Lee Davy sits down for a chinwag with the former Team PokerStars Pro, JP Kelly, about his lack of love for tournament poker, his time in Macau, and figuring out how he fits into the jigsaw of life.
I have always loved JP Kelly – partly, because I would like to be called JP, partly because he is one of the greatest poker players around, and partly because he is such a lovely, cuddly man. He’s the type of guy you want to take home and show off to your parents.
I caught up with the young man during the World Poker Tour (WPT) UK Festival at Dusk till Dawn (DTD). He told me that he was spending most of his time in Macau. He didn’t want to talk about it too much; part of the secret code of conduct, and I respect that, but this is what he did have to say.
Where have you been?
“I don’t really play any tournaments anymore. I think I have played less than 10 this year. I played two in the World Series, I have played at the European Poker Tour, and I have played this…about five I think? I just don’t enjoy them anymore. I would rather devote my time to playing big cash games.”
Did you only play more tournaments because of your sponsorship with Stars?
“To be honest, I played more because I was with them. I played in a lot of the smaller tournaments, and I didn’t really want to. It’s funny because I enjoy them when I am playing. Realistically, they are very time-consuming and it’s very hard to make a living grinding tournaments. Expenses are very high, and it’s more than that. You can play for several days and not even make the money. I prefer to sit down, play, win 60-70% of the time, and leaving with a profit.”
It sounds like you have your life back?
“Definitely. I have just had three weeks off and haven’t thought about playing.”
I hear you have been playing in Macau a lot?
“I play out there quite a lot. As soon as I bust from this I am going out there.”
It’s a long way to go for a game of cards.
“Yeah…that’s the bit that puts me off going so much. It’s like tournaments. Once I am there I enjoy it. It’s just the process of getting off my ass and getting over there.”
What are the games like?
“I don’t really enjoy playing cash games anywhere else really. I like how everything is run. I wake up and there’s a game virtually all the time. When I’m in London there is a lot more planning; waiting for certain players, and people are more selective. I like the lifestyle out there. It’s a bit boring. It’s not the most exciting place in the world. But that’s good for me. I go out too much when I am at home, so when I am out there I can just get my head down and play.”
What does the future hold?
“Being honest, I don’t enjoy playing as much as I used to. It’s very hard to get better now. Instead, it’s more about playing when you feel good. The top players are preparing well and are doing the right things. This is why they are beating players who technically are just as good as them. I enjoy them, and should play more; I just know my time is better spent elsewhere.
“I have started thinking about what it is I want to do. When I was 24-25 I would wake up and log onto PokerStars daily. I would play every single day 5-6hrs minimum. I never went 2-3 weeks without playing and here I am without playing for 3-weeks. I guess I am lacking a bit of direction. The plan is to keep playing for the next year or two, solidly. Try and earn as much as I can, and at the same time try and figure out what it is I want to do? I am a bit of a drifter really. I always have been, but I like that.
Who do you look up to? Who motivates you?
“Toby Lewis has helped me a lot, especially last year. I was drifting around, had no sense of direction, and wasn’t enjoying playing. For someone so young he has such a wise head on his shoulders. Andy Moseley is the same. I look up to them both.”
