Biz major brings poker into the fold

To some, a victory in poker is a matter of luck, but don’t tell that to Hideki Susaki.

The sophomore international business major, Susaki, 18, has been developing his poker skills since early high school. Now he plays daily and even hosts a weekly poker event in The Depot on the lower floor of the Cesar Chavez Student Center on Fridays.

“When I was a sophomore in high school a couple of my friends wanted to play, so I played with them, only for a little bit of money like $5,” said Susaki who has been hooked on poker ever since and one day aspires to play the game professionally.

His interest in the high stakes card game came around the same time poker blew up in popularity after ESPN started televising tournaments in 2001. And though he wishes to master all forms of poker, no limit Texas Hold ‘Em is what he does best at.

Though not being 21-years-old his age limits Susaki’s access to gain some real experience in casinos, but he still tries to find opportunities when he can. Last year he participated in a 16-person tournament in Fresno where he came in second and in his most recent endeavor, a 60-person tournament, he took first.

“[Susaki] really wants to be pro and he’s a really good tournament player. He’s got a lot of desire,” said Yves Xazier, 19, a liberal studies major who started playing with Susaki back in high school.

Susaki’s skill at the table may come off as risky or foolhardy to the untrained eye, yet he exhibits one aspect above the rest and that is dedication. After losing an intense $20 heads-up match to his friend, Susaki went to Borders bookstore and bought books on poker and began diligently practicing. Now he’s better than all his friends and most strangers.

Aside from poker, the San Franciscan of Japanese decent illustrates an active lifestyle. He enjoys playing football, basketball and is in his 11th year of Shorinji Kempo. a Japanese Buddhist martial art.

“I took American martial arts but I didn’t like the system of belts. I didn’t feel like I earned the status,” said Susaki who also teaches Shorinji Kempo near Japan town, “[Shorinji Kempo] goes by attendance; by age group and how many years you’ve been doing it. I feel like I’ve earned something.”

It’s hard to say whether Susaki’s competitive activities are the source of his success in poker or vice versa, but he does admit to finding pleasure in the adrenaline that comes from playing poker which he says is a “heart-pounding experience”.

One such intense experience came on the first hand of his first match at Jackson Casino, an 18 and over Indian casino outside Sacramento. Susaki raised with a 2-6 unsuited with an all-heart flop. Two players at his table checked to which he raised again. One called and one folded and the next card on the flop was a heart. Thinking his opponent had a flush, Susaki attempted a bluff and went all in on a hand he knew he would lose. His opponent got scared and folded allowing Susaki to rake in the winnings.

Not a lick of luck to a chip by the looks of it, Susaki adapts to every situation at the poker table using his skill at the game to read player’s trends and exploit weaknesses. But make no mistake, Susaki’s talents didn’t come from birth—they were earned.

“Never quit. When I started I really sucked, it was a horrible feeling. But I accumulated so much knowledge of the game and now I’m so much better. It’s like school, if you don’t study you’ll see the results,” said Susaki.
The Golden Gate Xpress online

News Added: 26 October, 2007

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