SpadeClub Poker Winner: Charles 'labotomy' GoodwinTalks About His World Series Main Event Seat Win, His Poker Play, and His Excitement About Playing in the World Series |
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SpadeClub member Charles “labotomy” Goodwin outplayed the competition to take home one of the two World Series prize packages given away in SpadeClub’s first World Series 40K Giveaway. Goodwin has only been playing poker for about four years, but he thinks he has come a long way from not recognizing when he had a flush to having a pile of chips heading his way as he won a seat to the World Series main event. When asked how it felt to survive SpadeClub’s largest tournament field to date to win the $12,000 World Series prize package, Goodwin said, “Winning the $40K and a seat at the World Series makes me feel fan-damn-tastic!” Goodwin recently discussed with Card Player his love for the game and how he is excited to represent the entire SpadeClub community at the World Series.
Card Player: Congratulations on your recent win! First off, can you tell us a little about yourself?
Charles “labotomy” Goodwin: I’m 54 yrs old, born and raised in Los Angeles, and single. I've been a medical X-ray engineer, certified electronics technician, ASE master mechanic, Volkswagen master mechanic, and private pilot. Currently, I’m a mechanic for a very nice beach city in a secret location near L.A.
CP: How did you hear about SpadeClub?
CG: I like to read Card Player magazine online, and that’s were I found out about SpadeClub.
CP: Do you have a story behind you screen name?
CG: Several people have guessed that I must work in a lab, therefore the name Labotomy. I was going through a lot of personal stuff when I chose that name, so lobotomy sounded perfect, then I spelled it wrong and now I’m stuck with it! [Laughs]
CP: How long have you been playing poker, and what was your first experience with poker like?
CG: I started playing poker on my 50th birthday at 888.com. I had seen it on TV and thought I’d give it a shot. That taught me the mechanics of the game. My first live game was at Pechanga when the poker room was in the basement; I was very nervous. I remember one of the hands, I was chasing all the way to the river trying to catch a king, spending way too much money; I didn't have a clue. After the river, when I didn’t get the king, I tossed the cards face up towards the dealer, then he pushed this enormous pile of chips to me and I didn’t have a clue why. Then seat one said to me, “I knew you had the flush!” I just smiled and stacked my chips.
CP: Do you consider yourself a recreational player, amateur, or professional poker player?
CG: I consider myself a recreational player. I lived in Vegas for two months, I played poker every day, and came back with a profit, but playing every day took the fun out of it for me; it became like a job. I prefer to have a job and look forward to playing poker.
CP: Do you think SpadeClub is a good learning ground for people who are looking to start playing?
CG: SpadeClub is an excellent place to learn poker. You have the full range of players from newbie to damn good, it’s only twenty bucks a month, and the players are friendly. The only way to learn poker is to put your time in, and SpadeClub is a great place to do that.
CP: What is your favorite aspect of SpadeClub?
CG: The little green button that says “Cash Out”! [Laughs]
CP: Have you met anyone interesting at the tables that you’ve chatted with a lot during the games?
CG: I mostly just read the chat. I'm a very slow typer, by the time I type a reply it’s off the subject!
CP: What do you think of the format for the tournaments on SpadeClub?
CG: I like the format, high [point] buy-ins for the qualifiers promote serious play, and the length of the blinds is just right.
CP: Was there a particularly key hand that you played in the tournament that helped lead you to victory?
CG: There were many key hands that put me ahead (sorry “Romey”) but the thing that I remember the most was when I was getting short-stacked, down to about 200K, the blinds were huge, and I had a big-time bully on right. After every flop he would go half in or all in. Finally, I decided that was enough, so I called him with pure junk in my hand twice and wiped him out. That put me back up to about 700K and back in the game.
CP: What advice can you give to other SpadeClub members looking to go deep in these tournaments?
CG: Getting the chips is only half of the game, keeping them is the other half.
CP: You took down SpadeClub’s largest tournament field so far of 1,312 players to win the $12,000 main-event prize package. How does that make you feel?
CG: Winning the [World Series $40K Giveaway] and a seat at the World Series makes me feel fan-damn-tastic! I really wanted to play in the main event and had no idea how I was going to get there. Thank you SpadeClub for the opportunity!
CP: Does the fact that you’re not only playing for yourself but also for other SpadeClub members put more pressure on you to do well?
CG: I’m actually very excited to represent SpadeClub, but I’m not going to let that or the money influence any of my decisions, I’m going to try to make good decisions and trust myself.
CP: Now that you’re guaranteed a seat in the main event, are you going to be playing in any other events while you are in Las Vegas?
CG: Probably, I really like the evening no-limit hold’em tourney at the Orleans.
CP: Aside from the potential to win millions of dollars, what do you think is going to be the most exciting thing about playing in the main event?
CG: Vegas, baby! Also, playing with the famous players that I’ve seen on TV.
CP: Do you have any other goals on SpadeClub or goals for yourself at the World Series main event?
CG: My goal with poker, wherever I am, is to learn from my mistakes and take my time to use what I’ve learned.
CP: Anything else you would like to add?
CG: Yes, I would like to add the two aces in my hand to the two aces on the flop at the World Series!
Charles “labotomy” Goodwin will be accompanied by SpadeClub member Ken “Handbone” Meyer at this year’s World Series of Poker*. To win your seat with SpadeClub play in the June 29 World Series $40K Giveaway where two more seats will be awarded. For more information, and to view all upcoming SpadeClub promotions, please visit www.SpadeClub.com/promotions.
* World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah's License Company, LLC ("Harrah's"). Harrah's does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with, Card Player Media or its products, services, promotions or tournaments.
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