Julian Thew Player Questions  -  By Poker Boss

The William Hill Sponsored Player and EPT Winner Julian 'YoYo' Thew has very kindly offered to answer a few questions from our players.

What do you do if your not in the mood to play poker? or your mind is not 100% right to play your best?
Also if William Hill want you to play in an event and you really are not in the mood to play poker? (Yes I know it's your job)

Barring Vegas, I tend not to overplay myself these days & am usually fired up for it when I sit down.
William Hill are very good, it's pretty much up to me where & when I play.

How do you maintain your health with all the hours you need to work through the night? I'm interested particularly in your diet and any exercise you might do and how poker affects your family/social life?

That's a very pertinent question; I've been seeing a sports psychologist this year & the first thing he asked me was, 'are you fit & healthy?' My honest answer had to be, 'no not really'.
I used to be, but the hours I sometimes keep now & my general lethargy when it comes to all things healthy have been my weakness.
So yes, I aim to sort it out; it just may take some time & lots of prodding.
Family-wise, they are all very supportive of what I do, it wasn't an overnight thing, but I'm sensible & they know the house keys won't ever end up in a pot.

Can you still remember the nervousness/excitement of your first ever poker game? And are there times now that make you feel the same?

Oh yes, that buzz will never be forgotten.
I don't suffer too much from nerves now but the big competitions are still very exciting - having said that I'm drooling at the prospect of the 300 at Walsall this evening, it's a local competition, the crack'll be good & making any final table is always special

How has top-level tournament poker changed in recent years and what adjustments to your game have you felt you've had to make?
How do you run so good? Seriously, is it some voodoo thing or witchcraft?

The numbers & the prize pools have both swelled & the predominant style of choice tends to be aggressive. I used to be play a very aggressive game, any two, any position, but I suspect 'tight-aggressive-calling station' is a more apt label these days.
Running good - yeah I think I have run good the past 5 months or so, but I do have a vast sample size & haven't had to worry about going bust thanks to my sponsors William Hill.
No witchcraft or voodoo yet, but the subject or topic of luck is (I think) an unexplored field - I do believe some are luckier than others & I would put myself into that category

OK...Now a hypothetical scenario for you.
Say you are a recreational poker player who would definitely not mind giving being a pro a whack. But you have no bankroll to speak off and reckon you'd want 100k$ before you turn pro.
Say you win 20k$ online.
Would you;
A; Play the WSOP Main Event with half of your winnings?
B; Play a smaller tourney (1500$ PLO) just for fun, and because you think you have an edge in that game, and go over to Vegas to take advantage of the cash action there during the WSOP? (assume you are a half decent cash player who'd expect to make a profit out of doing that)
C; Use your bankroll management skills and use the 20k to build it up online where you won't have the expenses that going to Vegas would bring with it and maybe just play a GUKPT tourney if you wanted to play one.

I'm not sure what your situation is boldie, but I didn't rush into going full time & even when I got the William Hill deal I carried on part time at work for another year.
Up until I was sponsored I never had a big bankroll, 15k max I'd say, but the live scene 3 or 4 years ago was very different to how it is now & there wasn't that pressure to qualify for EPT's & all the TV crapshoots etc.
c) is probably the most sensible choice.
but I'd prob keep the job & take a shot in Vegas, book 3 weeks off, cash in the 2nd seat & use half in the cash games, the other half at the Venetian where they run a deep stack festival during the WSOP & definitely play the WSOP main event because the field is so weak & if it's your day you really could have a life changing run.

What is your favorite pie filling?

This is too easy....rhubarb of course

How much of your life is poker - do you live, eat, sleep, drink it? Or do you treat like a job (do the job, then do other things to relax/for fun).

I'm still really into the whole poker pro lifestyle & wouldn't want to change it at the moment.
I do treat it as a job, the best I've had funnily enough & I reckon I've got the balance just about right & that's probably down to the fact that I have a family life.
That being said, it's rare that I'd play a whole festival week, for me, it's just too much & I wouldn't be feeling fresh & sharp by the time the main event rolled around.

What annoys/upsets you most in poker?

Bad losers & players who roar

I think it is fair to say you are a popular amongst your colleagues on the UK and European circuit. Do you think your personality helps you at the poker table? For example do people in sub conscious way not mind losing a hand to you or not play back you as much etc..

It's up to the individual but for sure, I think your personality can be a valuable part of the package.
For me there's no act, I'm just myself, that works for some, whereas others might feel the need to put on a game face.
I met someone at the end of last year who felt I could make adjustments to my table presence/personality - some interesting ideas, but for me, it was out of my comfort zone.
I think if people get on with you then yeah, their not going to mind losing a pot to you compared to a table banger with a loud mouth - although I can see how that personna works for some folks.

To ask Julian a question click here click here to go to the William Hill Poker Sponsored Blonde Forum.