MestreFilipe in Focus

Luiz Filipe Ferreira de Andrade. The same boy who played Poker in the eighth grade, betting on candy during recess, evolved until he became MestreFilipe, Brazilian number 1 in the 2012 SuperPoker ranking. He went from playing live tournaments in Paraná, the state where he was born, to falling in love with online Poker and facing rivals from all over the world. Poker, for him, is more than a game. It's a profession. Even better if it's to work in a multi-table tournament, in the traditional Texas Hold'em, his favorite game. And it was like this, by playing cards, that MestreFilipe has already accumulated more than US$$480,000 in winnings and says he has achieved financial independence.

To learn a little more about the Curitiba native's career, Poker Dicas caught up with MestreFilipe for a chat. Check out this exclusive interview below:

Poker Tips: How did you get into Poker?

MasterFilipe: I started playing in the eighth grade, betting on candy during recess. Later, in college, a friend invited me to a barbecue. He said that everyone had to pay R$$100, R$$20 for beer and R$$80 for a poker tournament they organized. But I only discovered Texas Hold'em in 2006, when I was 22 years old. I was in a hotel in Santa Catarina and there was a table playing. They taught me the basics, but that's when I got interested, started researching the subject and learned the rules.

PD: So, tell us about the beginning of your career.

MF: My career began live, with R$15 tournaments in clubs throughout Paraná. I started making money and started getting excited about the business. Then, in my first year, a friend insisted that I had to go to Las Vegas. I won two tournaments there. One at Belaggio, the other at Wynn.

On that trip, I ended up lending US$$4,000 to a guy and instead of paying me in cash, he paid me in Full Tilt Poker chips. That's when I started playing more online.

At that time, I was organizing poker competitions in Paraná for the AVANO league. It was a lot of work. I had to dedicate myself a lot, calling players to each event. Over time, I realized that online poker was much easier.

I had a good run live, I made R$ 1,300 in a deal in the Paranaense Heads-up, then I became champion and took home another R$ 12,000 in a tournament. I decided to take that money and build my bankroll online. First on PartyPoker, then I moved to PokerStars. And then, I was among the top 3 in Brazil in the SuperPoker ranking in 2008, 2009 and 2010. This year, I'm in first place.

PD: Did you face any prejudice when becoming a professional player?

MF: My family thought it was strange at first. But in 2006, I was graduating in Business Administration and when I saw that I was making money with Poker, I decided not to ask my parents for anything else. I wanted to prove that my choice had not been a bad one. Today, they consider Poker just like any other job, they just don't like my hours. Sometimes it's tough. You sit for 12 hours, without even seeing the sunlight. But I achieved my financial independence with Poker!

PD: Any regrets since then?

MF: The only thing I wouldn't do again was a deal in 2010/2011. I was doing really well, and then I got a proposal. They would pay for my trips to live tournaments and I would pass on part of my winnings to my sponsors. The problem was that the deal would only give me the money at the end of a year. And that threw me off balance, because I was eating away at my bankroll.

PD: How do you prepare for a tournament?

MF: I like to rest a lot the day before so that I can be in a good frame of mind and not feel tired at the end of the tournament. Because that's how it is, you sit down and the game can last 10 hours. Other than that, I don't have any superstitions or rituals. I just rest, forget about my personal problems and focus on the match.

PD: Do you play sports? Do you think that influences Poker?

MF: Being physically fit is super important. I'm trying to play tennis and soccer once a week. Poker can be a very sedentary job, you're sitting for hours. A more active sport is always good.

PD: What is the difference between Poker and other sports, in your opinion?

MF: Because money is involved, psychology certainly makes a big difference and is used much more than in other sports.

PD: Your business is MTT (Multi-table Tournament) and Texas Hold'em. But what do you think of Omaha and Cash-game?

MF: Since Omaha has more cards, four instead of two, the equity between players is much greater. It is difficult to take advantage of your hand. But I think it is unlikely that this style will be able to displace Texas Hold'em.

And as for Cash-game, it's not really my type of game.

PD: For you, who is the greatest live and online MTT player in Brazil?

MF: Live, I would say Alexandre Gomes. He's kind of inactive now, he had a son, but it's amazing how much he's achieved in such a short time. He's really special for playing live.

Online, it varies a lot. Some time ago I would say Caio Pimenta, he was in a great phase, but he stopped. Today, then, I think I would say Caio Pessagno. He has very good consistency.

PD: What do you think about the evolution of Poker in Brazil, both in terms of players and media exposure?

MF: The quality of the players has improved a lot. I believe that 2012 would be the year of Poker in Brazil. However, with this new rule of tax deduction at source, tournaments are already losing some of the Field. Players simply do not accept losing 27.5% of their profits.

And about the media exposure, I'm definitely super happy. It's my job. Any recognition is welcome.

PD: A hand you will never forget?

MF: EPT final table, a 2000 Euro side event.

I was second in chips. My opponents were a Russian, who was winning and shoving anything, and a Romanian, with few chips. The prize money difference was huge. Approximately €180,000 for first place, €98,000 for second place and €44,000 for third place.

The Russian shoves in the small blind, I call with 66, and the table continues. Winning this pot would probably give me first place in the tournament. On the next hand, he shoves Q20, the Romanian calls with K10 and draws. On the next play, I shove the big blind with K9, the Russian calls, and I fall into third place.

PD: An unforgettable bluff?

MF: At the BSOP, late 2011. My opponent raises, I call with AQ on the button. The flop is 763 with 2 spades and I have A of spades. On the turn, a 4 of spades comes. My opponent bets 1100 and I make 3200. K clubs on the river. He bets, I shove and he folds. He says he gave up a set of Ks.

PD: A player you would like to challenge to a HU (Heads-up)?

MF: Definitely a weaker player! Haha!

PD: What would you say is your biggest career goal?

MF: My biggest goal right now would be to win a WSOP bracelet, or to cash for $1,400,000 in a major live tournament. But I want to take it one step at a time.

PD: Were you affected by the “Black Friday” episode in 2011?

MF: Yes, everyone went. At first, the field was much weaker, after all, Americans play very well on average. But this, in my opinion, served as a filter. The best players are moving to nearby countries to be able to play again, and this is already making things a little more difficult nowadays.

PD: Finally, define Poker in one word.

MF: Profession.