QUALIFIERS - Jean-Michel Pelland

What's your home town?
Park City, Utah.

How about your education?
I went to high school in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and graduated from Austin O'Brien High School in 1994.

What's your marital status?
I am not married but am in a long-term relationship.

What do you do for a living?
I am a restaurant manager for Tekarra Restaurant in Jasper, Alberta, Canada.

How long have you been playing poker?
I have been playing poker since I was 18, lots of home games and online. I have never really tried to pursue it as a career but over the last three years I have noticed my skills improving, especially at tournament play. I made two final tables (Limit Holdem and No Limit Holdem) at a CPT (Canadian Poker Tour Event) in 2005. This was the only major tournament I've ever entered. 

What or who inspired you to start playing?
I traveled through Australia for a year when I was 19 and near the end of my trip I was really low on funds, so instead of staying in a hostel or hotel, I would sleep during the day in parks and at night I hung out in a casino in Perth, Australia. I watched the Holdem games and was really fascinated at the skill aspect of the game. My first purchase when I got back from my trip was a Holdem book that I can't even remember the title of and now realize was a little outdated but it got me started.

There was a casino in my hometown with a $3/$6 Limit game that I somehow managed to lose a lot of money at but I was hooked. A lot of books and a few lucky breaks kept my interest alive. When I moved to Jasper a year later there were no casino games but a few home games that I would do all right at. My big spike in play and confidence came in 2000 when I started working for Dave Husereau at Tekarra restaurant. He was famous in town for winning everyone's money at the bigger home games and now he was my boss. He really taught me a lot about reading people and being aggressive. While he was still usually the big winner I started to win a few nights as well, and when we played heads up I could keep up and even win outright quite a few times. The day he said I was one of the best players he had seen personally after the CPT event, I really had the confidence a poker player needs. In the last three years I have made about $20,000 playing online and occasionally at live events on a very limited basis so I know now I have skills.

How long have you been playing at Bodog?
I have been playing at Bodog for about four months. My girlfriend loves it too - she is learning quickly and Bodog is a great site with an easy layout and good action.

Tell us about your best poker win...
That's a tough one. I finished fifth at the final table of a $100 buy-in No Limit with re-buys CPT event in October of  2005. I entered the final table as the sizable chip leader but twice lost hands where I was a huge favorite and lost a substantial amount of my chips. I went out on a flop of Ad-9s-2s with an A-10 of spades. Reraised all-in on a single bet from early position and lost to trip 9s. I lost but made almost $4K so it was definitely my biggest cash. 

How did you win your seat?
I won a Main Event semifinal. I believe there were 140 players or so and I had the lowest stack when there were about 70 players left. Pocket queens twice within about 10 hands doubled me up twice and I just waited for my opportunities after that. When I was heads up, my opponent went all-in after being fairly tight but I did not sense a made hand and called with A-K. Turns out he had A-6 so I was a huge favorite and had him covered. Caitlin (my girlfriend) was sitting next to me and after I won I was just saying, "Did that really happen?!" It took a good 10 or 20 minutes for it to sink in and then we just both danced around laughing and giggling. She knows it has been a dream of mine to play in the WSOP* for a long time and it's amazing how having someone who supports you in poker (which is not always easy) makes you a better player. We then phoned everyone we knew and told them.

What do you think your chances are of winning the WSOP*?
I am a realist. I am confident in my skills but I have also played enough tourneys to know there is a bit of luck involved. I will have to win a few coin tosses, and they say you have to crack somebody's aces once to win a big tournament. As long as I bring my A-game, which I have had going for quite a while now, I am confident I can cash. Ask me again after Day 1!

Who is your favorite poker player?
I have a few favorites and a few people I can't stand. Greenstein is a favorite because he is gracious and not an egomaniac. I have to give props to Negreanu as he’s Canadian and a hockey fan (GO OILERS!). And finally I hope Hansen is as cool as he seems; I would love to hang out with him for a day.

What would you do if you won?
Man, well I would finish the season at Tekarra because my boss is also a good friend and a great poker player. Some good investment advice to get the money rolling with enough in my bank account to throw a hell of a party and maybe try playing professionally.

What would your tagline be if you turned pro?
I don’t have a nickname other than JM instead of Jean-Michel. Some of my friends have been throwing names around for the tournament (I have four or five good friends who are going to come down for the WSOP* to watch me). I will let you know if something catchy comes along.

What single story best defines you and your life?
I took a road trip with my good friend Troy a few years ago. We made every decision based on a coin flip (where to turn, where to eat, what to do, etc.) Two weeks and 9,000 miles later I had had one of the most exciting, random two weeks of my life. Life is not to be taken too seriously and if you really want to have fun, flip a coin sometime over something serious. It will show the triviality of our stresses and maybe help us relax a little.

How will you spend your time off in Vegas?
I will probably try to stay relaxed. I am always up for a few drinks but don't want to be hungover for any tournament days. Unfortunately, Caitlin cannot come with me for the whole trip so I may hang out alone and do some thinking. If I make it past Day 1, I will definitely enjoy the feeling and focus on winning. I like pressure and it always brings out the best in me. I have been to Vegas many times, so no need to sight-see. I will probably ride the rollercoasters and play in some cash games on the side.

What type of player are you?

My style is fairly straightforward. I play percentages and am good with numbers. I use position a lot and mix it up with unexpected plays sometimes. I try to focus on the players at my table a lot to get a feel for them. I do not talk a lot but can certainly get involved in some running commentary if the mood is right.

Have you ever been to Vegas before? If so, any good stories?
Vegas is Vegas, I’ve been there for poker, stags, and fun. Need I say more?