Brandon Cantu, a name that anyone who has paid any attention to poker in the last few years is familiar with, is one of only 27 people to have won a WSOP bracelet and a WPT championship. His WSOP bracelet came in the 2006 $1500 No Limit Hold’em event, the first WSOP tournament he ever entered!
I recentley had the privilege to ask Mr. Cantu a few questions.
RockStar Hold’em: You made the big move to Las Vegas in 2006 to play poker professionally. Have you ever regretted that decision and contemplated moving back home?
Brandon Cantu: Looking back over the past few years, I feel very fortunate. Moving to Las Vegas has been a big step in my life, personally as well as professionally. I am in a great position to have an occupation that I love, which allows for plenty of travel. I love traveling. It is one of, if not the most enjoyable aspect of my life. I love seeing so many different places and stepped foot on 6 continents now. I still see my friends and family so often. Fortunately for me, my family regularly travels to Las Vegas. I have some family in town, actually. My friends from back home are great – they are in and out of town often. Not to mention I have all my close poker friends on the road with me every week. So moving to Las Vegas has been a great experience and opportunity for me, but home never really left me, even on the road. Therefore, looking back, I have no regrets about the move. Just a step in my natural progression and I am having a lot of fun.
RH: What was the final factor in your decision to take the plunge and make playing poker your career?
BC: I have at some capacity always been a gambler at heart. I have been gambling since playing Black Jack with my Grandfather and beating all of my High School home games. I never really had a “real” full-time job. I was honestly self-taught; no books, no mentors, nothing. I broke the game down in a way that made sense to me and my game became good, and then started excelling. Once I became more and more solid, both from local casino and online games, I took a shot at the 2006 WSOP. I broke out and won the first major event I ever played in. From that moment on, even though I knew I had much more to learn to evolve my game, I knew I would be a poker player for a very long time.
RH: What were the reactions of your family and friends when you told them that you were going to become a professional poker player?
BC: Of course skepticism arose early on. But, with the success continuing to grow, my maturity, my personal business ventures that I was already involved in and overseeing, my family knew that I had my head on my shoulders - that I was responsible enough to manage my personal and professional lives without interference of temptation or degeneracy.
RH: What advice do you have for other players considering making the move to Vegas?
BC: Be Prepared. You have to handle the swings AND all the temptation that reside here. Sure, you can snap-off a solid day at the Bellagio for $28k, but do you have the responsibility to put some of that away into saving, before blowing the rest on Bottle Service at Tryst Nightclub, while still maintaining a healthy bankroll for the next session. Be well rolled, have fun, but know your limits.
RH: Everyday more and more young people fire up their computers and log on in hopes of becoming the next big poker star. When you were starting out playing online, what types of games were you playing and how did you move up from there?
BC: I started playing $2-$5 NL, when I first logged onto a computer. I started grinding it out and learning. Really though, I was able to make some money that allowed me to play more live. Playing live has always been my strong suit and most profitable for me. I really do enjoy playing online though from time to time.
RH: You have mentioned that you did not like the way you came off on TV back at the WSOP in 2006. Have your efforts to change that image succeeded, or do you still encounter some people who think of you in a negative way?
BC: That is correct; I didn’t really like how I was portrayed on television back in 2006. As the time progressed, I have learned a substantial amount about the media, how television works, the editing, etc. TV production staffs take dozens of hours of footage and complete that into a one hour production. It is their job essentially to make it as entertaining as possible – I get. Over time, and with guidance through my agent, I realized that with more and more exposure opportunities, my true self and personality would reflect out through the media and poker community alike. I have appeared on many radio programs in the past few years. I was fortunate enough to be selected on the October 2008 cover of Bluff Magazine. A part of my life was disclosed in that interview and printed worldwide. I was also fortunate enough to go deep in the ’08 WSOP Main Event. I received a ton of television coverage on ESPN. I think the audience was able to see a more accurate depiction of how I am as a player. I am very calm, calculating, and focused at times. Others, you can see my emotion pouring through me. Through the mentioning of these few experiences, people are able to get a more accurate look into my life and my personality – not just a snapshot of TV coverage a few years back.
RH: What is your advice for aspiring players to deal with the emotional ups and downs of the game, such as catching a long run of bad cards, going on tilt, or the swings in your bankroll?
BC: Be prepared. Make sure you have enough behind you to play with. Borrowing money may carry anxiety that leaves a salty feeling hanging over your head, which ultimately affects your play – causing the Tilts and down-swings. Self-reflect after each session. Consider you play, track them even. I believe in getting away for a little bit. Hit up an island quick and relax. Just get away.
The swings do happen and I have experienced it. But, for me, it was all based on my environment and how focused I was at the time vs. the extra-curricular activities I was pursuing. Work is work and play is play. Divide the two and treat like work like work. If you were operating poorly in a work environment and perhaps on the verge of losing your job, you would look at your past body of work, or your attitude and adjust. Just apply the same method to poker during the bad runs…and FOCUS. This game needs attention to deal.
RH: In the last three years, what is the longest period of time you have gone without playing poker of any type?
BC: After the WSOP each year, I take an extended vacation for a couple weeks. In 2007, I traveled to Argentina and in 2008 I vacationed in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. I think in ’07 I spent about 3 weeks away from any card being dealt to me. In ’08, it was about 2 weeks. I have gone a week or so often, again, I love traveling all over and I take advantage of the environment and put the gamble in me away. It is healthy for you to do. You can open yourself up and acquire an opportunity of self-reflection and that is special to take advantage of.
RH: Obviously you spend the majority of your time playing poker. Do you ever play any of the other casino games in your spare time?
BC: Haha. Yes, I can truthfully say I spend some time in the pits and in the sports book. It is a good release of energy and a lot of fun sometimes to just unwind after dinner and before going out. However, I like to spend the majority of my non-poker related gambling to Fantasy Football. I participate in high stakes fantasy football leagues. This last season guys like Daniel Negreanu, Hellmuth, E-Dog, Gavin Smith, I all played in a league that was covered by Rounder Magazine. That was a ton of fun. I get into like 4 or so leagues per year and find that to provide the most entertainment and sweat outside the poker room.
RH: You have said that you did not read any poker books and are pretty much self-taught. If the opportunity presented itself down the road, would you be interested in writing a poker book yourself, or would that be too hypocritical?
BC: I am always open to any opportunity, should it make me happy, no matter what the time. I honestly cannot see myself writing or participating in a book in the near future. But you just never know. I have been progressing personally as well as in my career. I may be open to it if the time was right and I enjoyed the scope of the project.
RH: Here at RockStar Hold’em we are all huge music fans. What bands would we find on Brandon Cantu’s iPod playlist?
BC: I honestly have to say that I am not huge into music – as a matter of fact – I don’t listen to an iPod. However, I listen to T.I., Tu Pac, Lil’ Jon, DJ Khaled and I love House Music.
RH: Thank you very much for your time Brandon, and good luck at the tables!
BC: Thank you. I was a pleasure joining all of you.
