $115,800. Online, he has won more than $1 million in tournaments, including a chop for $233,152 in a 2007 PokerStars $1,000 Sunday Million no-limit hold’em event.

It took months to convince an elusive and humble Gaubert to do an interview for Card Player. We eventually caught up with the successful player and entrepreneur right before the 2009 WSOP main event.

Craig Tapscott: I’ve been trying to pin you down for months.

Jeremy Gaubert: I don’t like the recognition that much. I’m very quiet. I play just once or twice a week and really don’t care about the rankings.

CT: I sought you out because of your consistent results and because some of the best players in world hold your game in the highest regard. Whom do you respect?

JG: I think Steve “gboro780” Gross is the best out of all the online players. I respect his game a lot. He always knows where he’s at in a hand, and knows which opponents to pick on and which ones to stay away from. He doesn’t get stupid and spew off his stack.

CT: Anybody else?

JG: Cliff “JohnnyBax” Josephy’s game. I learned a lot from his PokerXfactor videos. Eric Haber and Bax eventually backed me, and all of my success basically came from them working with me.

CT: Even Tiger Woods needs a teacher now and then. What kind of advice do you give many of the good but not yet great players you bring on board to back?

JG: The biggest thing is usually the endgame. I love taking players who have a low average buy-in, but really good stats. Those types of players don’t usually have that many leaks. They’re just not aggressive enough at the right times, and play too tight. They don’t pick on the scared players, or reraise the aggressive players who open a ton but then fold often to reraises. They can pick up a lot of chips against these types of players. Before, they usually folded to the aggressive players’ opens, or when they did decide to play, they called instead of reraising or reshoving.

CT: Regarding your backing business, why would a player continue a backing arrangement after making a few huge cashes? Why not make 100 percent of himself and pay his own buy-ins?

JG: A lot of players have to worry about keeping money online to support their buy-in levels. They find comfort in being able to cash out, so that the money won’t be at risk anymore. Also, some people play better when they’re backed. Many players have tried going on their own. They have played worse, and become nervous and not very comfortable playing the high buy-ins on their own money. And other players are the exact opposite. They have joined our business with incredible stats and then are just too worried about losing other people’s money, and it just doesn’t work out.

CT: What separates a winning player from a great player?

JG: A great player knows when and how to pick his spots and exploit his opponents, and reads a table well. That’s the biggest key, knowing when to play a certain style based on how your table is playing. You could run over one table, and at a different table, you might have to sit tight and wait for cards. The very best know how to adjust constantly.