In the world of poker, there are players who possess exceptional skills, relentless determination, and a deep understanding of the game. Today, we have the privilege of interviewing Sander van Wesemael from Netherlands, a formidable force in the poker industry known for their remarkable achievements and unwavering passion for the game.
What initially drew you to the world of live poker?
I started playing poker when I was 15. I began by playing all kinds of free play and free roll tournaments. When I was 19, I found a friend that wanted to join me at a live tournament in the local casino. I enjoyed that a lot, even though I did not get far. But for me, the beauty was the nerves I felt and all my social interactions. In the years after, the social aspect kept me intrigued by live poker.
Can you describe the most memorable hand you’ve ever played in a live tournament?
I have a very bad memory when it comes to remembering hands. This helps me from time to time because it’s easy for me to let a hand go and focus on the next one.
Have you ever experienced a significant turning point or breakthrough moment in your poker career? If so, could you share that experience?
There are a lot of points in my career. I won my first decent-sized live tournament, which was a 440 bounty in my local casino for about 12k. I don’t think I stopped smiling for a week. There was one series of tournaments that was my big breakthrough where I managed to win the Marbella Cup, the Lille Cup, and the Barcelona Cup back-to-back-to-back, and the Barcelona Cup is still my biggest win (149,190$).
About 2 years later, I had a huge downswing where I did not cash for 46 tournaments straight and was also losing at cash at that period. I lost about 70% of my bankroll. A friend got me in touch with a very good PLO player who offered to coach and back me for that. That backer is now a very good friend and helped me start the next chapter in my career, the PLO chapter!
It is funny how a bad downswing carved a new path for me, which I am now extremely grateful for!
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a live poker player, and how did you overcome them?
I had 2 stages in my career. For the first part, I loved poker soooooo much, that just being able to play was already a huge win for me. Nowadays, I am very grateful for what I have in my life, that I can let losses go. There is always a point where I start doubting myself, that is the point I have a lot of trouble staying motivated, but at those points, I try to reach out to friends around me to help me figure out if I’m not playing well or if it is just variance.
How do you prepare mentally and physically for long, grueling poker sessions?
I don’t do many very long sessions anymore, but when I play in tournaments, I always try to imagine the worst thing that can happen and how that influences my life. Almost always losing does not have a big influence on my life. If it would, I would probably not play it or sell some extra percentage.
What common mistakes have you observed live poker players making, and how can they be avoided?
The biggest one is always thinking of what you had at your high point, it will always come down at some point. Especially in a tournament, it is super important to stay focused on the spot you are in now, not the spot you were in before you lost the big flip.
What are your thoughts on the balance between risk and caution in live poker?
This is a tough one, I think it matters a lot what your goals are and what your options are outside of poker.
How do you determine when to be aggressive and when to exercise restraint?
In general, it’s good to do the opposite of what your opponents are doing. If everybody is playing cautiously, that is usually a good time to play aggressively and vice versa. Everybody has their own style in poker, don’t try to force a different style on yourself. You see it in a lot of things in life. For example, in chess, you have players that are all rated similarly, but many of them use slightly different openings because those positions are where they excel. In poker, it is similar, some people just know when to bluff, and some players are better in the more passive line and know when to bluff catch.
What lessons have you learned from live poker that can be applied to everyday life?
Life goes up and down. You can make the right decision and still end up with the wrong outcome. And for me personally, it is important to not force yourself too much, Be kind to yourself, and try to learn.
How do you continue to evolve and improve your game as a live poker player?
I think in the last few years I have not gotten better as a live player. But in general, keep thinking. In live poker, you have time to look at how a table is playing in detail and adjust your strategy accordingly.
What advice would you give to aspiring live poker players who are just starting their journey?
Only do it if you love it. Find people to talk to. It can be lonely. And most of all, have fun, also with other players and dealers at the table.
What are your future goals and aspirations as a live poker player?
This is something I’m going to sit down for and write down. For now, it will be monetary goals. Set up a future life. In the shorter term, I’m going to focus on online poker and improve more. I want to play the highest stake 5c PLO games next year in Las Vegas!
In this captivating interview with Sander van Wesemael, we have gained valuable insights into the mind of a poker virtuoso. Sander’s remarkable achievements, unwavering dedication, and strategic brilliance have solidified his position as one of the most respected and influential players in the poker world.
Throughout the interview, Sander’s passion for the game shone brightly, as he shared his experiences, strategies, and the lessons he has learned along the way. Thank you, Sander van Wesemael, for sharing your journey, insights, and inspiring us with your remarkable achievements. We eagerly await your future endeavors and wish you continued success both on and off the poker felt.
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