Raymond Davis is easily spotted in a tournament poker field. He stands out from other players with his keen sense of style and an outgoing personality. Laughter can usually be heard resonating from his table, but his easy-going,
outward appearance hides a warrior within. Card Player caught up with Davis late on day 5 of the World Poker Tour Doyle Brunson Classic, where he was one of 10 players that remained, and the action was set to continue to the final television table of six:
Ryan Lucchesi: How important is table image at a poker table?
Raymond Davis: It’s very important. You establish yourself. You get more respect from the players. You’ve got to basically take control of the table.
RL: Let’s talk about making the final six when you’re at a final table of 10. How do you approach this with a short stack?
RD: I’m trying to double up … If I can double up, I know I make the final six, but if I don’t double up, I don’t want to struggle all the way -- you know, blind out. I’m not going to blind out, that’s for sure.
RL: I’ve noticed that you’re always one of the most easy going, jovial guys at the table. Do you think that affects your opponents’ perception of your play?
RD: Yeah … it’s like a psychological advantage. They never know where I’m at, because I’m so loose and I’m so open. It takes a lot of pressure off of me as a player, so they don’t see pressure. That’s why I talk a lot and chat it up a lot and, you know, keep them off guard.
RL: Are there any specific adjustments you make when a player picks off one of your bluffs?
RD: Well, I’m going to wait for a real hand. I’m not going to bluff him with deuce-four like I did before. When the confrontation comes, I’ll be 99 percent sure that I have the best of it.
RL: Another thing that I’ve noticed is that other players who are usually a little quieter seem to open up around you because you’re talking so much. Do you pick up tells off of guys who are normally quiet, but start talking a lot around you?
RD: Oh, I love it when they talk. I love playing with Devilfish [David Ulliott], because he’s got huge tells. I like to get the table to an open atmosphere so when they say something here, you can figure out something there, and it gives you so much information by talking to them. Even Erick [Lindgren] … usually E-Dog doesn’t talk too much, but he talks to me all of the time, and he gives away so many tells.
RL: Is poker more psychological or mathematical to you, personally?
RD: Psychological; it’s very seldom that I use math. The only time I use math is when it’s against the short stack and I’m getting pot odds. But I don’t calculate it … I’m pretty much an instinctive player; I play on instincts more than anything. Math is overrated; the math theory is dead, now. These Internet kids are monsters, and we’re seeing one right now; Jordan [Rich] is a straight-off-the-Internet player, and this guy is a monster player. So, how can you use math against this guy? It’s impossible. You basically have to fight him with your instincts.
RL: One last question: Everyone says that poker is a social game; is that very true for you? Maybe not when you’re playing for this much money, but in general?
RD: It’s not too social for me. I’m a warrior at the table; I laugh and joke, but I want to rip your heart out, and I want to beat you. It hurts me to lose. People say I’m a bad loser. Well, I am a sore loser. Show me a gracious loser and I will show you a real loser. It affects us. It affected Phil Ivey when he went out the other day. It affects the great players, and if it doesn’t affect you then you shouldn’t be in this game. I’m very competitive; anything I play I want to be good. If I play you in hop scotch, I want to beat you at that, if I play you in monopoly, I want to beat you, and I definitely want to beat you in poker. I’m not playing for second, I’m playing for first. Anytime I sign up, I’m playing for first.
