PocketFives sits down with Dan “7duecenutz” Schneider to talk about life in Nevada, where he plays on the legal and regulated sites Ultimate Pokerand WSOP.com. He has a pretty awesome relationship with his dad

PocketFives: How long have you been playing online poker?

Dan Schneider: I’ve been playing on and off for about 10 years. I started on Pacific Poker messing around playing micro-stakes sit and gos with a buddy. We would throw in 20 bucks apiece, put both of our heads together, and play. We did quite well for a year or so, making enough to pay our rent, which was huge. We split ways after that and I only dabbled online here and there until Black Friday hit.

PocketFives: Do you play on both Nevada sites?

Dan Schneider: Yes, I started on Ultimate Poker the day it went live. I couldn’t wait to get back into the online grind. I did the same when WSOP went live because I wanted to see what that site had to offer.

Both sites have pros and cons. UP has top-notch customer service and I really like the “Full Tilt” look. On the downside, I’ve had some software issues on UP. Most people who play on UP will agree that they have seen the “not responding” error, or, as I like to call it, the “white screen of death.” It seems to only happen when being dealt. By the time the program starts responding, your cards have been folded. It is really frustrating when you’re at a final table and even more so when you’re heads-up for all the marbles.

WSOP.com has impressed me with its software and lack of issues. I’m not saying it is perfect because I have been disconnected while playing getting an error saying I’m out of the state of Nevada. This is just a bug in the system that needs to get worked out.

PocketFives: Do you play any live poker?

Dan Schneider: Yes, as much as time permits. I bought a house two years ago, so that has taken up quite a bit of my poker time, but I still get out and play here and there. Since I moved to Reno/Sparks, I’ve played at the Peppermill. They have great dealers and staff. When tournaments are running, I will play wherever they are at, but when it comes to cash games, hands-down the Peppermill is the place.

PocketFives: Regarding your fishbowl avatar (pictured above), did you draw the initial idea yourself?

Dan Schneider: I actually just came up with the fishbowl idea and they sketched it up. I had no clue when I submitted the idea that my face was going to be in it, so that was quite a shocker when I saw it. I thought it was really cool that they were doing a contest like this. How many people can say that they have their own custom avatar? Not too many, I’m guessing, unless a site sponsors them.

PocketFives: To what do you attribute your online success?

Dan Schneider: I attribute my success to the skills I have learned over the past 10 years playing live and online. Also, I attribute my success to having a dad who plays the game as well, which gives me someone to discuss hands and strategy with. And last but not least, my fiance, who allows me to spend my available time playing poker and supports me through the ups and downs.

PocketFives: How do you prepare yourself before a poker tournament?

Dan Schneider: I always try to eat well and get a good night’s sleep before a big live tourney. I think mental preparation is also a big part. I always try to wipe my brain a few days beforehand of any life problems going on. I don’t want to be thinking of an argument I got into with someone earlier in the week or what big plans I have going on in the coming days. These issues tend to cloud my judgment.

In an online tourney, it’s similar. I try to eat well a couple of hours beforehand and clear my mind of anything but poker. I won’t play in a big tournament online if I’m tired because staring at a computer screen for hours tends to make me even more tired.

PocketFives: Is there anyone who helped change how you approach the game?

Dan Schneider: My dad has been a huge help in my game. We have played quite a bit together and have no problem felting each other. He once felted me three times in a session and the next day showed up at my door with some t-shirts. When I asked him what these were for, he said, “for each time I felted you yesterday.” We have a great relationship and love playing and talking about the game. We are always calling each other throughout the week, discussing hands and how the other would have played them. It’s nice having someone close to me give me advice.

PocketFives: Do you studybooks, videos, or podcasts, or do you discuss poker with your family and friends more?

Dan Schneider: When I first started to play, I read Phil Gordon’s “Little Green Book.” Since then, I haven’t read a book. I never cared for reading growing up and still don’t to this day. I’m not a book learner; I like to jump in and learn on the go. When the WSOP Main Event comes around, I am glued to my laptop or phone watching the live streams and my DVR is full of poker. I grab the Card Player magazines when I play live at the Peppermill or other poker rooms and read some of the articles.

Besides talking poker with my dad, I have a few friends back home in Minnesota who I still discuss hands with on a regular basis. I must say it is great discussing the same hand with a few people to get different perspectives. I really think having discussions with friends and family is the best studying method there is, unless they’re bad players.

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