DoylesRoomBrunson 10 member Zachary CrazyZacharyClark, the nephew of the late Chip Reese, is fired up for the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP). The 57-event tournament series kicks off on May 28th and Clark tuned his game up in a big way by final tabling a mid-stakes PokerStarsSpring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) No Limit Hold’em event for $110,000. At the same time, he emerged victorious in the UB.com $150,000 Guaranteed for another $39,000. After $150,000 earnings, Clark sat down with PocketFives.com to recap his run and preview the 2010 WSOP.
PocketFives.com: Thanks for joining us. Talk a little bit about your big weekend.
Zachary Clark: On Sunday, I got third in the SCOOP Warm-Up for $110,000. It was really fun once we got down to three-handed play because we started to talk deals and I always get a kick out of that part of final tables. I didn't end up talking them into giving me enough to chop and then got it in with 9-9 against 8-8 for a nice chip lead, but an eight came. I guess I should have chopped, or not. I got first in the UB $500 for $39,000 and ran like God in that tournament.
PocketFives.com: How big of a confidence booster is this for you headed into the 2010 WSOP?
Zachary Clark: I’m very confident going into the WSOP. I am also very excited for my first WSOP representing DoylesRoom. I plan on playing every No Limit tournament I can as long as I feel like playing that day. I don’t force it, even if it’s the WSOP. I will go to the pool or whatever if I don’t feel like playing, but you know how much I love making money, so I would imagine I won’t be missing too many of those events.
PocketFives.com: The last time we sat down with you was right before the final table of the 2009 WSOP Main Event in November. Since then, DoylesRoom has added Steve gboro780Gross (pictured at left) and Alex AJKHoosier1Kamberis to the Brunson 10. Talk about their signings.
Zachary Clark: gboro780 is a world class MTTer and a good friend of mine, while AJKHoosier1's results speak for themselves. I would say the things that stand out the most to me about the two of them are how well respected they are among their peers, how they handle themselves, and how good they are at MTTs.
PocketFives.com: A few poker players we’ve talked to have indicated that they’ll be branching out into more Mixed Games during the 2010 WSOP. What about you?
Zachary Clark: Eventually, it is definitely a goal of mine to move onto other games and make money in other areas. However, right now I feel it’s best for me to concentrate on No Limit Hold’em tournaments at least through this year’s WSOP. I will play some PLO tournaments not because I think I’m good at them, but because I feel like I am +EV and my live experience is huge.
PocketFives.com: Can you talk about the influence of Chip Reese (pictured at right) on your game?
Zachary Clark: Chip was far and away my biggest influence. He was a father figure, a best friend, and the smartest guy I have known in so many different ways. I have said many times that he didn't teach me poker and I don’t mean that be cocky. I say it all the time because I think it’s huge that poker players understand that how you play your hand is only half the battle. You have to be in the right mindset to stick around in this business. That is definitely a major concept that he hammered into my head.
Visit DoylesRoomto play with Clark and other members of the Brunson 10 today.