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I had the chance to sit with another PokerStars Team Australia player who made his mark in the poker world in 2007 when he won the High Rollers Event at APPT Macau. Eric Assadourian admitted to Jenny that poker will always be in his life even if he does get burned out once in a while. Read more of my interview with Eric and look for him at PokerStars.com under the username "assadourian".
JENNY: How did you get your start in poker?
ERIC: When I won the Melbourne champs in April 2006 and picked up a nice 80k, it became clear to me that poker was something I wanted to take a lot more seriously. However, it wasn't until I won the High Rollers tournament Macau in 2007 that I decided to take on poker professionally and play full time.
JENNY: Your father got into the poker scene after you. How has it been to be able to share with him in something you love? Do you both give each other pointers? And have
ERIC: My father and I have always been close. I have been working with my dad ever since I graduated from high school, and so we have always been best friends and dad has been an incredible father to me. Poker for us has just been another interest we share. We have so much other things in common that we rarely talk about poker. However, we are both very strong headed and have very different styles of play. So I think it is best it stays that way and instead we support each other like we always have.
JENNY: Do you play a lot online? And if so, would you say you play in more live tournaments than online or vice versa?
ERIC: I am a typical live poker player. My game is all about table talk, which I use to gather information about my opponent and get a better understanding of the strength of their hand. I also use table talk to frustrate my opponent in the hopes that they make a mistake or do something out of character. However, recently I have become part of PokerStars PRO Australia and have been encouraged to play a lot more online poker. At first I found it challenging, as most of my game is very verbal. But as time when on and I began playing more and more online poker, not only did I become more comfortable online but I think it has helped me improve my live game as it has helped me to see different angles of the game. However, I still play more live tournaments than online.
JENNY: Do you play in a lot of cash games in your area?
ERIC: Star City is my local casino who I am an ambassador for. I try and play poker at the casino minimum once a week. However, being part of PokerStars PRO Australia I am traveling quite a bit and find it hard to find time to make it into the casino that often. I am also trying to play a lot of online poker as well.
JENNY: How would you describe your style of play both online and live?
ERIC: Live, I am very aggressive and at the table I am usually the loudest player. Online, I am also aggressive. However I play multiple tables, which slows my play down a bit.
JENNY: What's your game of choice?
ERIC: Equally NL Hold'em and PL Omaha.
JENNY: Where do you see yourself in the future? Still playing poker?
ERIC: Poker will always be in my life and I will always be taking it seriously no matter what stage of my life I am in.
JENNY: Do you ever get burned out?
JENNY: All the time! Usually when I get to the end of a poker trip I become burnt out, and when I get home I always need a few days rest and break from poker. But it isn't too long till my head is back in the game again and I'm looking forward to my next tournament.
JENNY: What's next for you?
ERIC: Hopefully a big tournament win!
JENNY: What key advice can you give someone who's just getting their start in poker?
ERIC: Never give up! To master anything it takes time and persistence. Poker is a sport, which always has its swings and you need to be prepared for the ups and downs.
Jenny Woo, Gambling911.com Senior International Correspondent
