Patrick pleno1Leonard (pictured), who is originally from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, has had one heck of a run over the last three weeks. On February 23, he chopped the PokerStars Sunday Warm-Upfor $94,000, the largest amount given away, and final tabled the Eighth Anniversary Sunday Million one week later for another $110,000. On March 15, he won the site’s $100 Rebuy for $13,000. Those three scores, which combined for $217,000, could push him even closer to the top 100 here on PocketFives.

PocketFives: You finished ninth in the Eighth Anniversary Sunday Million for $110,000. Tell us how you’re feeling about the six-figure score.

Patrick Leonard: It’s a little bit bittersweet. $110,000 is a lot of money to anybody who entered the tournament, so of course I’m really grateful for running well enough to be in a position to be playing for that kind of money, but of course I keep asking myself, “What if,” especially since my exit hand was A-QPocketFives: The field of that tournament totaled almost 50,000 entrants. What kind of field were you expecting and what was it like playing in an event with so many people?

Patrick Leonard: Almost every winning cash game player could play, so you can’t just write anybody off who isn’t profitable, but in the last 100, I think there were maybe five guys who were really good regs. I tried to play aggressively to give myself a chance at finishing in the big positions. My approach in these kind of tournaments is probably different than most. I take risks gaining chips initially because I feel like if you can get up to 50,000 in chips early in the Million, you have a great chance to chip up. I remember being all-in with two big river bluffs pretty early on.

PocketFives: Do you have any plans for the money?

Patrick Leonard: The week before, I chopped the Warm-Up, so I was already planning on splurging a little bit. In England, we don’t pay taxes on winnings, so I feel like it’s my duty to go to EPT Vienna, EPT San Remo, and the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas for a month to give a little bit back!

In all seriousness, it allows me to be pretty flexible with my bankroll and take more shots. I’m predominantly a 500nl/1,000nl reg, so it also allows me to sit in higher games when the conditions are right. In terms of extravagant purchases, the plan is to reevaluate everything after Vegas. I’ve been traveling to play poker for four years now. Maybe it’s time to settle down somewhere and maybe I’ll do something boring like buy a house.

PocketFives: Has the traveling been exhausting?

Patrick Leonard: Yeah. To be honest, I hate traveling. Last year, it took me 72 hours to get to Vegas. Usually, whenever I play a live tournament, I tell myself, “Never again, stick to online,” but I also really strive to see the world. I’m a huge believer in making sure you stay ahead of the game. Poker is forever evolving and if you take your foot off the pedal, you will be left behind.

I have studied so much and put in so much work, but realize I should also consider “life EV.” Seeing different places while still being an age to potentially make money is a really good combination for me right now.

PocketFives: What do you want to accomplish in poker this yearand what was the biggest improvement in your game last year?

Patrick Leonard: At the start of the year, I set a goal of becoming a Supernova Elite and hitting $200,000 profit after rakeback. I have played in the toughest games for the last three months, mainly $500 and $1K Zoom, and studied lots of spots. I think from playing against some of the best players in the world, I had to stay on top of my game and definitely picked up some stuff from them.

In terms of MTTs, I think it all clicked when I went to a live tournament in England. I made about five hero folds where I would have always called previously. The fact is even if you’re at the top of your range, a lot of ABC regs or passive fish simply won’t bluff some spots. I think if you don’t make a few bad folds in a tournament, then you’re probably a calling station and that’s not the way to win at poker.

I will still try to hit Supernova Elite, but it will be harder now with the live trips I will go on, but who knows. Ultimately, bringing back a shiny bracelet from Vegas would be a dream come true, but I understand variance and know it’s extremely unlikely to happen.

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