The man behind the myth!

‘Aaronlt’ is a legend at 888forums, one of the longest-standing members and a stalwart of our community. His experience and nous at the poker table are well-known and his ability to transfer and explain even the most complex of poker strategies into easily-digested nuggets means that he is always in demand by everyone wishing to improve their game.

Twenty-four-year-old English Major aaronlt, a resident of Mississauga, Ontario, is certainly no shrinking violet: the man mountain paid his rent and university tuition through a mixture of online poker and being a nightclub doorman! However, this real-life ‘rounder’, who owns a Wire Fox Terrier called ‘RIP’, is a gentle giant really, more brain than brawn, as our chat below shows!   

How long have you been playing poker and what is your favorite discipline?
I started playing home games when I was 17 in high school. Then at 18 I started fooling around with play money online. 19 is the legal age in Canada, so I was in the Casinos playing 2/5 Fixed at Brantford Charity Casino. I probably play NLHE the most. However I have spent years playing Omaha and Fixed limit as well. I feel as comfortable at either of those tables as I do at a NLHE game.
  

When was the first time you played at our online casino rooms (or poker/bingo)?

First time I played online was probably around 5-6 years ago. I first played as ‘FoldAces’ and was using Play Money for the first year or so then eventually deposited and played a lot of 5/10 Fixed Limit. Once I joined the forum I closed the ‘FoldAces’ account and changed to ‘Aaronlt’ after reading some advice in "Killer Poker Online" about choosing plain screen names.

You are very active and widely known and respected in our forums. What is your favourite thing about the forums?  

The forums have evolved since the time I've been there. When I joined it was still a relatively small community. It was a little more personal back then, and that’s what I really liked about it then. The tight friendships that were made through the forum have lasted, and I've even met some of these people around the world.

The forum-only promotions were enticing for me as a beginning. They don't appeal so much anymore because of the volume of people on the forum, but I can see how they would still be very attractive to new members.

Lately I enjoy being able to share what I have learned with others. The forum was a place where I learned a lot from other members, and I like being able to return that favour to the new members who are genuinely looking for it.

Which online casino games (or poker/bingo) do you like to play? Are there any other games you'd like to see at 888.com?  

888 could expand some of its poker offerings. Some of the 2-7 Triple draw, 5 card draw, razz, HORSE, for example could possibly be a viable marketing idea, since there are few sites that offer these tables. Perhaps some players who enjoy these games would look to 888's smaller community with wide variety as a place to play.

As for casino games, I don't gamble, so I wouldn't know! ;)

Which sports (if any) do you bet on?

I bet on American Football (NFL), and Baseball (MLB). Having played both of these on a competitive level, and still coaching baseball, I love these games as much as I do poker.

But I'll bet on anything, so give me good odds and I'll probably take it ;)

Short and sweet... Tell us about your best moment at 888.com.  

Hard to pinpoint, probably my first ‘live’ event qualifier win to Brazil. It wasn't a huge package, but I had just finished 2nd out of 120 the week before in a winner-take-all game to Punta Cana. Probably the most crushing bubble finish anyone could experience is in a ‘winner-take-all’ and finishing second. So it was very satisfying to win the very next week. Also the heads up battle was my most grueling, antagonizing experience ever. So winning was that much sweeter.

Why do you choose to play at 888.com and what makes it special for you?

The quality of players at 888 has is a very wide range. The tables offer a lot of action, and the tournaments are filled with people looking to gamble. This makes it profitable for the more experienced players to find edges in their games.

 That and I've been here for so long, I have a fairly good knowledge of the player base. At any given time, I will know someone at a table or tournament.

Do you plan on playing any of the majors this year?  If so, which ones?
I am going to the Irish Open in a month and I also plan to make an effort to qualify for the Canadian Open.
I'd LOVE to play in Monte Carlo, but I am so busy during all the qualifiers that I don't know if I can make that happen.

Besides that I may take a stab at another WSOP qualifier this year. As well I'd LOVE to play in a WPT event. I'm finished school this year, so I will be able to play in the satellites at Niagara if they are hosting the North American Poker Championship again.
 
