Timofey 'Trueteller' Kuznetsov: “I find it fun to fight my own fears” | Paul Phua Poker

Описание: The real identity of online poker genius “Trueteller” was a secret – until recently. Paul Phua picks the highlights from a rare video interview with Timofey Kuznetsov, exclusive to Paul Phua Poker.

When did you first start playing poker?
Timofey Kuznetsov: I mean, l was living in Moscow already when l got in poker, l guess. And one of my friends started playing and started winning some, and l decided l can start to play too. And then l just started playing and got really, really into the game. And, like, started playing lots, lots, and it didn’t go so well in the beginning, but then l started winning and it was really, really fun for me. Like, really fun joining up to the high stakes. I’m still enjoying it.

How did you improve your game?
Timofey Kuznetsov: Really the main way l improved was l was playing a lot, l was thinking, like, really deep about anything l did. I think the best way to improve is just playing focused, and really think about every small action you take and what it leads to, what your opponents might think about during the hand, what they might think of you, and stuff like that. For me poker is playing the players, not the cards.

Where’s your favourite place to play?
Timofey Kuznetsov: Macau. I like being there, and l like the games there, l like to play no limit. And they play no limit in Macau.

What’s your screen name?
Timofey Kuznetsov: “Trueteller”. I just wanted to come up with something, like, funny. So l thought it would be funny for poker.

What would you have done if you hadn’t played poker?
Timofey Kuznetsov: I think my life would still be highly connected with risk, I don’t know, like stock trading or something like that, because I can enjoy taking risks, like, enjoy the tension about it. I think l can handle it really well compared to other people. So l think my life would be still something with risk.

What are your challenges in poker?
Timofey Kuznetsov: I find it really, really fun and enjoyable to fight my own fears. l think it’s like you’re sitting there, like, shoving with a bluff, you know, your heart is beating really hard and you know the other guy’s looking at you and you’re trying kind of to hide your emotions, but it’s OK not to hide them, too, because you’re going to be worried if, like, you’re going to be nervous if you’re well in, too. So l find it a really really fun challenge with yourself to control your own emotions, to control your, like, state.

Do you prefer live games or online?
Timofey Kuznetsov: I prefer playing… I actually like both, in a different way. Live is more relaxing, more fun, l can chat with people. It’s a lot more about metagame and psychology in live. But online l get, like, more hands, so it’s more fun in another way.

Explain what the metagame is
Timofey Kuznetsov: It’s hard to describe. It’s very, very situational. Like, in this situation l know, for example, this guy is like short for the game, l know what thinking process he will be going through in the beginning of the hand. He won’t be always thinking, like, about “what shall l do with this hand?”, he will be thinking, like, “how will l look in front of my backers if l make this play?” for example. With these sorts of thoughts you can have a way bigger edge on somebody than if you just play your hand correctly. The best way to play a poker hand is if you can understand what exactly is going through your opponent’s head. It might be not about cards, it might be about something different.

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