It is impossible to imagine the live poker without some players and Ryan Depaulo is one of them. The vlogger extraordinaire is a fixture at the live felt but when he’s not playing major poker tournaments – and selling to them via PokerStake – what does he get up to? The family man might surprise you, as he takes on our 15 Bigs.
Our tricky teasers are designed to put each poker player we speak to in a world of hurt. In a poker tournament or cash game, 15 big blinds can be the marginal moment of decision. All-in or fold, shove or muck? Each question is designed to push our players to their limits. So will Ryan Depaulo be on his way back to Walmart for brain food to go with the WSOP he once won from their car park, or can he chill at home with his feet up?
It’s time to fire some tricky questions his way.
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 hate television, ‘cause TV writers are hacks and never have a story arc planned! I watched The Sopranos this summer for the first time and its the best show of all time or whatever – but I prefer my 100th favorite movie over it. That said, I must go with a TV show here, probably Ink Master or Ultimate Fighter. I don’t fight and I have only one tattoo but watching people compete is infinitely fun. It’s like a whole sports season that you don’t know the outcome of.
If you were stranded on a desert island with one book for company, what would it be?
I mean obviously The Bible, The Quran, or maybe The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle. It must be a spiritual book that has repeat value and connecting to God is pretty infinite. So whichever book has the most pictures in it that will also give me a spiritual awakening.
What’s the song you could listen to on repeat forever?
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Classical music has the least repetition and is best for brainwaves.
What’s your favourite place to play poker and why?
I don’t know what ‘favourite’ means, I think Some Brit or Aussie means favorite! [Ed – note to self, must buy Ryan’s action at WSOP Paradise to troll him!] Probably The Wynn or The Texas Card Rooms – any of them, they’ve got the best staff and create a fun environment.
If you were to be shot at dawn, what would be your last meal and drink?
Probably Italian Sunday Gravy, which is a homemade red sauce that gets simmered for hours with meatballs, Italian sausage, and slow cooked pork.
Where’s your favourite non-poker holiday destination?
My family and I go to Cape May in New Jersey during Christmas, its really nice. Or Mont Tremblant. I’ve never been during Christmas but it was like a magical winter village in February, so I can only imagine.
You can play poker every day for a year or play no poker for a whole 12 months – which do you choose?
I am a miz reg at this point because I’d snap miss a year. I’d play so bad if I had to play every day.
Who is the person you don’t have around anymore that you miss the most?
My mom. She died when I was 16. I wish I could know her as an adult. I only ever knew her as my mom as kids do, not like a different person. I’d want to get to know her more and have her thoughts on my wife, my job, what drapes we should pick in my house, all types of stuff. I’d take her with me on some poker trips and have her there at final tables.
Which person would you most like to meet but never have?
I don’t know. I don’t have much to say to the athletes and musicians I admire. I’d like to meet the guys from Red Letter media and be friends with them I guess.
When’s the last time life put you on tilt?
I have been very emotionally immature lately, so probably yesterday for a brief moment hanging Christmas lights but I try not to ever be on life tilt. I really don’t have much reason to be.
If you couldn’t play the WSOP Main Event next year, which family member would you put into the action in your place?
None of them know how to play and I am an only child. Probably my cousin Jack, because I think he would be willing to prepare the most out of anyone. Or if it was legal, my niece Riley.
What’s your best poker skill?
I guess fearlessness when I think its required.
And your biggest leak?
Too much fearlessness.
If you could make one rule change to poker, what would it be?
In cash games, you have to show your hands on an all-in, the same as in an MTT [multi-table tournament].
You have just ten seconds with the person of your dreams… what do you say?
Yo Caity, why you only giving me ten seconds? We’re married, bruh.
Family trips, Italian Sunday Gravy and a declaration of love wrapped up in a joke. Sounds like The Eminem of Poker is the Greatest and has no Guilty Conscience. He probably tripled up when another player called his all-in too.
Want to stake Ryan Depaulo in his upcoming events, such as WSOP Paradise? He’s ready to crush and his PokerStake staking page tells you about all his previous wins for his investors.
