Pkr Grl caught up with Tiffany Michelle recently for an exclusive interview with one of poker’s brightest and most interesting new stars. Tiffany received global recognition for her efforts in finishing 17th at last years World Series Main Event - the best finish yet by a female poker player. Join us as we talk life, love, music and poker in the Tiffany Michelle interview.
Getting Into Poker
Pkr Grl
Why and how did you get into Poker?
Tiffany Michelle
I grew up playing a lot of card games with my family and I can remember sitting around with my grandfather and brothers playing Five-Card Draw. I discovered Texas Hold ’Em when I was acting and would receive invites to play in Hollywood house games. I began playing a weekly game with Zach Levi and Joel David Moore and that’s really where I discovered that I had a natural instinct for the game. I was introduced to the professional world of poker when I spent the summer in Vegas in 2006 doing the On-Air hosting for Bluff Magazine’s coverage on Sirius Satellite Radio.
Pkr Grl
If you had to choose one path at the exclusion of all others (because someone really mean had the power to command such things), would you be a poker player, musician or actor? (or something else)
Tiffany Michelle
100% I’d be an actor, it’s my first love. Poker has it’s swings and can get monotonous and incredibly frustrating not to mention you sit on your butt for hours and hours. With acting you get to become different characters, go different places and experience things that you never could in actuality. It feeds my creative side and every project brings diversity.
Quick-Fire Questions
Best band ever?
– Beatles
Song that reminds you of the first Best time you made out with a guy?
– I can’t think of a song relating to that specific situation but the first song I remember having to do with a guy is Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Way”. Oh Lord, did I just say that?!
Best female poker player alive?
-– Annie Duke
Best male poker player alive?
– Daniel Negreanu tied with Phil Hellmuth
Nicest person in pro poker?
–- Bill Edler
Biggest jerk?
– I plead the fifth.
Stranded With Poker Pros
Pkr Grl
You’ve been cast away to a desert island for the rest of your life. You are allowed to bring 2 people with you, a guy poker pro and a girl poker pro. Who would you choose and why?
Tiffany Michelle
Girl poker pro would have to be Maria Ho. I love that girl and never get tired of her company. Guy poker pro… this one is tough cuz there are so many choices… let’s go with Greg Mueller. Greg is like the social butterfly of poker. He’s friendly, enjoyable to be around and he’s a big nerd who never ceases to amuse me with his Canadian verbiage.
(Afterthought: I hope he doesn’t kick my butt for calling him a ‘nerd’ and a ‘butterfly’ ha ha. Maybe I should also add that he’s a very tough, manly, jock ;-)
Experiences from the 2008 WSOP
Pkr Grl
How does your finish in the WSOP rate compared to other personal achievements in your life?
Tiffany Michelle
At this point in time I think it has to be at the very top… for now.
Pkr Grl
What kinds of opportunities has the fame from your poker success brought you?
Tiffany Michelle
I was already involved in the Entertainment industry/Hollywood side of things before my run at the WSOP so nothing has changed too dramatically. There’s just a higher volume of invitations and opportunities whether for interviews, press, photo shoots, sporting events or celebrity fundraisers.
I’m receiving more offers to be involved in television shows and projects. I guess on a very basic level fame brings the opportunity to make more money in every avenue.
Pkr Grl
Do those opportunities outweigh the negativity that’s been associated with the footage from ESPN?
Tiffany Michelle
Honestly there have been moments with the negative media and fan backlash that I’ve wished I could disappear and have zero attention or spotlight on me. Its never fun being put down, cussed out, having your personal character attacked and accomplishments diminished.
I’ve found that reward and success is that much sweeter when you’ve had to struggle and overcome hurdles to achieve it.
However, you have no choice but to take the good with the bad. I’ve found that reward and success is that much sweeter when you’ve had to struggle and overcome hurdles to achieve it. It’s not always a pleasant experience but if life were 100% easy we’d never grow as people.
So I’ve learned to appreciate what the challenges and negativity birth within me.
The 2009 WSOP
Pkr Grl
There will no doubt be a lot of media interest (and scrutiny) at this year’s event because of what happened in 2008. Do you have a plan for how you’ll deal with the added pressure to repeat your epic run to 17th place, and how you’ll deal with the nay-sayers?
Tiffany Michelle
The only pressure we have is the pressure we embrace and put on ourselves. Fortunately with last year’s experience I’ve realized that I have ZERO control over how I will be edited on TV and what they’ll include or not which means that I feel zero pressure going into the 2009 WSOP.
I could act like a total angel 99% of the time but ESPN may opt to show the ONE moment or line where I got frustrated.
I can only be me. I can only play my game.
When you’re in the poker zone and playing your best game everything happening outside of the table is muted and to worry about outside factors I feel is detrimental to your game. Let the cameras roll, let the nay-sayers chatter, I’m there to play the best game I can.
Pkr Grl
The odds makers are saying that Tom Dwan and Tiffany Michelle are 9/2 to be the winningest pair at the 2009 WSOP. How do you fancy your chances this year? And how cool is it for bookies to be predicting your success?
