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WSOP Circuit Ring Event – 4th Place
November 9, 2010
Jason Cluxton is a 35-year old Texas Hold’em player who placed 4th in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Main Event at the Imperial Palace in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Originally from Seattle, Washington, Jason has been in Atlanta for three years and has been playing with the Atlanta Poker Club since September, 2009.
Jason joined the Army in 1994, and was in the Second Ranger Battalion stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was in the Rangers until 2000, and then he went to the 101st Pathfinders and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2001. Jason did two tours of duty and was out of the Army in 2003. He then went back to Iraq that same year doing diplomatic protection and stayed in Iraq until August of 2008. He had many injuries resulting from being shot twice, and being hit by multiple roadside bombs. He recovered from his injuries at home in Atlanta.
Favorite Poker Player – Dennis Phillips. He is an all-American, good old boy, who came in as a regular guy and played well. I like his attitude at the table as he is nice to everybody and cordial but can still play good poker. Met him in Vegas at the WSOP in 2010 before Event 5 while playing a satellite. He was very nice to me. I told him that I watched him from Iraq, and he immediately wanted to know about me…a really nice guy.
Who’s influenced my play the most? – Lots of different players with different styles of play. I watch everyone around me and learn what not to do and what to do.
Goals in the APC? – Continue to see friends that I have made and have fun and keep it in perspective as it is a social gathering.
Advice for new players? – Learn the math. All the math involved including pre-flop odds, post-flop odds, and pot odds, and learn the correct odds. Post- flop you need to learn how to conserve and save chips for when you have the better hand. Try to maintain a chip stack so that you have those chips to double up with. Just remember if you are getting the right price to draw, then draw, and if I’m against a loose agressive player – I will draw against them even if priced out.
How does tournament play differ from cash play in a casino? – Tournament play is a marathon…a distance event. In a cash game you can make more moves and get paid off and if you need to, you can just reach in your pocket.
How was play at the final table of the WSOP event? – At the final table it was real, real tight. The loose players were gone fast. Weak aces do not have a place at a full table…and definitely not at a final table until you are about 6-handed, or on the button. My advice is don’t call all your chips off with a weak ace. It can cost you thousands of dollars. About half the final table was cordial and smiling and happy to be there and rest was tight-lipped and wanted the ring and wanted to win and were very serious.
Any advice for players who want to play in WSOP events? – Establish a routine before the event starts. Have a plan for the whole tournament. After you’ve made it a full day and action stops, go to your room, order room service, watch TV and your favorite shows, sleep. Before the next tournament day go to the most peaceful place in your location. In Biloxi, I sat under an umbrella and looked at the ocean and listened to music and had coffee. Get poker out of your mind and relax as it is a day ahead full of stress. Also, there is more continuation betting in these events as it is the good players sword. Just remember, they contination bet every time and red a flag should go off when the player checks if first to act. They may be trapping.
