Jonas Klausen is no benighted, troubled, brooding prince of Denmark. He wears a ready smile on his face, jokes and laughs easily and is enjoying his success at the poker table quite fully, thank you very much. He is the top ranked Pocketfiver in his home country, which is no easy feat. Denmark is home to many talented and active players. The top ten Pocketfivers all have over 1,000 PLBs, and are all ranked in the 90th percentile or better among their peers worldwide. So, how does he do it?

Klausen has amassed over 3,000 PLBs playing on only two sites and only playing half the hours of the average multi-table pro. He has accumulated the points mostly through big scores like his Sunday Million final table earlier this month. Fifth place was good for $40,000, which is his largest cash we have tracked for him, but only by a little. He has a first place in a $100 rebuy on Pokerstars worth $39,925, and a total of nine scores in the past year worth 10k or more.

Pocketfives PLB data does not display cashes over a year old, which would show Klausen’s biggest score to date. Last December he made the final tables of both the Million and the Warm-Up on the same day. He finished second in the million for $93,119 and fifth in the Warm-Up for 11,775. Over 100k is not bad for a days work. I asked him if that blockbuster day made up his mind to go pro. Klausen responded,

“Well, I’ve wanted to go pro since the first day I played poker. I think going pro is a dream every poker player has at some point. To live the sweet life playing the high stakes games, who wouldn’t? So I guess I’ve been thinking about it from the start. That big Sunday I had definitely made it easier though.”

Lenny: Did you go to University?

Klausen: The education system is a bit different in Denmark, so University is still something I have to attend to.

Lenny: Do you plan to go? Any idea what you would like to study?

Klausen: At the moment my big dream is to become a police officer, but I don’t have to go to University to do that. I am still playing with the thought and keeping my options open.

Lenny: How many hours of poker would you say you put in a week? Do you have a set schedule?

Klausen: It really depends on my mood. I would say at least 20-30 hours, that is the minimum. Sometimes I might play a little less, but I try to make myself put in a lot of hours. I used to put in at least fifty hours a week, but I guess I have gotten kind of lazy.

Lenny: You are probably better off! Do you spend much time thinking about poker away from the table?

Klausen: I used to spend my every waking hour thinking about poker. These days, when I am not playing I pretty much try not to think about it. It is nice to have a clear mind.

Lenny: If you could improve one area of your game, what would it be?

Klausen: It is hard to choose one thing. I definitely don't see myself as one of the best players in the world, so I have many areas I want to improve in my game. One thing I would like to do better is not to play when I have something else important I should have done instead. It is very important to concentrate 100% on poker.

Lenny: What about your strengths?

Klausen: My reading ability in live games is actually pretty strong, I think. I have definitely surprised a few people with that at times.

Lenny: What does 2008 look like for you?

Klausen: I have been playing poker full time for about two years now. It has been fun, but I might look for new things to do in 2008. It is getting kind of old, even though I will have a hard time not earning the same amount of money.

Lenny: Do you think you will always play poker, but you just don't want to have to play for a living?

Klausen: I don’t think I'll ever leave poker 100% alone. I have met some of the greatest people in the poker community. I also love to travel and stuff like that, but I need something more, I think. I will definitely earn some money on the side as long as I can, to make the life a little sweeter.

Lenny: What are some of your other interests? What do you do for fun?

Klausen: I like to hang out with my friends, play squash, work out, all the stuff you are supposed to do. What’s the point of playing cards for a living if you can’t spend your time partying and having a good time?

Lenny: Have you bought anything special for yourself or anyone else with poker money?

Klausen: [laughs] I have bought lots of things. I don't like my friends to spend money when we are out partying. I have spent a lot of money in nightclubs. Also I bought some televisions and stuff like that for Christmas presents last year. Other than that I just like to live well. I spend money in good restaurants with friends. I love good quality food.

Lenny: Do you have any poker goals for yourself in the coming year?

Klausen: Yeah my goal is to go for a big tour win. I am longing for a win on the EPT or WSOP. This year (2007) has actually been a pretty bad poker year for me so, I feel like I have to prove myself, even if just to myself.

Lenny: So is poker definitely full time for now?

Klausen: At the moment it is. I am definitely thinking about trying something completely different in 2008, but what I want to do, I have no idea.

Poker has been very good to Jonas Klausen over the past few years, and while he is a little uncertain about his future in this demanding industry, he certainly has the talent to make it if he chooses to. In the meantime, it is refreshing to speak with a poker player who is more interested in enjoying life than he is stacking up giant piles of money. Cash is how we keep score in poker, but it is not the only important thing in life, and Klausen has that figured out at a young age. His talent and his outlook on life will serve him well in whatever he sets out to do. Pocketfives wishes him the best of luck!

*Images taken with permission from http://www.pokernyhederne.com/