Select Page
Poker Forum
Over 1,291,000 Posts!
Poker ForumFTR Community

Jason Mercier AMA

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 75 of 97
  1. #1
    Eric's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    3,458
    Location
    California, USA

    Default Jason Mercier AMA



    Tune In: March 31 at 11:00 AM ET

    Jason Mercier is FTR's next AMA guest!

    Don't miss your chance to Ask Jason Anything and tune in on March 31 at 11:00 AM ET
    Last edited by givememyleg; 03-29-2014 at 03:07 PM.
  2. #2
    MadMojoMonkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    10,322
    Location
    St Louis, MO
    In Pineapple Open Face Chinese Poker:

    What are your thoughts on setting hands like AKQxx? Assume you're 1st to act for simplicity.
    Do you favor KQ up top with A in the mid?
    Or Q up top with AK in the mid?
    Or something else?

    Do the other cards in the hand affect how you'd play the AK and Q?
    If so: How?
  3. #3
    Eric's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    3,458
    Location
    California, USA
    1. Who do you like to win the Final Four?

    2. What do you think about Senator Graham's anti-poker bill (backed by Sheldon Adelson of course) that came out on March 26th?

    3. What's the worst thing you've said to someone at the poker table?

    4. What's one of the worst things you've spent part of your poker bankroll on?

    5. What are the craziest things you've done right before, during or after poker sessions?
  4. #4
    1. Where is your favorite place to play poker in the world?
    2. What is the craziest prop bet that you have done?
    3. What got you started in poker?
    4. Would you rather win the WSOP Main Event or One Drop?
  5. #5
    UTG in POFC, how do you play a hand with a 4-flush and a top-2 FL pair, such as KK742 or AA742 (assuming that QQ+ is the standard for getting to FL)?
    Last edited by OneByPhi; 03-29-2014 at 02:51 AM.
  6. #6
    What books, blogs, articles, etc. should we be reading to learn more about POFC strategy?
  7. #7
    Do you prefer to play OFC or POFC? Why?
  8. #8
    Which FL rules do you prefer for POFC (how many cards FL should get, how do you like them dealt, what hand to qualify, etc.)? Why? Do you think the rules should be standardized, or do you like that different people play different ways?
  9. #9
    In OFC and POFC games, do you adapt your strategy to the way your opponents are playing, or do you always play the same style?
  10. #10
    Do you prefer heads-up games in OFC and POFC or multi-way? Why?
  11. #11
    In position in a 3-way POFC game, you see your opponents set
    Q
    54
    97

    and

    K
    A
    TT8

    You have A7755

    How do you set? Why?
  12. #12
    How do you set hands with 2 small pairs in HU POFC UTG? Does the 5th card influence your set? Consider, for example:
    K6644
    J6644
    66442

    Now imagine you have those same hands in position in a HU POFC game. How do you set after opponent shows:

    QQ
    K
    TT

    or

    Q
    A4
    TT

    or

    Q
    A
    TT6
    Last edited by OneByPhi; 03-29-2014 at 02:35 PM.
  13. #13
    Jason,
    You play on both European and American circuits. What are the differences and which do you prefer?
  14. #14
    Eric's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    3,458
    Location
    California, USA
    In pineapple ofc, when do you generally keep 2 pairs together in back and when do you split them?


    Specific Pineapple OFC UTG Examples (assume all hands below have now more than 2 of a suit):


    Do you set 2233Q as Q / 22 / 33?


    Do you set 22JJQ as Q / X / 22JJ?


    How do you set 2277Q?
  15. #15
    Thanks for doing this, Jason! I'm a huge fan of yours!!!

    Are you involved with any charities? If so, what attracted you to them?

    What do you want your legacy to be in poker and in life in general?

    If you could handpick three people to have dinner with, living or dead, who would you choose and why? What would you want to discuss with those individuals?

    If you could change something on a global level, what would it be?
  16. #16
    Which one of the Hollywood or sports celebrities that show up at the Main Event is the best player?
  17. #17
    Hey Jason!

    - Looking back at last years WSOP, do you still feel your bracelet bet was +EV for you? Are you planning on doing the same for future WSOPs?

    - What's your biggest degen story? Related to poker or not.

