Coffee has been replaced by water, coke has been replaced by juice, and vegetables have replaced sugar. In short, everywhere you look at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) fatties are turning into thinnies.
Now David ‘Doc’ Sands has never been a fatty. In fact, he has always looked damn good. But speaking to him you realize just how important it is for a poker player to get their shit together off the felt, when maybe, too many off them are focusing too much on the technical aspects on it. It’s a slow learning curve, but the players are getting there.
“I have a great life outside of poker. I have a happy marriage and am feeling great physically and mentally.” Says Sands.
Positive energy begets positive energy and it’s no coincidence that the decision to tie the knot with his beloved Erika Moutinho, coincided with Sand’s most impressive year on the felt, where he secured two seven figure scores at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) and the World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championships.
“It’s all about balance for me. It’s important to be happy outside of the tables. Making sure I am taking care of my priorities away from the tables, such as health and family. I have an excellent work out routine, excellent relationships with all the people who matter in my life. The aggregate combination of all of those things is what you need to have longevity in tournament poker. It’s such a mentally grueling thing to do that you need to be in a good space off the felt in order to find success on the felt.” Said Sands.
Friendships are equally as important to Sands, who spent the whole night railing his buddy Steve Gross to victory in the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO).
“I was up all night railing Steve Gross. He has had a ton of success online but has had his shortfalls live and it was really gratifying for me, as a friend, to see Steve win a bracelet. I have never been happier seeing a friend win a bracelet.”
Sands has had only two cashes so far at this series, but you get the sense he is saving his best for the tournaments that matter the most. The first of them starts tomorrow when Sands will take his seat for the $111,111 One Drop High Roller. Will he make it seven-figure score number three?
I wouldn’t put it past the man.
