At the World Series of Poker, players constantly find themselves in a commonly encountered part of tournament poker, namely being down to 15 big blinds. It’s push-fold territory, the edge of tournament life and tournament death. One coinflip can be the difference between winning the bracelet or missing out on a min-cash.
We’ve taken the concept of ‘15 Bigs’ and applied it to questions about poker. This week, we spoke with 888poker and WSOP commentator and presenter David Tuchman. ‘Tuch’ as he is known to poker players, broadcasters and creators is one of the most popular people in poker.
Will he pass the ultimate test and double up… or be eliminated?
You’re on a long-haul flight and can only choose one TV Show or Movie to watch on repeat, which is your pick?
I’m going to go with The Sopranos.
If you were stranded on a desert island with one book for company, what would it be?
The Stand by Stephen King, the full unabridged version of course. I might get rescued before I finish it.
What’s the song you could listen to on repeat forever?
Roll Me Away by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.
What’s your favourite place to play poker and why?
The Horseshoe. I’m all about convenience and I’m right here.
If you were to be shot at dawn, what would be your last meal and drink?
I’m going to have a delicious T-Bone steak, and a bottle of red wine. Oh… and piping hot mashed potatoes, it’s the one food you must have hot. Mashed potatoes need to be hot. It’s a heavy meal, but hey.
Where’s your favourite non-poker holiday destination?
Utah – I love snowboarding, I live for it. I’m a winter sports guy and for a holiday, I’ve got to be around snow.
You can play poker every day for a year or play no poker for a whole 12 months – which do you choose?
Poker every day!
Who is the person you don’t have around anymore that you miss the most?
My Mom’s parents. My Grandfather passed away when I was quite young. My Grandma passed away when I was in my twenties, and I miss her so much. I was the first boy born in the family for a long time. My 10-year-old asked me recently if you could speak to anyone who would it be? I don’t know who I said but he told me he wanted to speak to my Grandma. Oh man, I was crying. My Grandma would just eat my kids up, she’d love them.
Which person would you most like to meet but never have?
I’d like to meet the older version of me. I won’t tell them anything and I don’t want them to tell me anything, but I’ve always liked the idea of having a conversation with my future self. I love time travel and alternate universes and I think it would be super-cool to meet an alternate version of yourself.
When’s the last time life put you on tilt?
I coach ice hockey and in California you have try-outs for season runs. Youth ice hockey is insane. Parents are losing their minds. It’s the most insane thing and for kids between 10 and 14. I’m coaching a team and having to deal with parents and kids set me on tilt a little bit.
If you couldn’t play the WSOP Main Event next year, which family member would you put into the action in your place?
I’d be burning $10,000. My Dad is drawing dead in No Limit hold’em. Honestly I’d probably put my 27-year-old nephew in. He’s not a great poker player by any stretch, but if he read a book, he’d have the discipline to do it. Maybe he’d have a chance if he put a little work into it.
What’s your best poker skill?
Understanding how I’m perceived by others and making adjustments on that. If people think I‘m tighter or a maniac, I can use that against them. I understand people really well, so I’m definitely a live poker player.
And your biggest leak?
I don’t work on the game as much as I could from a technical standpoint. I’m still a winning player but I don’t put the time in. I’m watching so much poker for my job as a poker commentator. If I as younger I’d be diagnosed as ADHD. Sitting and watching poker videos when I’ve got downtime is really hard for me. Commentary is studying, but I probably need to add to it a little bit.
If you could make one rule change to poker, what would it be?
In tournaments, things have got too strict. You can’t talk to your opponent or show your hand. In heads-up situations, I feel like its gamesmanship. I’m cognizant of beginners and want to make sure there’s no angling in the game. But if we’re heads-up, why can’t talk you? I think the rules can be created for no reason.
They make it more complicated than it needs to be, especially heads-up. Some of these rules are common sense. They have them to prevent angling, but they can make a game less enjoyable because of 0.01% of the field. This is why private games have exploded; it’s not as fun to play a game that’s so highly regulated. Can’t we just use common sense? It can drive people away.
You have just ten seconds with the person of your dreams… what do you say?
I say: “Molly, thank you for taking this crazy journey with me called life. Thank you for being the best mother to my two boys and for being my wife. I love you.”
We don’t think Tuch was ever in trouble at any point there. It’s like he knew his hand was going to hold just like whenever he’s on the mic, we always feel in safe hands.
You can watch David Tuchman in action speaking to some of the stars of the 2024 World Series of Poker as part of the 888rides series he presents for 888poker. Get in the car with Tuch right here.