    - I was playing $1-$2 NLHE at Bally's in Vegas a few years back, and you rolled in with your crew. You guys got a new table going and sat down, making for a very fun/aggressive game. Do you do this with your friends for fun every so often? It is something you do to blow off steam?

    - Who is the best tournament pro on the circuit atm?
  18. #18
    What's the most you've won/lost in a single hand? What's the most you've ever bet? What do you play other than poker at casinos?
  19. #19


    this is one of my favorite HSP hands. i think you made a sick play and ivey made a sick crying call. what was your thought process on this hand?
  20. #20
    spoonitnow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    14,219
    Location
    North Carolina
    How many ducks do you think it would take to win in a fight to the death against a horse?

    What is the dumbest thing you have ever heard a woman say?

    Do you think that OFC will ever overtake hold'em as the most popular game?

    What are your most memorable prop bets?
  21. #21
    What's the dumbest thing you've ever heard a man say? What's the dumbest thing you've said to a woman?
  22. #22
    Jason, what's your secret? You know, it's safe with us, man.
  23. #23
    Hi Jason ...greetings from Portugal

    - Are you able to get away from poker for 24 hours? If so, any hobbies or others activities that can place your mind away from poker ?

    - The biggest rush you ever had after a win?

    - Do you keep your World Series of Poker bracelets in a special place? Can we know where?

    Cheers and all the best Jason
    Pre-Flop ou Post Flop...o importante é estar dentro de jogo
  24. #24
    1) Given the relative ease of making Queens up top in pineapple, what do you think of having the requirement being KK or better?

    2) Along the same line, what do you think of having the FL rules be that Kings get you a 14 card FL, and Aces up top get you a 15 card FL? Or if people want to keep the minimum at QQ, then have QQ and KK get you 14, and AA get you 15? Staying would be 14 cards regardless.

    The theory behind this is that the current system makes hands like 884AK have a no-thought-needed set (884 back, A middle, K top). By offering another card for AA up top, which is a huge addition to a FL hand, you at least need to consider playing the A up top b/c of the extra reward. More decisions, more spots where there isn't a clear right play, and more strategic options available are always a good thing, no?

    Note: mods, you can delete the theory paragraph if you want questions for JM to be short and without commentary.
  25. #25
    Are you in any way involved in the efforts to try to get online poker in the US legalized and regulated?

    In one of your interviews you said that you lost about $2 million in less than six months in 2012. Did that shake your confidence in any way? Is so, for how long?

    What are your thoughts on climate change?

    Which NBA team do you route for?

    What is the craziest investment offer you have ever received?
  26. #26
    Do you recall any make it or break it moments at the early stages of your career?

    What was the worst bad beat of your career?

    When are you going to buy a bigger boat?

    What is your favorite TV show?
  27. #27
    Hello Jason ...great pleasure to have you here

    Do you like mobile poker? Do you play on the move ?
    Your favorite movie of all times?
    Can you tell me your favorite poker player outside the US?

    Please define yourself as a poker player in 3 words:

    Much much much success for 2014
  28. #28
    1) What is the most ridiculous line you ever heard at a poker table?

    2) Online poker has seen a steady decline since Black Friday, do you think this trend will continue or will it eventually reverse or simply even out and stabilize?

    3) Did the final table pressure ever get to you to the point where you made a serious mistake because of it?

    4) Are there any pro’s which you would consider yourself an underdog to in an even chip heads up situation at the end of major tournament?

    5) Do you regret your 3 to 1 bracelet prop bet?

    6) Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

    Thanks!
  29. #29
    Woooowwww... Mercier is in da house big fan..big fan...

