Team PokerStars Pros vs. Full Tilt Poker Pros Pre Match Comments From the Pros

This weekend Team PokerStars Pros take on Full Tilt Poker’s The Professionals in the ultimate heads-up showdown at the London Poker Festival, we caught up with some of the players and spectators for their pre match thoughts...

Gus Hansen – Full Tilt Professional

I have at least 50,000 reasons to win this, and on top of that it will be a great pleasure once again beating up on Mr Daniel Negreanu ;-).  You all know I won a very large hand against Daniel on High Stakes poker and we have played various times in big live cash games with different outcomes, but if I had to guess I would say that I’m ahead.

I’ve never played live Battleship format, so I guess it will be a first for me. It’s gonna be interesting, but I think the most important thing is to focus on the game of poker and play as well as possible. Depending on the structure and the style of play - I think that our match will be the longest one, in the 3 hour range.

Viktor Blom – Full Tilt Professional

I think my match with ElkY will be fun, and might take a bit longer than the others because we have never played each other online before. We will try to feel each other out in the beginning, before taking any risks. Well, he might do this I usually end up putting on the pressure right away.  I haven’t played the battleship format before. ElkY might have the live game edge, but we are still playing at the online tables, and Full Tilt is kinda like my turf.

It always means a lot to me to try and win. I am super competitive, and want to win not only every match, but every hand! I want to destroy PokerStars because it is the first time we are doing this, and I want them to be too scared to agree to a rematch. I respect ElkY greatly, but beating him is going to be a lot of fun. I just have to do it!

ElkY - Team PokerStars Pro

As I've played just once against Blom for his first live appearance at the PCA 2011 and lost the match, I'm definitely looking forward to a rematch. It is very exciting because he's considered by many as the best NL Heads up Player in the world, and a formidable opponent. I don't have much experience of battleship format, but I don't think he has either so we will be on a level ground about that. Facing him will definitely be very challenging, but it will just add to the glory if I happen to win this game.

Ike Haxton – Team PokerStars Online

I'm very excited for the match. It's a fun format and I'm always happy to accept some easy money.

James Hartigan – EPT Commentator

I can't be objective about this one. I know Daniel, ElkY and Ike personally. I've had the pleasure of travelling the international circuit with them, and working alongside them on EPT Live. They're great guys, and awesome players, so I'm backing Team PS for the win. In fact, I'm going to make the bold/rash prediction that they will sweep the series 3-0!

Joe Stapleton – EPT Commentator

This is a total no-brainer for me, Team PokerStars all the way. Ike is one of the smarter poker players alive, Elky is seek (sick), and Daniel is one of my closest friends (who could easily have me fired). Plus PokerStars puts food on my kids' table.

I think Team PokerStars may be at a disadvantage as far as aggression in online cash games go, but as far as I'm concerned we've got the classier, thinking-man's squad. Those guys from Full Tilt may have the rock star image, but I prefer my poker players to be a little more solid.

Theo Jorgensen – Team PokerStars Pro

- Source:  www.pokerstars.com