This Poker Life Part I: Christopher BrammerCard Player Gets To Know One Of The Newer British Faces On The Poker Scene |
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The British hit squad is far from drying up when it comes to new, young talent. Every year a bunch of fresh faces appear to be added on to the ever-growing group of tournament terrorists hailing from the UK. They talk poker, play poker, and live the poker life together.
One of the newer faces taking a shot at the dream is Christopher Brammer, “kid_bramm” or “nigdawg” as online players may know him. The Southampton 22-year-old has been hitting the live felt of GUKPTs and UKIPTs hard in the past 18 months or so and creating quite an impression. He plans on hitting up more EPTs and various live events, so before he gets too busy taking on the poker world, Card Player cornered him to find out what he was all about…
Rebecca McAdam: When did you start playing?
Chris Brammer: I played poker at sixth form with friends during lunch. It was nearly five years ago when I started but I didn’t really have much clue what we were doing. I started taking poker seriously when I dropped out of university to take it on full time, which was September ‘09 I think.
RM: Was that because you liked it so much or because you were doing well and wanted to take a shot?
CB: All three I guess [laughs]. Truth be told I was vastly under-rolled for it at first, so it was more of a shot but I guess I was naïve. My Dad had won a WSOP seat that summer and we went together to Vegas for two weeks — loved it so much I think we both knew it was what I wanted to do.
RM: That must have been a mad experience…
CB: Yeah, it was so much fun.
RM: So it has worked out for you so far?
CB: Yeah, I love what I do, I’m free to do whatever I want, work my own hours etc..
RM: When you started taking it seriously were you playing online/live or both?
CB: Both, but I guess more live orientated. Before that I was always re-depositing my student loan online or getting money off my dad for tourneys. It was only when I started talking more to friends and actually getting good at poker that I started to win online.
RM: Since you became good, have you gone broke?
CB: Unfortunately yes, twice.
RM: Did you ever question your decision to play full time?
CB: Not really; the first time it was really unexpected and shook me up, made me realise just how big a roll you need to play the big tournaments. The second time was just one big shot at Vegas during the summer, which I knew probably wouldn’t work out. I had some friends who could back me if it didn’t though.
RM: Are you more sensible about your bankroll now? Have you given yourself restrictions?
CB: I have a staking deal with a friend for my tournaments now, which allows me to play the biggest tournaments. If I were to bankroll myself I would have too much temptation to play without restrictions [laughs].
RM: Some players feel they play better when they’re backed, do you agree?
CB: I guess so, there’s certainly something to be said for tilting off someone else’s money and if I know my backer is watching I’ll probably concentrate that little bit more. It’s good to have someone to talk to for morale too, he’ll be motivating me a little bit more where he has a financial interest.
RM: OK, so what games and stakes do you play?
CB: I just play tournaments, and most stakes.
RM: So no temptation towards cash?
CB: Cash games bore me a little, they can be OK to mix it up sometimes but the blinds never change, it’s no fun.
RM: How are you finding the life of a young full time pro, it’s fairly new to you compared to some players, so is it what you expected?
CB: It’s really fun, I get to travel the world and I don’t have a boss. There’s a really good group of UK guys the same age too, lots of banter there.
Check back tomorrow for part II of This Poker Life with Chris Brammer.
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