SpadeClub Poker Winner -- Vincent 'Dylansdaddy' Pike

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SpadeClub Exclusive member Vincent “Dylansdaddy” Pike took out the competition on Sept. 28 to take home his share of the $5,000 prize pool.  He plans to use his winnings to cover some travel expenses he has racked up on his credit card lately. He decided to quit his “day job” in 2006 and travel the world, and he bought a motor home and took a trip around the southwest playing cash games and small local tournaments. Since January, he has been a tourist in Peru playing no-limit hold’em.

When asked what he thinks about SpadeClub, Pike said, “It has evolved into being my testing ground for putting ideas to the test and practicing new styles. I get to play some students of the game of varied abilities, just like in the real world. Most of the folks are friendly, and some are an absolute hoot. I have even identified members that I have played in live games. Like one member I recognize by a picture of his hat, [his screen name is] pockets.”

Card Player had the opportunity to ask Pike some questions about his strategy going into a tournament and found out more about his exciting life.

Card Player: First off, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Vincent “Dylansdaddy” Pike: I am a 46-year-old who has decided to try making it as a poker pro. After spending my career in the mining industry for about 20 years. I've spent my last years consulting.

 CP: How long have you played poker?

VP: We played some form of poker over the kitchen table since I was about 12 years old. Later, in college, I played with my friends and always did pretty well, despite the drinking. I play mostly live cash games and have only tinkered with Internet poker. While living in Florida in 2002, I started going to the casinos and dog tracks to play poker during my downtime. This was my first exposure to Texas hold'em. I would spend six weeks in South America working and then have two weeks off. It was fun. I went to dealer school in Las Vegas, as well, to get a better understanding from the other side of the table, and my instructor turned out to be a retired dealer and poker pro. Dwight was very insightful, and I picked his brain and hung on his every word. During classes, I got to play the other students and the instructors and speak frankly with all of them about hands as we were using play chips.

CP: What got you interested in SpadeClub?

VP: While looking at Card Player online I saw a banner about SpadeClub and checked it out and decided to give it a try.

CP: What is your general strategy going into a tournament?

VP: It depends on the tournament and what my goals are. Satellite strategy is much more about survival and making the cut. If there are rebuys, you can open up your game and take much more risks than a non-rebuy. After the rebuy period is up, it is all about survival and accumulating chips. In the absence of cash-paying bounties, it is not my responsibility to bust every player at the table -- just to try to keep from getting stacked myself.

CP: What is your method to go about piecing together what kinds of hands your opponents could be holding?

VP: Identify what kind of player I am up against, what position he is in, his betting patterns, how he has played other hands, and how I think he perceives me. Then I try to piece it all together so it makes sense.

CP: What do you think is the key to success when a tournament gets down to heads-up poker?

VP: Controlled aggression. Vary your play and get your money in when you are ahead. There is nothing easier than playing someone who pushes all in every time.

CP: What kinds of really big mistakes did you see people make in the event?

VP: Giving up before they'd lost all of their chips. Most of the time, it is not destined to be, but it's not over until you're felted. If you take a bad beat or make a bad read and lose a bunch of chips, stop and take a breath. Very few tournaments have the same chip leader from start to finish. And things change very quickly when you double, triple, or quadruple up a couple of times.

CP: What was the most important thing that you did to get your game to where it is today?

VP: Staying focused on learning new things. There is always a poker book that I am studying. The WPT cash camp I went to was cool, but it was not a fix-all, either. Lately, I have been bouncing ideas off of my friend Blaine Wells, who is a fantastic cash player. We frankly evaluate each other's play and critique each other harshly, if need be, daily.

CP: What factors do you consider when deciding whether or not to continuation-bet when you miss the flop?

VP: I never ever miss a flop! If I bet, I have the nuts, and if I check, I am slow-playing them.

CP: What advice can you give to other SpadeClub members who are looking to go deep in these tournaments?

VP: Identify how the table is playing and do the opposite.  If there is a lot of action, sit it out. If everyone is passive, bet relentlessly. If you are less experienced, play big hands strongly before the flop and remember there is no shame in folding. Keep your focus on the game and leave the adult beverages until you are done playing.

CP: Have you participated in any of the community features of SpadeClub? If so, what do you think?

VP: I like to send compliments to deserving players. Most of the people here are great. I would like to see an upgrade of the software to make chat easier to read, though. I don't often ignore someone on purpose, I just don't see the chat until it is too late. Also, I have visited DrCheckraise.com and find value in what I read there.

CP: What’s the most money you’ve ever won in a poker tournament?

 VP: About $2,000 in a two-way chop. Most live tourneys I play never finish, as we make a deal somewhere on the final table.

CP: Anything else you would like to add?

VP: If anyone is ever in Lima, Peru, and wants a game, I can often be found at the Majestic or Atlantic City Casino; just ask for Señor Vicente. I'm the round man drinking the frozen lemonade.

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