FEATURED PLAYER - Smith  Collins "nevertilt22"

Where were you born?
Woodstock, Va.

How old are you?
Twenty-three as of May 2.

Where did you go to school?
University of Florida.

Where do you currently live?
Gainesville, Fla.

How long have you been playing poker, and how long on Bodog?
Four years in total, with three of those on Bodog.

What’s your major?
Multi-table tournaments. I’m the former chess champion of Pennsylvania (in sixth grade). Most poker players either come from Magic, backgammon or chess, and I am definitely from the chess breed.

What is it about playing on Bodog that you like?
The added money, the smaller fields and the great Tournament Leader Board prizes are all things that other sites have failed to match so far.

When did you realize that poker might be more than just a hobby for you?
When I started making more than my boss did at work, I realized it was time to become my own boss and turn it into a profession.

How would you describe your playing style?
I play tight and conservative with random aggressive outbursts to switch it up, and I sometimes like playing mind games with my opponents to get any extra edge I can.

What were your most memorable victories in poker?
Winning the Tournament Leader Board on Bodog for the second year in a row despite a few extremely bad months was truly the best feeling I’ve ever had--it’s without a doubt my best victory.

If you had a choice between winning $500,000 and a WSOP* bracelet or $1,000,000 from an underground game that nobody will ever hear about, which would you choose?
I’d take the $1,000,000 because with the extra half-million I figure I could eventually win a bracelet by buying into events.

Which online/live players impress you the most?
I’m highly impressed by any live player who has the patience to play live-only. The online players on Bodog that I am impressed by lately are "thatsnice," "alcarmo," "head2782," "daisyxoxo" and "killa_tyven."

How do you deal with long periods where variance treats you badly?
I try to take breaks from poker for a few days and go on a cruise or just take a few days off from playing to focus on studying the game.


Articles by Smith Collins
Advanced Poker Advice: Grinding From the Bottom on Bodog
Advanced Poker Advice: Knowing Your Table Image
Advanced Poker Advice: Playing the Small Blind
Advanced Poker Advice: Online Poker Note-Taking