Christmas Poker Q & A -- Josh BrikisJosh Brikis On Downswings, Babies, And Big Ambition |
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In this festive season, Card Player caught up with some poker pros from all over the globe to find out how their year has been, what they are up to this Christmas, and their hopes and wishes for the New Year.
Up first is Josh Brikis who is hoping for a brighter New Year poker-wise.
Rebecca McAdam: How was your 2011?
Josh Brikis: 2011 was the worst year (career wise) of my life, I played insane volume and lost a lot of money. Very, very miserable.
RM: What was your best memory of the year (poker/ non-poker)?
JB: The absolute best memory was last week finding out I am having a little boy! Poker-wise, no good ones; two small final tables and a bunch of deep runs with nothing to show for them.
RM: Did you learn anything this year (about your game or about your self)?
JB: I learned a ton this year. I learned that I should be cutting my expenses because when you have a losing year there is nothing to write off so it’s just more money spent! I learned I can’t handle tournaments like I used to be able to because I never had a 12-month downswing, and this will cause me to cut back volume big time! I also learned to play my game going forward and not be overwhelmed and concerned with all the information you get from other pros and what may work for them doesn’t work for you.
RM: Where was the best place you’ve been in 2011?
JB: I went to the PCA for the first time, so Bahamas was great, just the weather that time of year isn’t so great. I also really enjoyed South Florida and am excited that poker is growing fast there… I will be making multiple trips there in the future.
RM: What is your ideal way to spend Christmas?
JB: I love consistency and we have always had Christmas at my parents house and it will be the same this year, right here in my hometown of Pittsburgh, with all my family. Right where I wanna be!
RM: What are you doing for New Year’s eve/New Year’s day?
JB: New Years used to be a bigger deal for me but getting older it’s gone way down, especially with my wife being pregnant, if she can’t be partying it’s hard for me to be. If anything we have some family and friends over for a small party at our beautiful home.
RM: What would be an ideal present to give to you?
JB: I told family that all we need this year is baby stuff, so really there isn’t anything that would be ideal that’s affordable [laughs]. LEGAL ONLINE POKER! Pleaseeeee!
RM: What are your poker plans for 2011?
JB: My 2012 plans are certainly way different than the last few years. For one, the length of my trips each month will be shorter because of the pregnancy and then the baby. I also have never been backed but have some things possibly going on regarding that which will ultimately make my decisions easier. I am not going to PCA to start the year off because I can’t win my seat on PokerStars and it is too expensive of a trip for me to go without that. I will be kicking off 2012 mid-January with the Borgata Open.
RM: What are your hopes for the New Year?
JB: I really just hope that I can get a few top 3’s next year and get back on track, it is really hard to not make any money for this long and it has gotten pretty stressful, I have worked extremely hard at this game and I am truly hoping I get rewarded once again for that like past years.
RM: Who most impressed you this year in poker or who, in your opinion, had a fantastic year?
JB: There is a ton of players that are having amazing years and they all impress me and they all play amazing, some of them run just insanely well but still impressive. Really happy for my friend Will Failla and the year he is having. My friend Chris Tryba has been on a sick heater and I am happy for him as well. I root for the good guys and the ones who have been through and felt the pain of downswings and not really the ones who cash and final table 9/10 tournies but the ones who work hard and really deserve everything they get from it!
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