» Scott Clements Interview
Scott Clements, 28, is one of the best live tournament players in the world that many casual players haven't heard of yet. He has twice won bracelets at the WSOP, winning the $3k Omaha Hi-Lo in 2006 and the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event in 2007. He won the 2006 Canadian Open championship and in November 2007 he won the World Poker Tour's North American Poker Classic. Including his 15 cashes from the WSOP, he has total live tournament winnings that approach nearly $4 million. When not traveling for poker, he resides with his wife in Mount Vernon, Washington.
Looking over your impressive resume of live tournament success, what is it about your game that when you go deep in tournaments you really close them out well?
I think it is a combination of not letting any thoughts of money get in the way, and my background in competitive sports. I have always felt like I played my best when it matters most.
Opponents say you are very serious at the table, rarely smile, and are very focused. What is going through your head when you are at the table?
A million different things run through my head at the table, and they all have to do with winning the tournament, and how I can do that one hand at a time.
I understand that you were a mortgage broker before turning pro in the poker world in 2005. What was that transition like and how did you initially get into poker?
Friends of mine needed a place to hold a weekly game, my house was best option. I liked the competition, and it grew from there. The transition was unexpected. I had opened a mortgage company with a business partner, and they (parent company) closed it down approximately the same time I started my success in poker.
Originally, you were predominately an online player, having considerable success with your 'Big Risky' username. What caused you to focus more on live play and do you still play much online?I started live, but a friend introduced me to online. I feel like I have always been a live player who plays online.
Unlike many poker players who excelled first at NLHE, then branched out to other games, you seemed to have focused on Hi-Lo and Omaha games from the start. How did you come to play those games instead of NLHE?
Branching out into other games has always interested me. I heard the rules of Omaha Hi-Lo, and tried it in 3 Sit-n-Gos. I won all 3, and have never looked back. I learned Omaha hi, and Limit Omaha 8 from my experience in PLO8. They both were easy transitions to make.
Omaha is now the preferred game for the nosebleed stakes players online. Do you see the Hi-Lo games ever becoming popular, or will NLHE always be the dominant game for the majority of players?
I don't think it will. It is a very slow game played live, and usually only played in the limit variation for the highest stakes.
What should NLHE players looking to get into the Hi-Lo and Omaha games focus on to make the proper adjustments to succeed in those types of games?
Play hands that scoop pots, and recognize when to fold a one way draw.
How many live tournaments do you play each year?
It has grown a bit for the past few years. in 2006, I played like 33 live events. Last year, I played maybe 75-80, including a few satellites. This will be my biggest year, and I plan to play over 100 tournaments. I am really shooting to win one of the Player of the Year awards (Cardplayer, Bluff).
Describe what life on the professional tournament circuit is like? Does the travel and hotel stays ever wear you down?
It does for sure. my wife and I purchased a place in Las Vegas to cut down on that, and when we play in LA, we rent a place on Hermosa Beach. Comfort is definitely in our thoughts when we decide where to stay.
What players do you most look up to on the regular tournament circuit?There are many players that I look up to, and for many different reasons. Tournament strategy wise, I talk to Jason Mercier a lot, because I respect his game, and feel like he can help my game. But I still plan on beating him in both Player of the Year races.
You got married in 2007, and your wife now travels with you to many of your tournaments. How do you maintain a healthy relationship while going through the rigors of the tournament circuit?
My wife is amazing, and when we travel together, we are a team that prepares for each and every tournament. She makes sure we get healthy food, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This helps me constantly perform to the best of my abilities.
What do you for fun and relaxation, when not playing poker?
Relaxing is not relaxing for me. I thrive on competition, so I enjoy basketball, golf, and any other competition I can do during time off.
You are an instructor at PokerXFactor, the MTT focused training site. What has that experience been like for you?
It has helped me see some of the mistakes I have made by being lazy. I enjoy being a part of such a respected site, and I am excited to help others grow, while I also grow myself.
What is your favorite poker memory or win, so far?
All of my wins have been great, but I like to remember my mistakes, and the times I have not played my best. It is a horrible feeling and if I remember them, I am less likely to make that mistake again.
What tournament title do you most covet moving forward?
I strive to win bracelets in many different variations. Specifically I want to win the PLO8 title, I felt like it fell through my hands last year.
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Scott. Before you go, we have several fun questions we always ask our interviewees.
What is your favorite fun poker phrase/slang/acronym?
GG - good game. It's the only one I use a lot.
If the poker industry disappeared completely, what other career would you most like to attempt?
Real Estate investments. I plan on doing this in the near future, while still playing poker.
If you were on death row, what would be your last meal?
The salmon and steak dinner my wife and I cook at least once a week. Definitely one of my favorite things to do.
When your poker career is over, what would you most like to be remembered for?
As a good poker player, but a better person.
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