This past Sunday, longtime PocketFiver Andres andressoprano Pereyra of Alaska outlasted over 1,000 opponents to take down the UB.com $200k Guaranteed weekly flagship tournament for $48,300. The win, combined with a July 24th first place finish in the Full Tilt Poker $30 rebuy event for $6,500, marked his second victory in a 24-hour period. Andres now has until the end of the weekend to capture his first career PocketFives Triple Crown by taking down a $10,000 or higher prize pool tournament on either PokerStars or Cake Poker.

On Thursday, PocketFives.com caught up with Andres to relive his Sunday major win and talk about his 2010 results at the online poker tables.


PocketFives: Can you take us through your UB.com $200k Guaranteed victory this past Sunday?

andressoprano: It is the most gratifying win in my career. I already had two 2nd place finishes in Sunday majors, and not having an outright victory was something that was upsetting, as I am aware of how difficult it is to reach one of those final tables. I think I played pretty well during most of the tournament, and also had variance on my side in three key hands.


PocketFives: How does the competition in the UB.com $200k Guaranteed stack up to that of Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars majors? Do you play the event any differently given the structure or field?

andressoprano: On UB, I tend to play more agressively than I do on Stars or Full Tilt. I think the average UB player is more passive than those who play on the other two sites, and this allows for a more aggressive approach. My pre-flop raise and 3-bet ratio on UB is close to double that of what I use on the other sites.


PocketFives: Earlier in the year, you were going through some negative variance and finding it difficult to get a big score. How were you able to maintain focus and get that marquee 2nd place finish in the Full Tilt $750k Guarantee for over $100,000 in May? How great did it feel to take home a six-figure score?

andressoprano: After a horrible 2009, at the beginning of this year I found myself looking for a regular job. The only reason I kept playing was that I couldn't find a job as a carpenter during January/February. In March, I started playing for PokerPwnage pro Jerry herschelw Watterson (pictured), who had offered me a backing deal, and right off the bat I had a great month, profiting $25,000. In April, I attended a poker camp with herschelw, Alex Assassinato Fitzgerald, and a group of students, and I came back home full of energy. The six-figure score in the $750k was mind-blowing to me, as it allowed me to take care of most of the debt I had accumulated during my bad run in 2009. I can't begin to describe how good it felt to look at my wife's face when the tournament was over, and see the expression of relief she had.


PocketFives: Which tournaments/schedule on Stars/Cake do you feel will give you the best chance to capture a Triple Crown?

andressoprano: Although I'd love to earn that beautiful badge, I won't have many chances to do it. My mom is visiting Alaska, and I will not play full sessions in the three days I have left. I will give it a last shot on Friday, and will literally play every single PokerStars and Cake tourney that qualifies for the Triple Crown. If I can't complete it now, I will make my goal for the rest of the year to win one, and after that, I'll go after Chris Moorman's record¹, lol.


PocketFives: Are there other members in the community who have been instrumental in your success as a poker player? Who are your favorite people to talk strategy with, and why?

andressoprano: From a learning standpoint, the two most important people in my poker career have been Jennifear and DoylesRoom Brunson 10 member Alex AJKHoosier1 Kamberis (pictured). I can't imagine what my game would be without the advice and guidance I received from them. I feel honored to have great friends like them, and not just from a poker perspective, as they both are amazing human beings. As for talking and discussing hands, right now Jerry is the only player with whom I talk strategy, although I've been honored by Adam Squee451 Sherman with an invitation to join a working team, and I plan on taking him up on his offer.Besides that, two months ago I started a coaching program, and I do hand history reviews for my students every week. That has really helped my game, as I constantly come up with ideas while reviewing my students' hand histories.


PocketFives: Besides capturing your first Triple Crown by the end of the week, what would you like to achieve in the game in the future?

andressoprano: I want to learn. I want to have a solution for every situation that arises at the tables, and in order to do so, I will keep the attitude I had the day I first approached Jennifear, and asked her to coach me. You never know enough and there are always people with great ideas worth listening to. Like the Greek wise man Socrates said, "I only know that I know nothing."

Regarding specific poker goals, I have a few. First and foremost, I want to reach a financial position that would allow me to take good care of my family. Money does not buy happiness, but it helps to pay the bills. A year and a half ago, I thought too much about things like recognition, acceptance, etc. After a year of hell, I've grown to realize that fame doesn't pay the mortgage. Once/If my financial situation is in great shape, there are some things I'd like to achieve: Win the Sunday Million (yeah, that would take care of the money too); as I consider it the Holy Grail for a professional online player, reach the PocketFives Top 100 Worldwide Rankings, and help my students become the best poker players they can be.


PocketFives: Your current worldwide ranking is #418. Are there any adjustments you feel you need to make to your game in order to challenge for the Top 100 Worldwide?

andressoprano: As humble and open-minded as I am when it comes to learning from others, I also feel great about where my game is right now, and I honestly don't think I'm that far away from the top players in the game (well, except for DoylesRoom Brunson 10 pro gboro780, but everybody knows he's not human).

In fact, the main thing that would keep me away from reaching the Top 100 in the future is game selection: I don't play the $1k events, nor the $100 rebuys/$100 Cubed *1r+1a* tourneys during the week, and I follow a strict "make-up management" plan. I voluntarily drop levels if things don't go well. If at one point I have no financial clouds over my head, I'm willing to lay odds on my chances of making it to the Top 100.


PocketFives: Is there anything you would like to add?

andressoprano: I would really like to add this: To be around better players than you, be it friends, or paid coaches (and I am extremely lucky to count them in both ways), is the single most important thing that brought me to where I am now. Considering what my situation was only five months ago, it is unreal to think that we are having this interview right now. So I want to thank Alex "AJKHoosier1" Kamberis, Jennifear, and Jerry "herschelw" Watterson for everything they've done for me. I would also like to thank my wife (P5s member akgirl) for all her support and comprehension through the years.

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*Also see: andressoprano congratulations thread

1. DoylesRoom Brunson 10 member Chris moorman1 Moorman holds the all-time record with ten PocketFives Triple Crowns.

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