Sole Survivor

I have to admit since winning the Irish Open I’ve been keeping a fairly low profile, especially in terms of playing live poker. If I was to try bullshit you I’d tell you I’ve been saving myself for my trip to Vegas but in truth, like most poker players out there, I’m just really lazy.
I’ve decided to take a year’s career break from work. I want to make the most of the opportunity given to me by winning Paddy Power Poker’s Sole Survivor. It’s a really exciting time for me. Not only do I get to play a couple of European Poker Tour events and many events around Ireland and the UK but I’m going to be tackling three events at the World Series, the last of these being the main event itself. This will be another poker dream I can mark off my list after this year. What I love most about all this is that there is absolutely no pressure on me to compete. I can relax and enjoy them to the full. Also, in the future I can look back and say I was a poker pro for a year.
My current online poker play has been exclusively on Paddy Power, I’m not sure if it’s my superstitious nature or my blinding loyalty but I’ve never enjoyed online poker as much. I’ve won one tournament and made final tables in two others so I’m showing a profit of around 10k from tournaments since the Irish Open. In the cash games I’ve been, at best, very spewy. My game is limit Omaha eight-or-better and the switch to pot-limit Omaha eight-or-better has been anything but smooth. The challenge of beating the game is tough but I am enjoying it.
The World Series has started and it’s my favourite time of year as I am a degenerate railer. I love following the pros and seeing how they get on. I know this might sound a bit sad to some people but I enjoy it and I always say if you enjoy something, Just Do It. Oh yeah, Nike has just started sponsoring me too!
The best of the action so far was Phil Hellmuth fighting to win a record 12th bracelet in 2-7 Draw. John Juanda overcame a big chip disadvantage and spoiled what would have been the biggest story of the series to win his fifth bracelet.
Well this brings me nicely along to the start of my own adventure — Vegas. I’ll be playing two Omaha hi/low events, a $1,500 event on June 30 and a $5,000 event on July 5, before jumping straight into the granddaddy of all tournaments, the main event. I’ve never even been to Vegas before so this is exciting enough. Everyone I’ve talked to has said it is one of the best experiences you can have in life, although many have balked when I tell them I’m staying for 25 days. I guess they don’t get that I’m going over there to work. Well, I’m allowed say that now that I’ve gone pro.
I guess I don’t really know what to expect from this trip. All I know is after what has happened to me so far this year I’d be as surprised to come away with three bracelets as none. Well, not really, as for me to come away with three is a near statistical improbability but hopefully I can at least cash in something.
Who knows what might happen? I’ll just let my mind run wild until it all kicks off. If at any stage you want updates on my progress I’m blogging for Paddy Power and Card Player and if you like you can follow me on Twitter @NiallSmythers. I’m not very good at reponding to comments yet but if you decide to follow I promise I’ll get better. ♠

Niall Smyth is the 2011 Irish Open champion and Sole Survivor winner. He took down €550,000 for the former and €100,000 for the latter and has taken a year’s leave from his job to concentrate on poker.