Tiffany Michelle
Well NOW talk about pressure. It’s a whole new ballgame when someone has money riding on you! I’m optimistic about my chances this year and I feel like my tournament game is in a really good place but I also know that just by the sheer numbers at the WSOP there is a lot of variance you have to fade.
Calling Clock
Pkr Grl
Will you call for the clock on someone again?
Tiffany Michelle
The clock is a rule in poker that is there for a reason. I understand that there is a time to have etiquette and allow someone the appropriate amount of time to make a decision but there is also a time when the situation calls for a clock to be called.
I would/will have no problem calling the clock (like I did at the WSOP) if the situation calls for it.
Specifically I think calling the clock is necessary when your opponent is CONSISTENTLY taking a long time on each decision and SURELY if their delay is effecting MY tournament life.
Pkr Grl
Do you feel that if you ever do it again it will just me seen as a Tiff’ism and not taken seriously?
Tiffany Michelle
The funny thing is that prior to the WSOP in my three years of tournament play I maybe called the clock one other time. It’s not something I make a habit of doing and I don’t know why I received so much attention for doing it or why it would become a “Tiff-ism” when TONS of other players on a regular basis call the clock.
Women In Poker - Perspective
Pkr Grl
Can you give us a little insight into what it’s like being inside the head of a poker girl when you’re typically playing with 9 poker guys?
Tiffany Michelle
I don’t imagine being inside my head (as a female) is any different than being inside a guy’s head. When you sit down at the table, whether man or woman we’re all playing the same game. So as a player we’re probably considering the same elements.
Pkr Grl
The footage from the WSOP felt like the polar opposite of a bar scene (where the guys suck up and try to impress the girl). In poker there seems to be an undertone of resentment from certain guys. Is this something you feel? And why do think that is?
Tiffany Michelle
Let’s just be honest. Guys tend to be macho, competitive and have a lot of ego so they hate to lose but there’s something about losing to or being outwitted by a GIRL is that much more of a blow. I see so many guys be completely cordial towards me UNTIL they lose a pot to me, and the next thing you know they hate my guts and are cursing me out.
It’s really entertaining.
Pkr Grl
Do you think your sexuality creates an advantage at the poker table?
Tiffany Michelle
In poker I think that anything you can do to throw someone off their game, distract, mislead, cause them to be intimidated or second-guess themselves is to your advantage.
Often times I think when a woman sits down at a poker table men get a little nervous and unsure.
I don’t think that simply being a female is an advantage because, let’s be honest there isn’t this huge percentage of successful female players. However, if you can understand how men play against women and the preconceived notions they have about women players and not only exploit that but back it up with a solid game then yes, I think THAT is the advantage.
Pkr Grl
Does it feel good to beat a guy at the table considering poker was traditionally a game played by tough guys in saloons?
Tiffany Michelle
I’m not gonna lie, it’s like a natural high not only to pull off a bluff or to rake in a big pot but to outplay someone especially as a girl verses a guy is a huge rush. I’ve always loved competing against men.
There’s just something very badass about a woman who has the confidence to sit down in the boy’s world and say “Hey, let’s go buddy… I can take what you throw down!”
Pkr Grl
Do you think that increase of women in poker has been a big reason why it’s become more mainstream?
Tiffany Michelle
I don’t necessarily see women being the reason that poker has become more mainstream because there still aren’t a lot of poker shows that feature women. However when you do see a female competing in poker I think it draws a whole new audience than don’t normally follow the game.
Friends, Twitter & The President
Pkr Grl
If there was suddenly a global tweet shortage due to Ashton Kutcher’s fans using them all up, and you only has 1 Tweet left (forever), what would you say:
Tiffany Michelle
(Awesome question)
Love. Do it. Be it. Live it. Feed it. Embrace it.
Pkr Grl
I’ve said the occasional stupid thing on Twitter after a few too many. Have you ever drunk-tweeted, and woke up the next morning thinking “aah shit, what did I say…?” Tell us about it…
Tiffany Michelle
I’m proud to say there are no drunken tweets on my record to date. I’m a pretty private person so I’m careful about the info I divulge online plus I over-analyze everything which means my Tweets or FB statuses go through my brain filter several times before they get to your eyes.
Pkr Grl
If you could play heads-up with any (dead) famous person throughout history, who would you pick and why?
Tiffany Michelle
One word…. OBAMA.
And Lastly…
Pkr Grl
If you could offer one piece of advice or pearl of wisdom for young women poker who want to follow in your footsteps and play poker, but think they can’t or shouldn’t - what would you say to them?
Tiffany Michelle
Your toughest competition is sexless, it’s neither other men or women… it’s yourself. We get in our own way all the time and talk ourselves out of taking risks and being awesome. It sounds cliché but I would encourage women to: believe in yourself, be confident, face your fears, and challenge yourself.
You’ll be amazed what you can obtain.
Doubt and fear will cripple you but confidence will carry you far.
A huge thank you to Tiffany Michelle for the entertaining interview.
Good luck at the 2009 WSOP Tiffany, we’ll be rooting for you.
Hugs
– Pkr Grl