    Who was your biggest opponent at the poker table ?
    What was the first big buy you executed with prize money from a tournament?
    Where do you see yourself within 10 years?
  30. #30
    How many ducks do you think it would take to win in a fight to the death against a horse?
    This is a brilliant question and is current topic of discussion in my house.
    Quote Originally Posted by wufwugy View Post
    ongies gonna ong
  31. #31
    Hi Jason,
    Thanks for doing the AMA, just a few questions:
    - Whats the worst bad beats story you've got?
    - Where is your favourite place to play live?
    - What are your thoughts & predictions on the varying poker legislation that is popping up across the US?
    Thanks!
  32. #32
    What are your thoughts on Obamacare? Gun control? Gay marriage? The existence of aliens? What about Bigfoot?
  33. #33
    Less than 24 hours to go until this event starts!
  34. #34
    Are you single?
  35. #35
    Did any of your friends or family members express concern when you decided to be a professional poker player? Do any of them disapprove of your career choice even though you're so successful? What would you be doing if you weren't playing poker for a living?
  36. #36
    What do you think happened to that missing plane?
  37. #37
    are you interested in playing the next game of Werewolf at FTR?
  38. #38
    Who do you predict will be the next president of the US?
  39. #39
    What is the most annoying question on this list (excluding this one)?
  40. #40
    Who is the one person who asked a question that you'd like to play poker against in the future? What variant of the game would you play?
  41. #41
    For games like Hold'em and Omaha, it's easy to find records of hands played by professionals, so that we amateurs can study and learn from them. I haven't been able to find a collection of POFC hands played by top pros so that I can see what they do differently than I do. Do you know where I could find some? If not, would you be willing to play 25-50 games at FTR against one of the regulars here so that we can study the lines you take?
  42. #42
    Jason, how's life?
    Where is the favorite place you've ever been to?
    Where is a place you've always wanted to visit that you haven't visited, yet?

    How many times have you been asked about your most ever lost/won in a single hand? Cause I'm sure that gets old, fast.
    I will destroy you with sunshine and kittens.
  43. #43
    Jack Sawyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    7,667
    Location
    Jack-high straight flush motherfucker
    So Jason,

    what has been your worst downswing/ bad luck streak? And if you did, how did you manage it?
    My dream... is to fly... over the rainbow... so high...


    Cogito ergo sum

    VHS is like a book? and a book is like a stack of kindles.
    Hey, I'm in a movie!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYdwe3ArFWA
  44. #44
    Less than 12 hours to go until this event starts!
  45. #45
    Less than 6 hours to go until this event starts!
  46. #46
    Less than 3 hours to go until this event starts!
  47. #47
    Dear Jason,

    In the most modest way possible, would you consider yourself to be the best OFC player in the world? I hear a lot of people say that Shaun Deeb is potentially the best. If not, who else would you say is up there?

    Also, could I cheekily ask for a signed autograph please? ^_^ Thanks!
  48. #48
    Who do you consider to be the best player of all time? What about the current best player?How do you feel about last year's ME champ claiming to be the best player ever?
  49. #49
    If you could assume the identity of any super hero, who would you be? If you could create your own super hero persona, who would you become?
  50. #50
    Quote Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey View Post
    In Pineapple Open Face Chinese Poker:

    What are your thoughts on setting hands like AKQxx? Assume you're 1st to act for simplicity.
    Do you favor KQ up top with A in the mid?
    Or Q up top with AK in the mid?
    Or something else?

    Do the other cards in the hand affect how you'd play the AK and Q?
    If so: How?
    I generally would go:

    Q
    AK
    xx

    I'd need to not be acting first to change that set
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  51. #51
    Quote Originally Posted by Eric View Post
    1. Who do you like to win the Final Four?

    2. What do you think about Senator Graham's anti-poker bill (backed by Sheldon Adelson of course) that came out on March 26th?

    3. What's the worst thing you've said to someone at the poker table?

    4. What's one of the worst things you've spent part of your poker bankroll on?

    5. What are the craziest things you've done right before, during or after poker sessions?
    1. Florida, although I have Wisconsin winning it all in my pool... so I'll be rooting for them!

    2. Don't know enough to comment

    3. I can't remember

    4. My boat, it's a money burner

    5. Craziest? hmmm, I'm not too sure, craziest during would probably just involve never quitting despite how long I'm playing (45-50 hours) or how much I'm stuck (hundreds of thousands)
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  52. #52
    Quote Originally Posted by Credsfan03 View Post
    1. Where is your favorite place to play poker in the world?
    2. What is the craziest prop bet that you have done?
    3. What got you started in poker?
    4. Would you rather win the WSOP Main Event or One Drop?
    1. I don't really have a favorite- wherever the next 100k is
    2. Been involved with a lot of weird prop bets, can't really put a finger on the craziest one- recently, was playing viktor blom at ping pong for 5k a game lol
    3. Playing in high school with friends and realizing I was better than all of them so kept pursuing it
    4. WSOP Main event for sure. More players, and more prestigious!
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  53. #53
    Less than one hour to go until this event starts! The password has now been released to Qualified Members!
  54. #54
    Quote Originally Posted by OneByPhi View Post
    UTG in POFC, how do you play a hand with a 4-flush and a top-2 FL pair, such as KK742 or AA742 (assuming that QQ+ is the standard for getting to FL)?
    That's a really good question, in thinking about it, I'd probably split up the kings but not the aces

