QUALIFIERS - Thomas Solomon

What’s your home town?
Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.

Where did you go to school?
I am currently enrolled at Michigan State University, getting my master’s degree in accounting.

What’s your marital status?
Single.

What do you do for a living?
Student / accounting intern / poker player.
 
Any kids?
No.

How long have you been playing poker?
Since my grandma taught me how to play 5-Card Draw when I was 4 years old. I’ve been playing seriously for about four years.

What or who inspired you to start playing?
My grandma when I was younger; then I realized it was a much cooler way to make money than working a real job as I got older.
 
How long have you been playing at Bodog?
I have been playing on Bodog since 2004. When I started I was a losing player. I grinded low-limit Limit Holdem until I finally hit it big at $15/$30. There have been some bumps along the way, but I’m a regular at the $30/$60 Limit game now.

Tell us about your best poker win…
My biggest score is $126,000 for finishing second in the PokerStars Million in November.  My most memorable win is winning the Bodog $100K, also in November of last year.

How did you win your seat?
As with all of my major tournament successes, it happened the day after a late night at the bar. I think it makes me more patient and I lose the extra aggression I normally play with. I yelled, “Ship the Provolone,” high-fived my college roommate and then screamed.

What do you think your chances are of winning the WSOP*? 
I’d say about 3,000:1.

Who is your favorite poker player?
Wausau on Bodog.

What would you do if you won?
Throw a huge party for my friends and family, relax for a couple weeks, hope to sign a contract to represent Bodog and then get to work on the circuit.
 
How much would you need to win to make you quit your job?
$1 million. Then I’d travel the world and play online poker full time. Although, I already play pretty much full time.

What would your tagline be if you turned pro?
My poker moniker “Tommy2tyme” would be fine.

How will you spend your time off in Vegas?
Playing poker, possibly seeing a show and hitting the town.

What type of player are you?
Anyone who’s played with me would classify me as a loose/aggressive player teetering on maniac status. It’s a little different in Limit from No Limit, but I like to think of myself as smart/aggressive.

Have you been to Vegas before? If so, any good stories? If not, what are you expecting?
Yes, this will be my fourth trip to Vegas. I have quite a few stories, but not many I want to publish. Last time I was in Vegas I got the opportunity to shake boxer Floyd Mayweather’s hand at Club LAX.