Online Poker Spotlight: Peter Jepsen
Any list of the top poker players coming out of Denmark must include 27-year-old poker pro Peter Jepsen, repped by PokerIcons, who has made a name for himself both online, where he once held the record for winning the largest pot in the history of online poker, and live by winning titles such as the European Poker Tour Warsaw in 2007. We were lucky enough to catch up with Peter to discuss his current live poker downswing, crossfit, and who he thinks will win the WSOP Main Event.
Hello Mr. Jepsen, tell us what's been going on in your poker life these days.
I've been very busy these past few months moving into my new apartment, actually. Everything is slowly falling into place, and I can start focusing more on poker again. I'm coming back with a vengeance. It's time to settle a few things.
First off, where is the current bachelor pad location?
It’s still in Copenhagen, Denmark. I love it here!
So Vegas hasn't captured your heart yet?
(laughs) No way! I like Vegas, a lot, and I like to stay for a month or more a year — but living there — no f***ing way!
Why no way? To much temptation?
Hmmm, essentially yes, but not because I'd get tempted and go sin. More because you just get fed up with other people doing it. People are generally stupid, and in Vegas they're worse than anywhere. It simply wears you down to watch retards throw away their money (or win millions).
You stated that you're coming back with a vengeance. Who is on top of your hit list and why so?
Well, first of all, if you're on my MSN list, and you've been winning in 2009, and haven't been shy about telling everyone about it, every day and night through MSN updates, etc., then you're clearly on my list. There is nothing more friggin aggravating that people writing "PEAK BEER TONIGHT,” when all I'm having is funeral shots. I don’t know what it's called in English, but there's something you drink when it's a funeral and you can use the same word if things aren't exactly going your way.
C'mon Peter we need names?
(laughs) I'll keep them to myself. "Friends" on my MSN list aren't the top targets obviously. Top targets would be all the happy campers that incidentally won tournaments in the past year, or those that won more than one. I'm sick and tired of people not realizing the insane luck-level required to cash in numerous tournaments. It doesn't help that I haven't cashed for the past 15 live tournaments, I played. But thing's are a' changing.
All right, where do you plan on turning this streak around?
The very next tourney is going to be the Master Classic of Amsterdam. It's an awesome tournament, good cash games, lots of pot-limit Omaha donks and I love the city.
Are you the type who will go out the night before a tourney and party till dawn?
Not a chance in life! Every day is a party to me, but I don't need to be in a club with a beer in my hand to party. It’s way overrated in my opinion. To be honest, I rarely drink at all. In high school there were "several" times when I was drunk from one-too-many shots at the school parties, but it’s never been my thing. Since I was 19-years-old I've been drunk maybe once in my life. I've consumed a maximum of three to five beers combined in my entire life.
OK, so you have a strict routine the night before a tournament then. What are your pregame rituals?
I have some "rules." I never play the day I arrive to the city. I always get eight hours of sleep before play day. I make sure to drink plenty of water and eat loads of food prior to playing. I also don't play cash games online the night before for risk of tilt. Last thing would be that I always work out in the morning before playing.
Do you prefer playing live or online poker more?
Since I put more hours into online, I'd have to say online, but it generally works like this: When I play online, it feels like a glass is slowly getting filled up, and when the glass is full, I'm sick of online poker and can't wait to play live.
Besides poker, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
Working out definitely has to be the main one. PC games will have to come in second. I also enjoy in investing and doing other businesses besides poker. From there it's "normal" stuff like going to the movies etc. My new love is crossfit.
Explain crossfit for the readers who don’t know what it is.
It's basically working out in a gym which is specifically designed to use body-weight exercises and natural movements. All "workouts" are defined and given names of fallen American soldiers, or hurricanes, etc. All workouts are measured in the time it takes for YOU to complete it or the number of sets YOU complete in a given time. It’s extremely competitive and you can compare your "results" with anyone in the whole world since the workouts are predefined. There's a World Series event every summer in US. It's the fastest growing "sport" the past two years, and I recently opened up a crossfit center in Denmark.
Very cool, we wish you the best of luck with that. Seriously though, PC games? You know there are things called Xbox360, PS3, and Nintendo Wii?
(hysterical laughter) Basically those playing Xbox360, PS3 or Wii are those that'll never win in poker. It’s so simple and short-sighted, it's predefined and "easy.” Real thinkers, game-eccentrics, are people with desire to compete with the best and achieve the ultimate. They are PC gamers.
Geez. So you’re saying a Star Craft game or War Craft is much better than a Call of Duty 4 or a Halo3?
What I'm saying is that the possible combinations and the options and game play is much more complicated and interesting in PC games. Basically, consoles are for low rollers with no knowledge of how to play the real games. They have no desire to compete in real games or no money to get there. No hard feelings. Also, Call of Duty 4 is a helluva game and is on PC too.
We'll take a rain check on this debate. All right, you said one of your hobbies is investing or having other businesses. You said you have a crossfit center now. Anything else you own or are involved in?
I am involved in several projects. I’m on a board of five different companies, two of which I own. Anything from a fitness center to a high-level biotech company.
You also said you like movies. Give us your top five movies of all time.
Jepsen: "Pulp Fiction," "Shawshank Redemption," "Boondock Saints," "Fight Club," and "Usual Suspects."
Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Alba, or Megan Fox?
I'm gonna truthfully say Frida Johansson.
Girlfriend? Future wife?
Yes, girlfriend. Future wife? No comment.
Last question, who will play each other heads-up at the World Series of Poker final table, and who will win?
Moon and Shulman heads up, but Ivey will win. I know it makes no sense, but I bet that sneaky bastard will find a way to win regardless.
So what’s the real prediction then?
Moon, Shulman and Ivey. Winner will be Moon.
Peter, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. It was a pleasure and best of luck in the future with poker and your businesses. By the way, PC games are for amateurs.
You can sit down at the tables with Peter by signing up for a poker account at Betfair. Follow us on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news, and also become our fan on Facebook.
