San Remo EPT winner Rupert Elder in exclusive Q&A

By Villa777 on May 11, 11 05:16 PM in Cards

HE won the San Remo European Poker Tour title last month - and pocketed a cool Â£828,000.

Now former Warwick Uni student Rupert Elder, 24, has the poker world at his feet.

The economics graduate gave an exclusive Q&A interview to this blog after his amazing win which has catapulted him into the big time.

Q. When did you first start playing poker and why did you take it up?

A. In 6th form when I was 16 or 17, I just really enjoyed it and I liked the idea of gambling.

2. How well were you doing in those early days?

A. Terribly, for maybe the first 3 years I played I was definitely a losing player at small stakes.

Q. What did you study at Warwick Uni? Before poker came along, what did you see as your future career?

A. I studied Economics but I use studied in the loosest way possible since I spent a lot of time playing poker and only ended up with a pass degree. I wanted to be a programmer or a trader but after applying to jobs no one wanted me.

Q. When did you turn pro - and what did your family think of your decision?

A. After graduating, they were fine with it but I think my dad always hopes that I will one day get a "real" job.

Q. Going into San Remo, did you feel you had a good chance of winning? Was your form good?

A. I thought I had as every much chance as I did in previous events. I don't especially believe in form as such I just try to do my absolute best for every single event I play and if I make mistakes then to figure out why and to fix it.

Q. What does winnning San Remo mean to you? How did you celebrate the win?

A. It's awesome, especially since it was a larger than normal field. I just went for a few beers and a bbq with lots of friends :)

Q. What are your future poker career plans/ambitions now?

A. More EPTs, bigger online cash games, improve more!

Q. Do you back other poker players and have you had much success in doing it?

A. I've backed loads of people and no I don't have any success unless their name is James Keys!

Q. What is the best thing about being a professional poker player? And the worst?

A. Freedom, travelling, good pay etc. Tthe worst? Having to turn up at 12 every day, travelling, losing lots of money... :D

Q. What is the most extravagent thing you have bought from your poker winnings? Do you plan to make any big purchases from your San Remo winnings?

A. I bought a Â£75 hoodie, that's probably the biggest purchase i'll make for a while.

Q. What is the most you have won or lost in a single day in cash games?

A. This year, +$3.6k, -$2.1k in my HEM. I played on another site where I played in some way bigger games so probably +Â£6k -Â£2k or something.

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