2008 World Series of Poker Final : Darus Suharto Interview
Gambling911.com Senior Correspondent, Jenny Woo, had an opportunity to sit down with Darus Suharto, who will be playing 6th in chips (12,520,000) during the 2008 WSOP final table on November the 10th. Darus Suharto is Indonesian Canadian so he'll have quite the fan base rooting him on.
JENNY: What's your opinion on the WSOP final table being pushed to November this year?
DARUS: I love it because I was so dead tired on day 7 when reaching the final level. But right now, we've gone through 3 ½ months and I hate it. I just want to get it over with. It's not good to wait and it's been so long. I was in the zone on day 7. Having this break doesn't help me the most getting back in the zone. It goes from intense poker and you suddenly have to take a 3-month break. It's a different feeling. Your mind is just not there anymore. Yet you have to play in November and you expect yourself to be in the same mind set as day 7. It will be very tough. I don't know if I can do it but I'm still ready. I'm not complaining though.
JENNY: What have you been doing these past 3 months? And have you been doing anything to prepare yourself for the final table?
DARUS: After making the final table, I went back to work; so I've been working for the past few months. I'm taking off of work for the next 5 weeks; I'm just trying to prepare for the final table. I've played live tournaments; I've played in London and at the WPT in Niagara Falls. I also play a lot online and I try to watch main event videos on ESPN. I'm also a member of PokerXFactor; it's an online poker school. They give you training for betting online. One of the pros, Eric "Rizen" Lynch, is going to help me out for the final table.
JENNY: You're known for playing online. What rooms are your favorites?
DARUS: Obviously, PokerStars.com. I do check out other poker rooms, but I don't play that much. Pokerstars was the first one that I checked out and signed up with. But I started playing seriously in 2005.
JENNY: But before that you mainly played online. Right? Wasn't online the place where you got your start?
DARUS: That's correct because I'm mainly an online player. I played poker when I was in graduate school; then in 2005 a friend told me about online poker and that's when I joined Pokerstars. Maybe on the weekend I use to spend a little time on the others, but that was about it. This event is actually my second big tournament.
JENNY: Will any of your family from Indonesia be in town to show their support?
DARUS: They would love to but it's a long way for them. But they have been following me every day.
JENNY: Who do you see as the weakest and strongest player at this year's final table?
DARUS: Um, probably the weaker is me. (Haha)
JENNY: NO! Don't be so hard on yourself sweetie. (Haha)
DARUS: (Haha) They're all good players; I'm not going to single out anybody, but they're amazing players.
JENNY: Do you see Russian, Ivan Demidov, as a big threat to you?
DARUS: Well he did make the final table for WSOPE. I don't see him as a big threat. I do think he has a chance. I'll just have to do my best at the final table and see what happens. Hopefully things will look up for me.
JENNY: Is there anyone specific in the industry that you admire?
DARUS: Yeah of course. Daniel Negreanu. He's a good player and he carries his manners at the table very good. I just admire him and the way he plays is excellent; I love playing with him.
JENNY: Do you believe the game is more luck or is it more skill?
DARUS: Absolutely it's more skill. There's no question in my mind.
JENNY: What will you do with the $9 million? Because you're obviously not going to quit your job as an accountant - right?
DARUS: (Haha) Hopefully not. I love my job. I love the people I work with. It is a lot of money so I don't know. I wouldn't have to worry about my bills anymore. I'm very conservative. I'd put money in the bank and help my family. That's all I'd want to do. My mom is so excited.
JENNY: If I were your mother, I'd be jumping up and down. (Haha)
DARUS: She has no idea about poker. (Haha) I told her, "Mom, I'm in the nine" and she said, "Well how much is that"? I said, "it's a lot of money and I'm paying off your mortgage". (Haha)
Family is a big part of me.
JENNY: What have you been doing when you're not playing tournaments? Do like sports? Hang out with friends? Do you date - Are you dating anyone?
DARUS: You can put down that I'm single. (Haha)
JENNY: I will let all the ladies know. I am single too after breaking up with my controlling brain surgeon boyfriend. Would rather find love from a poker player these days. (Haha)
DARUS: Bring it on!! (Haha)
JENNY: I will let all my single lady friends know that you're single and to keep an eye out for you. They all are hot like me and have boob jobs except for one.
DARUS: Thanks Jenny. (Haha) But the last 3 months, I went back to work to my very demanding boss. (Haha) Basically, it's been juggling all of this. I really have been trying to spend time with my friends.
JENNY: Yeah I feel for ya. I too have a demanding boss and I have an agent who's even worse. Since we are on the topic of annoyances, are you familiar with the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act)? What are your thoughts on the UIGEA?
DARUS: I'm Canadian, but yeah I heard and read about it; but I'm not really familiar with it.
JENNY: Have you been keeping up with our elections here in the U.S.?
DARUS: Yes, of course!
JENNY: So who would you have voted for?
DARUS: Oh gosh. A lot of people are going to hate me for this - (Haha) - but I would go with Obama.
JENNY: What's after this...vacation, more poker, or back to your job as an accountant?
DARUS: Well this is the plan, after the final table I will go back to work. My boss expects me go back November 17th, so that's what I'm going to do. I don't know beyond that. We'll see what happens, depending on how much money I have. (Haha)
JENNY: You're all work and no play!! (Haha) And you tell your boss to ease up on you a little bit.
DARUS: Well, I'm a man of commitment. After the final table I need to go back to work. I told my boss that before the final table I would finish my projects and I did; so he gave me the time off; and I told him I would come back. I don't like to burn my bridges.
JENNY: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview and good luck.
DARUS: Thanks so much Jenny.
Jenny Woo, Gambling911.com Senior Correspondent
