From Texas to London with Brendon Krabill
Before hitting his third televised feature table thus far during the 2016 Cash Game Festival Bulgaria, we were able to learn about a man who is all about action, Brendon Krabill.
Krabill could be the only American player here, but he didn't have to travel that far as for the past couple of years he has lived in the British capital of London.
"I moved to just north of London from Texas about almost two years ago for the Air Force," shared Krabill. "I just work really and leave next June. I am not sure where I go next and find out in the winter."
Anyone that has been to London and Texas can definitely agree on one thing. That they are very different places. Krabill agreed and added that an adjustment was required at first.
"London and Texas are very different places," shared Krabill. "It was a little bit of an adjustment when I first relocated."
That being said, London was Krabill's first choice to be stationed for his work and has lived up to expectations sharing that, "I love the people, but the weather and the way people talk and say things were a bit of an adjustment. But it's been one great ride the entire way and I wouldn't have changed it for anything."
It was in London, that Krabill almost by accident found out about the Cash Game Festival and since then he has "been hooked."
"My first time at a Cash Game Festival was in March in London," Krabill shared. "One of the casino managers messaged me and said, 'Hey, why aren't you here for the festival?' I answered, 'What festival?' He said, 'Well come on down, it's Friday night!' I went down there after work and was only there for a day and a half. But after that I was hooked! I went to Malta and have been balling since then."
Krabill sites many reasons why he loves the Cash Game Festival. Some of it is about poker and some about his new "poker family" he can now see around the world.
"The top thing I love about the Cash Game Festival is the poker," Krabill explained. "I like being able to sit down at a table for an hour or six hours and getting up when I feel like it. I am not committed like I would be in a tournament. And of course the more I start following the festival, I fall in love in love with the people. It's a small poker family is how I refer to everyone as. We always travel together, we talk outside of the festival, and keep in contact. It's the people on top of the poker and the extra things on the side that we do. All in one, it is just one great week. The people that run it do an amazing job as well as the people that take the pictures. Just being around with my poker family and having a good time is the best!"
"Throughout the festival have been running really well in Texas, especially on the TV table," Krabill said. "I tripled up both days, so it's been pretty good. Also, the flip on the first day didn't hurt. Five of us went €100 all-in preflop. I have and I happen to flop a set. So it's been very lucky and I ran that €500 into €1,942. Poker definitely has its little bit of luck."
The second televised feature table tonight features stakes at twice as high as it did in the first two nights. This won't stop Krabill from playing under the spotlight three days in a row.
"Tonight is a €5/€10 no-limit hold'em game on the feature table, and I plan to be there," explained Krabill. "I hope it's a good table!"
Krabill shared a few reasons why he loves playing on the televised feature table.
"The great thing about being on the televised feature table is that you can watch yourself and see what other players had against you Krabill said. "It is very good to train and watch and wonder what other people are putting you on. You can also go back and look at yourself and say, 'Why did I call?' or 'Why did i do this?'"
He added that it is also about his friends, family, and coworkers being able to watch him and root him on in the Twitch chat.
"Also, you have the Twitch chat where friends and family can interact," said Krabill. "Everyone back home is watching and people from work were watching and going crazy in the chat. It's a good time, good to interact, and see their commentary. I think it adds to the vibe to everyone playing."
Krabill is certainly comfortable playing no-limit hold'em based on what we've seen first-hand on the feature table, however, this isn't currently his favorite poker game to play. Krabill shared that some of this was with the help of Lady Luck.
"Within the past six months, five-card Omaha became my favorite game," Krabill explained. "It is kind of hard to go back to hold'em after playing Omaha. But, I enjoy them both. However, I'd say lately I am grinding a bit more Omaha than I am Texas."
During the first day of the Cash Game Festival, Krabill started off on a high because of winning big in roulette. He shared with us he did well again before heading to the tables. However, this isn't something he normally does sharing that, "I almost never play roulette, but today I decided to try it out."
Krabill also shared that his strategy towards the game is far from random.
"Sometimes, I like to play red and black," said Krabill about his roulette strategy. "I follow the trends and if its red, red, red or black, black, black, I bet the opposite. So, I started doing that a little bit and with the numbers I do the same thing. In other words, a bit of strategic betting."
Krabill has spent plenty of time with his "poker family" away from the felts. Today, he explained how perfect the yacht ride provided by the Cash Game Festival organizers to those with the hospitality package was.
"The yacht ride was great!" Krabill proclaimed. "We started out and the weather was nice. It wasn't too windy, too hot, or too cold. We have a few beers and some fruit. After sailing for a bit we got to go out to swim. The water was not too bad, it was about just right. We even saw a few jellyfish. Some monster ones! I have never seen ones so huge! It was another good time with my poker family while relaxing out in the sun on the yacht."