There always comes a time in poker tournaments at any level where a player will need to know what to do when decisions get marginal. This stage is often when the player has 15 big blinds left to their name and need to decide whether to twist or stick, shove all-in or fold to fight another day.
Our 15 Bigs questions are designed to put players from the world of poker to a decision on a number of subjects. This week, we speak to David ‘Chino’ Rheem, whose emotional words back in late 2023 touched the poker industry as he admitted to addiction problems and fought his way Back from the Brink.
Will Chino make it through 15 bigs and double his stack or could our ultra-tough teasers take him out? It’s on a knife edge.
You’re on a long-haul flight and can only choose one TV Show or Movie to watch on repeat, which is your pick?
Sports Center!
If you were stranded on a desert island with one book for company, what would it be?
The Big Book – it’s the book for AA [Alcoholics Anonymous] members.
What’s the song you could listen to on repeat forever?
Innerbloom by Rufus Du Sol.
[We’ve added this right into our playlist- Ed]
What’s your favourite place to play poker and why?
It has to be Las Vegas – Either the Bellagio or ARIA for the PokerGO Studio.
Chino has every reason to love the PokerGO Studio, it’s been the scene of so much of his success, including in 2023 when he became the Poker Masters champion. Chino has won over $500,000 at the poker spot in 2024 alone.
If you were to be shot at dawn, what would be your last meal and drink?
It’s got to be Korean food with some mango iced tea.
Where’s your favourite non-poker holiday destination?
Anywhere with my son.
You can play poker every day for a year or play no poker for a whole 12 months – which do you choose?
No poker… but only if I was with my son.
Who is the person you don’t have around anymore that you miss the most?
I miss my son the most always.
Which person would you most like to meet but never have?
Kobe Bryant.
Poker went into mourning when Kobe Bryant died in January 2020. When The Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss passed away in 2013, the WSOP officially reached out to Kobe to invite him to play in Buss’ honor. Bryant’s tragic death almost five years ago stunned the poker world, with the late Doyle Brunson saying: ‘There are no guarantees. RIP Kobe.’
When’s the last time life put you on tilt?
All the time!
If you couldn’t play the WSOP Main Event next year, which family member would you put into the action in your place?
My dad.
What’s your best poker skill?
Reading people.
And your biggest leak?
I’m working on a lot of leaks!
Just last year, Chino admitted to us: “I play a lot of hours and I’m in good action, very big cash games and big game tournaments. I win big numbers and lose big numbers daily, but it takes away from my recovery. I need to work on finding a better balance to my life.”
Since then, his work on his addictions has allowed him to move forward with his life.
If you could make one rule change to poker, what would it be?
Just to bring online poker back to the United States.
You have just ten seconds with the person of your dreams… what do you say?
I’d say to my son – who is the person of my dreams – that even though Daddy isn’t always with you… my heart always sends you love.
With the tough questions answered honestly and in a candid manner, Chino Rheem has proven once again that just as at the highest stakes, he can keep his composure and find a way to survive. After another excellent year in 2024, the future is bright for one of poker’s well-loved comeback characters.
