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Michael Noori: The poker world in Europe is completely different to the American one
In most of the world, poker tourism has a clear goal - most players are eager to get to Vegas and experience the atmosphere right in the epicentre of gambling. But the opposite direction was taken by Michael Noori, an American pro and WSOP bracelet holder, who went to Europe for poker and offered us a view from the other side of the barricade!
Mike, first of all, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. We're talking at WPT Prime in Liechtenstein, how do you like it here?
"I really enjoyed playing at this casino, it was enjoyable. I played with a different type of players than I'm used to. I think I made good decisions, although I obviously wished I could have got further. But like I say, I'm glad I was able to play here."
According to your results on the Hendon mob, you've only played in the US so far. Is this your first time in Europe? What brought you here?
"Yes this is my first visit to Europe. I came here for 8 weeks and the first one I played with my friends was the EPT Main Event in Barcelona, where I didn't cash. And this is our second poker stop. My friends decided to come here, so I figured I'd join them. I've been travelling around Europe for 2 months, and this was part of the schedule, and it's great that I made the ITM."
Besides poker, can you find time to explore cities, sightsee, hike?
"Yes. After this tournament, I won't play poker anymore and I plan to travel for the next month. I'm going to Paris, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. So I'm looking forward to exploring. And this 46th place before that made me at least a little bit happy."
Since it's your first time in Europe, what differences do you see compared to the US?
"There's an awful lot of that. First of all, in poker - it's completely different, the players have a completely different playing style. Recreational players here play more aggressively than in the US. But I would say everyone is very friendly here, more so than in the U.S. People are more emotional at the table here. In America, people are more reserved when they play, they keep their distance. So I've enjoyed it here. Except that specifically the air condition doesn't work here (laughs). I only made it to Day 2 on the second try from the last flip of 1E. That was on a Friday, and when the poker room was full, I was completely wiped out from the heat. It wasn't exactly an experience I'd like to repeat."
Winning the PLO event in Thunder Valley
You're halfway through the trip so far. From what you've experienced here so far, do you plan to return to Europe again?
"I guess so. I don't travel for poker as much as I used to, I'm primarily a cash player. So if I do travel for a tournament, it's mostly tourism and exploring new places and food. I like going to good restaurants and discovering new cultures through food."
What food did you eat for the first time in Europe and did you like it?
"I had a really good paella in Barcelona."
You won a WSOP bracelet in 2021. Can you tell which is worth more to you, the money or the win?
"Of course the money is great. But for me as a cash player, tournaments are more about the glory, the fun and the records. The bracelet means a lot to me, it's such a validation of my poker career. I play the cash game for the money."
Have you played any cash games here in Liechtenstein?
"No. When I go to a tournament, I want to take the time to see the surroundings, the sights and the nature. So I've only played the Main Event here."
Do you prefer to play poker online or live?
"Definitely live. I like that social interaction and I like watching and the players. How they look at the cards, how they catch the chips, what their betting patterns are. Online, I think it's hypercompetitive. If a person isn't completely top, doesn't practice a lot, doesn't work with solvers, then online goes out of their way. So I concentrate on the things I'm good at and the things I have an edge in. That's why I prefer live poker."
Do you have any good luck charms when playing poker? Or any special way you prepare before tournaments?
"The most important thing for me is to get a good night's sleep before the tournament. At least 7-8 hours. Because when you are sleep deprived, you can't concentrate well and be 100% present. And as for happiness... It's important for me to wear comfortable clothes, and I have some favorite things, but that's more for comfort's sake. I don't have any talisman or ritual, if that's what you're asking."
Do you have a favourite poker player, a poker role model?
"I really admire Phil Ivey because of the way he presents himself at the poker table. When I play with him, he has a special aura about him that I can't even describe. That's something I really admire."
Phil Ivey during WPT Cash Game (Flickr)
Now I'm going to digress a little bit from poker. I read that you made a pretty crazy bet a while back...
"Yes that's right. I was young at the time and my friends and I were drinking a little bit and suddenly it went wrong. I agreed to do it and I failed horribly (laughs)."
Tell us more about it please.
"My friends and I made a bet that I could eat $1,000 worth of food at McDonald's in one sitting. I knew ahead of time that I probably wouldn't succeed but I gave it a try. And I failed. When someone is competitive they can give it a go, but I sure couldn't."
Do you often make such crazy bets?
"Yes we made a lot of crazy bets like that. For example, one time I was playing basketball with a guy, one-on-one, and we bet $25,000 that I would beat him. I'm not a basketball player, he was into that. But I practiced really hard for 2 months and I ended up beating him and winning a decent amount of money."
Wall of McDonald's Guacamole sauces (Cardschat)
Do you have a favourite way to relax between poker sessions?
"I like to go out for a nice dinner, have a glass of wine, watch soap operas with my girlfriend. Sometimes a movie. But nothing heavy, just to relax."
How else does your girlfriend perceive that you play poker for a living?
"I actually met her at poker, she does massage for poker players. She understands it and she also likes to play poker. There's a super match between us."
What are your next poker plans, where can we see you next?
"When I go back to the U.S. there will be a PokerGo series there, so I'll be playing a couple of tournaments there. And then I'm going back to Vegas, where I live. So November-December I'll be playing Nevada cash games there."
Thank you for the interview Mike
"Thank you, it was great!"