Mel Judah is a Poker Junkie
The Silver Fox has only lost one side bet - ever!
Are you a poker junkie, Mel? A few years ago maybe, but now I'm more selective. Tournaments are available all around the world because of EPT, APPT, WPT. You don't need to play that many, but the World Series, yes. |  |
Yes, but I'm actually thinking about going back to cash games now because it's really, really tough, and you need a lot more luck in tournaments these days, unless you have a lot of mixed games like the HORSE. There is more skill involved in those games.
What's the longest session of poker you have played?
Probably two and a half days, when I was a lot younger. That was actually a private game where you start playing and everyone wants to carry on playing for a long time. It's actually mostly the same people in that game - we don't normally have other people coming in and out. We had a lot of fun in those days, now it's not so much fun. I've probably played for one and a half days in casinos, but I don't do that anymore.
How do you feel after a long session like that?
It's not so bad because you can switch off and go for a walk and you can do as you like, so you're not really playing constantly. But when you play a tournament - you're on the third day and all of a sudden you have played until seven in the morning - it's a different type of stress level, because you have that chance to finish it off, and you can't afford to make any mistakes. And you can't just walk away like you can do in a cash game.
What's the most you have won in a single session?
In a cash game? I don't play very big, but in the early days I would say about $35,000-$40,000.
What's the most you have lost in a single session?
Probably about $20,000. You don't feel good at all after that, but it is how you lost the money that matters. If you lost the money because you have gone card dead or if you're lost the money playing badly, you're not happy. You may lose the money because there is a lot of action in the game, and generally when that happens, you've got to run good at that particular moment, because people are trying to give you their money. Those games are good; those are the games you want to play in. I have been stuck many times in games like that and got out of it winning.
When was the last time you had a totally poker-free week?
I've done that many times, especially when I'm travelling, and after I'm finished here I probably won't play for two weeks, unless there is tournament that comes up that I have to go to. I'm sponsored now by T6Poker for the year.
Have you ever chosen poker over a partner?
No, they go hand in hand, haha. Not gonna get myself going on that one.
What percentage of your friends are poker players?
I would say, probably 80%. That's good, because we all learn from each other. In the beginning, they all learned from me basically, because I was the one that first came to America from Australia to play the World Series. Then they saw me win a couple of bracelets and as we played they got more interested and they started coming over, and obviously you know that Moneymaker won and then Joe Hachem. That changed the whole face of poker in Australia because all the young guns could see a rookie do it.
What's the most expensive thing you have destroyed after a bad beat?
I don't destroy anything after bad beats. I'm a very laid back person when it comes to that. The reality is more important to me, and analyzing it, so you don't do it again.
But I have a funny story about a friend of mine in Australia. He was playing online and he flopped a set and got beaten by runner-runner. He took his mouse and threw it out the window and broke the next door neighbour's window. The cops came around and knocked on the door, it was a lady cop, and she said "What was all that about?" He's quite a funny guy, so he said "You're not going to believe this, I flopped a set of kings, and the guy beat me runner-runner." He made the cop sit down, told her the whole story and then made her a cup of tea or coffee, and everything was fine.
And now they're married?
No, haha. He is not the marrying type...
Do you make side bets at the table?
Yes, I make many of those, and I've lost only one. A lot of people don't have enough knowledge when they make their side bets.
Do you have nightmares about poker?
Probably when I was 20 years old, but it wasn't poker actually, it was bridge. I was really into poker and cards in those days.
Who are the biggest poker junkies in the world?
I don't want to mention any names, because they are all big pros, but they all seem to love the gambling spirit online, and they will bet on anything if they think they have more knowledge or a slight edge.
