People
Ten years at the table in Toronto
Words Nikkhil Mannocha
He left home games with friends for a nine-table club in Toronto. In his own words: what surprised him, what he misses, and the one outer he still remembers.
Nikkhil Mannocha Editor
/ 2 min read
Messiholic has lived in Toronto for ten years. Back home, poker was a game with friends. In Canada it is a nine-table club, twice a week. We asked him what changed.
Where did you first play back home, and with whom?
With friends, at home.
Where do you play in Canada now?
VClub. Twice a week.
Your first night at a Canadian table: what surprised you?
The professional approach.
How is the room different from home?
"The room is very different, as professional players come to the club," he says. "Food is always there, and there are around nine tables." There is commentary too, because the tables have RFID.
Who do you play with?
Locals.
What do you miss about the game back home?
His friends, and the banter.
What would you tell an Indian player sitting down in Canada for the first time?
"Come and play professionally to feel the difference," he says. Learn the new terms: a 3-bet, a boat, a cooler. "And take it slow, as people are watching you."
One hand you'll never forget?
"I lost my QJ against QQ due to one outer."
The board ran J, J, 5, 5, Q. Messiholic had jacks full. There was one queen left in the deck that could beat him, and it came on the river.
Take it slow, as people are watching you.
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