Al Mundo Deportivo: «You have to know how to read what is happening. In this sense it can be compared to football»
Db Barcelona (Spain) 02/17/2022 – Europa League / Barcelona-Napoli / photo Daniele Buffa/Image Sport in the photo: Gerard Pique’
Piqué was interviewed by the Sports WorldThe former Barcelona footballer spoke about his passion for poker and the differences between it and football.
We are at a poker event, so I can’t help but ask you to talk about this topic: how did you start playing poker?
«Many years ago, this is the twentieth edition of the EPT (ed. poker tournament) of Barcelona, but I don’t know if in 2008 or 2009, in one of my first years at Barça, I tried to participate in some tournament and the truth is that I have always been a regular, I like it a lot. It is a game that I like because you have to know how to read what is happening, the cards that other players may have and I like it a lot. People think that it depends on luck and chance, but I tell you that it is not like that, you have to have experience because here there is a high level. I like it a lot, it attracts me, I have been coming here for many years and today I have had the opportunity to play and I am very happy».
Piqué and the comparison between football and poker
From what you say, is there any similarity in terms of strategy between when you are on the field as a player and when you are at the table with the cards?
«Well, I would say it’s a bit of everything. Sometimes it’s partly a negotiation, to see how far you can negotiate with the other. When you have to, you tighten up and when you don’t have the cards, you play very conservatively. I think football and poker are very different: in football you play with a team and here you play alone, football is very physical, this is not. Although you also have to have the ability to read what’s happening on the pitch, in that sense it could be compared to poker».
There are 20 editions of this EPT, what drives you to always come to Barcelona?
«Firstly, because it is close to home, obviously. Secondly, because it is one of the historic tournaments of the Ept tour. There have been several cities, but Barcelona has always been one of them and it attracts more and more people. After Covid, more and more people came than ever, there was an event with 8,000 people playing and at the end of the day the best people gather here. More than a question of money, what I like is having a challenge, surpassing myself and competing. I try to be a better player and beat those who play all year round».
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