Levy returns to defend poker tour crown

ONE reason for the meteoric rise in the popularity of poker may be the perception that anyone can play it.

There have been countless rags-to-riches stories of online punters making the transition from PCs to big-money live games and raking in a small fortune in a matter of days. Grant Levy is one of those people.

A physical education teacher from Penrith, Levy became the first Australian to claim the $1 million prize on home soil at the Asia Pacific Poker Tour tournament at Star City Casino last year.

Now he is set to defend his coveted title.

It’s been a year of media interviews and commitments for Levy, but “a lot of fun”, as he’s travelled and played throughout the Asia-Pacific, as part of his contract with the internet site Poker Stars.

“With poker being seen more as a sport nowadays ... lots of people get me to sign jumpers, shirts, hats, it’s a little bit weird. To be idolised by some people is a bit strange,” said Levy, who picked up the game in 2005.

Defending his title presents a whole new challenge. With the profile comes the pressure and spotlight, but in a field of 600-900 players, high-stakes on the line and a game where everyone starts on a clean slate, Levy says back-to-back titles are a long shot.

“I’m looking forward to it ... I’m probably going to put a fair bit of pressure on myself. When I go to a tournament I’m pretty well known now, and I guess it’s more pronounced in this one.

“But I can’t expect to win again not many people can back up a title in such a big field.”

The Asia Pacific Poker Tour is the brainchild of Jewish businessman Jeffrey Haas, who said it was no surprise that a lot of high-profile Jewish poker players participate.

“We grew up in a culture where education and maths is such a strong part of our foundation -– we understand ways of the world, finance, and as a result of education, it prepares us to not only make observations, but to do real-time math calculations to determine the expected value of any situation ... to make the right decision,” Haas said.

Levy said he takes any sign he can get at the table.

“I looked at this one guy, his neck was going crazy, you could tell his heart rate was pumping. It was a huge pot [pool of money] and he had a pretty weak hand. I sensed it,” he recalled.

“They get a little uncomfortable. You start speaking to them. If you do it in a non-confrontational manner, they start to let their guard down.

“And I took down a huge pot. I trusted the body language and went with the read.”

The Star City grand final from December 2 is the marquee event in a series which runs until December 20 and attracts up to 300 international players.

Haas established tournaments in Macau, Korea, the Philippines and New Zealand, but believes Sydney can become the prominent event “because everybody loves Australia”.

For Haas, his passion comes from seeing poker as a social game. It can be played for big money, or simply as a game of cards between mates. When I was young,” he said, “it became part of my social fabric”.

Australian Jewish News

News Added: 01 December, 2008

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