David Peters Looking To Capture Long Overdue World Series Of Poker BraceletOhio Native Closing In On Eighth Career WSOP Final Table |
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On the all-time tournament money list, David Peters is seventh among players without a WSOP win. He had $11,171,573 in earnings to his name as of July 5, with nearly $1.3 million coming at the Series.
Peters, who hails from Toledo, OH, had 38 cashes at the annual summer poker festival. On Tuesday at around 5 p.m. local time in Las Vegas, Peters had a solid stack with 11 left in event no. 56 ($1,500 no-limit hold’em). A final table would be his eighth at the WSOP. The record for most final tables without a bracelet is 12.
Peters is a true tournament grinder. Over the course of his decade-long poker career, he has cashed more than 280 times and won 16 tournaments, but the WSOP has never delivered for him.
Card Player caught up with Peters during a break on Tuesday.
Brian Pempus: How are you feeling in this $1,500? Have you thought about this event being the one?
David Peters: I am feeling great and playing very well. I feel like I have a good shot at the bracelet, but I’m not going to let that cloud my mind too much. I’m going to play my game and try to play the best I can.
BP: A lot of people consider you one of the best in the world without a WSOP win. Would it mean a lot to you to get that monkey off your back?
DP: Yeah, it’s something that every poker player wants, but I am not going to let it affect my decisions. I’m playing like this is just any other tournament and going from there.
BP: How do you mentally prepare yourself for a long summer grind? Or do you not really need to because this is something you are used to?
DP: Yeah, I am so used to it. I do this year round; I play so much poker. I am conditioned by it. The [long days] don’t bother me. Usually by the end of the summer people are getting tilted and tired and I’m usually very fresh and strong, and that gives me an edge for sure. I can play long hours and not let it really affect me.
BP: You’ve been crushing in tournaments for years now, but it seems like it is challenging to close them out lately. Is this just variance or is there something in your short-handed game at a final table that you are trying to work on?
DP: There is definitely a lot of variance, but I think I’ve done well in the heads-up and short-handed situations throughout tournaments. But there is variance, and you have to win the flips. Sample size can be an issue when you are playing live tournaments, especially in 2,000-player fields like these where it’s tough to get three-handed (laughs). I think I’ve done pretty well though; I’m confident in my short-handed play and heads-up game.
BP: Because you are so good at wading thru these massive no-limit hold’em fields, can you give some tips to players who are trying to improve their tournament game, especially on day 1?
DP: I would say be patient. Don’t be too nervous. Don’t think about how much money first place is. Just be calm and play your game. One hand at a time.
BP: Who are some other top poker pros who you would love to see get their first bracelet?
DP: Shannon Shorr is a good friend of mine. I hope he gets one soon. Adam Geyer, Jesse Yaginuma, there are so many. Those are some pretty good friends of mine.
BP: A bracelet for you would just feed the desire for more, right?
DP: (Laughs) Yeah, I’m going to be hungry no matter what. If I have zero, five, 10, whatever, I will still want more.
For more coverage from the summer series, visit the 2016 WSOP landing page complete with a full schedule, news, player interviews and event recaps.
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