Several members of the PocketFives community made waves during the recently completed PokerStars Turbo Championship of Online Poker, or TCOOP. Representing the Netherlands in the inaugural TCOOP series was Robin PetjeXL van Gils, who was part of a three-way chop of Event #17, a $109 Cubed tournament that featured over 3,300 players.With a total prize pool of nearly $700,000 on the line, van Gils banked $74,000 and officially came away with second place, which was good for a 550-PLB point boost. We virtually traveled to the land of wooden shoes, windmills, and chocolate to get the story behind the Dutchman’s signature score.
PocketFives: Thanks for joining us. Can you tell us how the chop went down?
Robin van Gils: Deal-making was first discussed when we were four-handed. According to PokerStars’ chip-chop, I had the right to $54,100, but according to ICM, I should have gotten $58,000. I demanded $56,000 because ICM didn't leave out the $6,000 to play for, but they didn't want to give me that, so we played on.
Shortly thereafter, a player busted and we talked about a deal again. I agreed to a chip-chop because it was obvious the other two still wouldn't want to give something up and I found the pay jumps to be too big to gamble it up some more.
PocketFives: What’s your approach to a high-stakes Cubed tournament like this one?Robin van Gils: I didn't rebuy right from the start. I wanted to be in a position to take more risks than in a freezeout, which you aren't if the whole table rebuys immediately. It just becomes a freezeout with deeper stacks. I managed to double up twice before the add-on without using my rebuy. I decided to take the rebuy right before the add-on so that with the add-on, my stack would increase more than my tablemates’ would. In a regular rebuy, more risks can be taken.
PocketFives: You’ve turned in a solid last few months, which have included a final table in the PokerStars Bigger $55 for $40,000 in December and the appearance of your $500,000 cash badge. Has your game been coming together?
Robin van Gils: I'm running insanely good for sure, but I think I have improved my game over the last few months as well. I am on a long-term stake since the 2011 WCOOP by a guy who I don't think wants to be outed, but who had some sick scores himself over the last half-year. It has all come together, though.
PocketFives: How did you get started in poker originally?
Robin van Gils: I started about six years ago after a friend showed me what online poker was. I didn't even know the rules, but it intrigued me from the start. I opened an account at PartyPoker and deposited almost all of the money I had over and over until I finally won something a half-year later.
PocketFives: Are there any poker players from the Netherlands that you admire?Robin van Gils: I think Ruben RubenRTV Visser is crushing, with his deep run in the World Series of Poker Main Event (44th) and his final table at the last PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (8th). He's the first player that comes to mind. He was a PokerStars Team Online pro for a while.
PocketFives: Finally, we’d be missing out if we didn’t ask you where your online handle, PetjeXL, comes from. Enlighten us.
Robin van Gils: A petje is a hat in Dutch. I used to wear one all the time in high school. The XL was added when I had to make e-mail addresses and such. Petje was taken, and names like Petje01 are lame, so I settled on PetjeXL.
Make your way to PokerStars for more details about the first ever TCOOP.
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