Recently, Olivier livb112 Busquet took down the $3,500 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) Borgata Poker Open, triumphing over the largest field ever assembled for a WPT event. Down 20:1 in chips against Jeremy Brown, Busquet mounted a comeback of epic proportions, propelled in part by his considerable experience in heads-up sit and gos. In the final hand, Busquet dodged flush and straight draws to claim the $925,000 first place prize. He sat down with PocketFives.com to discuss the secrets to his success.

PocketFives.com: You’ve dominated Heads-Up No Limit Hold’em at the highest levels online. Did your heads-up game factor into your success against Brown?
Busquet: In terms of my experience, I think that was probably deciding factor against Jeremy. Also, I think he struggled a little bit with balancing ranges out in general. I probably have more overall poker experience than he does too, not just heads-up. There was a time when I was playing pots with him where I felt like I had a good sense as to where he was most of the time. I didn’t play much against him before heads-up, but had a pretty good read on him.
PocketFives.com: How would you characterize Brown’s play?

Busquet: He was the type of player that, if I could get hands against, he would pay me off and call a lot of bets.

PocketFives.com: Brown eliminated three players at the six-handed final table to get to heads-up play. Was it frustrating watching him take everyone out?

Busquet: The two final guys he eliminated, Ivan Mamuzic and Yanick Brodeur, were both pretty good hand readers and pretty decent players. I watched him 3out Yanick with A-Q versus A-K and then cooler Ivan with sixes to threes. At the end of the day, I wanted more chips to get a better shot heads-up. I have confidence in my heads-up play and I was happy to see the number of players dwindle down to move up the pay scale.

PocketFives.com: You were down 20:1 in chips at one point heads-up. What’s the best strategy to overcome being that big of a chip underdog?

Busquet: Where I would start is by saying that all you need is a chip and a chair. As long as you have chips, you can always come back. Don’t lose your cool. Never count yourself out. Also, never give up. I’ve seen people throw their hands in the air and push their chips into the middle. That’s unnecessary. You always have a chance to double up.

PocketFives.com: A few people in the industry have criticized your brash demeanor at the tables. Can you respond to them?

Busquet: I had pretty severe tilt problems. If I tilted, it came out in the chat. It’s something I’m not proud of, but it was something that has forced me to deal with the underlying issues. The criticism itself is relatively fair. There have been times I’ve been out of line in the chat. I’ve berated players and that’s so antithetical to my personality. It’s not how I am in real life. It’s really something that would come out in frustration and never be directed at my opponents; it was just a way of releasing. It forced me, because I wasn’t happy about it, to deal with it. I’ve definitely improved a lot. Hopefully, I’m going to continue to improve.

PocketFives.com: Have you thought about expanding your online tournament game as a result of your success at the Borgata (pictured at right)?

Busquet: I never thought I was a good tournament player, especially online. I get bored playing online, especially when there aren’t many big buy-in tournaments. I’m not good at physical tells and that part of poker, but I’m good at sizing a player up after playing with them for a while. That’s more difficult to do online.

I’ll probably expand my tournament game, but mostly live. I’ll play online tournaments to get experience, but in terms of trying to make money, I’ll play in live events. Am I going to start traveling the circuit now? No, this win doesn’t change my situation all that much. This win gives me confidence because I don’t think I’m at the very elite level of live tournament players. There is a ton of room for improvement, which is confidence-inspiring. If I can win a WPT event and do well not being at the top level, if I do improve, then who knows what will happen.