AOL is sending twelve lucky winners to the
World Series of Poker 2007 in Las
Vegas this year. Were excited to have such fine players represent our team. AOL
games are running a series of winner interviews of our top players. Our poker studs
beat out tens of thousands of other players to get a shot at the
World Series of
Poker Championship. Looks like a relaxed player is coming our way. Bob Kramer seems to have it all.
We're putting Bob Kramer under the AOL games spotlight.
Bob, what is your occupation? I do not mind taking the time to tell you about myself and my family. My occupation is Construction Manager.
Tell us about your family and who will be accompanying you to the WSOP? I married my high school sweetheart Ellen 25 years ago this November and we have two wonderful children. Our daughter Brittany is 15 and Danny is 10. We decided to bring the kids with us to Las Vegas and make a vacation out of it. (We'd normally be on our Carnival Cruise right now)
What is it about poker that so engrossing for you? The game "Texas Hold 'em" has always been my favorite. Unlike 5 card stud or Omaha, this is a game where you have just two cards in your hand to play. In most games, the majority of cards you play are in your hand. In Texas Hold 'em, everyone plays the majority of cards that are open on the table, and those two cards in your hand can make you or break you.
Is there any advice you would give to the online poker playing public? My advice to online players is simple. Stop chasing. I have learned to stop chasing the inside straight, the flush on the river. I see more players go "All In" with nothing but a hope and a a pray. You have a hand that's live, play it. If its costing you $500.00 to catch that last heart for the flush, dump the hand.
Do you watch poker on TV or read about it? When it comes to watching poker on T. V., My wife and I are both addicted. Weather it's the 2005, 2006 World Series of poker, it doesn't matter. We watch the World Poker Tour and Celebrity Poker tour. I do not think there's any player, book or video that can teach you more about this card game than sitting down and watching it.
Do you have a "lucky" items? I do not have a lucky item to bring to the table. I will be completely focused when I sit at that table.
If you win a huge prize, what will you do with the money? If I won a big prize, I would pay off our home, put enough money away for the kids college and buy the home on the water my wife and I said we would own one day.
What did you do when you won your online tournament and found out you'd be going
to play in the live WSOP? I won the last of the nine passes on Fathers Day. When I got down to 100 players, I told my wife I thought I had a chance to hit the final table. When I got to the final table, my wife and kids sat on the couch next to me, my mother was on the phone as they watched me eliminate my opponents. When I was in heads up play with the last guy, my hand was shaking on the mouse. When the ace fell on the turn to put me ahead, it was completely silent waiting for the river. When the river dropped in my favor, we all came off the couch and yelled. It was a nice Fathers Day gift.
Do you play other games on AOL? My wife and I are huge Pogo fans. We wait every Wednesday for the new challenges to come out to get our badges. Sounds corny but true.
Are you making any special preparations for the WSOP?
I'm making no special preparations as I enter this tournament. I honestly feel I'm prepared. Everyone ask, are you nervous? Aren't you scared? My answer since the day I won the pass is no. I have my game plan. I know exactly how I'm going to play and have no fear of pushing "All In" if I have to. I have studied this game for four years, I'm ready.
What is your strategy for playing at the live WSOP? My strategy is to play smart. Pick and choose the hands to play and DO NOT CHASE.
Do you have any last words for the AOL games team? It has been my dream for the past several years to one day sit at the World Series of Poker table with the best players in the world. Thank you to AOL for making that a reality.
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Robert Kramer played July 6 and was eliminated from the tournament. We caught up with him right after he left the tournament room.
What was it like to play in the Main Event at the World Series of Poker?To play in the Main Event was a thrill. Its exciting to be in the room with the best players. Not that it looks easy on TV, I was sorta comfortable and then on the 5th hand, I could literally feel my stomach turn when I was dealt a K-10. I won that big bet, and then I knew I belonged at this table.
Did you have any big hands where you won a lot of money?Yes. The 8th or 9th hand in, I raised $1200 on the flop, got a straight. Bet $4000 my opponent saw my bet. The river showed a 6. I ended up winning $12,000 on that hand.
What was your last hand?I had a pair of Queens and raised to $600. Another player raised to $1,200 and I called. The flop showed 10-9-6 and one player bet $7,500 - $8,000. With $14,000 chips left, I moved all in as I had the high pair. All but two players folded me and another guy. I showed my Queens and he showed two 10s and he had me beat.
Could you have done anything differently?Nothing. Three-quarters of my money was all gone because I lost a big hand earlier where I had a flush, but the other guy had a flush to a higher card. So then next hand, I only had $14,000 left and I had to go all in. I would do it again tomorrow the same way.
