AOL World Series of Poker Profiles: Catherine Hart

AOL is sending twelve lucky winners to the World Series of Poker 2007 in Las Vegas this year. We’re 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. We have a diverse group of players from all around the country. Out of New Mexico, representing the woman of poker, Catherine Hart is under the AOL team spotlight.



Cathrine, what is your occupation?
I work for a car dealership in Albuquerque. I am the office manager there.

Tell us about your family and who will be accompanying you to the WSOP?
My youngest son Alex will be coming with me to Las Vegas. He is the one that taught me how to play in the first place.

What is it about poker that so engrossing for you?
It is the challenge of knowing how to call or fold on cards. Getting good hands are exciting to me!

Is there any advice you would give to the online poker playing public?
The only advice I would give is don't go all in with bad cards unless your willing toloose! (laughs)

Do you watch poker on TV or read about it?
I watch almost everyday poker tournaments on television. In fact, I have watched the World Series of Poker tournaments for the last 5 years or so. I never thought I would ever be in one. I enjoy watching the poker superstars playing in tournaments.

Do you have a "lucky" items?
I just bring myself! (Laughs)

If you win a huge prize, what will you do with the money?
If i win a huge prize then I would pay off my house, my parents house and take care of my kids then go to Disney World in Florida :)

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 at the final table I just started jumping up and down and yelling wahoo! I couldn't believe it to tell you the truth I was kind of in shock. I got great cards that day! (laughs)

Do you play other games on AOL?
I have played on AOL games for the last 8 or 9 years and I play a lot of them. However, Texas Hold'em poker I have been kinda stuck on for the last 2 years. I enjoy the challenge of playing against other people.

Are you making any special preparations for the WSOP?
I am playing Texas hold'em on a daily basis and watching as much as I can on television. I am even playing cards with the guys at work for practice!

What is your strategy for playing at the live WSOP?
Just play the best I can don't listen to the bad talk from other players and I'm wearing sun glasses thats for sure.

Thanks Catherine, we'll be pulling for you.

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Catherine Hart had the weight of all the ladies on her back. She played her guts out to win but was eliminated from the tournament. We caught up with her right after she left the tournament room.

What was it like to play in the Main Event at the World Series of Poker?
It was mentally exhausting. 14 hours was grueling on Saturday, but I was proud that I made it through that day. It was fun. I would have had more fun yesterday (Tuesday) if I wasn’t so sick. I got sick on Sunday, and when I played yesterday (Tuesday) my brain wasn’t even all there.

Did you have a lot of good hands?
I had a full boat, one time, I had quads, that was nice, yesterday I only did one hand where I made good chips, with trips. I didn’t play a lot of hands yesterday, but I doubled up on my pot at one point. I had 77k chips after the 1st 2 hours. Went on break, and then I lost 20K on one hand, and then I had my last hand.

What was your last hand?
Pocket jacks. I went all in, and the guy called me with pocket aces.

Could you have done anything differently?
Oh yes, I’d win (laughs). Yesterday, I’d like to play all over again. But who doesn’t, right? I just wish I could have played feeling healthy – I was only at about 30% yesterday. I told the guys at the table, I wasn’t feeling well, and kept coughing and hacking. I was trying to stay focused, but sometimes I didn’t hear the dealer, I made some stupid moves, I think I might have pissed off some of the guys at the table, to be honest…

Well, I went further than Phil Hellmuth so I’m proud of that! (laughs)