Renz is a local player who can be seen in local poker rooms. Graduating in Lyceum and a chef by design. But something else called his attention and became a poker player instead. Now he frequent rooms and tournaments and make a living out of poker. Here is a short interview of the Man who from chef is now a full-time poker player.

How did you start playing poker?

“My friends kept inviting me. At first, it would be in the wake of someone. Because in the Philippines normally when there a funeral. Players are allowed to play cards. Then my friends invite me to home games. Until I started enjoying it and wanted to do it full time.”

What was the most memorable experience for you in poker?

“Along the way, there are too many to even remember. Winning a big pot is always memorable, winning a big tournament is good. But as you go along. There are so many games you count.”

Are you superstitious?

“Yeah, I am, sometimes you just can’t rely on skills. Luck does play a factor. You have to look at your opponent.”

If you are not playing poker. What would you be doing now?

“I would still be a cook, I graduated from lyceum, my specialty is continental and Chinese. Asians are always nice because they play around with spices. Sometimes two spices can not be a mix. It gives you a chance to experiment. If I am not a poker player now I would still be cooking somewhere. I now cook for my family and friends. I still love to cook because you can see the happiness of people when they eat your food.“

So how is poker for you nowadays?

“Poker is a nice game. I am usually just grinding at the table. I seldom play any tournament as I prefer cash games. But being friendly, along the way poker gets boring because you tend to be soft if you are with your friends. But I try to tell them most of the time that I have to play to win because this is my livelihood. But it always nice to see new players coming in and you get to meet new friends”

What is your best advice for beginners?

“My best advice to people aspiring to become poker players. Start at home first. Play small tournaments. Poker is an easy game to learn. But it will take a lot before you can say you are good. When I started out. I was trying to learn the game one by one. Back then poker was at an early stage. The best skill I’ve learned is to study the players. And it won’t be learned in any books. It took me a while before I could see and feel which one is bluffing or not or if they have the nuts. Reading books and talking to friends is good. But nothing can teach you poker more than actually playing it and learning from your own mistakes.”