PKR_Erika: Thanks for talking to us, Jaywhat! We enjoyed meeting you and your missus at PKR Live 2. So tell us, when did you start playing poker?
Jaywhat: As far back as I can remember, playing games like 3 and 9 card brag, chase the ace and stud poker for 2p's with loads of mates growing up. I started playing online about 5 years ago, but once a friend introduced me to PKR in 2007, I have never played another real money game anywhere since because the friendliness of the community and the staff are second to none!
E: What’s your most satisfying win in poker?
J: I think winning the Omaha Showdown for the 2nd time was the most satisfying poker moment for me, I had won it a month earlier, which was the 1st time I had ever played it, but I think winning it again made me feel like maybe I do actually know what I’m doing with this game, as its quite difficult being consistent in Omaha tourneys as you have to dodge a lot of bullets along the way!
E: Who are some of your favourite PKR players?
J: I could go on naming names for hours there are so many (they know who they are) especially after meeting a lot of them at PKR Live 2! But if I was pinned down and had to name one I would have to say Brutusnr1. Mainly because it goes right back to when I first started playing at PKR, I think he was one of the first players I added as a friend, always polite, friendly and very gracious if ever I take him out of a tourney. Just an all round top guy and an awesome Omaha player.
E: Which PKR players would you say are the toughest to play against?
J: From the cash tables Swedeontilt and as stated before Brutusnr1 is a tough opponent, also Vincevegas and a guy called Timoshenko who is very consistent in the Omaha Showdowns and really deserves to win it soon.
E: Do you have a favourite place to be when you’re playing?
J: I play on a laptop in the lounge because I’m a bit of a telly addict, I also like the flexibility of being able to wander round the house still playing.
E: What are your poker goals?
J: I don’t really think I have any major poker goals. I don’t play any of the big hold’em tourneys and I’m still relatively new to the MTT scene but I would like to win the Showdown for the 3rd time just to get the hat trick up. I have come close with a 2nd 3rd and 4th but have had some rotten luck lately.
E: What do you do to chill out when you’re not playing poker?
J: In the summer I love nothing more than shooting off for the week carp fishing. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting by a lake all week doing absolutely nothing! Just forget about work and any stresses you have, it really helps clear the head, especially if you have been on a bad run on the tables!
E: When you aren’t playing poker, what’s your ‘day job’?
J: I’m a self employed Carpenter. I just like the flexibility of not having to answer to anybody. I worked for a company for 10 years but you don’t really get any thanks or appreciation for your work, its just "okay that’s done now, on to the next job". I much prefer building and making things directly for a customer, I get a lot of satisfaction when they show their appreciation for a good job which helps keep my enthusiasm for my work.
E: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Jason. Is there anything else you want to say to the PKR community?
J: Just that I’m looking forward to meeting a whole load more of the faces behind the avatars at the Leeds meet up in August. Thanks for this and good luck to all!