This is the third interview of our small series, this time with a former IPO champion and a live circuit regular for about ten years, despite the fact he just crossed his thirties. We’re talking about Michele Guerrini, from Tuscany, a former IPO Campione winner in early 2016, ranked 62nd on the Italian All-Time Money List (source: Hendonmob).
Currently competing at the EPT in Prague, he might continue his journey southwest for about 200 km to Rozvadov, where the EPO Mystery Bounty with a €1,000,000 guarantee will take place from December 18 to 23:
“That depends on how I feel after Prague. While the Christmas atmosphere there is very welcoming, it remains a challenging trip to make.”
Only live, with no pressure
Although poker is no longer his primary focus, Michele achieved the biggest score of his career just two months ago, finishing runner-up for $328,592 at the $2,200 Eureka High Roller in Cyprus:
“A boost to the bankroll is always welcome, but it won’t change much compared to the past. Before October, I used to spend €20k at the EPT, and I’ll do the same now. Poker has become a profitable hobby. It’s been two years since I last played MTTs online.
I focus solely on live events but not full-time. I choose the trips that appeal to me and play them with peace of mind, as I don’t feel pressured by losing that amount of money. I have other sources of income, which allows me to keep a clear head.”
Being a high-level poker player—or having been one—often means gaining valuable experience in managing money, a skill that isn’t exactly taught in school:
“One thing is certain: I never leave my capital idle just for poker. Many people play with the dream of hitting a million and ‘investing’ in something—a business, a restaurant. But the truth is, they usually continue to play and use the money only for that, leaving it stagnant and often risking going broke. I prefer to diversify my investments, projects… That’s how I’ve always managed my resources.”
The myth of bankroll
“The discussion around playing in bankroll is a bit overrated. People think you need a specific amount of money to play certain tournaments, but if you have other sources of income, you’re more in roll than someone who puts everything into those tournaments.
I play because I find it profitable but don’t rely entirely on poker. I do it for fun, although I hope to achieve positive results at the end of the year. Of course, there are many expenses, including travel and re-entries, but that’s part of the game.
I’ve always thought of winning money as a way to invest in something. I couldn’t imagine myself at 50 still shouting ‘I knew it!’ at the table. For me, the life of a full-time poker player has never been appealing. Now I play with peace of mind and use my winnings strategically.”
The Mystery Bounty Format and the Doubled Buy-In
“I like the €1k buy-in. It’s an accessible format but raises the overall level a bit. As for Mystery Bounties, I’m not a big fan. I’ve never studied them in-depth, and I often struggle to maximize the value of the bounties. I might have enjoyed it more if I had dedicated more time to this format.
It’s a format that recreational players love, and I understand why it’s so popular. Even though it’s not one of my favourites, I appreciate the variety it brings to the live scene.”
One of the keys to attracting different types of players, according to Michele, lies in offering a variety of tournaments within the festival:
“A varied schedule, with formats for everyone, is the best solution. It’s a bit like a restaurant: you offer many options and let customers choose what they prefer. In the end, that’s how you enhance the player’s experience.
One thing is sure, though: I’d never allow pauses that are too short and too far apart. People travelling to play want to enjoy the experience, and sometimes these marathon events can be truly exhausting.”
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