He has been described as "a sort of blonde surfer version of Charles Manson," and he plays the tightest game of poker you're likely to see in a World Series Main Event Top 25. Throughout the World Championship, Leif Force, a 23-year-old Ultimate Frisbee player from Tallahassee, Fla., has thrown away pocket pairs ranging from deuces to kings simply because he didn't like his chances going into the flop. Somehow, his extreme tight play has paid off, and despite only playing a fraction of the hands he's been dealt so far in the Main Event, Force is 12th overall and guaranteed a million-dollar payday for his efforts. I talked to Leif during the dinner break on Day 7 of the Main Event.
So you're a millionaire. Discuss.
Yeah, um, like I just told my buddy, I'm still pretty chill about it. I don't know, it's pretty cool obviously, but hopefully I can keep things going in the tournament.
Can you talk about your poker history a bit?
I've been playing poker since I was a little kid, like pretty much when I learned how to walk I knew how to play cards, and I've been playing ever since. The past few years I've just been playing online a lot at Bodog.com, since it started, and finally this year was the first year I had my bankroll up to the point where I could buy-in [to the Main Event], and I bought in for the $10,000 - spent a third of my bankroll on it, and it's turned into a pretty good story.
So you paid the entire $10,000 buy-in yourself?
Yeah, I just went for it. Let's see what happens.
What do you do back in Florida when you're not playing poker?
I play Ultimate Frisbee for Florida State, and I play cards and go swimming a lot. That's about it.
How would you describe your play throughout the tournament so far?
I can definitely say, and I'd bet all my chips on it, that I've seen the least amount of flops of any player. The first three days I saw about twelve flops. So I've been playing just really tight, just picking my fights, and not trying to see flops at all to try and take down pots.
How have you changed your strategy now as it gets down to the top 15 or so players?
I really haven't tried to change my strategy at all. I've been trying to take one or two different flops and just make a play at it when I can. You know, it's pretty much been the same for the entire tournament.
What's it like playing at the same table as [chip leaders] Jamie Gold and Allen Cunningham right now?
I played against Allen yesterday, and I won a couple of pots against him, so that gave me the confidence coming into his table. Big stacks never really intimidate me - I just see them as a chance to double up, you know, if they're not too great of a player, so I mean, it hasn't been too bad. I just haven't been able to catch any cards.
How have you been playing today overall?
Well, I'm about where I started the day, and so I'm really happy about that. Yesterday I started in 44th out of 45 places, so I'm really happy in my position right now.
What's your goal for the rest of the night?
My goal for the rest of the night is to eat a lot of food and hang out with some cute girls. As for the tournament, I'd just like to - (laughs) I don't really care. I'd like to double up. If I can double up, I'd be in prime position for where I'd like to be for the final table.
Thanks, man. Good luck for the rest of the way.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Comments
1rob heldon
2010-04-07hi, i played with leif in a cash game last year at the isle of capri.
when the night started leif walked into the room with a hot european chick. he sat down at the 1-2 nl table i was at. on the river he through in a bet of 100. i called with a pair of 8's. i won ,,,he was bluffing. he asked me why i called and told me it was a terrible call. he was embarrassed.
and spent the next two days trying to teach me a lesson. hes a good poker player but,,, hes beatable. for sure. he is a cool guy though. his friends are kind of punky though. his one freind really got mad i called with the 8s. and more mad when i laid down 2 pair on an all in bet for 450. i know i was beat leif,, tell your buddy to get over it. i took all that guys cash the next day when he went all in and i had the nuts. anyway good luck ,, leif is a good player.