Interview with Caribbean Poker Classic™ Champion, John Earle

Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I am 52 years old, married with 3 children & 1 grandchild. I am a Freight Forwarder by profession, a Fellow of the Institute of Freight Professionals & the Managing Director of a Freight Forwarding company, Franco Vago UK Limited. I was born and bred in London but now live in Church Langley Essex.

When did you start playing poker?
I have played card games since I was 5 years old and poker was one of the games that we used to play but only 5 card draw or 7 card stud. When I started to play online I only played 7 card stud but I noticed that Texas Hold'em was the most popular game and all the big tournaments revolved around this game.

What made you decide to play online?
Around a year ago I started to play Hold'em and once I started I was hooked! I also like to play chess and I consider Hold'em to be the chess of card games.

Describe the tournament in which you won your seat at the Caribbean Poker Classic.
I entered the tournament in which I won my place, by accident. I thought was a normal pay $50 and finish in the first 5 places to win some money. When I found that there was only 1 prize, a trip to the Caribbean, I was disappointed because I did not expect to win it. The tournament took at least 5 hours and I still did not understand exactly what I had won.

Have you ever played in a land-based tournament before?
I had only ever played a few serious games of live poker and had never played in a tournament.

Did you do anything to stay sharp for the Caribbean Poker Classic?
I prepared by having friends round to play for pennies but insisting that everyone treat the games very seriously by formally announcing raises etc.

Describe the highlight of your game play at the Caribbean Poker Classic.
When the tournament finally began, I found that I was not playing my natural game and I really had to force myself to relax and enjoy the experience.

I was most pleased about my play when I did nothing! On the second day I started in second position and I did not play a hand for 3 hours! I watched my chip pile go down and down until the final 27 when I was one of the lowest stacks. It took all of my self-control not to 'try and buy a hand' or to bluff with nothing.

The final table was fantastic because I knew that I was guaranteed $30,000 and that I had exceeded all my own expectations and had nothing to lose by reverting to my natural game, which is quite aggressive.

Is winning a tournament luck or skill?
Obviously, I was extremely lucky and the cards fell for me at the crucial moments, therefore I do not know how much skill, if any, was involved. I will know more if I ever win another big tournament, then I can begin to judge if I am any good. The very best players do not rely on luck, they are clearly masters of the game because of the regularity with which they reach the final tables. I know I am not in that class but I intend to have some fun trying to emulate them.