Andrew Feldman

While he may look like he should still be in short trousers, 21-year-old Andrew Feldman is one of the UK’s most successful high stakes cash players. He first earned notoriety when he triumphed in the 888.com UK Open IV in October 2007, the $250,000 prize being a welcome boost for a player who had already won and lost six-figure sums while in school. He recently proved his mettle once again by taking home a tidy sum in the PartyPoker Poker Den Big Game III and is now a Full Tilt red pro. Here he describes his bumpy ride to success.

Family Footsteps

I always enjoyed gambling and used to put bets on the horses with my grandad, but it was my brother playing internet satellites that really got me into the game when I was 17. I knew nothing about the game before this and became very interested when I heard how lucrative it could be.
On my 18th birthday I set up a poker account on William Hill. I deposited £20 and started playing low stakes SNGs and short-handed turbos. I gradually worked up the stakes and after about six months was making enough to earn a living.

Troubled Start

Three or four months after [rising through the stakes] I lost everything in the space of two days. I was on tilt and playing way above my bankroll, not playing my usual poker. A lot of this was against [Scottish pro] Rory Mathews when playing him heads-up at £25/£50.

One hand stands out. I was all-in with A-K against his Jacks and I said if I won the hand I would cut my losses, at about £10,000 down. His Jacks held up and I lost a further £20,000 to him in that session, which was half my bankroll. The next day I lost the rest. When my parents found out they never wanted me to play poker again. They blocked my bank cards and just wanted to make sure I took my A-levels, so I went to Gamblers Anonymous. I went to about ten meetings over four weeks with people whose lives had been destroyed, but all I wanted to do was start playing poker again.

The Road to Recovery

I found £100 in my William Hill account, which I think was rakeback. By the end of the day it was £1,000, the end of the week £10,000 and at the end of the month I had turned it into £30,000.
I spoke to my parents and put £25,000 away, which I couldn’t touch until I was 21. But it was up to me what I did with the rest and I turned it into the bankroll I have now.

All this happened before my A-level exams, but all I could think about was playing more poker. I got accepted into Nottingham University to study economics despite being half an hour late to one exam because I was playing online. I was happy with what I was doing so I decided to carry on with poker.

Etiquette

At this time other pros, including Rory Mathews, didn’t like my etiquette. When playing cash games I would ask a lot of the weaker players to play me heads-up, and the regulars didn’t like me for it. It’s not great etiquette but I wasn’t doing anything illegal, and if you don’t ask you don’t get – everyone is there to make money. I have spoken to Rory since and there are no real hard feelings between us.

I played Bluescouse [a player legendary for his bankroll mismanagement] quite a lot during my rise and we had some pretty crazy games. I got quite friendly with him; I watched him play and read his blog quite a bit (88percent.blogspot.com). We don’t really compare as players. I think I had more self-discipline than him and was happy to slowly rebuild my roll. He wants to play to his limit, but I don’t like playing on the edge with scared money.

Transition

At first I only played £1 sit-and-gos. I liked the fact that there was a definite end to it and an eventual winner. Cash didn’t really appeal to me that much, because where would it ever stop?
Now I really enjoy the psychology of heads-up play. I like heads-up because you’re always involved and you have to be able to outsmart your opponent. I also did well in heads-up tournaments and from there I moved on to cash games.

I find [online] tournaments so time consuming; with so much discipline required there’s not enough money to be an incentive. I could win a lot of money in a much shorter space of time with cash.

Playing Live

Being an internet player I find it very hard to play live because it’s so slow, and I don’t think I can make a consistent living from live cash. You end up playing hands you wouldn’t normally, just because you’re bored. I see live play as a chance to get out and meet people. I don’t really expect to win, even though I might technically be the best player there.

The cash games [at tournaments] I’m not that bothered about because I get so dejected the moment I’m out of the tournament. Once I’ve busted out I’m happy going straight back to the hotel and on the internet.

The Future

My deal with Full Tilt means that I’m planning to play a lot more live tournaments. I’ve done about three this year, with plans to do as many WSOP NLHE bracelet events as I can, along with, obviously, the Main Event.

My deal is quite basic in that I’m not being bought into any events, but if I start getting live results that could change. For now, though, I’ve just had the one standout live victory [the 888.com UK Open in 2007]. Predominantly I’m going to be playing on Full Tilt and they’re keen for me to play the $10/$20 or $25/$50 games and maybe higher. I’ve been quite successful on the $10/$20 tables, so it’s been a good start.