After leading the field on the third and 4th day of activity back in Los Angeles recently, 3 bullet points were the focus of David “ODB” Baker. He ‘d won significant tournaments, yet never ever something as large as a WPT title. He ‘d scored in the six-figures, however never ever a large one for seven numbers.
Mostly a combined video games gamer, Baker also had a goal to win a huge No Limitation Texas Hold ’em occasion. Currently after 6 days of play that took him from the comfortable boundaries of the Commerce Online casino to the cutting edge setting of HyperX Esports Arena, Baker checked all 3 off his list in the early morning hrs of March 12 after winning the WPT L.A. Poker Classic.
Baker covered an area of 546 players to add his name to the Champions Mug for the very first time, winning $1,015,000 for his efforts. To claim it was a dream come true for this 46-year-old longtime professional initially from Katy, Texas.
” It type of audios corny, but it truly implies so much to me,” Baker, that currently lives in Arizona, said after his win. “I have actually battled my entire life in this company, I appreciate this service, I respect the eminence of these things as well as I know some of the individuals are a little too trendy for institution. But I’ve had a glaring omission on my resumé. I reach mark off all those boxes today and I’m overjoyed.”
A regular at Commerce Gambling establishment much of the year, Baker hasn’t lived near a gambling establishment for several years due to household commitments. Much of his cash money video game and competition life goes to the property. He takes into consideration the LAPC an unique occasion and has played the champion for 15 years.
” I stay at the Commerce 200 days a year,” he said. “It’s my home away from house. I understand everybody there as well as most individuals there understand me. A lot of individuals there don’t even realize that I do not live there. Having actually won in the hometown, in the house gambling enterprise, certainly, it simply means whatever.”
The event being a freezeout adds some additional prestige, Baker believes, because it supplies less room for mistakes. Gamers with high bankrolls can not play a lot more aggressive, he says, and then redeem right into the event.
” I assume they’ve obtained an integrated benefit,” he claimed. “In this everybody’s got to play the same 40,000. When you’re out, you’re out. You go residence.”
Baker stood second in chips when play returned to in Las vega, as well as found some huge clashes three-handed with four-time WPT champ Darren Elias and Matas Cimbolas, who was seeking his 2nd title on the trip. Eventually, Baker had the ability to place some pressure on his opponents and develop his pile, crippling Elias late at night when his AdAs stood up against Elias’s 6d6s.
With Elias eventually hitting the rail thanks to Cimbolas, he and also Baker were heads-up. With Baker holding a bit greater than a two-to-one chip advantage, he applied pressure and also won the heads-up battle. For his part, Cimbolas, who completed runner-up in this same arena in last Might’s WPT Tournament of Champions, took house $646,930.
Entering into activity in Las Vegas, Baker was ready for the obstacle. He examined final tables with Elias and also Cimbolas as well as thought he and also some good friends had developed a plan of attack. He felt there were some chances, although unorthodox, that he might be able to utilize against such a piled group of gamers. How did that work?
” Seeing the videos didn’t actually do that much, yet what did do a lot was my good friends John Racener and Cord Garcia,” he stated. “I recognize what I’m doing, however they assisted me establish a plan and run through my mind and determine a strategy that was appropriate for this table as well as these chip heaps. What could transform? Just how points might create?”
“We created situations and scenarios for a lot of different points, and also a lot of it went according to strategy. I played an approach that we set out. You may watch the stream or the telecast where there may be a couple of hands or a couple of sizing that you might not understand, however they were all finished with purpose. I remained in an area today. I recognized what I was doing. I knew my function. I understood my reasons for things. I set up plays.”
While Baker was prepared, adjusting to the video game on the table was also an objective. Among his abilities, he believes, is having the ability to readjust and feel what other players think about his own video game– and then going the other direction. The win likewise feels like some vindication of his abilities at the tables.
” My entire profession, people have checked out me as well as thought I have openings, I’m careless, I’m this, I’m that,” he stated before the day’s activity. “Everyone has their very own concept concerning me. One of my staminas I really feel is I’m so diverse in my video game that a great deal of individuals have various point of views of me, and also I’m respectable at finding out which one you think I am and playing off of that.”
” I don’t have a design– I can be aggro, I can be limited, I can be loose, I can be spewy, I can be solid, I can be anything. I’ve constantly believed I’m sort of a chameleon in casino poker, so my goal today is just to adapt to the scenarios and also attempt to reconcile it.”
As numerous fans applauded him on and supported him from the stands, Baker stayed focused. Several sported black and white #TeamBaker T-shirts and also chanted throughout the night.
” My crowd was outstanding,” he stated. “I recognized they were going to be. It should be actually helpful for the newscast. They squashed it as well as they were helpful.”
Together with Garcia and Racener, Baker also met Josh Arieh as well as Ray Henson between breaks to plan and enhance his strategy. He attributes his group and also family members with aiding him be successful. His supporting group permitted him to talk approach during breaks.
” It was excellent,” he stated. “This was unique. This is what I have actually dreamed of and everyone around me was a part of it.”
In addition to his jackpots, Baker takes house a Hublot Big Bang Steel Watch and a $15,000 access into the season-ending Baccarat Crystal WPT Event of Champions.
A see to the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Online Poker Showdown in April might now be in the cards also. What’s next for this full time player now with an extra million dollars? He intends on taking the household on a holiday, however don’t plan on him being gone from the tables long.
” Honestly I’ll return up as well as grind,” he claims. “I remain in a blended game that I simply love. I like the people, I enjoy playing it, it’s enjoyable. I’m a casino poker player. Several of these people play simply for the money and intend to slouch, I love this shit. I’ll most likely be back in a week grinding.”
Sean Chaffin is a freelance author in Crandall, Texas, and also his work appears in various internet sites and also magazines. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions.