kingpin023 Recaps FTOPS $1,060 NLHE Victory
In the 12th event of the recent Full Tilt Online Poker Series(FTOPS), Lance kingpin023Harris (pictured at right) came out on top in a $1,060 No Limit Hold’em tournament. His $331,000 payday was one of the largest of FTOPS XV and Harris bested Pennsylvania native SJUHawks18heads-up; SJUHawks18 plays as grindtherail on Full Tilt Poker. February has been a profitable month for Harris, who also finished third in the PokerStars $55 rebuy for $24,000. PocketFives.com sat down with the Minnesota poker player to recap his FTOPS XV title.
PocketFives.com: Congratulations on your FTOPS XV victory and massive $331,000 payday. Tell us about your ride through the event.
Lance Harris: To start with, I chipped up from the starting stack of 6,000 to 10,000 in the first few levels. I didn’t get much going after that and ended up nursing a 10 to 30 big blind stack for most of the tournament. The main hand that sticks out for me is when we got heads-up. grindtherail had been playing very aggressive and very well. He was opening every button and 3betting my button opens a lot. We ended up getting all of the money in the middle and I had two nines and he had two tens. I was lucky enough to flop a nine to take the chip lead heads-up.
PocketFives.com: Tell us about the final table, which also featured third place finisher Steve gboro780Gross (pictured at left).
Lance Harris: The final table was tough. I came in six of nine with about 20 big blinds and had gboro780 two to my left. Not only was he on my left, but he also had the chip lead. I didn’t pick up many hands at the final table, so it was tough to chip up. When we were three-handed and I had locked up $155,000, I was more than happy. I knew I had the least amount of experience playing for this kind of money and they were probably going to come after me. I decided to loosen up and start playing back at them and it worked out.
PocketFives.com: Evaluate Gross’ performance at the final table. Did he live up to his top-tier spot in the Online Poker Rankings?
Lance Harris: gboro780 played great and definitely lived up to his top-tier ranking. It seems like he always has a stack in every big tournament. No exception here, obviously.
PocketFives.com: What does this win do for your career? It's your largest cash to date.
Lance Harris: This win is huge for me. I’m just going to keep grinding the same tournaments I normally play. I’ll probably just pay off my car, put a good chunk away for taxes, and maybe invest the rest of it.
PocketFives.com: How did you get started in poker?
Lance Harris: I got started around the Moneymaker boom. I used to deal blackjack and my boss played and talked a lot about poker. I started playing a little online and became immediately hooked. Thanks Rob!
PocketFives.com: Do you play professionally now?
Lance Harris: Yes, I have been playing professionally for three years. My family was a little wary when I told them, but they have become fully supportive. My friends have always been supportive.
PocketFives.com: What are you looking forward to the most in 2010 in poker?
Lance Harris: If it can get any better than this, then great! I am looking forward to Las Vegas and the World Series of Poker again this summer.
PocketFives.com: You had a lively thread in Poker Discussiontalking about your win. It must feel good to have solid support in the poker community.
Lance Harris: It definitely felt great having support from the poker community.
Check out our full FTOPS XV resultsof online poker players.