» Sara Underwood Interview
Sara Jean Underwood, 26, is a model, actress and TV host who is now focusing heavily on poker. She was the 2007 Playboy Playmate of the Year after featuring as Playmate of the Month in 2006 as the Pac 10 girl from Oregon State. She has appeared in several movies and hosts various projects on G4 TV. She is now representing Victory Poker, and being trained by their high powered pro team to fast track her poker education. Originally from Scapoose, Oregon, she now splits time between LA and Las Vegas.
Tell us how Sara Underwood came to be a poker player and representing Victory Poker?
I was born in a tiny country town in Oregon called, Scappoose. I grew up an only child. I completed four years at Oregon State University and then moved to Los Angeles to live at the Playboy Mansion once I became a playmate. I also am a host for the TV network G4, and strangely enough a sponsored poker event for Victory Poker. Dan Fleyshman hired me as a model for the Victory Poker ad campaign, and while I was there shooting I started talking with Dan and I told him about my interest in poker. Before I knew it, he had contacted my people and offered me a spot on the Victory Poker team as a sponsored pro, and promised to turn me into a poker machine. Mission accomplished!
In terms of poker, can we expect to see big things from you in the future?
Big things in the poker world are definitely in my future. You don't get the top notch training I have been getting, and put in the time that I have put in, to be unsuccessful at poker.
Have you been able to learn a thing or two from the pro players on the Victory Team?
The Victory Poker team has been training me like crazy, specifically Andrew Robl, Keith Gibson, and The Maven. I owe everything I know to them.
Any useful tips you can share for other aspiring players?
Just that there is so much to learn, and that it can seem overwhelming at times, but don't give up it will all become clear with time and LOTS of practice. I have been reading the volumes of Dan Harrington's Harrington on Hold'em. They are great books and I recommend them to aspiring players as a jumping off point.
Do you find other players intimidated by you at the table or perhaps distracted? Can you use this to your advantage?
I think guys definitely play different against me, but the advantages I have as being a young women at a poker table are just as great as the disadvantages, so I think it evens itself out. Some guys like having me around I think, simply because you spend so much time at that one table and it's nice to have someone of the opposite sex around, so they might be less likely to call me and just fold. But on the other hand guys also feel like they can push me around with big raises or re-raises (which they can't :)) so being me definitely has its advantages and disadvantages at the poker table.
What advice would you give to other female players out there?
Don't let the men push you around, and keep playing we need more women in poker!
What is the best thing about being involved with Victory Poker?
There are some many great things that come along with being part of the Victory team. But if I had to choose just one thing, it would be being automatically apart of a REALLY cool family. We all do everything together, whether its playing in tournaments, vacationing around the world, partying, or just hanging out.
We read recently that some of the team visited the Playboy Mansion. This must have been great fun. Can you tell us a little about your experience with Playboy - the best and worst aspects of it?
Playboy is another great family that I have been so lucky to be apart of. I cant think of one bad aspect about it. All my experiences since I have been involved with Playboy have all been positive and more importantly FUN!
We've seen you on a number of TV programs too over recent years. What does the future hold next for Sara Underwood?
I never know what the future holds for me on a day to day basis. My life has been a whirlwind these last six years. I was a college student one day and the next I was a Playmate and then Playmate of the Year. I don't know how that happened, but it did. I am hoping poker leads me on a whole other world of adventures.
For all our male readers out there can you tell us if you are currently single? If so, what do you look for in a man? Do poker players stand a chance?
I am recently single, and loving it. As far as the obvious qualities that you look for in any person you want in your life, things like being trustworthy and kind come to mind, but I am open to any kind of guy. I used to have a set type of things I looked for in a guy, but I have realized I need to open up more to different kinds of people. That goes for poker players too, I'm open to it all.
What other interests do you have aside from poker?
I horse back ride, snowboard, and wake board. I also enjoy hosting and work closely with G4 TV.
Can you tell us something about Sara Underwood that no-one else knows?
I'm very adventurous and few things scare me, but I am terrified of birds. I have had a few bad run ins with birds and i just don't think they like me very much.
Tell us about the new Victory Poker $100,000 Pro promotion we've been hearing about?
This promo allows people to submit videos from all around the world explaining why they should be the next sponsored victory poker pro. The prizes are out of this world, such as a sick condo, $100,000 dollars worth of tournament buy-ins, car, and so much more! We will choose 12 of our favorite submissions, fly them to Vegas and have them compete for a spot on our team. This competition is going to be so much fun! people are going to get to see how these pros live and want to be apart of it. You are going to see everything from extreme challenges that rest the contestants physical and mental capacity, beautiful women everywhere, drama, breakdowns to winning extreme amounts of money, almost anything you can think of.
What will you be looking for most in the video submissions (i.e. what can make someone stand out from the crowd and reach the final 10?)
I will be looking for originality, charisma, dedication, and someone who all around seems like they will be a good fit in our victory poker family.
Will you be playing any World Series of Poker events this summer?
Yes, I will be playing in the WSOP events this summer, including the Main Event.
If you had to pick, would you prefer to win money or win a WSOP bracelet?
WSOP bracelet hands down, no question.
You seem to be a person who really enjoys life and goes after what she wants. What advice would you give to our readers in terms of life and chasing your dreams? Do you have any words of wisdom that you live by?
Just have fun! Have fun in EVERYTHING in life you do. If you are having fun then the rest will just work itself out. We only have one life, spend it the best way that you possibly can.
Download Victory Poker and play with Sara
Poker Curious Victory Poker review
Interview with fellow Victory Poker pro Andrew Robl
Interview with fellow Victory Poker pro Antonio Esfandiari
