This Saturday, February 3, Bally Live Poker is livestreaming a game you don't want to miss. To start with, the game's going to play big--$100/$100 with a $100 big blind ante and a minimum buy-in of $100,000. But the headline news is the return of David'Viffer' Peat after eight years away from Las Vegas card games.
Then, there's the murderer's row of action junkies joining him at the table, including Ethan 'Rampage' Yau, Nik 'Airball' Arcot, CharlesYu, and Patrik Antonius. Oh, and we can't forget the host--the man who put together the game--EricPersson.
Excited? We are, and we couldn't let the occasion pass without getting Viffer's thoughts on the game ahead of his epic return.
David 'Viffer' Peat
From what I've seen and heard, poker has changed in a few ways, but the biggest thing is people don't like to fold. When I was playing not many people would fight for pots.
Pre-flop, if someone raised, I re-raised, and they re-raised again, it was a pretty easy fold. And if I decided to continue, it was almost always AA, KK, AK. When you know that, it makes the game pretty easy. I could decide if stack sizes were worth it--the likelihood of getting the whole stack if I do make my hand, or if the player would let me steal the pot on scary boards.
Today, they are re-raising with a variety of hands.
Knowing that, suited connectors and small pairs lose a lot of value. Now, when you get re-raised, especially out of position, you have to fold. If you're set mining and don't hit, your opponent doesn’t have to have a hand to put any more money into the pot and they are going to steal a lot of pots from you. I think it’s harder to get paid off nowadays.
It's the same thing with turns and rivers. If I raised someone on the turn or river, and they re-raised me, it was a pretty easy fold. Today, not so much.
I also think poker players have more money in relation to the size of games they play – there's not as much scared money. I can't count the times I used to play BOT (bankroll on table). It’s harder to do that when people are fighting so hard and putting you into tough spots. There's a lot more blood nowadays.
What can you expect from me?
Well, in one regard, you are going to see the old Viffer. I am here to win, and win every pot I play.
Are you going to see the wild, maniac Viffer? If the game allows it. I don't think thats going to happen, though. They aren’t going to let me run them over. Eric [Persson] is going to be in a lot of pots and from what I see he fights hard to win. Rampage is a fighter--sticky, tricky, not afraid. Airball splashes around. There are no real punk bitches at the table.
The first thing I have to do is figure out how people are going to play against me. Some people want to show me a big bluff, play every pot against me to gain some street credit. Or, they might show me some respect.
I remember the first few times I got to play with Doyle, I had little-dick-syndrome. I wanted to prove myself and beat the best. That didn't work out so well for me. He taught me to respect the game and my elders. Years later, I got to play with [Phil] Ivey. My game plan changed. One time it was me, Ivey, Patrik [Antonius], and one other good player. I went in with the mindset of doing everything I could not to let them beat me. I stayed out of their way, didn't see any value playing pots with them. It might have been the tightest I ever played. I still have a lot of respect for Patrik, so don't expect to see me playing a lot of heads-up pots with him.
Once I figure out how people are going to play versus me, I have to figure out how they think I am going to play back. A good general rule in poker is to play opposite to how your opponent thinks you are playing.
I also have a rule, I only bluff good players.
So, Patrik, stay sharp. The rest of you--no set, no bet.
Another thing I have to consider, and it's a big deal. Let’s say I lose $100,00 or $200,000 in this game. I'm not in action every day playing these stakes, this might be the last time I ever play this kind of game. So, if I lose, it’s gone. I'm waking up, jumping on a plane, flying home. I used to wake up and play again--I was playing big seven days a week. I could lose $500,000 and get it back the next day. I remember one WSOP, I was a millionaire and then broke three times in eight days. So, the money means a bit more to me nowadays. It’s a lot harder to get back big losses.
It might also make me want to play again. I see these stream games and they look really fun. There is a Bally's fifteen minutes from my house and rumor is Eric is opening a 60-table poker room there. Plans to stream games. There is a good chance you might be seeing a lot more of me, if these rumors are true. Hopefully, I can play and not have to deal--depending on how this game goes.
I'm going to try to play solid poker. I think everyone says that before the first hand. Lose a few hands, take a few needles, and that might change.
I just want to have a good time and not look like a total idiot. Hopefully, I am at least competitive.
I guess we will have to see how things go.
You can watch Viffer's return on the Bally Live Poker YouTube channel on Saturday, February 3, starting at 4pm PST. Check out the trailer below while you're waiting.
