Play It Again, Sam Canadian Samuel Chartier Keeps His Cool

Samuel Chartier comes from a sports-driven, competitive family that has instilled him with a positive attitude and a good work ethic. He has taken those values with him, whether it be in ice hockey or, indeed, the poker domain, where he has been making a name for himself at a young age. At just 26 years of age, the Canadian has more than $1.7 million in lifetime winnings, and with his calm and collected approach, is set to do a lot more damage in years to come. Great things are expected from the Montreal native, so we wanted to learn a little more about him.

Rebecca McAdam: First off, tell me about your background. Where is home for you these days?

Samuel Chartier: I grew up in Montreal (east end) and moved to downtown three years ago. I really enjoy it there, even though I’m home only about half of the year. Montreal is such an awesome city.

RM: The rest of the time you’re on the road, right? Do you stick to American tourneys or do you prefer traveling around Europe?

SC: Mostly in Europe. I prefer the European vibe to the American culture so it’s a no brainer for me to play the EPT’s and other tournaments in Europe.

RM: Ok, back to the beginning. What were you doing before poker?

SC: I come from a family that pushed me to sports at an early age. My mom was an athletic runner and my dad was football quarterback at college; he still plays too now at 55. Like, who does that? [Laughs] So on my side I was on hockey skates as early as two-years old and in a league at four. Ice hockey has always been my sport. My sister is the best skier I know too! She’s 22 and really smart… so a very competitive family.

I don’t come from a video game or strategy game background like most of the kids in poker, I actually never touched any of that stuff. So basically my Dad is my biggest inspiration — he taught me a lot on work ethic, how to keep my head cold in tough times and how to come out strong under pressure. Unfortunately in poker the aspect of being ‘clutch’ under pressure is not that much under your control since luck is greatly involved (winning flips and stuff). So the only thing I can control in poker is being as sharp as I can when I get to the table and do my best. More importantly, I never tilt, sometimes even the toughest beats at crucial times won’t even affect me. Over time I built some sort of carapace, which is largely due to my sports background and education I got from my parents, and that’s one thing I’m really proud of. But don’t get confused… it has nothing to do with my desire to win. I am always eager to win or to put myself in the best spot I can do to do so.

RM: When did hockey and sport turn into poker? And how did your parents feel about that?

SC: I started poker around 18; always been kind of gambling at high school, it was dice or anything we could find to bet on. Then poker came out. My parents weren’t thrilled at first but they always believed in me and knew I would make the right decisions in life. Now they are supportive.

RM: When you started, was it online? What attracted you to it?

SC: I started playing some small home games with older friends and then online basically right after. The competition and money attracted me, to be honest.
Loving This ESPN Game

RM: It was just after the Moneymaker boom too so it would have been in your face on TV etc..

SC: Yeah, when playing hold’em we were calling the game ESPN instead of Texas hold’em just because that’s what the channel was on TV [Laughs].

RM: So that’s basically how you all heard of it then?

SC: Yeah pretty much. I’m from that generation I guess!

RM: When did you start to think this was something you could make a living from?

SC: When I was 20 I had a streak playing in some games with Asians where I went on a heater and just never looked back from there — that’s about when the switch turned on in my mind. I play more live cash than tournaments ever since the beginning.

Road Less Traveled

RM: Did you go on to work/college?

SC: I made my move just before going to university. I always thought I might go back to university but right now I doubt it’s going to ever happen.

RM: What were you going to do?

SC: Business. It’s still something I’m interested in and I do here in Montreal. I have a couple of projects going on, which I’m really thrilled about. I think it’s good to diversify.

RM: Yeah, definitely. What made you make the move to poker instead of going to university? Did you have a plan?

SC: Basically just a good stretch of good results and I had lost some motivation about school at the same time. No plan, I always go with the flow and trust my instincts, and they paid off then.

RM: Did it go well for you from the outset? I’m guessing you were largely playing cash at this stage? Online and live?

SC: Yeah, I had some success right away in live cash especially. I was playing mostly live cash and online tournaments. Then I started to play more live tournaments, always eying bigger and bigger buy-ins.

RM: How did you find the transition to live tournaments? Did it go as smooth as everything else?

SC: It wasn’t that easy. I had to brick a bunch before my first score in ‘08 at the European Poker Tour Barcelona final table, but I was never worried, I always felt I was going the right way.

RM: Did you have a bankroll and use it sensibly or was it more of a taking shots kind of thing?

SC: I’ve always had good values toward bankroll management, all of it coming from my Dad who is a portfolio manager with a conservative approach. I never came close to being broke and had never been backed or something like that. I’ve always been on my own doing my things regarding bankroll. But still I like to take a few shots here and there.

