Laurence first wanted to become a VOCATIONAL tennis player. Contingencies of life rather have made her a poker player. With a single first deposit of $ 25, she rode his bankroll online to several thousand dollars. She finished 3rd among others at the event number 36 No Limit Hold'em World Series of Poker in 2009 and won a scholarship to $ 237.537. Laurence is part of Team Check-Raise Management.
1 - Laurence Hello and thank you for agreeing to answer a few questions for PokerCollectif. Firstly, for those who do not know you, would you have a few words of introduction about yourself?
I was a little girl playing poker since college, about 6 years. I started learning the rules and playing the play money. A few months later, I discovered that there was a poker community, and there were books, online professionals and world tournaments. I played micro limit SnG and live once a week while in college full time and working almost full time.
I became a stable winning player about 2 years after I started, and then the third year, I started seriously live.Cela online and now three years since I played poker full time.
Most people on the forum have known me since I was involved a lot in the live environment in Quebec, so I met them somewhere in my career. Also, I was at the time one of the few women who played seriously, so it has always distinguished me from others.
2 - Could you describe briefly the advantages and disadvantages of being a woman in the world of poker? Do you think you are entitled to special treatment because of your status as a woman? The remarks you at live events?
Being a woman has been the major key to my success. I knew full advantage of this benefit that I had (even today). I do not hide that first I built my bankroll in CASHGAMES live underground to Montreal and Atlantic City, making me pay for men taking me lightly and good players that gave me too much respect.
Thereafter, my 3rd place $ 2,000 WSOP event was publicized more because I was a woman. I mitigated by the special treatment they gave me after the gain. I do not really see myself differently from men when we talk in terms of game .. my desire is not to win a ladies event, but a regular tournament. However, when looking at the facts, I was the only Canadian woman to make a WSOP final table, which is still a good statistic and I'm proud. Especially as it was my first real passage profesional world. I think it is normal that gives me more respect after that.
With respect to disadvantages, when I started, I am often treated like an idiot, or insult because I was a woman. This is not really surprising, there are people idiots in society, then it is like in the middle of poker. Fortunately, I always had a friend or acquaintance who backait me. I was the little sister that he should not touch (and I thank these people, they recognize). Today, I do not really have a problem with that, because I'm used to and I can defend myself. I do know that I always criticize more poker hand, but this requires me 10 feet over the head, because I've never claimed to be better than others!
3 - You describe yourself as being straight-edge "(lead a lifestyle to maintain clarity of mind) and vegetarian Are you as strict in all that you undertake and, in turn, with tone. poker (obligation to review sessions, obligation to play or not to play under certain conditions, etc)? In other words, do you have a very rigorous discipline of life?
I've always been someone incredibly down to earth. I learned very young, in the middle of junior tennis where I spent my entire adolescence, I could only count on me (and my family).
I discovered the straight edge movement teens playing in the hardcore community and it is certainly one of the best things that happened to me. I could focus on the good things and good people in my life, and I did not waste any time. For me, not to consume alcohol or drugs is nothing private. I'm just fine and the day it will no longer my business, I know what to do. Vegetarianism, I would never be able to kill an animal and eat it, so I do not eat meat. I also think that many people do not eat meat if they had to do it themselves or if they saw the conditions in which meat was produced. But I'm not trying to evangelize people about vegetarianism, only when I ask the question ;)
Finally being, certainly I had a strict discipline in my journey poker. I tried to follow all the good advice they gave me, I have not jumped off stage, I had a good bankroll management and no ego in my ascension. It is more difficult today, when poker becomes routine, but I'm working on this for just a few months since I had a really worse than my first 2 year. We have to wonder constemment and try to find the best solutions and what works with me.
4 - Is that your life has changed since you play poker (from success)? Do you have the same hobbies, the same way of looking at life? Did you closer to your goal of life (assuming each one)? Otherwise, in the near future, what do you aspire?
My life has not really changed, but I have done many trips and discover a multitude of great places and meet interesting people.
I still see all my friends, whether those poker or that have nothing to do with poker. I play tennis with gabygaby every week and I'm flush with kazoo once a year. [Editor's note: LOL]
I also volunteer at a shelter for cats in Montreal each week. So if you ever want to adopt, please messagez me and do not go the "buy" at the pet store!
I see life a little differently, because before I dreamed of a big score, now I find it difficult to stay on top. Much more difficult than getting there. My projects in the short term are to continue and go through with the poker, I still love to play. I also have new projects that will begin soon. I do not lack ideas for the long term either, but this is rather personal
5 - How do you perceive a community of poker such as PokerCollectif? Your messages are rare even though you seem to have many friends among the members of PokerCollectif. Are there a reason for this post shyness? Do you think this community you have helped in one way or another to become a better poker player?
I think PokerCollectif is really great for beginners to intermediate players. They can learn so much, especially the best! For "old", it is certain that the forum is used as much for social and entertainment, which is not bad either.
I write a lot less than before actually. Personally, when I want to talk strategy and revise hands, I do with Captain Irish or GabyGaby. GabyGaby is also the player who opened my eyes to a whole new level of poker. It is one of the players I respect the most. So I'm less on the forum for strategy, but more to communicate with people.
I think there are already so many good players who answer questions of others, I do not know what I could bring more. Some of enter-they are much better than me too, so I do not know what else to add.
I like answering questions everyday poker players, I guess I see it as my role as a woman on the forum. I also think it is enjoyed by some of enter-them.
But I find that in general, this forum brings Quebec poker community to support, and it works very well. I hate against hounds or when we bash members for nothing or just because they do not meet the right answer. They are there to learn.
I do not know if there is another poker community as close as ours, but I think we should be proud of and continue to do so!
Laurence thank you!
Thank you :)
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