Since winning a bracelet in his first live tournament at the WSOP in 2006, Brandon Cantu has built up quite a reputation. If you ask someone to describe Brandon's style, they'll likely use some combination of the words "hyper," "aggressive," "crazy," "luckbox," and "maniac." They'll also tell you that if given the choice they'd rather not see Brandon at their table at any point during a tournament - and they might say that being at the table with Brandon when he has chips is one of the most excruciating experiences there is in tournament poker. I decided to find out if any of that is true.Justin Shronk: After your first bracelet win what were your expectations for your poker career? Did you think that would be the pinnacle, or did you have loftier goals?
Brandon Cantu: Winning my first bracelet was an amazing feeling. It was also my first major live tournament ever. I really didn’t know what was next for my career. All I knew was that I wanted to continue playing; I wanted to continue learning and I wanted to enjoy all that being in the poker community offered. After I won my WPT, I knew I was starting to roll a bit in 2008. But, it was actually the WSOP Main Event this year that really motivated me to become a great player. I was so disappointed, even after finishing 20th. I played so poorly in spots - I should have made that final table. I did, however, become motivated thereafter. I want to play an EPT and win one and I want to win the Main Event. I feel I am focused, extremely more mature, and people can expect more from me.
JS: You won your WPT in pretty dominating fashion. What does it feel like when everything is clicking, you're totally in the zone, and the deck is cooperating?
BC: It felt amazing. It really didn’t hit me until I actually was being interviewed after that I had won the event in that fashion. I was completely in the zone; everything was clicking. But the whole time I was just focused on which "Bounty" I could get next and where I wanted to finish each day. I never once stepped back to realize the chip stack that I was accumulating or how amazing and fun it was. Looking back, that tournament was so very rewarding and I look forward to going back this year to try and repeat.
JS: After the WPT win, did you get any feeling of vindication – a sense that you had proven you weren't just a one-hit wonder?
BC:I always knew that I could play poker. Some say that I am just a crazy person, too nuts to ever be consistent. I know that I can play this game and at a very high level. Just because I am not part of a training site or I don’t blog regularly doesn’t mean I am not trying to get better and better day-to-day. I care about improving and hopefully rack up a few wins over time. But I am not playing to prove to anyone that I need to do this-or-that to prove my value or worth in poker. I am having a great time, with great players, great media people, etc. – it has been an amazing career to date.
JS: Is how you’re perceived by the poker community and fans something that’s important to you? What about your peers – is their respect something that's important to you?
BC: My appearance through the media or TV is not something I have ever thought about. I can tell you that I am different at home, away from the casinos, with friends and family. When I am working, I have to find that mental state and put my game face on. I cannot control the editing done by a TV production team and they can portray me however they want, but they cannot control how I treat people when I am at home. As far as my peers go, yes, of course respect throughout the game has to be nice. I try to surround myself with a group of people that I can definitely learn from and openly discuss key situations. Yet, I want to be able to relax, vacation, enjoy myself with these people – just get away when I need to. I really do enjoy myself around a ton of people, while still playing hard when I am across the table from them. Hopefully, respect will come someday as I prove myself, but for sure respect is already being reciprocated from my end to so many great players
JS: Speaking of perception, there is a perception in poker that you run extremely good. Now, this is usually said about anyone who gets lucky in a few key spots in a well-publicized tournament, so normally not many people actually buy into it. However, I heard that at the WSOP you sent a text message to Joe Sebok – something to the effect of "Joe, I think I actually do run better than anyone else in the world." Do you really buy into that? How does other people saying that about you affect you?
BC: It is true, everyone does tell me that I run like god. Sometimes, I feel like I almost can. What really sticks out to me is that I think I have just put myself in a position to gamble hard in certain spots. When they come out ahead people talk about it, but I built that stack and was able to make calculated gambling decisions. However, if I am short and I try and make a play and bust, no one talks about it. When it is during a few key hands on TV at the WSOP, it generates buzz. It is not like I am re-raising any hand just cause I feel like “The God of Running Good” is behind me flopping a set. When it clicks, it is fun, and I have fun with it, give people a hard time about it. I like to think I have earned my runs, but everyone needs a little help now and then.
http://www.pokerroad.com/15_outs-one_time/brandon_cantu/
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