Monday, November 30, 2009

Interview with Adam Junglen

 

 

On Sunday, November 15 2009, Full Tilt Poker ran their FTOPS Main Event which generated a $2.7mm prize pool. Adam Junglen managed to cut through a field of 5,471 players to finally agree to a 3-way final table chop earning him $290,419.

Adam has been making serious moves within the poker scene since July of 2007 when he took down the PokerStars Sunday Million. He has had several TV appearances at live events since then, and this recent score bumps his total poker earnings to over a million dollars. Adam has a Full Tilt sponsorship and is a trainer alongside Daniel Negreanu at Poker VT.

He has accomplished all of this at the age of 22. 

We wanted to find out what makes this poker prodigy tick and we were fortunate that Adam was gracious enough to grant us this interview.

 

 

BLUFF.COM: Tell us about the FTOPS tournament.  It attracted quite a field and it was a long tournament.  How did you stay focused throughout the tournament?

ADAM JUNGLEN: I was out of all the other Sunday tourneys by 11pm EST and one-tabling the FTOPS main for about 10 hours. When we got down to the final 100 players, I had every table open and was extremely focused. It was the biggest FTOPS main event to date and 1st was almost half a mill. I knew I had a good chance at a big score and that's more than enough to keep me focused for such a long time.

 

BLUFF.COM: What was your general strategy throughout the event?  Do you get involved in many pots early to try and take advantage of the weaker players, or did you find yourself waiting for big hands?

ADAM JUNGLEN: I was just constantly adjusting to the variables throughout the tournament. I thought I played really solid.

 

BLUFF.COM: Do you feel you were lucky, unlucky, or fairly average with regards to the hands you were dealt and the way the cards fell during the tournament?

ADAM JUNGLEN: It'd be tough for me to tell I was unlucky after taking 3rd/chopping. When a good player is playing well, mixing it up and getting dealt good cards it's pretty tough to beat.

 

BLUFF.COM: Heading into the final table, did you know any of the other players remaining?  Did that effect your play?

ADAM JUNGLEN: Nope, didn't know any of the remaining players.  

 

BLUFF.COM: What was your strategy during the final table inflection point?  I imagine that the prize money would have a much more significant psychological impact on your competitors -- did you capitalize on that idea and apply a good deal of pressure?

ADAM JUNGLEN: I took advantage of the final table bubble and the "six figure bubble" which was when there were 6 players left. 

 

BLUFF.COM: Tell us a bit about how the final table played out.  Any big hands that are memorable?

ADAM JUNGLEN: It was actually quite strange how the cards fell at the final table. I was open raising my fair share of pots and won mostly without showdown. I don't recall knocking anybody out, just going in 2nd/3rd in chips and maintaining until we got 3 handed. 

 

BLUFF.COM: When you got down to the final three you all managed to agree to a deal.  What were the factors weighing on your mind during this time?

ADAM JUNGLEN: I had a little less than a quarter of the chips in play, another player had a little more than a quarter, and the 3rd player had more than half the chips in play. With the original payouts being $232k, 325k and 467k, our chip count % was $290k, 316k, 390k, leaving $25k on the table to play for. I thought it was pretty fair. Even though I have a lot of confidence in my game, it's shorthanded 30bb poker. Anything can happen. Getting $60k more than 3rd and 35k short of 2nd seemed reasonable.

 

BLUFF.COM: When and how did you start playing poker?  Was there somebody who introduced you to the game?

ADAM JUNGLEN: I started playing poker when I was 16. I was over at my friend's installing a computer drive and they were playing poker. My friend paid me $15 for the favor, and then I played in their $5 tournament and won. The next day I went out and bought a bunch of books on poker.

 

BLUFF.COM: How has poker changed since you started playing?

ADAM JUNGLEN: The game is always evolving, the average player is much better and the stakes available are ridiculous. I remember when $2/4NL with a $200 max buyin on party poker was the biggest game. Now they're playing $500/$1k 200bbs deep! 

 

BLUFF.COM: After general tactics and strategy, it seems to me that most of my energy has gone into improving in the areas of bankroll management and mental/emotional control.  Does that statement fit for you as well?  What areas of your poker game do you find yourself working on?

ADAM JUNGLEN: Maintaining a high level of confidence that doesn't reach the realm of "cockiness." I suppose that'd go under "mental/emotional" control.

 

BLUFF.COM: When did you become a Full Tilt red pro, and how has that experience been for you?

ADAM JUNGLEN: Thanks to being mislead by my former manager, I'm not actually a red pro on FTP, although I am sponsored by them. I wear the logo and am compensated with extra rakeback and other incentives. I used to be way too concerned with sponsorship and let it affect my game. I'm confident if I keep putting up big results I'll be red soon enough. It all happened just after my 21st birthday. 

 

BLUFF.COM: What about training at Poker VT?  How is that going?

ADAM JUNGLEN: It's going well, you'll be able to find a video reviewing the FTOPS main event on there in the very near future. It's been great to work with such a talented group of poker players. 

 

BLUFF.COM: Who are your best friends in poker now, and how has that changed (if at all) over the years?

ADAM JUNGLEN: When I was 18 and the only place in the US I could really play was Turning Stone in NY. There I met a bunch of 2+2er's who are still playing and still killing it. I met Ray Coburn, Shaun Deeb (both of which have been my roommates before), Randal Flowers, Matt LeGarde, Jimmy Fricke, and a lot more. Since coming into poker I've become good friends with Daniel Negreanu as well.  

 

BLUFF.COM: How do you perceive that your friends and family feel about your success in poker?

ADAM JUNGLEN: I know my family is really proud of me. They're my biggest fans, and it means a lot to me that they're supportive. For the most part my friends are the same way. 

 

BLUFF.COM: What do you think is in store for the future of poker in the USA?

ADAM JUNGLEN: Based on the fact that the UIGEA was recently delayed, I'm trying to stay positive about the future.  

 

BLUFF.COM: How has your experience been traveling to the various life events on the circuit?  Do you enjoy it/plan on travelling much in the coming years?

ADAM JUNGLEN: I do enjoy traveling outside the US for poker and really have been fortunate to experience as much as I have at my age. I skipped Europe this past fall (the last 3 years I'd traveled outside the US for tournaments since I was under 21), but I do still plan on making it back to Europe/Australia/Canada for big events in the future.

 

BLUFF.COM: What does your poker setup look like?  What kind of computer(s) do you use?  What software/tools do you use?

ADAM JUNGLEN: I have a windows based desktop with a 30in monitor alongside a 21in vertical monitor. I play a lot on my macbook pro too. I have most of the popular tracking/stat software (PT,stove, etc), but don't religiously use them. 

 

BLUFF.COM: What were the most influential books or resources that you used when developing your poker skillset?

ADAM JUNGLEN: Talking with players better than me. The 2+2 forums.  

 

BLUFF.COM: Finally, what advice would you give to our readers that would like to emulate your success in poker?

ADAM JUNGLEN: Realize there's always more to learn in this game. Stay persistent and work hard.

 

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