Chris Ferguson, 2000 World Champion

Chris Ferguson is one of my favorite poker celebrities, so I was pleased to spend some time chatting with him at Foxwoods Resort Casino during this year's World Poker Finals. I had previously seen Chris dance and had heard that he was a champion swing dancer, so I questioned him about that area of his life. Chris is so humble that I had to drag the answers out of him. In addition to being a poker champion, he was the 1992 national swing dance champion in both the team competition and the Jack and Jill event (the woman leads).

Linda Johnson: What is your overall impression of Foxwoods?

Chris Ferguson: I hate to admit it, but I'm still lost after being here for quite a while. This place is enormous. It's like one continuous casino. I had heard about how big it was, so I was expecting it to be about this size. What I wasn't expecting, though, was that the people would be so friendly. I'm having a great time here.

LJ: I've heard there is a great deal of mathematical ability in your family. Tell me a little about your background.

CF: My dad teaches game theory at UCLA, and each of my parents has a Ph.D. in mathematics. I have a Ph.D. in computer science from UCLA. From 1992 to 1996, I worked for the California State Lottery analyzing and designing new games, and continue to do consulting work in the area of computer science, generally helping people develop, analyze, and solve different gambling games.

LJ: How did you get started playing poker?

CF: I've played since before I can remember. I am self-taught, and played for money as far back as the fourth grade. In high school, I played a lot of poker while many of my friends chased girls. I improved my skills by playing online back in the early 1990s on IRC, way before any of the current real-money sites existed. That is where I really learned to play poker, and in particular, no-limit hold'em. I became serious about poker around 1994 and started playing in the World Series.

LJ: How many World Series bracelets do you have?

CF: Three. I won the Omaha eight-or-better event in 2001, the seven-card stud event in 2000, and the world championship in 2000. (Editor's note: After this interview was conducted, Chris won two more gold bracelets at the 2003 World Series of Poker.)

LJ: How did winning the world championship change your life?

CF: Poker hasn't really changed me too much, but I do like it when people come up to me, introduce themselves, and say hello. I love what limited attention it has brought me, and love doing interviews for mainstream publications.

LJ: How many tournaments do you average playing each year?

CF: I would estimate it at 80 to 100, although I'm really cutting back at the moment. I play all forms of tournament poker, but I don't play any tournaments with buy-ins lower than $300. I rarely play live poker because I really love the excitement of tournament play, and there are so many tournaments all year-round that I don't have time to play live. I like tournaments because players bring their best games to tournaments, and the rising limits hold my interest and provide a challenge. There is a lot of camaraderie amongst most of the tournament regulars. I used to play satellites, but don't seem to have the time to do so these days.

LJ: Whom do you respect most as tournament players?

CF: There are lots of young players who are very strong. My list would have to include Phil Ivey, John Juanda, Howard Lederer, and Erik Seidel. Not only are these players at the top of the poker world, they all help promote poker and always carry themselves with dignity and class.

LJ: How do you think the poker industry could be improved?

CF: I think the rules should be standardized, but this is very hard to do. The Tournament Directors Association is a good start. I think we're on the verge of seeing the popularity of poker explode with the televised events of the World Poker Tour. I have seen some of the footage and I can tell you that these shows will be very exciting. The image of poker needs upgrading and the World Poker Tour will show poker players as being intelligent and skillful, and will, I hope, make the superstars of poker known to the outside world.

LJ: Speaking of image, how do you describe yourself in life and at the poker table?

CF: I'm actually pretty shy. Because of this, I rarely go up and talk to new people, but I love it when they approach me. This has helped me overcome my shyness, and I'm always willing to talk to new people. At the poker table, I am capable of changing gears and varying my style to fit the situation.

LJ: Steve Lipscomb, producer of the World Poker Tour, tells me that you are the guy they call for "everything." What exactly do you do for them?

CF: Like many people, I've always been fascinated with the entertainment industry. I feel honored to help Steve Lipscomb and his crew prepare the shows for the WPT, and have been a consultant for them from the start. Everyone associated with the show is extremely capable and professional. During the shows I generally either keep track of the action in each hand and the running chip counts of the players or help coordinate the camera angles that are seen by the live audience. I think highly of the entire project and the personnel associated with it. I just hope to make one of their final tables someday.

LJ: What is your favorite poker game?

CF: I think no-limit five-card stud is the purest form of poker; it's all about making big bluffs and good reads, which is what separates poker from other games. Of course, you can't find a game too often these days. My favorite game would have to be no-limit hold'em, although I appreciate the skill required in all forms of poker, whether it be limit, pot-limit, or no-limit – or stud, draw, hold'em, or Omaha.

LJ: Outside of poker, what are your hobbies?

CF: Swing dancing, analyzing and playing games on my computer, blues music, and spending time with my girlfriend, Cathy, and our poodle, Cami. I used to go swing dancing four or five times a week, but now it is more like twice a month. Currently I'm spending most of my time working on a very exciting project that we hope will revolutionize the world of online poker. I hope to tell you more about it soon.

LJ: Thanks for the interview, Chris. I'll see you at the next WPT event.