The Un-Tiltable Ray Cochrane is Ready for WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown
The $3 million guaranteed World Poker Tour (WPT) Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship got underway today, and no one is more excited about it than ClubWPT Qualifier Ray Cochrane. The 65-year-old made the drive to Hollywood, Florida from Colorado and wasted no time hopping into the first of two flights in the $3,500 buy-in Main Event and found himself battling in a field that includes Chance Kornuth, Calvin Anderson, Adam Hendrix, Jesse Lonis and reigning champion Bin Weng.
The $3,500 buy-in Championship got underway on Friday and will run through Day 4 on April 23. Once the event reaches a six-handed final table, action will pause before picking back up in Las Vegas in late May.
PokerNews caught up with Cochrane to learn about his poker background, winning a package on ClubWPT and preparing to battle it out with some of the best poker players in the world.
Poker Players Learn Pickleball from Vince Van Patten!
PokerNews: When and how did you learn to play poker?
Cochrane: I have been playing poker since grade school. My parents were champion Bridge players that taught me to memorize all 13 plays in every hand of bridge. They would quiz me on the plays and what signals they implied. They loved the fact that my friends liked poker and most of the games were at my house. All of my friends from kindergarten that I played poker with are doing their lucky rituals. Lou is keeping 33 cents in his pocket. Jeff is wearing his Vikings Jersey, and Mike threw his gun on the bed.
How did you win your WPT Seminole package?
I wish I could say I won due to my skills and intuition. But the truth is, I won a huge hand by drawing a one-card out. I went all in with pocket queens. Two players called me with ace-six offsuit off, and queen-eight of hearts. The guy with ace-six flops the ace. On the river, I hit the queen diamonds. I got a runner-runner spade to win the final hand and take first place.
How long have you been a member of ClubWPT and what inspired you to join in the first place?
I joined ClubWPT about two years ago. I enjoy watching your show and listening to Tony (Dunst) analyze the plays. At the time I had about three billion PokerStar chips. But wasn't thrilled with their site. I have had so much fun on WPT that I got a VIP membership. Won $500 taking second in a tournament and a diamond membership to qualify for your year-end tourney. Won $4,000 taking 5th in the year-end tourney. I bought many poker books and returned to VIP until I read all the books (Incentive). Still haven't read all the books ... Soon. Then your Super Saturday membership was too good to pass up. Even though I didn't finish all of the books, I had to join SS (Super Saturday) ... The best WPT package IMO.
Have you had any other success with ClubWPT? If so, when and where?
Since December 31, 2023, I have won a Saturday VIP tourney for 300 (1,600 entrants). I took second on a Sunday VIP tourney for 150 (2600 entrants). First was $6,000 dollar Chocktaw. Second was 150 dollars ... Still really enjoyed the tourney. Took 6th on my first Super Saturday for 150. AND FINALLY took a Super Saturday first for my Seminole package.
What’s your proudest poker accomplishment to date?
My greatest poker accomplishment is staying calm. Believe me or not, I can't be put on tilt ... I have too much fun to get frustrated ... I have no poker face, but I don't need one. When you enjoy the game as much as I do, it's hard to tell whether my smile is a good hand, or just enjoying the play.
What are you most looking forward to about playing WPT Seminole?
My goal for this tournament is to watch and learn. In all things, if you learn from the best, you will continually grow.
No matter what happens, this has already been a great trip. I drove here from Colorado with my dogs and sister. We are both having a great time. I always enjoy spending time with my sister.
Are there poker pros you would like to meet or play with? If so, why would you like to meet them?
I truly enjoy watching Phil Laak and Phil Hellmuth. I think Phil Laak has the best feel for the energy generated at a poker table. Phil Hellmuth plays with his heart and soul... He lets it all out. I trust people that don't hold back. He can insult me or chastise me, and I will take it as a badge of honor.
For more on the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, be sure to check out WPT updates.
*Photos courtesy WPT & Ray Cochrane
In this Series
- 1 The Un-Tiltable Ray Cochrane is Ready for WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown
- 2 Day 1a of WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Brings Out the Heavy Hitters
- 3 "One of My Biggest Dreams": Reigning POY Bin Weng Reflects on WPT SHRPS Victory
- 4 WPT SHRPS Nearly Doubles $3M Guarantee During Final Starting Flight
- 5 "Dirty Diaper" Comes Back to Haunt Rigby as Opponents Play it Back at WPT SHRPS
- 6 Bubble Bursts on Day 2 of WPT SHRPS as 101 Players Advance; Josh Reichard Leads
- 7 Josh Reichard Leads Final 16 in WPT SHRPS; Lonis, Linde & Tice in Contention
- 8 Young Guns Headline Final Six in WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship
- 9 Larry Frank Charity Event Brings CSOP to Florida During WPT SHRPS
- 10 5 Big Hands From WPT SHRPS Championship — Kings Crack Aces in Million Chip Pot
