Johnny Chan's Success
More Than Just Luck
Chan's poker accomplishments include an astounding 10 World Series Bracelets (which ties him with Doyle Brunson for possession of the most bracelets), as well as back-to-back wins at the World Series Main Event in 1987 and 1988. Chan discussed luck in the game as well as his thoughts on this year's Main Event.
Question: Talk to us about luck.
Answer: My lucky numbers are eight, three, and six. My lucky colors are blue, orange, and red.
Question: What about good luck charms in poker?
Answer: Like an orange? Yeah, I believe in good luck charms in poker. The numbers... like the number-eight seat or number-three seat... those are lucky numbers. My lucky hand is queens.
Question: Why is it lucky?
Answer: It is lucky because it sounds good. "Igda" in Chinese means "growing." Three means "stay alive."
Question: How much is luck as opposed to talent in a poker tournament?
Answer: I would say it is about 40 percent luck and 60 percent skill.
Question: How can you be successful at the game when a lot is based on luck?
Answer: You have to play the cards dealt to you extremely carefully. Try to play the best you can, and make the right adjustments according to the table. Know when to hold'em and know when to throw them away!
Question: How much changes when you are playing at a table against other pros as opposed to the main event with so many amateurs?
Answer: Actually, I love to play against all the top players because I have been playing against all those players for the last 10, 20 years. I know how everyone plays, compared with the big tournament with like 6,000 players, 90 percent of whom I don't know.
Question: A lot of the pros were knocked out of the main event by bad beats. Is there any way to avoid that?
Answer: There's nothing you can do, really, to avoid that. You have to play your cards.
Question: In a large tournament field, is it better to play conservatively or aggressively?
Answer: I like to play aggressively at first, and then if I get a hold of some chips. I can sit back and relax.
Question: What do you think about a lot of the pros saying their only goal was to make past the first day?
Answer: My opinion is, it doesn't matter first or second day. If you last through the second day and you don't have any chips... the antes go up.. so what is that going to do?
Question: Do you think it is an advantage that a lot of the players are coming from the Internet?
Answer: It's good for the Internet, but I don't know about for tournaments. It's good for the economy, too. I mean, look at the World Series. You've got 6,000 players, and probably about 5,500 are from the Internet.
Question: Does that make it easier for the pros because the Internet players are not familiar with playing live tournaments?
Answer: It makes it tougher, because I never know where they are at. I mean, they may be bluffing, but they don't even know where they are at. That's that problem. They think that's just the way poker is supposed to be played.
Question: Then you are at a disadvantage because you don't know their playing style?
Answer: A big disadvantage! I mean, they watch me on TV all the time, how I play and when I make a move and when I have the nuts, but I never see them play. So I am at a big disadvantage.
Question: How much did your game change with the advent of poker on TV?
Answer: I have to switch gears all the time.
Chan is the master, I hope you have learned something.