What is your record in live events?
Haven't made it through day 2 to day 3 yet, but I haven't busted on day 1 yet either. Just a matter of time before I do both ;)

How would you describe yourself? Feel free to be as open and honest as you want!
I'm pretty easy-going. I'd say I'm fairly non-confrontational; however I do like to debate and argue a little bit if I feel strongly about something. I used to love doing math, so I have the ability to do quick numbers and stuff on the table, however my love for not doing homework was stronger and my math abilities have slipped somewhat over the years. I love to laugh, so if I see an opportunity to make a joke, I probably will, apologies in advance if you get caught in the cross hairs. I can take it as good as I can dish it out though, so give me your best ;)

 
What specific goals, including those related to your occupation, have you established for your life?
Since playing poker, I've always wanted to have a job where I could work with a site. Creating content for the blog and doing a bit of promoting for 888 is more or less exactly what I want to be doing. Just need to work in the sponsorship and then I'll be gold ;)
 
What is the feel for poker in Canada at the moment? Is it growing?  Do you feel that Canadians make the best players? If so, why is that? Is there something in the national psyche that better prepares Canadians for the game?
This is only my own perception, it may be different for others around the world, and it may be different for other Canadians next door. I think Canadians are doing amazing in the poker world right now. We have a number of Canadians who are not only winning millions, but they are winning consistently. There were two Canadians at the WSOP final table this year. A Canadian finished second last year. Mike (Timex) Macdonald almost won back to back Dortmund EPT championships. Marc Karam final tabled the EPT Monte Carlo back to back years, including a second place for a million euro. This isn't even considering the already established pros like Negreanu, Ng, Booth, Gavin Smith, and Mercier (I'm sure I’m forgetting some).
 
I don't know about ‘National Psyche’, but as a whole we have a very good educational system, which certainly can't hurt. We have some rather laidback laws regarding gambling (compared to the USA), so it's open and available to players. And for the most part, we are very open-minded, so maybe that helps.
 
How has your college/life experience prepared you for a poker career?
Ha, I spent more time playing poker than going to class? I don't know if my university career has helped my poker career in any way. All the tools you need to play winning poker and to do it for a living are simple tools that you learn at a young age. The rest are personality traits that you develop through life:
- Patience
- Planning/Foresight
- Practice
- Self analysis
- Commitment
- Aspiration
 
What is your favourite ‘quick-to-make’ tournament snack?
Ugh, what a terrible question! Used to be a bag of chips or bowl of cereal or something but I'm eating healthy these days so it’s probably a stick of celery :(
 
What are your short-term and long-term poker goals?
Short term I'd like re-establish my bankroll now that school is over and my University costs are done. I need to get back to the stages where I can earn the kind of money you can live on, and eventually buy my own house.

Long term, I'd like win one live major tournament, one WSOP bracelet (doesn't have to be the main event), and do some travelling.

I can't say I have any intentions of setting any poker records. Fame has never been for me. I like the money and security, but leave the cameras for someone else.
 
What do you see yourself doing in five years?
Hopefully living in my own place, in a country where they haven't heard of snow, close enough to the casino to walk there!

My life goal/dream is to own a Poker bar/pub where it's legal to run a table or two. Just to have my own place to relax and play some poker.
 
What’s your favourite breed of dog?
I have a Wire Fox Terrier, and he is pretty awesome. Has the most personality I've ever seen in a dog. He can be difficult but you just gotta love him.

My next breed I'm looking at a Pharaoh Hound. Should be a drastic change from the Wire, but all dogs are great.
 
Favourite film, music, book?
Favourite book is Duel of Assassins.
Favourite film is soooo hard to pick just win as I'm a huge movie buff: Casino, Rounders, Boondock Saints are probably my three most watched though.
Favourite music, I was born in '85, so I like alot of 90's alternative rock, but I listen to anything that has a good beat to it.
 
Who is your nemesis at the poker table?
Probably forum member, ‘idi0’. If we're ever seated at the same table in a tournament, one of us isn't making it to the next blind level. It usually ends up in a coin flip, and it's usually two hands like: 68 v 33
 
Who is your favourite pro player?
I don't think I have a favourite. I respect all the guys who show consistency in results. Anyone can run well for a week and win a tournament. Anyone who turns up repeatedly on EPT, WPT and WSOP final tables will get a nod from me.
 
How do you relax outside of poker?
I coach a competitive baseball team. I've been doing this for years (think this is my 8th year now.) I don't think I see myself ever in the future NOT coaching. I love it. Also I'm playing on a slo-pitch softball team this summer with a few friends - not as competitive, more of a "beer league."
 
Aside from that, I just like hanging out with friends, family and my pup. What more can a guy ask for ;)

 
What more indeed? Teacher, mentor, friend and an all-round good egg - thanks,

'slugger' for taking the time to come and hang out with us here, it's always a pleasure!

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