Financial advisor Phil Tom attacked the $5,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em shootout event with aggression and a play-to-win mentality. Phil battled one of the best in the game, Greg “FBT” Mueller, on his way to victory. When all was said and done, Tom took out three tables en route to his first World Series of Poker bracelet.
Card Player spoke with Tom about his victory and the unique tournament shootout format.
Question: What about the shootout format plays to your strengths as a player?
Phil Tom: Well, to be honest, I didn’t know three days ago that this type of tournament would suit me so well. The first day of the tournament, I knocked all nine players off of my table. It wasn’t easy, though. I knocked eight out in four hours, and it took another three to get rid of the last one. I really enjoy heads-up play, and in this tournament I got to play heads up three different times.
But, to be honest, I’m not sure about whether or not this format is my best game. I’d have to study it a bit more. Last year, I cashed twice in four events, and I’ve already cashed twice this year, so I at least know that no-limit hold’em is my game.
Q: How much does this win mean to you?
PT: My goal in any tournament I played in the Series was just to make the final table. Once I got here, however, it became all about the bracelet.
Q: What did you think about your competition, especially Greg Mueller?
PT: Greg is really the only player I knew before today. I did get a dig in on him, however. He had forgotten who knocked him out of the main event of the World Poker Tour. I took him out with A-K against his pocket kings. I decided to remind him once he got out to an early lead. He’s an incredibly good player and very dangerous. I had to be very patient against him. I tried to pick my spots and play the percentages when I could.
Q: Did starting sixhanded with a top-heavy payout structure influence your play?
PT: I think everyone was cognizant of that. I think for sixth place it was pretty low. The difference between the other 30 players who cashed and sixth place wasn’t very much. Before I had looked at the prize pool, I would have thought it would have been at least double that amount. In the end, I think that was one of the reasons why people started out so cautious and patient.
Q: Your very vocal rail was calling you “The Chairman.” What’s the meaning behind your nickname?
PT: (Laughing) I’m the chairman of a really unusual golf tournament every year that I hold in my backyard. It’s just a charity event I run, and they call me the chairman for it.