    Kd
    K742cccc

    AA
    742ccc

    crazy, I know
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  55. #55
    Quote Originally Posted by OneByPhi View Post
    What books, blogs, articles, etc. should we be reading to learn more about POFC strategy?
    I don't know of any reading material on POFC or any OFC strategy to be honest.

    I learned through playing... good ol trial and error.
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  56. #56
    Quote Originally Posted by OneByPhi View Post
    Do you prefer to play OFC or POFC? Why?
    I prefer regular OFC, the swings are just so insane in POFC, and I also feel I have a bigger edge in regular
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  57. #57
    Quote Originally Posted by OneByPhi View Post
    Which FL rules do you prefer for POFC (how many cards FL should get, how do you like them dealt, what hand to qualify, etc.)? Why? Do you think the rules should be standardized, or do you like that different people play different ways?
    QQ+ up top to go to FL... FL gets 14 cards, in FL- u have to get trips up top, or quads + (middle or back) to stay in FL,

    each player gets dealt 5 cards and then FL player gets dealt the next 9... if 2 players are in FL, you rotate 1-1-1-1-1-1-1... etc

    I don't mind that people play different ways, just needs to be hammered out before a game starts is all
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  58. #58
    Quote Originally Posted by OneByPhi View Post
    In OFC and POFC games, do you adapt your strategy to the way your opponents are playing, or do you always play the same style?
    Adapt, if a player is fouling nonstop, are you going to gamble a lot?
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  59. #59
    Quote Originally Posted by OneByPhi View Post
    Do you prefer heads-up games in OFC and POFC or multi-way? Why?
    I prefer multi way- heads up is a bit more grueling, with no breaks in the action... multi way is much more social, and fun IMO
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  60. #60
    Quote Originally Posted by OneByPhi View Post
    In position in a 3-way POFC game, you see your opponents set
    Q
    54
    97

    and

    K
    A
    TT8

    You have A7755

    How do you set? Why?
    A
    7755

    because u make a full house a lot in the back (6 pts) and have a great shot for FL still
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  61. #61
    Quote Originally Posted by OneByPhi View Post
    How do you set hands with 2 small pairs in HU POFC UTG? Does the 5th card influence your set? Consider, for example:
    K6644
    J6644
    66442

    Now imagine you have those same hands in position in a HU POFC game. How do you set after opponent shows:

    QQ
    K
    TT

    or

    Q
    A4
    TT

    or

    Q
    A
    TT6
    I'm generally putting the 2 pair in the back almost always.

    I would probably play:

    44
    66J though vs those sets
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  62. #62
    Quote Originally Posted by arcturus View Post
    Jason,
    You play on both European and American circuits. What are the differences and which do you prefer?
    I prefer playing EPTs, because they are the biggest and best events. Playing in Europe, you get more of a melting pot of players, so many different countries represented which is kind of awesome. In the US tournaments, most players are from the US or Canada.

    Either way, I like playing both
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  63. #63
    Quote Originally Posted by Eric View Post
    In pineapple ofc, when do you generally keep 2 pairs together in back and when do you split them?


    Specific Pineapple OFC UTG Examples (assume all hands below have now more than 2 of a suit):


    Do you set 2233Q as Q / 22 / 33?


    Do you set 22JJQ as Q / X / 22JJ?


    How do you set 2277Q?

    Yea, this might contradict a previous reply, but

    Q
    22
    33

    Q
    X
    22JJ

    Q
    22
    77

    I think
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  64. #64
    Quote Originally Posted by JasonMercier View Post
    I prefer playing EPTs, because they are the biggest and best events.
    Which EPT event do you want to win the most this year? Is there a particular event that you enjoy more than the others on the tour?
  65. #65
    Quote Originally Posted by dlbarlowe View Post
    Thanks for doing this, Jason! I'm a huge fan of yours!!!

