UGOTPZD is a name you may be familiar with, whether it is for his high level play or his brash attitude at the tables. An old school road gambler dressed up as an online phenom, Cory "UGOTPZD" Carroll is a very interesting guy, and definitely someone I would want along for a couple nights in Vegas. Many have fallen victim to his notorious arrow, but it’s hard to argue with his results. He is very successful on Pokerstars, and it has become commonplace to find him deep in the Sunday Million. In two final table appearances, he has a second and third place worth almost $150k combined. <READMORE>

Lenny: How long have you been living in Vegas?

UGOTPZD: I actually live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but I am in Vegas a few months a year. I always tell myself I am coming to town to play poker but it usually doesn't happen that way. Vegas usually means a lot of boozing and baccarat. I am in town this time for the Bellagio events coming up in a few weeks, so hopefully I can get some good hours in the poker room.

Lenny: You mean full bacarat, yes- not the mini-bac game? I haven't really played, is there a house, or do you play against other players?

UGOTPZD: Actually, it is the same idea between mini and full. The only difference is you get to touch the cards in the big game. Still a horrible game either way.

Lenny: No edge, eh?

UGOTPZD: No sir. I was a pretty big lifetime loser up until my last Vegas trip where I won about 600,000. Even after that I am still down, but I can live with that.

Lenny: Yikes! Thank goodness for that session. Speaking of -EV games, Adam told me to ask you about a certain Roulette spin. Something about putting your last bit of cash down and running it up huge?

UGOTPZD: Ah, last winter. I was in Treasure Island and I had blown through about $80,000 playing baccarat and had, I believe 35 dollars left. I was on my way to pack my bags and go home and decided to put it all on 26 black. I hit it and then proceeded to win about 75,000 dollars to get almost even for the night. I stayed a few more weeks, won a few tourneys and ended up going home with almost 175k instead of broke because of that one spin.

Lenny: Wow. Roulette has always been my "comeback"/go broke or go home game, but never for that kind of money! Which tourneys did you win?

UGOTPZD: I had a pretty big January this year, won the Sunday tourney on UB for 40k, and took 1st and 2nd in the Stars 100 rebuy in consecutive weeks, as well as a few other 10k plus wins.

Lenny: Was your Stars Million 2nd place your biggest win to date?

UGOTPZD: Yes, although I was very disappointed in my second place finish. I was on the road and in a hotel when the internet connection went out. I felt that 3 handed I had a huge edge, but I was talking on the phone to my friend and relaying what moves to make. That made things very difficult. Once it got heads up I got tired of doing it and just let my finish it off. No disrespect to the guy who won, but he clearly had some work to do heads up and I think with a good connection I take it down a large percentage of the time.

Lenny: I didn't know that. It must have been especially tough with the speed HU moves online.

UGOTPZD: Yes, and it got very tiring with the blinds not increasing anymore, which is fine if I am not having to relay every move over the phone.

Lenny: What is it like to final table a tourney of that size?

UGOTPZD: At first it is a relief just to get there, but I usually don't get too excited because there is still a lot of poker to play. It is a lot of fun to battle through a large field like that and to have a lot of people watching you.

Lenny: How do you feel about chops?

UGOTPZD: I will almost always never agree to one. The first week I made the final table I refused to chop. I played horrible 3 handed and ended up getting third. I don’t regret turning down the chop, though. I always want the win and the first place money.

The second final table was the one in which I was relaying messages to my friend. In that rare case I decided to accept a deal. I don't think if you see me at future final tables you will see me doing much deal-making.

Lenny: Tell me a bit about your poker background.

UGOTPZD: I used to go to random home games in high school, mainly messing around with friends playing draw poker and such. My real poker career didn't start until I was about 17. I had been playing online golf for extra money for about a year.

Lenny: Wait, online GOLF?

UGOTPZD: Yeah, I would play matches for paypal money. Then I saw an advertisement for a poker room and bought in and started playing the 5 dollar sit n go's.
I was a steady loser online for about 5 months or so, then one night after being out partying I wondered into the casino and sat down at the 5/10 table made a few hundred bucks. I was hooked. I started playing 5/10 Thursday through Sunday for 12+ hours a day.

Lenny: This was all live?

UGOTPZD: Yes. I started making random trips to casinos in Ontario where bigger games were spread. I spent a lot of the time battling my table games addiction. I would lose large portions of my bankroll to blackjack and other games. Poker and gambling took over my life.

Lenny: When did you start playing more online?

UGOTPZD: About two years ago I made the transition to mainly online play. It means less rake, more hands per hour and it keeps me away from table games. Most of my play is in heads up NL SnG and SnG's in general. I am pretty much strictly a holdem player, although I have dabbled a bit in Omaha. Around18 months ago I realized the money that I could make in MTTs and I started focusing on them a lot more. These days I play mainly the Sunday MTT's and dabble in some heads up matches every once in a while.

Lenny: How do you go about tracking/impoving your game?

UGOTPZD: First off, I am not your regular "pro". After almost 5 years playing professionally I keep almost no records, so there is not much tracking going on in the sense of record keeping.

I do have a very good memory of players I have played against and the way they play. For improving my game I read a lot and I listen to people’s opinions on how certain hands are played. Things like that. I find once you reach a certain point in poker it all comes down to experience and nerves, and I feel I get better in both of those areas all of the time. It also helps having a lot of friends who play professionally to discuss strategy.

Lenny: You mentioned the drain on your bankroll from table games, do you feel this is just a "leak" for you, or some aspect of being a true gambler helps you in poker?

UGOTPZD: I was talking to a friend of mine about this very subject recently. It is a very big leak in my game as well as my character as a person and is something I struggle with a lot. At the same time, due to my gambling I don't get nervous in tough situations where a lot of money is at stake. So it is kind of a double edged sword. On one hand it is a huge money drain and can get me very upset with the things I am doing. On the other hand, it makes me a better poker player because I am fearless.

Lenny: You mentioned online is good because it keeps you away from the table games. Since playing more online, is it any easier to be disciplined in the casino, or once the party starts do you fall back to all your old ways?

UGOTPZD: Well, I am getting better in general in regards to gambling, but when I am in the casino, especially after a night out drinking it does not go very well. It still a huge leak for me. One thing that has been helping me is my girlfriend. She knows my problem and she helps me stay away from gambling.

Lenny: Nothin' like the love of a good woman!

UGOTPZD: Very true.

Lenny: What is your favorite part about playing poker for a living?

UGOTPZD: I like making my own schedule and traveling when I want where I want. I dropped out of high school because I hated waking up early in the morning and I hated having a schedule. Being my own boss is something I need in my life.

Lenny: Do you have any goals poker-wise?

UGOTPZD: Not particularly, I stay away from live tourneys for the most part, not interested in any fame or things of that nature. I just want to make enough money to party and buy the things I want.

Lenny: I can't argue with that. Have you made many friends through the game?

UGOTPZD: I have a good buddy with me right now. Also, ocrowe is a good friend of mine who I knew before, but got to know him better through poker. So, yes, I do have a lot of friends who are poker players.

Lenny: Any outside interests besides "drink/bacarat"?

UGOTPZD: I have been spending a lot of time with my girlfriend lately. I love eating out in nice restaurants. Other than that I am a fan of lazing around and watching DVDs.

Lenny: What’s your favorite movie or actor?

UGOTPZD: Typical boring answer but true, Rounders. I am also a big fan of Edward Norton in general.

Lenny: Well, I won’t keep you from enjoying Vegas much longer, any last thoughts?

UGOTPZD: I will just say, people need to just chill out and respect my arrow when I PZ them.
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