In the mid-stakes version of Event #28 of the PokerStarsSpring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP), 2,066 players turned out for a $100 No Limit Hold’em with Rebuys tournament, creating a $649,000 prize pool. The top 270 players finished in the money, led by New Jersey native Mike Bonzo9876Katz (pictured at right). The win was worth $103,000 and Katz defeated fellow community member tcblade heads-up; tcblade earned a $77,000 consolation prize. We sat down with Katz to discuss his strategy during the rebuy period and break down the competition at the final table.
Before we get to the interview, let’s review Katz’s rap sheet. In January, he took down the $55 rebuy on PokerStars for $36,000. Two months later, Katz won the Full Tilt Poker$75,000 Guaranteed for another $19,000. He’s also tasted victory in the PokerStars $35,000 Guaranteed and UB.com$75,000 Guaranteed for a combined $47,000. Katz sits in 11th on the PocketFives.com Sliding PLBfor New Jersey, a leaderboard led by successful tournament pro Mike Gags30 Gagliano. Now, let’s take a look at what Katz had to say.
PocketFives.com: Thanks for joining us. Tell us how you fared during the rebuy period in the SCOOP event and what your strategy was in it.
Mike Katz: In most rebuy tournaments, I am very willing to gamble to put myself in a better position later in the tournament. In this one, people were playing a little tighter than in the normal $100 rebuys. Some people only wanted to be in for one shell. I couldn’t find a double up early because no one would gamble at my table. I did not really chip up until just after the rebuy period.
PocketFives.com: Others at the final table besides tcblade included Stuman123, boomsquad33, and Matt All In At 420 Stout (pictured at left). Was it as tough of a final table as it looked?
Mike Katz: Stout finished ninth, which I was happy to see although I like him very much and he plays very well. Stuman123 played really well, but I was able to win two big post-flop hands from him, which propelled me to victory.
PocketFives.com: What does the $100,000 cash windfall do for your game going forward?
Mike Katz: The $100,000 cash is really good for my confidence. I thought I have been playing really well. I’ve also been tinkering with my game and it is where it needs to be for the World Series of Poker (WSOP). As far as game selection or tournaments, it doesn’t really change anything. I will still be playing in the same tournaments.
PocketFives.com: How did you get started in poker?
Mike Katz: I started playing in high school with my friends all the time. We played $20 cash games and I ended up winning consistently. In college, I started making frequent trips to Atlantic City to play $1/$2 No Limit. I would often miss a week of school at a time to put in 20-hour sessions one after another. We also ran a poker game when I was in college. I played some on PartyPoker, but played mainly live cash. I moved quickly from $1/$2 to $2/$5 to $5/$10.
I started playing tournaments when all of my good friends had so much success. Living with the likes of Shannon ShannonShorrShorr, Eric basebaldyBaldwin (pictured at right), Cody thugmoneymkrSlaubaugh, and Adam csimmsuxGeyer is going to help your game immensely. I talk hands with all of them often, which has helped me transition from cash games to tournaments.
Visit PokerStarsfor full details on the 2010 SCOOP.