Xuan Liu is a professional player with over $2 million in tournament winnings and an ambassador with WPT Global.
What were some of your poker highlights in 2024?
This year has been excellent, probably one of my best poker years ever. This past summer, I tried to play in lots of tournaments. I eked out a small profit, but nothing to write home about.
At the cash game tables, I really came out ahead, particularly in the private games I am invited to participate in. Those opportunities have been super lucrative, especially over the last months.
What's the hardest part about playing so much poker?
It has been exhausting. I don't remember the last time I worked this hard because turning down some of the spots I’m presented with is really hard.
We’ve all seen some highlights from Hustler Casino Live and The Lodge streams you’ve played on. Those were some crazy games.
Oh, I've definitely been on both ends of highlight reels. The player being embarrassed, and the one embarrassing the other a few times. Probably more than I would have liked this year on streams.
I don't know. Maybe I'll start winning on stream again, but maybe not. But so far, if I'm just winning off stream and losing on stream, it's not the worst that could happen.
You mentioned in a previous interview that you had struggled with learning the ins and outs of playing the stand-up game. Can you share more about that?
I think the stand-up game is great for the private scene right now. It really puts the pros on their feet and gives the recreational players an edge when no one really knows what they're doing. I think everybody is just getting a little bit better at it. I don't know how much longer this game could last, but hopefully, it will last forever. I'm really enjoying it.
Everybody should try the stand-up game. The pros can't just sit around and be nitty and play proper ranges anymore. And for recreational players, it will justify a lot of the things you want to be doing anyway, which is definitely not sitting around waiting for hands.
What was the most challenging part of this past year?
I just have to work so hard and am on a demanding schedule once again. For the longest time, I didn't think I was going to do the 'play all night' kind of thing. It's not great for your health. But sometimes you’ve got to suck it up and just do it.
How do you adjust to such a grueling schedule?
I can do the brutal hours for a few weeks at a time and then have to take a few weeks away from the game. Then I’m good.
What are you enjoying the most regarding your relationship with WPT Global?
I love all the innovative things they're doing to bring new players to the game, such as ClubWPT. Also, I hope there will be another poker boom in North America, as we had before for online poker.
I'm proud to represent a site that's safe to play on. WPT Global treats its player base well and listens to their feedback.
What do you look forward to most for this coming year?
I am looking forward to making more money. And most of all, I’m looking forward to being more myself. I'm not a young spring chicken in the poker world anymore; I feel like the first 15 years were just me trying to figure out where I belong in the industry. At times, I was not being my fully authentic self because I was afraid to speak up.
Now, with my age and position, I can just say and do what I want. I don't care about what people think anymore. These realizations have been very liberating. I’m really excited about the year ahead.
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