Player Interview: Randy Pisane
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Randy Pisane, a self-described hardcore student of the game, started Day 4 with 600,000 and a guaranteed cash in the Main Event.
Pisane started playing poker in the early nineties and paid the hefty price to learn the game from some of the best in the most famous underground poker clubs in New York, the Diamond Club and The Mayfair.
As players were leaving for dinner and their last break of the day, Pisane graciously agreed to talk to PokerNews about his incredible run up to 2.5 million in chips in just four levels of play.
Pisane: I had some of those standard double up spots of kings versus queens and catching cards at the right time. I may have had some good cards, but I also made some good moves at the right time. I even put my tournament life on the line a couple of times on bluffs that thankfully worked out.
PokerNews: You've been at this table all day. What's it like to go from the hunted to the hunter?
Pisane: I'm getting respect, but I'm not overly aggressive. I've been making good plays and value bets when appropriate. I have some good reads on players that I know will pay off and I know the people to stay away from. There are definitely some bad players at my table right now, and they're definitely some good players, and I'm able to recognize who's who.
PokerNews: Watching you interact with the players, it seems that you are as much of a poker fan as a player. Is that fair?
Pisane: Oh yeah. I'm a big fan and want to keep learning. I read a lot and watch a lot of people on YouTube, so I can learn. I'm a big fan of Doug Polk - he's one of my inspirations. I'm definitely a big fan of his.
PokerNews: The last time you played a WSOP event was in 2011. For a student and the fan of the game, why the long hiatus?
Pisane: It's a big commitment. I've had a full-time job; I was doing institutional fixed income sales for 26 years. Last July, right before the World Series I decided to take a break. And my friend begged me to play. But I just walked away from my job, and I needed a break. If Rob didn't put the money up, I'm not sure I would be here this year. He really pushed me, and my girlfriend also bought 5%. It's because of them that I'm here. I couldn't say no.
PokerNews: How does it feel to be near the top of the chip counts towards the end of Day 4 of The Main Event?
Pisane: It feels great. It's been a great day. I feel pretty good about how I'm playing. I've made some good reads on people. I've definitely caught some good cards, but I'll tell you up until today, I was only dealt aces once, and I lost with them. Today, the run of cards has been a little bit better.