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. AOL games's team is international! Joining us from Malaysia via Queens New York is Ng Wei Teck a.k.a Chris.
Chris, you are under the AOL games team spotlight
Chris, tell us about how you feel about being in the WSOP and what is your occupation? My name is Ng Wei Teck a.k.a Chris Ng, nobody use their real name anymore (laughs), I guess its much easier to remember. You don't know how happy and excited I'm to get this opportunity to represent AOL for this WSOP in Las Vegas. I'm very honored, in fact I'm already there, I just can't wait.
For the last 15 years as a sales consultant for a specialties food company located in New York, distributing food supplies to restaurants, cafes,caterers, institutions etc.
Tell us about your family and who will be accompanying you to the WSOP?
My family consists my wife and daughter. Unfortunately, they will not be accompanying me for this trip, because by then they will be on vacation back in Malaysia. I hope they can watch me play on T.V. back there. So I'll be going solo.
What is it about poker that so engrossing for you?
I started playing poker online for fun about 2 years ago. The interesting thing about poker is that it's not just only about the cards. I take it as more of a challenge, because it looks simple yet its so complex. I've found the old cliche so true; "One day to learn the game but a lifetime to master." My game of preference is the Texas hold em no limit. I like the pressure because you're constantly challenged and put to test on every hand.
The main reason is that its really helps me exercise all essential qualities to become a better person besides poker. You need to exercise courage, self control, patience, composure, cunning, timing, quick decisions, game plan and make correct decisions every single time. One wrong move you're out. To me the concept of poker is not just a game, it is also about life, the give and take.
Is there any advice you would give to the online poker playing public?
Even though the game is free and the chips are fake, play the game with intentions of learning to become a better player. I know it works. Practice on eliminating your weaknesses and enhancing your strengths. Work on what you should do more of and recognize what you should do less, on what you must do and what you mustn't do. In short what else can be better when you risk nothing and all you gain is being a better player. I wish all players good luck!
Do you watch poker on TV or read about it?
I do watch poker on T.V. whenever I can. Its very entertaining and competitive just like professional sports.
Do you have a "lucky" items? I do not have a "lucky item" presently I might or might not find one. I hope I'm lucky enough just bringing myself (laughs).
If you win a huge prize, what will you do with the money? If I win a huge prize the first thing that I would like to do is to donate to some charities. There are a lot of unfortunate people that could use some help, maybe a vacation with my family after that to calm myself down and leave the rest of my decisions for later.
What did you do when you won your online tournament and found out you'd be going to play in the live WSOP? When I won the online tournament my family and I were overwhelmed with excitement. Las Vegas never crossed our minds yet finally it all came together, the WSOP in Las Vegas was the only topic in our household for that whole week after I won. I was still running with mixed emotions a week after (laughs), I eventually calmed down and realized that maybe destiny is sending me a wake up call. I always believe things happen for a reason, the question now is where I want to be and where this is all going to end up?
So its time for me to be a true believer rather than a dreamer. In fact that's the only shot I've got to forget about the prize have fun. I need to focus on playing the best poker that I ever played at the table when the time comes and may lady luck be on my side.
Do you play other games on AOL? I do enjoy playing other AOL games such as solitaire, high stake poker and Omaha sometimes but most of the time Texas hold em no limit. I love Texas hold em poker.
Are you making any special preparations for the WSOP?
Yes, practice is the only way to go. Not only online poker, in last few weeks I have been playing live poker at Foxwoods casino. Recently, something amazing happened!! I won first place twice in a $120 buy in with 10 players tournament and took home $500.00 each time. On top of that I also won first place in a $230 buy in an 80 player tournament and took home $5,600.00! The sense of satisfaction was unreal, the experience was priceless and my confidence is sky high! I know it is a long and winding road ahead of me but at least I feel more prepared now than ever. If not for AOL I wouldn't have won all this extra cash. I intend to play a couple more live tournaments before the big show down.
What is your strategy for playing at the live WSOP? My strategy at this point will be to play my game and not theirs, to be aggressive, focused and be prepared for a long tournament may my lucky star shine on me. I need to remember that I'm not going on a vacation rather than going to a battle field and to win a war.
Chris, thanks so much for your responses. We hope your passion and focus will lead you to victory!
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Chris Ng played to win but 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?It was a
great experience and it was really exciting to play. It was definitely a new experience for me
and very educational.
Did you have a lot of good hands?
In the 10 hours of playing, the cards just werent going my way.
What was your last hand?
I was in the small blind and I had $5,500 left and was ready to play my position with J-2 of
hearts. The guy in the big blind made a raise and I called. The flop showed 9-J-6 and I went
all in. The big blind called me and he showed a pair of Queens. I was beat then and even worse the turn showed a Queen just to close it all out.
Could you have done anything differently? Well I got a lot of bad hands and there are a lot of good players. There was a lot of pressure.
