Generation Next -- Sofia Lövgren

The subject of much conversation at this year’s Irish Open was 20-year-old Sofia “welllbet” Lövgren. Whether out of admiration, fear, or curiosity, the Swede quickly became the target for players and cameras alike in her very first live tournament. Not long before the event, online poker site, PKR, announced Lovgren as a new addition to its team (and its first female). Lovgren, an online cash game specialist, went on to do the team proud by making it deep in a 708-strong field to take home €9,800 for 28th place. Card Player caught up with her shortly after the event to discover more…

Rebecca McAdam: What were you doing before you started playing poker?

Sofia Lövgren: I finished high school in Gothenburg last summer. I’ve always taken part in sports like soccer, athletics, and golf. Nowadays I love to ski in the winter and sail in the summer. I’ve always been very competitive and get a kick out of challenges. I love travelling, especially where there are lots of sun and good clubs to go out partying. I once set a goal to visit all continents of the world before I’m 21. The only remaining continent is South America so that will be my next vacation.

RM: Why did you start playing, and why PKR?

SL: When I realised I was making good money while studying I wanted to give myself the chance to play full-time. I tried some of the other big sites before but preferred PKR. The PKR 3D poker is as close to live poker as you can get, which is one of the reasons I love to play there. The graphics are outstanding and far ahead of other sites.

RM: Why did you not play live before this?

SL: I was considered too young due to Swedish law — you need to be at least 20 for the casinos where I live. I only turned 20 recently so I will play a lot of live poker from now on.

RM: How did you build your bankroll?

SL: I’ve been multi-tabling full-ring games, slowly stepping up the cash game levels. I’m a very patient player and have always had very safe bankroll management. I have another secret; I never, ever tilt. When I have many bad beats I keep reminding myself I won Sklansky money.

RM: How did you get your sponsorship with PKR?

SL: I’ve been playing regularly online on PKR and have had a very good time on the cash game tables. After several contacts and meetings with different people in PKR I signed a contract, which I find great.

RM: Describe your playing style.

SL: I’m a very patient player. I definitely think a tight-aggressive style is the best for me on medium level, full-ring games. My main strategy has been, “Don’t bluff the fish, eat them with a better hand”. Against the good players I pick my spots to use my tight image for bluffing and stealing. This playing style will be the basis also in the future, although I need to develop a lot more moves on higher levels and also to go really deep in the biggest tournaments.

RM: How come you are not an online tournament player?

SL: I played tournaments online sometimes, but for practical reasons when I studied, it was more effective with the cash games. I could enter and leave the tables whenever I wanted. I also realised cash games were an easy way to make money for me. Now as a full-time pro I will have more time for tournaments. The fact is that I always believed my patient playing style could be perfect for tournaments, especially live, if I develop it further.

RM: What did you think of the Irish Open and playing your first live event?

SL: I had a very good feeling before this tournament and was full of expectations. I had a game plan, which I followed and think worked out well. I definitely made some mistakes but of course I’m happy to beat 96 percent of the 708 players in such a tough competition and finish in the money in my first big live tournament!

RM: Were you intimidated by, or nervous of, the televised table?

SL: No, not at all. I was busy learning the chip handling and chip counting so I forgot to be nervous. I built a wall with my chips so I had problems reaching my cards but it worked well anyway. Next time I’ll build towers instead. Joking aside, I really enjoyed playing on the TV table and will be even more comfortable next time.

RM: Do you feel that players treat you differently when you play live?

SL: Maybe some people will have a tendency to underestimate me when they see I’m a young girl. I see this as an advantage for me because it makes it much easier to take their chips.

RM: What would you say to those who might say you are only a sponsored pro because you are a good-looking, young girl?

SL: Of course it’s positive for PKR to also be represented by a girl among nine male pros, but I’m really proud to be chosen now that I understand it was really a needle’s eye to pass through. One of the many different criteria was to be a very good and promising poker player.

RM: Are you looking forward to playing more live events?

SL: Yes, really. I can’t wait to play more live. A lot of tournaments are already scheduled, mostly in England and Ireland, and I am getting many invitations to play right now so it will be an intense year.

RM: What do you think about your life as a sponsored pro so far?

SL: The best thing is the total freedom to plan every day as I want to. If I feel like taking a week’s holiday I just do it. I can decide to go to the Riviera with friends or sail along the beautiful Swedish west coast. When I have to work I just open my laptop and grind a couple of hours. Right now I feel my life is great and that I have the best job possible.