The beginning of September on the European poker map focused mainly on Liechtenstein, where the WPT Prime stop took place. It became by far the largest in its history, and the record entry also went to Slovakia. This is thanks to Lukáš Pažma, who in the competition of 1,644 entries reached a beautiful third place. We spoke to Lukáš shortly after his lifetime win worth CHF 169,700, what did he tell us about his career and life?
As we speak, four days have passed since the final. How do you feel now when you look back on it? Did you have time to process it? I know you really wanted to win it.
"It's getting better over time, but it's still little bitter. But it's better now. It took a few more days, but then it was fine."
So let's focus on the tournament first. Try to describe it to me in more detail, how you perceive the final table now. Were you replaying those hands in your head, or were you watching the stream?
"Yes, I was replaying all my hands, I was watching it too. And I have nothing to complain about. I was in one tough spot when he went all in from the button with A K and I had A T . I was still thinking if I should have called it or if I could have just let it go and pushed with my stack. But it was probably the right decision. I can just dominate him there, I can flip, and if I win that hand, I can end the tournament. And the fact that you found the Ace King of Diamonds…”
It was one of many hands he had in that range.
"He had a lot there, king queens, king jacks, maybe worse, king ten suited. And he could have even had pairs, I'm flipping. I would also take the flip, because if I win it, I can end it. But I could have waited and then pushed with the stack, but I think the combination is too strong to fold it. I have nothing to complain about."
At the final table, you already had some serious pay jumps waiting for you. Did you feel under pressure?
"Absolutely not at all. I knew that when I had the chips, I had to push. When I didn't, I had to quietly sniff and wait for my opportunity. Of course I was happy when someone was eliminated, it makes everyone happy. But I didn't mind at all. I tried to make the best decision possible. When I needed to call all-in, I did it, when I needed to put all-in, I did it, so when I finish sixth, for example, I finish sixth. I'm going after that win, and that's probably how it should be."
What about a game on the TV table? Does it affect you in any way, can you concentrate on your game?
"I regularly play cash games on the TV table in Rozvadov, so I'm used to it and it doesn't affect me anymore. I play my game, and then I don't mind at all when they see my cards."
Now about you a little bit. Do you play poker professionally or do you have another main income?
"Yes professionally. I try to work on myself, now I devote more time to it. I try to be the best I can be. I'm breaking down hands in the solver and stuff."
It is known about you that you are already a well-known grinder, but it is only recently that we can see your big tournament hits. What is it?
"I am primarily a cash game player. So I play those tournaments sporadically. But if I like the tournament and there's a nice guarantee, I'll give it a try. But I'm always primarily a cash game player."
Well, now you have two big tournament successes in a very short time. First place for €100,000 at FPF in July, now a lifetime hit from the record-breaking WPT Prime.
"Cash game players are dangerous, you have to respect them (laughs)."
You often appear on the Internet under your online nickname lakyluk17. Do you play more online or live?
"More live. Sometimes I also play online, I also have some nice hits there."
Speaking of which, can you tell us about your recent online successes?
“The last time I hit $32,000 three months ago. That was a $250 highroller and I won that without a deal. But I have more like ten thousands there."
On the Internet, it can be found that you used to play table tennis quite successfully. What is the path from table tennis to professional poker ?
"How did you find it (laughter). But it's true, I've been playing table tennis since I was eight years old and I've been playing it for a total of about 20 years until recently. I also played in the highest competition in Slovakia – Extraliga for Trnava and in the Czech Republic in Cheb and in České Budejovice in the second league. I was well ranked there. But I'm letting it go, I don't have much time for it anymore, I hardly play at all. Sometimes as a hobby. But I even used to do it for a living. I did trainings and also received money for the match."
So tell me how you got into professional poker?
"I started around 20. I've actually been playing poker since I was fifteen, when I discovered it on the Internet. I saw the big names like Phil Ivey, Hellmuth, Negreanu, so I started to enjoy it. So I already tried to play it online when I was 15, which of course I couldn't officially do, so I played it at my mom's (laughs). And even then I won something sometimes. Mom didn't know about it, but when I won, I told her "well mom, I have $100 and I need to withdraw it". And she that what's wrong with me, that I'm doing some stupid things on the Internet (laughs). Then she banned me. So at 15 I hit some $100 freeroll. I also organized poker with the boys in Trnava when we were 15. We had fun, we played cards in the bar, it was great. And then somehow it started. I also worked as a croupier in Trnava and Rozvadov. And I was always fascinated by the game, so I worked my way up to being a player."
You have a nice run now, I was looking at your hendon mob where for some reason there's no win from that FPF.
"There are more wins missing there because I play under a nickname. So I should have about 200,000 more there. But I had it under a nickname so the family wouldn't know I was playing poker. It spread anyway, Lukáš Pažma is everywhere and everyone already knows it."
When you mention this, how does the family perceive that you make living with poker?
"So the family has already found out, I was a secret until recently. It wasn't until the big wins started that they wrote it everywhere and I won't hide it anymore. And my mother likes to win, but she was always against it, even when I was a dealer. That "don't be a dealer, you'll be a gambler", "don't play poker, you'll become a gambler". That's old school, and they don't understand that if you play it smart, you can make money out of it."
The life of a professional poker player can be quite demanding. What is your favorite form of relaxation from cash game sessions?
"Family. When I'm with my family I don't notice anything and distance myself from poker."
I heard that you had a daughter recently. First of all, congratulations. How do you manage to combine this new role as a father with playing poker?
"Yes, I have a three-month-old daughter, Vivien. I'm combining it well, my wife was with me in Liechtenstein, so I'm trying to devote myself to both them and poker. We always decide that when I go to play a tournament, I don't pay attention to them, and then the next day, we take a trip together. I think I'm balancing it like a poker."
What are your next poker plans? Is there something you would like to achieve?
“I wanted the WPT so badly, but is ok. Now the WSOP is waiting for me, I won the FPF ticket to the Main Event for €10k, so of course I would be happy, if I won it, it would be beautiful."
Have you ever played in Vegas?
"I was there this year, but purely for cash games. I also played a $3,000 2-way tournament there, and I finished before the bubble. But the cash games were perfect."
Did you also find time for a cash game in Liechtenstein?
"Yes. I played the opening flight twice on Thursday, and I didn't manage to advance. Then I left time for cash for two days. I was also in the plus there, but of course not as much as in the tournament (laughs). And on Saturday I tried again, that I'll give it another chance, and if it doesn't work, I'll go earn in cash games. And that time I advanced, so I focused on the tournament."
Do you recommend the cash game in Liechtenstein?
"Of course, they have money, so they go crazy there. So those cashes are the bomb."
Now that you've hit those big wins like this, do you plan to play more tournaments, or will you still primarily be a cash player?
"No, I'll still be a cash game player, I think that's the best for me. But when there is such a million-dollar guarantee, I will definitely try the tournament as well."
Lukáš, thank you for the interview. Is there anything you'd like to add in in the end?
"Go after your goals, don't give up, and if you put in the time and effort, the results will show."
Source: King´s, WPT, Flickr, piestanskydennik