This Poker Life Part I -- Martin JacobsonPoker's Swedish Sensation Talks Final Tables And Life Before Poker |
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People often judge poker players by the amount of titles or bracelets they have to their names, but what about those who consistently make final tables and whose names are always among the last few remaining. One player who has been relentlessly knocking on the door is Martin Jacobson. Since 2008 the talented Swede has accumulated more than $2.6 million in tournament winnings, and, at just 24 years of age, has already made over 10 final tables with no sign of slowing down. It may seem a bit excessive after all that to say Jacobson really deserves a major title, but it cannot be denied; he does.
So Much, So Young
In 2008, Jacobson hit the international poker scene with a bang finishing in third place at the Hungarian Open for €197,904. A year later he came runner-up to Sven-Ragnar Arstrom at the World Poker Tour Venice for €238,840, and in 2010 he finished fourth for $183,345 and eighth for $65,487 in World Series of Poker $1,500 no-limit hold’em events. Season seven of the European Poker Tour, which crossed over from 2010 to 2011, really saw the Swede come into his own with runner-up finishes at both Vilamoura and Deauville, earning him over $1.1 million for the two. That season saw Jacobson finish in second place to Fernando Brito for EPT Player of The Year but he did manage to win the title of Online Qualifier of The Year after successfully qualifying online for six EPT events, two of which he almost took down.
Season eight of the EPT saw Jacobson back at it again with fourth place in Berlin for €230,000, he also took the $47,266 fourth-place prize from the Nordic Masters of Poker main event, and, at the time of writing, his most recent achievement was sixth place at the WPT Grand Prix de Paris for €88,900. “Making another final table felt great as I feel that I played well throughout the whole tournament,” says Jacobson on his Paris final-table experience. “The structure was amazingly deep stacked and made it very enjoyable to play. I was satisfied with how the tournament was run except for the decision to play the final table in a room without air-conditioning! It was literally 35 degrees in there, which caused it to be a real challenge to maintain focus on the game.”
Out Of The Kitchen And… Onto The Felt
Jacobson has shown he can handle the heat in any major event he plays so it may not be too surprising to learn that before joining the poker scene the cool and collected Swede was aiming for the top spot in quite a different industry. As a young chef, Jacobson had huge ambitions and was planning on moving to Barcelona to work his way up to the top at a three-star Michelin restaurant. He says, “During the process, my contact that got me the job became unavailable so while I was waiting for her to call me back I automatically devoted more time to online poker. She still hasn’t called me back but luckily for me I found something else that I’m very passionate about and enjoy doing. I think that most things happen for a reason.”
Like a lot of young players, the Swede got into poker when he saw it on television. “I started playing home games and also started playing online with free money,” says Jacobson. “Then I deposited some, and lost a little bit until I figured some things out. I started playing professionally in ’08 but the first time I started playing was ’04 or ’05.”
It seems Jacobson is a man with the Midas touch but dig deeper and you’ll find a dedicated hard-worker who is willing to put in the time and graft. He says, “For every deep run I make I’ve improved a little bit. So I definitely think I’m a way better player than I was one year ago. I’m getting more experience most of all, and for every trip you make you discuss hands with people, you get yourself in different scenarios and spots… you learn a lot through experience.” Jacobson focuses solely on hold’em and although a little tempted to try other games, he says, “I think I can improve a lot in hold’em before I do. I’d rather be an excellent no-limit hold’em player because it’s still the biggest game than try to be mediocre at all the games.”
You Win Some, You Lose Some
During his quest to better his game, Jacobson has experienced the delirium, and indeed frustration, of finishing in second place. When asked whether he felt disappointed with coming so close or happy with what he achieved, Jacobson said, “It’s a little bit of both. I’m incredibly pleased with my results and my success over the last three years and I don’t want anyone to think I’m not. It would of course be unreal to win a major tournament one day but as long as I keep making final tables I’m more than happy.”
It was Lucien Cohen (with his mascot rat) and Toby Lewis who would keep Jacobson from striking gold on European ground but if he had to face either of them heads up again for a title, who would it be? “If I had the option,” answers Jacobson, “I’d choose Lucien Cohen and make sure I bring my headphones!”
Check out the rest of Martin Jacobson’s story tomorrow.
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