Gioconews Poker – Andrea Ricci at IPS San Marino: ‘An incredible moment but it’s just a springboard!’
The Italian Poker Sport flies to over a thousand registrations and there will also be Andrea Ricci one of the most in-form tournaments of the moment in the European circuit.
When you ask him what his strategy will be for his participation in theItalian Poker Sport of San Marino kicks off tomorrow until September 20 with 500 thousand euros guaranteed, the answer is simple: “I come to win, not to be present”. And if he says his name Andrea Ricci and that in recent months has won practically everything by comparing itself with top world-class players in all the best locations.
He is back from Cyprus but will be in San Marino as soon as he can: “Yes, I still have a couple of days at sea and I think I will come 100 percent since I live 20 minutes from there, returning on the 9th with a flight from Bologna”.
A tournament that Andrea Ricci knows very well, who already has three cash at IPS and many others at the Euro Rounders tournaments. He won IPO San Marino, the same location as this great event, and is now located at approx 1.3 million dollars won, 23rd among the best Italian players always for money won according to HendonMob: “I have already played IPS many times and I have looked at the specific structure of this stage and it is already good from Day1 but from Day2 it starts to get even more interesting”.
Some time ago, after one of your successes, you told us that you have seen some good ones and you were right. Your great growth seems to continue: where do you want to go? “I want to reach the top and it is difficult to set limits. I knew, however, that I could play it with everyone, and so it was. I’m sure this moment will be just a stepping stone. I am hardly wrong when I opt for a decision and you too are my witness – Ricci smiles, pointing to the article writer Cesare Antonini – expect more news ”.
In Cyprus also some regrets? “Yes, because the tournament could have ended with 11 players left when, in all in a 3, QQ vs JJ vs AK I couldn’t win that shot that should have been even deeper at the final table. And I started the 6-handed table with the second best stack anyway ”.
The moment is excellent and at certain levels if the results arrive at the cash desk, the six figures are not lacking: “I’ve been having a lot of top buy-in tournament runs lately. In addition it must be said that I have people behind me who strongly want in my potential and allow you to access more easily the tournaments with more substantial buy-ins by buying higher odds often and willingly) and this increases the growth in my means. I could be presumptuous according to many, but the results I have to keep a reason. So how can you not believe it if others are already doing it for you? ”. Is flawless.
Playing in certain fields undoubtedly helps to grow. Are you also studying or above all playing? “I am very pleased that many world top regs know and recognize me as I am almost a regular presence in certain tournaments. And yes, playing certain fields helps and not a little – explains Ricci – when I have some difficult spots, I try to save them and send them to those who study solvers to understand which is the best mathematical choice, and how to exploit it “.
Who are the players who have impressed you the most in all these events and who have you known best? “I was lucky (or unlucky) to play the last two high rollers against Stephen Chidwick, (we were in blind war in both tournaments with him) and if I saw him as a holy monster I can say I had my say. I have known and played more than once against O’Dwyer and I do not deny that I have almost always won and folded for worse. And he made him pay for worse. In that sense, my opinion, Chidwick is stronger because he puts more pressure on the second than he does at the table. And in my opinion, another very very strong player is Henrick Hecklen even if the one who is hardest to play with is Adrian Matheos. While Tony G in the high roller that he won and in which I finished third he could have beaten at least 6 times. Another very strong one is Kahle Burns ”.
Back to the strategy: will you change anything at IPS compared to a $ 10,300 high roller? Does everything change or do you go in and play with the aim of just winning? Obviously adapting to the fields: “I come to win not to make an appearance – he reiterates – I will play at my best as always, because what matters is self-challenge on a daily basis. With reference to the structure, having more flights available, I don’t deny that I will try to show up on day 2 with an excellent stack “.
Dedication time: “I would like to make a mention to Marcello Miniucchi, another well-known face of poker from Pesaro, a friend who has always believed in me and a beautiful person. I remember my away games with him but he helped me more than once, even when I recently had a problem with a player in my area ”.
Final with the agenda, though: “Lately I have been asked many times to become a coach, I have had many requests. But I never took this into consideration except in the form of a personal favor. What will I play in the coming months? IPS obviously, then Wsop Europe Circuit and Wsop Europe always in Rozvadov ”.