For want of a masseuse, the World Series of Poker was lost by the last Georgian standing at the World Series of Poker.
Athens resident David Bach, 39, began competition Monday in first place with almost $2 million in chips. By the time he went bust, he was in 45th place. He took home $196,174 for the Main Event Competition and a total of $600,000 for the entire World Series of Poker tournament, which started June 1 in Las Vegas.
Speaking with the AJC Tuesday, Bach said his luck might have been better if he'd been allowed to keep his massage therapist, who had worked on him eight hours Sunday, but was not allowed to be at his side when he played on a "featured table" in Monday's seventh day of play for the Main Event Competition.
Bach, who has been a full-time professional poker player for 15 years, is not shy about where his poker skills originated.
“It has always been a big part of our family,” Bach said. “We used to play with my grandparents around the kitchen table for pennies.”
Nowadays, he plays for much bigger pots, such as a $50,000 prize he won in 2009.
Bach, who graduated from The University of Georgia, was taught the fundamentals by his father. He took his game to a higher level by reading books, like one written by Joe Navarro that discusses the physical mannerisms people exhibit when they lie, and by playing online poker.
Online poker is now extremely regulated by the government, which aggravates Bach.
“The U.S. government is being really stupid because they are missing out on millions of tax dollars,” Bach said.
Most poker players are OK with paying taxes and could be too old or physically unable to go to a casino, Bach said.
Poker players don't need skill to qualify for major events, they only need cash, Bach said. He used this fact to his advantage on July 7, the first day of play for the Main Event Competition.
“I was playing with someone who had won his seat with a scratch-off ticket in South Carolina," he said. "The man had never played a game of poker in his life."
Bach knew he had a "fish" by the unprofessional way the man held his card and his use of incorrect poker lingo.
“It is shocking someone would play in the Main Event and never have played poker,” Bach said of the man who seemed like a business man enjoying a free vacation to Las Vegas with his wife.
Bach said he makes a comfortable living playing poker, but he doesn't do it for the money.
"[Poker] is about loving what I do and having a passion for my work," he said.
One way he gets through the rigorous play, which last about 11 hours a day, is by keeping a routine.
“On game day, I am pretty much never on the phone," he said "I will get in the jacuzzi to knock some of the tension out.”
Bach plays in an Australian style cowboy hat and sunglasses.
“[I wear them] so I can study my opponents really closely without them knowing,” he said.
Bach said he sometimes adopts a "crazy" appearance to look unsure about his moves. Judging by his winnings, that is not the case.
“I love playing poker," he said. "I am fortunate to be able to do something for a living that I really enjoy. I like the mental challenge of it.”
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