Player Spotlight: Kristen Bicknell
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Primarily known as a live online cash-game grinder, Kristen Bicknell made her splash onto live tournament scene last summer when she won the 2013 World Series of Poker Ladies Championship, collecting her first gold bracelet and a first-place prize of $173,922.
Bicknell is back to defend her title bringing with her some lessons she learned from last year’s tournament. We caught up with Bicknell as the ladies went to break to see how it feels to be back, how things have changed and check in on her Super Nova Elite Status on PokerStars.
PokerNews: How does it feel to be back?
Kristen Bicknell: It’s great. It’s exciting.
Do the people at your table know you are the reigning champion?
It has just been revealed. I was trying to keep it under wraps for as a long as possible but a lady at my table said she went and googled me, so now it’s out.
You seem to talk a lot at the table and you look like you are having a good time. Do you find that this event lends itself to having more conversation?
I find the ladies event is a bit lighter. It’s not as intense and it’s a lot friendlier. It’s a nice change. I am used to being behind the computer screen talking to nobody or playing with men. It is nice to have some good conversation and good time playing.
Do you find more challenging to play with all women?
It’s not necessarily harder or tougher. It just takes adjustments. As my poker experience grows, I just make those adjustments better. I have adjusted my strategy to play against strange lines that I might not see against men. I feel pretty well prepared and am looking forward to the day.
How have things changed for since your win last year?
They haven’t changed that much. I have gone back to doing my same old thing, grinding online cash. It has definitely given me some confidence and I will be able to play the Main Event this year and I did last year too, so that’s exciting. I have just tried to keep working on my game and not make any bad decisions.
In an interview last year you mentioned you were going to try and focus on live cash games this year, has that come to fruition?
Um. Only for the World Series. For the most part I am happy grinding Supernova Elite on PokerStars. That is sort of my comfort zone so I keep focused on that.
Where are you on this year’s quest for Super Nova Elite?
I might not hit 1,000,000 VPPs this year but I will maintain it. To maintain it I have to hit 50,000 a month. So I am at about 250,000 right now which means I will probably reach 750,000 by the end of the year which is still pretty good. Then I do make Supernova Elite again next year.
Did you learn anything from last year’s tournament that you can apply this year to help you maneuver through the field for a second time?
I learned a good lesson last year in that I can’t just outplay some people. You have to play really solid and not underestimate people. In the past, I have definitely played a bit too loose or too aggressive. And last year I tried not to do that. I came in trying to play really solid and stick to my A game.
I think a lot of players start to open up their game when they think they are better than their opponent. Then you end up spewing and playing badly. I am trying to avoid that and bring the same attitudes that help me win last year. I had a good result so I am hoping that it continues again this year.