This week, I caught up with the APPT and Heads Up Grand Slam champion to find out what he thought of his recent rollercoaster journey.
Danski: How did your Grand Slam win compare to your APPT High Roller victory?
Vladimir: The Grand Slam win was much better - it was so much more fun and the atmosphere was incomparable with the APPT Macau! Even though I won more money in Macau, the Grand Slam win was more satisfying because there were so many supporters and I was on TV...yay!
D: You beat Alex Keating, then the PKR online qualifier Brahimh, before playing james666 in the semis and beating Juha in the final. Which was toughest match and why?
V: The match against Alex Keating was tough. It was the only match where I was at a chip disadvantage for a period of time (even though it was a short period!). He played very well and could handle my aggression. The match against Juha was definitely the easiest as I love playing nits, and he just didn't adapt.
D: Your match with James was a dream semi final for us - it was really PKR's final. What were your thoughts on playing James, and what did you feel when you won the final hand?
V: James knows me very well, as we've played each other a lot online. He knows a lot of my game and I thought he would adapt to it. That means calling me light and not giving me much credit. As I knew this, I tried to bluff less and value-bet much more. When I won the match I was happy, though I felt a little bit of mercy...but only a little bit :).
Victory is mine! Beyne defeats Juha Helppi to claim the Grand Slam
D: You won $260K in Macau, and another $120K in London, but we know you have an expensive lifestyle! Is it the money that drives you, or the winning/fame?
V: It's both. It is true that I have an expensive lifestyle, but what's the money for? For spending obviously! I dont understand the people (especially poker players) that nit around and don't want to spend one dollar too much for everything here and there. Money that's easily won is easily spent! It's not like I'm throwing it around though, but I do like to buy nice things, to see the product of my wins. In the end the money on your account is just a number, and how can a number make you happy?
D: You play great, but you talk a lot too. It looks natural, but we think it is deliberate! How important is your table talk? Without it, would you be as difficult to play?
V: I think it would be easier to play me if I'd just shut the **** up for once! But I won't do it coz it's so much fun to harass people and put them on monkey tilt. They don't know what to do and sometimes I can use it as an advantage with tells - for example a lot of people think if I talk I'm not bluffing, but thats not true. Sometimes when I do bluff I try to talk a lot and try to make people fold the better hand.
D: You played the televised World Poker Open immediately after the Grand Slam, although thanks to Andy Black, you didn't get too far in your heat! Will we see you at more TV events?
V: Yeah, definitely! I'm probably going to play the EPT Prague or the APPT Cebu, or maybe even both. In January it's Carribean time - I'm goin to the PCA and from what I've heard, it should be the best tournament in the world (for location and fun).
D: Finally, what's your ultimate goal in poker?
V: My ultimate goal is to pwn everyone and kick everyone's ass!
D: Haha. Vladimir, may you continue to amaze and entertain us in equal measure!