Gaynie Baumler
1. Would you call yourself an enthusiast, obsessive, semi-pro or professional poker player?
I guess I would call myself an enthusiast who wouldn’t mind becoming a semi pro or pro someday. I have been playing poker for 3 1/2 years now. We play on average about 3 times a week. My husband started playing and it looked like a lot of fun. I started out just going with him and watching and then he finally talked me into playing. He explained the basics to me and then I learned from just sitting down and playing the game. I remember getting really nervous when the action was on me. I guess it was more of a excited nervousness that got me hooked. My best finish was in 08. I took first and won $2400.00 and my next was in Las Vegas with a $1800.00 win for 7th place.
2. Is there any female player playing today that you see as an ambassador to ladies poker?
Since I have been playing poker, the female players that stand out to me would be Annie Duke, Jennifer Harmen and Vanessa Rousso. I would say the ambassador to ladies poker today would probably be Jennifer Harmen.
3. Do you see there being any difference between men and women playing poker?
The biggest difference that I see between men and women poker players is that it seems like men have a lot less patience than women. They have to be playing every other hand. They love being in the action.
4. Big tournaments like the WSOP have recently been under attack for their commercialization of the game. Of the major poker tournaments today like the EPT, WPT and WSOP which are the best?
I think that the WSOP has a lot more tournaments to choose from at different buy in ammounts which makes it easier for some players.
5. What would you say are the biggest differences between online and live poker?
The biggest difference between online poker and live poker for me would have to be that with online poker, you don’t have the option of trying to get a read on the players. Also, online seems to be a lot more aggressive than live players. My favourite place to play live poker locally would be either the Poker Palace in Burton, MI or Rounders Poker in Saginaw, MI. I enjoy going to those places because I have come to know quite a few of the players and that makes it fun. Plus, from playing with a lot of the same players, you get to know their style of play. I don’t play a lot of online poker but when I do it is on Pokerstars or UB. When we are in Las Vegas, we play at Caesars quite a bit and the Venetian. The atmosphere is pretty nice at both places.
6. From your perspective do you think such a big deal should be made about the men entering the ladies event at the WSOP?
I know there has been a lot of talk about the WSOP women’s event. I played in the event in 09 for the first time. As far as men entering the event, I’m not going to get my panties in a bunch over it. If a guy wants to play, so what. They should at least dress up for the occasion though.
7. Vanessa Rousso, Liv Bovree – both have won major EPT tournaments in recent history. If you could win any single event which would it be?
If I could win any single event, it would have to be the WSOP main event. I know it’s a big dream, but it would be really cool if a woman at least made it to the final table.
8. And who would you want to play Heads-up on the final table?
I’d like to play heads up with someone like Doyle Brunson because he is such a poker legend or Tom Dwan because he adds a lot of excitement to the game.
9. Cash games are a different breed of poker. Puggy Pearson said the real value was in playing limit Holdem, others have said that Omaha offers the best value and others say NL Holdem with the right bankroll. In your opinion where is the money on the cash tables?
I have found that when playing a cash game, you have to be a little more selective. The casinos are better than the charity poker rooms. It’s seems to be a little more serious and not so much lets see who can suck out on the river.
10. Do you still see yourself playing poker in ten years? If yes, where would you hope to be?
I’m sure that I will still be playing poker 10 years from now. Hopefully, with a big win under my belt at a WSOP event.
11. Would you stop or encourage your daughter to become a professional poker player? Why?
If one of my daughters wanted to play poker professionally then I would let her go for it. I totally believe in following your heart and chasing after your dreams.
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