Lucy Rocach is one of most successful players on the European circuit. In a male dominated poker world, the fact that she’s a woman is neither here nor there. Lucy competes with the best of them on equal terms and gender takes a back seat. I caught up with Lucy this week, this is how it went…

David Lloyd : Hi Lucy…How were things at the Belaggio?

Lucy Rocach: No good…gave up & came home

David: Ok…then I’m buying, what’s yours?

Lucy: Bloody Mary…very spicy and sharp

David: Although I’ve never asked you about it, legend has it that you used to be a teacher. What did you teach and when did you stop?

Lucy: I wasn’t aware I was the stuff of legends but yes I did teach History 27 years ago.

David: Every miss it?

Lucy: Nope….the kids were great but I’m a night owl that doesn’t like routine too much

David: You spend a lot of your time playing poker around the world. When you’re not on the road, where are you based?

Lucy: Stoke-on-Trent…otherwise known as ‘the Potteries’

David: What would your local card room be? Do you play there much when you are at home or do you use that time to get away from the game?

Lucy: Walsall Grosvenor, but @ the moment I’m on the move so often that when I get home all I want to do is chill out

David: At some point, prior to the Poker explosion, you were already playing professionally and getting results…At what point in recent years, did you realise that things had changed in the game and would never be the same?

Lucy: Prior to Late Night Poker, I could walk into a card room & recognise 85% of the players, after the programme was aired, there was an influx of new players & you hardly knew anyone anymore & now the internet has really opened the floodgates.

David: I’m astounded that someone with your tournament record doesn’t have a sponsorship deal…you’ve obviously been offered them…will it ever happen or don’t you want one?

Lucy: I would be delighted to have one but no one has come up with the goods so far…perhaps the sponsors aren’t comfortable with a successful middle-aged woman.

David: Well more fool them for not seizing the opportunity…

I’ve probably played more with your partner Tom Gibson in the Vic cash games than I have with you over the years. What is most striking (and it probably gets pointed out every day) is the difference in your styles…Tom’s being ever so slightly more conservative than your own aggressive tournament mode. Is it a case of opposites attract?

Lucy: I’ve taught him all he knows but unfortunately he’s still struggling to educate me (only joking).

David: I see you were out in Tunica, earlier in the year. Was it your first time there? I looked into it once but the casino looked like it was miles from anywhere…would you recommend it? They say the cash games are very good…

Lucy: I’ve been there several times…it’s out in the sticks with nothing to do except gamble so if that’s your poison you will be a happy bunny. It drives me bonkers…you can’t even go for a walk & the food is all the same. However the cash action is good especially @ the beginning before everyone‘s gone broke.

David: Devilfish told me he likes to get up onstage there with the bands…did you catch the act and how many marks out of ten does he get from the teacher? ;-)

Lucy: I did see him perform & he was great….very entertaining 8 out of 10….& no, I didn’t ask for his autograph.

David: I bet he offered it though ;-) Looking a little way forward to the World Series, have you decided when you’re going out yet and are you looking forward to playing in the Rio as opposed to being downtown?

Lucy: Having just got back from doing a 4 week stint in America I don’t feel like going back this year. Whilst I like the Rio as an hotel…there’s no way I’m paying $300 per night when the Bellagio only costs $140 !

Also I think that Harrahs (who own the Rio & World Series) are rapacious, taking more out of the tournaments than ever before making it harder to be a profitable tournament player. Having said all that I’m sure the numbers will be even bigger this year than last.

David: Where would you usually stay when you’re in Las Vegas?

Lucy: When the World Series was in Binion’s, we stayed @ the Nugget which is the best hotel downtown and much more user friendly than the behemoths on the Strip.

David: It’s well known, I’m running a book on the numbers for the main event this year (winner gets $10!!! Yes TEN whole dollars…there’ll be a full presentation and everything!). John Duthie is the low bid at a pessimistic 2000 with Devilfish on the high with 7000. Between them, I have Daniel Negreanu on a precise 5378, Simon Trumper on 3600 and Marcel has gone for 6000…Bearing in mind there’s a lot at stake…how many entries this year?

Lucy: David ,I think you should slow down with the $10…players will be accusing you of being a high roller. 4010 is the number.

David: The $10 is a bit strong, I know…but hey…it’s caught the imagination of the World’s press…sometimes you just have to push the boat out ;-)

When you’re not playing live games…do you play much on the internet?
Lucy: Not a lot because I can’t win !! Whatever it is, I’m not doing it right.

David: What games have you been playing in?

Lucy: Mainly pot limit Omaha & a few tournaments.

David: What’s your user name?

Lucy: Tom chose this name ‘4play’ (4 for Omaha…or at least that’s what he said!)

David: Winning?

Lucy: I wish.

David: Back in the real world. Cash game, dealer’s choice, your button – What are we playing?

Lucy: 7 card stud hi-lo pot limit.

David: And if you could pick up any card room in the world and plonk it back down within a ten minute stroll from your home, which one would it be?

Lucy: The Aviation in Paris

David: I ask everyone a variation on these ones…You manage to find yourself on a slow boat to China, hosting the liveliest poker games known to mankind. Who would you want with you for company and why?

Lucy: George Clooney….need you ask? ….but only if he’s as funny as Tom

David: I’d rather you went for George since Tom represents the zero value on the boat ;-)

Onboard, they’ve organised a charity karaoke night, you have to sing or forfeit $10,000…what’s your big number?

Lucy: Me sing….you must be mad, I‘d  do a runner.

David: Do you buy much music or is it books and movies?

Lucy: All three but mostly books

David: Three of your favourite books?

Lucy: Lord of the Rings...Tolkien / Count of Monte Cristo....Dumas / Gone with the wind.....Mitchell

David: Your desert island favourites – What three pieces of music get stranded with you?

Lucy: Bach’s toccata in fugue – Perfidia - La Carioca

David: What’s the betting, there are 6500 players wearing I-pod’s at the WSOP and not one of them has any of those soothing their ears ;-) Carioca…is that latin for Karaoke… ;-)

Can you think of three favourite movies?

Lucy: My Fair Lady - Ben Hur - Shawshank Redemption

David: Your favourite line of dialogue or quotation from anywhere?

Lucy: Mae West ‘ I used to be a tour de force but now I’m forced to tour’

David: Vicky Coren has come over all faint, you’ve been asked to cover for her on the Poker Channel’s ‘Bar Beat’ discussion show.  Who would you like as your guests?

Lucy:
Dan Harrington….clever/ articulate /successful
Dave Ulliot….sharp / funny
Padraig Parkinson…. Witty/ controversial

David: You’ve left the chip pan on in the kitchen, a small fire ensues. Who are you going to call, Barny Boatman, Barny Rubble or Barny McGrew?

Lucy: It’s got to be Barny Boatman whom I know well & like…never heard of the other two.

David: Barny McGrew is a fireman Lucy…everybody knows that…and you a teacher and all. Having said that, he is a fictional character, so you may just have gone for the right Barny anyway…

David: I’ve made you Captain of the European Poker Team. Do you award the players ‘Caps’ (like in football), ‘Kiss Me Quick Hats’ or ‘Monogrammed Hankies’ (with knots tied in the four corners)?

Lucy: None of these I’m afraid…something more pragmatic , like a flashing elastic band to tie around something very important so they wouldn’t forget to turn up for their matches.

David: Sounds painful…Finally, on a less serious note…In one sentence or three words, what’s the best advice you could give to someone just starting out in poker?

Lucy: Play for fun.

David: Thanks Lucy, THIS has been fun. I hope you’ll let me buy you that drink sometime!

Lucy: You’re on