Roll With The Punches

RM: Since then, what are the major changes you’ve noticed over time in the poker
world? Whether it’s in the industry overall, or in the game itself.

SC: The game is tougher and tougher especially at the big buy-ins stages. That’s why you gotta keep up and always try to improve. Industrially, I’m not really a fan of all the media attention and making a big show out of people playing cards. I think it’s a bit ridiculous for young kids to have idols or models as people playing cards… it doesn’t really make sense to me, but oh well, it looks like that’s where we are at now! [Laughs] I find that pretty funny… poker players signing autographs.

RM: How has your game evolved, do you think?

SC: It has changed a lot over the years. I used to be a nit back at the beginning. Now it’s way different. I discuss strategy with good friends from Montreal; Pascal Lefrancois and Marc-André Ladouceur live in my building so we often get together for online Sundays, let’s say. On the road I met so many people over the years. I often travel with Martin Jacobson, Benny Spindler, Jonathan Duhamel, just to name a few.

RM: Do you play more online than live then? What tournaments/stakes?

SC: I get bored easily. Only Sundays online now so I definitely play more live.

RM: What is it about the game that you think makes you good at it, outside of being able to take a beat and handle pressure?

SC: The game itself… I guess I do well at putting pressure on my opponents and always try to put them in a tough spot by being aggressive
and abusing them. I like to do that, to get into people’s heads.

RM: If you find you get bored online, how come you don’t live? With the slower pace, one table, and so on.

SC: I love live. Online I get bored of being in front of a computer. Like I said before I’ve never been into computers so after a couple hours it’s tough. I’m actually terrible with computers, my friends always come to set up my things and fix my problems [laughs]. I prefer much more the social aspect of the game.

Adrenaline Junky

RM: Do you prefer high roller events to say lower buy-in tournaments with more amateurs in them?

SC: I like to play for big money whether it’s cash or tourney. I like having highs of adrenaline in big buy-ins that I don’t get in smaller events.

RM: So what is it that you love about it then, that keeps you in the game?

SC: Traveling is one of the main reasons I’m doing it; I like to get to new places and experiment new things. That drives me a lot. Even though I feel like there’s no better place than Montreal to live, I like to be on the road. Maybe I’ll get bored of that, I don’t know, for now I fully enjoy it. Competition is another thing, to be on top.

RM: Is there anything you hate about it?

SC: I hate going to new cities and not see anything, just like I did in Dublin because I was in the tournament everyday.

RM: Do you get to find balance between work (poker) and play (getting out and having fun) at all when traveling? Do you try to schedule it in?

SC: Oh, of course! That’s why I like to hang with people who don’t stay inside their hotel room in every stop. I try to jog every morning when I’m away since I can’t play hockey, it helps to keep my head cool.

RM: So you still play hockey? Who do you support?

SC: Oh yeah of course, when I’m in Montreal. Even though I don’t play everyday, like up to when I was 20, I try to do so a couple times a week. My team is the Montreal Canadians obviously — the most famous hockey team that exists… even though we’ve been terrible for the past couple years.

RM: Is that a dream you would have liked to pursue?

SC: It’s not really a dream I pursued because it’s really tough to make it to the NHL (the ultimate), although maybe just play professional like a few of my friends I grew up with, whether it’s in Europe or in semi-pro leagues in Quebec.
High Hopes And Simple Needs

RM: Well, you seem to be having a good year poker wise.

SC: Yeah having a good year but at same time a bit disappointed I couldn’t seal any victory yet. But that’s how poker is. Tournament poker especially. I can’t wait to go back to Europe this fall to hopefully bink big and obviously the WSOP in Vegas.

RM: What are you most proud of in poker?

SC: I think having gained the respect of my peers and being able to compete at the highest levels is what counts the most for me. I’ve always been taught by my family that no matter what I do in life, I must do it straight. For that, I feel like I’m doing well and will keep on doing it regardless of what happens. I hate to see scandals in poker about scummy people scamming others, but unfortunately it’s the reality.

RM: Yes, unfortunately money can bring out the worst in people. So, in continuing to do it like that and do it your way, what would be the title you would want the most or the thing you would like to achieve in poker the most?

SC: Another reason why I feel like it’s mandatory to have a flawless reputation in poker and in anything you do in your everyday life. It might sound different than what you’re used to hearing, but I ain’t playing for titles or fame, I’m just there to have fun and try to make good money out of a hobby, even though tournament poker is all about big scores and fame. That’s another reason why I prefer live cash and games that no one hears about.

RM: What would you like to achieve in your lifetime overall? Is there anything in particular outside of poker even?

SC: To just enjoy happiness for the rest of my life. That’s all I need. ♠