Day 1D of ACR Poker’s Venom tournament is running today at 1:05pm ET, with the final Day 1 going off this Sunday at 1:05pm ET.
Day 2 begins on Monday, and with $12.5m GTD there are likely to be multiple millionaires made even before the final card is dealt. What’s more, there are rumors of an overlay…
We've already heard from Chris Moneymaker and Monika Zukowicz, and with the whole shindig building to a climax next week, we spoke to two more names we wouldn’t be shocked to see in the money: ACR pros Chris Moorman and Jon Pardy.
What are your best memories of previous Venom tournaments?
Jon Pardy: My favorite memory would have to be running deep in Bill Perkins’ Thirst Lounge, my first ever Venom. I had ZERO dollars to my name, it was my biggest ever buy-in, and probably within my first ever 100 tourneys played. I ended up getting top 100 for my biggest score at the time. The Thirst Lounge stream was ROCKIN’!
Chris Moorman: My best memory is my wife Katie (‘katelinds’ on ACR) being chipleader in the last Venom after all of the day 1s. That was a really fun one.
Are there any moments from previous years that have really stuck in your memory?
CM: I got 27th place in the Venom back in 2018. Normally when you get so close it's a very bittersweet feeling, but I was really happy with my play overall which is pretty rare. I’m usually my own biggest critic.
JP: I don’t recall any epic battles against specific opponents, but I always look for Chris Moneymaker at my table. That's something I’d use my 'One Time' for!
What does preparation for the Venom entail? Anything different from the usual?
JP: Routine is everything. It starts with a good night's sleep the night before, 30 minutes of cardio to start the day, a nice breakfast and NO distractions on the day of Venom. All business!
CM: I like to work out in the morning before I play, because I know I’m strapping in for a potentially long day of poker. Mentally, I know there will be plenty of ups and downs during the tournament, so I tell myself not to get too high when things go well and stay positive when you lose a bunch of pots in a row.
Has your approach to the Venom changed over the years?
CM: I think I’m better at staying patient now compared to when I first started playing the Venom. When I first used to play the Venom I was often in the UK, which is a much harder timezone to play it from, given you have to grind it all through the night. I found it incredibly tempting to always take the aggressive reaction, knowing that I could go to bed if it went wrong!
JP: I think my approach to the Venom has grown with my approach to poker. It’s a staple online event that is going to bring out some of the best players in the world. I just make sure that leading up to the Venom I'm well studied, eating clean, and mentally prepared for a long grind towards that $1m!
Any special advice for those playing the Venom for the first time?
JP: The Venom is like any other tournament: if you register, you have a chance to win. The structure is amazing, so stay patient, don’t force the play!
CM: Just play good poker that you can be proud of if you were to review it at a later point. At the end of the day you need a bit of luck to make a run in such a big field tournament, so all you can do is play your best, be ready to take advantage of the situations they present themselves and hope that it’s your ONE TIME!
Finally, what are you most looking forward to in this year’s $12.5m GTD Venom?
JP: Winning it!
Day 1E starts at 1:05pm ET on Sunday, April 28. Play will continue daily until the final table on Wednesday, May 1 at 4:05pm ET. Find out more here. Good luck!
Chris Moneymaker image courtesy of Manuel Kovsca/Rational Holdings Ltd
