Interview Sandra Naujoks, star German poker player

Sandra, you've been on the circuit for about 2 years now. Looking back, do you think you made the right decision to become a professional poker player? As a student of literature and having worked behind and in front of the lens, you also had other options.

Behind and in front of the lens?

As a model and photographer.

I think I need to clear up some things. I have never been a model, nor have I ever worked as a photographer. Some journalists had started this story some time ago and since then everyone has taken it up. Apart from that I don't regret my decision. For me it was the right thing to do.

There's been a lot of buzz lately about the next generation of internet kids, gamers who have already garnered tons of experience before they were even old enough to enter the game. a casino. Is your own career proof that there are always other paths?

Yes indeed. When I started, I started playing seven to eight hours a day in live casinos. I am therefore more adept at observing physical tells than someone who just plays online all the time.

Does it make a difference for you to play against an old experienced player, who has already dragged his gaiters in hundreds of tournaments, or against a young trigger guard with headphones, sunglasses, and a hat ridiculous?

No. I approach every opponent the same way. And one at a time.

Where exactly are you going to look to take care of new opponents over the next few months?

I'll be at Snowfest, then EPT San Remo and Monte Carlo. Then the WSOP will already be there.

You are also involved in charitable projects in favor of the third world. Can you tell us a bit more?

My main project is called allin4kids. I launched it last year with Australian pro Markus Golser. We spoke with many German-speaking players to ask for their support. Everyone who responds agrees to contribute 2% of their tournament winnings to the pot. The money is then used for projects that we have decided on.

We are currently helping to build a school in Cambodia. The money is used to train teachers, buy books, manage the transport necessary for the children to get there, etc. There are also other projects to come. However, we take our time to ensure that the money is used well and that it goes where we want it to go.

In addition to the support of other players, people can also recruit us as coaches, there will also be auctions, and many other online events.

Let's get to this EPT. You are defending your title this year and therefore you are the center of a lot of media attention. How do you manage?

It's actually quite stressful, because I'm approached by people all the time. It's not really about the photographers who take pictures of me while I play, it's more about the guys who come to see me during breaks to ask for interviews. I have to refuse a lot today.

How does it feel to become the figurehead of German female poker players instead of Katja Thater? Does this create tension between you?

On the contrary. Katja is a true pioneer, and all the players owe her a lot. And given that there aren't that many girls in poker, and all of our opponents are men, it would be silly not to stick together. I have a lot of respect for Katja, especially after learning a lot about the buzz around the business.

You are very rarely seen playing online. What is your sponsor's position on this?

Personally I have to admit that I don't really like playing online. I'd rather play a $20 live tournament than sit in front of my PC. Of course PokerStars wants me online too, but they also respect my preferences. So I can again limit myself to the big online tournaments, like the Sunday Million.

D.O.

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EPT Dortmund - Victory for Sandra Naujoks

The EPT Dortmund 2009 gave birth to a winner, who knew how to thwart the pitfalls of a tough final table populated by players eager to (re)conquer a title on this circuit.

Despite Day 3 having seen the elimination of the German Moritz Kranich and the Norwegian Andreas Hoivold (i.e. two previous winners less), the final table kept a good pace with profiles as varied as they are talented and with a long list of winners.

The first player to come out, Cengizcan Ulusu probably wasn't really one of them. Initially author of a good delivery to McDonald's with a K2 against the opposing KK, the Turkish quickly died a few minutes later.

Still placed, not yet a winner, the promising 25-year-old Swedish William Thorson would be next on the list, out by his compatriot Storakers (89 against KJ).

Sixth place went to Luca Pagano, also used to the (numerous) places of honor without ever knowing the taste of victory. For his tenth place paid in an EPT (a record) including three final tables, the Italian was still going to lack success. While he had forged a tight image by playing few moves, his stack with 77 was still called by Gork from the blind, with A9 having found his 9 on the river. Pagano went away devastated.

Michael McDonald, defending champion and on his way to a double history at only 19 years old, was also going to be very disappointed, victim of Naujoks on a corner-flip that did not pass (KJ against TT). And the German player in full rush would pay the very award-winning veteran Johan Storakers in stride, triumphing with his hands in the pockets of the opposing AQ thanks to his AK.

After a deal between the three remaining players making up a 100% German podium, Marc Gork would be the next to fall, cards from Kanish (KT against 77), a third place no doubt fully satisfying the young player for his first at such a level.

With balanced stacks, the heads-up was open. But it was without counting on the success of Naujoks who will have accompanied her during these last two days of competition. Short stack at the dinner break of Day 3, the young German had already managed to climb the slope. At the final table, with the all-in strategy having succeeded at McDonald's a little earlier, Naujoks was going to win precious chips to inflate her stack when she was only the sixth stack at the start of the final table. And his few lost pots will then have been largely compensated by all his good situations touched or having held. The last hand is like this, when Naujoks and Holger Kanisch found themselves all-in with AQ against A9, it was a 9 found on the turn that gave Sandra the victory.

Elected Player of the Year at the ACF European Poker Awards, Sandra Naujoks is starting to make a name for herself like Annette Obrestad after only a few months on the professional circuit. Second player to win an EPT (after Vicky Coren in 2006), the beautiful 27-year-old German has probably not finished winning.

Final Table Ranking (amounts out of deal)

1- Sandra Naujoks (GER) €917,0002- Holger Kanisch (GER) €533,0003- Marc Gork (GER) €307,0004- Johan Storakers (SWE) €237,0005- Mike McDonald (CAN) €197,0006- Luca Pagano (ITA) €153,0007- William Thorson (SWE) €116,5008- Cengizcan Ulusu (TUR) €83,500

F.G.