    Are you involved with any charities? If so, what attracted you to them?

    What do you want your legacy to be in poker and in life in general?

    If you could handpick three people to have dinner with, living or dead, who would you choose and why? What would you want to discuss with those individuals?

    If you could change something on a global level, what would it be?

    I'm getting involved in doing some outreach work with my church- I'm attracted to that because I believe in the work

    Legacy- hmmm, I want to be considered one of the best players to ever play the game, and in life- I want to make a positive impact on the world

    three people- Jesus Christ, Christopher Columbus, and Lebron James- discuss anything and everything lol

    I'd want to make sure there are no starving children
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  66. #66
    Quote Originally Posted by JetPropulsion View Post
    Which one of the Hollywood or sports celebrities that show up at the Main Event is the best player?
    no clue- haven't played against many of them
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  67. #67
    Quote Originally Posted by JasonMercier View Post
    three people- Jesus Christ, Christopher Columbus, and Lebron James- discuss anything and everything lol
    That would be a GREAT gathering!!!
  68. #68
    Quote Originally Posted by givememyleg View Post
    Hey Jason!

    - Looking back at last years WSOP, do you still feel your bracelet bet was +EV for you? Are you planning on doing the same for future WSOPs?

    - What's your biggest degen story? Related to poker or not.

    - I was playing $1-$2 NLHE at Bally's in Vegas a few years back, and you rolled in with your crew. You guys got a new table going and sat down, making for a very fun/aggressive game. Do you do this with your friends for fun every so often? It is something you do to blow off steam?

    - Who is the best tournament pro on the circuit atm?

    I still think it was +ev, not sure that I'm going to do it this year or in future years

    Skip degen question

    I've done that a lot in the past with my friends, It's usually just to have a great time
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  69. #69
    Quote Originally Posted by HeyYou View Post
    What's the most you've won/lost in a single hand? What's the most you've ever bet? What do you play other than poker at casinos?
    In a single hand- about 220k or so

    I was all in for 330k in a cash game- won the pot

    I don't play anything besides poker anymore
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  70. #70
    Do you play differently when you go up against your friends for fun compared to when you play against strangers and/or other pros?
  71. #71
    Quote Originally Posted by givememyleg View Post


    this is one of my favorite HSP hands. i think you made a sick play and ivey made a sick crying call. what was your thought process on this hand?
    I thought Ivey didn't have a set, which meant I had 7.5 outs if he called. with the money I had put in there already it was a pretty easy all in
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  72. #72
    Quote Originally Posted by spoonitnow View Post
    How many ducks do you think it would take to win in a fight to the death against a horse?

    What is the dumbest thing you have ever heard a woman say?

    Do you think that OFC will ever overtake hold'em as the most popular game?

    What are your most memorable prop bets?
    200 ducks

    I don't know

    I don't see OFC overtaking holdem

    most memorable prop bets involve me winning bracelets and collecting from lots of players
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  73. #73
    Quote Originally Posted by Tinita View Post
    What's the dumbest thing you've ever heard a man say? What's the dumbest thing you've said to a woman?
    It's difficult to pinpoint the dumbest thing I've ever heard anyone say lol

    dumbest thing I said to a woman- make sure you're ready in 5 minutes
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  74. #74
    Quote Originally Posted by YoYo View Post
    Jason, what's your secret? You know, it's safe with us, man.
    Volume Practice- always getting better, improving

    etc etc etc
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/
  75. #75
    Quote Originally Posted by Cruelsebastian View Post
    Hi Jason ...greetings from Portugal

    - Are you able to get away from poker for 24 hours? If so, any hobbies or others activities that can place your mind away from poker ?

    - The biggest rush you ever had after a win?

    - Do you keep your World Series of Poker bracelets in a special place? Can we know where?

    Cheers and all the best Jason
    Yes, I play basketball a lot and take my boat out in South Florida

    Biggest rush- the last 10 years of my life :P

    I keep the bracelets in my trophy case

    Thanks! Cheers!
    Jason Mercier: Team PokerStars Pro
    http://www.jasonmercier.com/

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •