Jon “Skalie” Kalmar is a Team Captain at Ladbrokes Poker, and one of the coaches for the upcoming slew of Vegas Dream Package winners. Jon got the spotlight in 2007 when he wound up with a 5th place finish at the World Series of Poker Main Event, but he’d been steadily building up an impressive poker resume for a few years prior. We got a chance to ask Jon a few questions about his role with Ladbrokes and his thoughts on the WSOP, share some stories from his blog (Skalie.org), as well as pry him for some details about the Vegas Dream promo. Enjoy!
Crunch Poker: Jon “Skalie” Kalmar, thanks for taking the time out to answer our questions – the first of which is… where does “Skalie” come from?
Jon Kalmar: Asked this a lot. It derives from my surname (KAL the SKAL) and is basically a name I knicked off my brother. We both get called KAL as a nick name (It’s a northern thing to get called by your surname a lot, saves us having to remember too much. KALMAR being shortened to the even easier KAL). When I 1st logged onto Ladbrokes was 1st thing I thought off. (Paul thinks its homage to him).
Despite what some people think it should be pronounced “Scally”. Spelin has never been a strong point of the Kalmar Clan.
CP: You’ve gone from working in IT to “full time poker geek” -- was it your big cash in 2007 that made the move possible? You were doing pretty well prior to that, including a very nice payday at the 2005 WSOP main event, and even the 2006 Ladbrokes Poker Cruise.
JK: Back in 2005 I was winning quite a bit online, after getting around 25k together I decided to go part time. My job had become very boring and the company was getting restructured a lot. After coming 82nd in the WSOP I then had enough to quit entirely. The win on the Ladbrokes cruise in the following Jan was enough for Kila (my wife) to quit work. The WSOP 2007 obviously made me better known (and of course paid a bill or too) but it wasn’t what started me off. I had been a pro for over 2 years before that.
CP: : What do you think about Ladbrokes new focus on the WSOP for 2009, the Vegas Dream?
JK: I discussed the idea with them, and I supported it from the start. It’s the trip to Vegas and the social side that makes the Ladbrokes thing so special. Yes we all want to play the main event but unfortunately there just isn’t enough money about with the current economic climate. I think it’s better to have more people enjoying themselves out there. With a cheaper package it’s easier to win one.
CP: : Your role with Ladbrokes Poker – can you tell us a bit about what is expected of you?
JK: Well I will represent Ladbrokes in several events over the year but mainly to interact with players. Socializing and maybe advising those who want it or need it. I hope to be a more accessible player than pros have normally been in the past.
CP: : Was the 2006 cruise event the start of your relationship with Ladbrokes?
JK: My relationship started with Ladbrokes in 2004, when I first found online poker. I started playing small sit and go’s on there for 5 bucks. Mainly to curb my gambling habits. It worked, my interest in other betting faded when I finally found a game I had the edge at.
CP: : Have you put any thought into what you will do as coach of the Ladbrokes Vegas Dream team?
JK: In time we may do more structured training courses but for now it will mainly be to mentor anyone who wants it. Having gone deep in such an event I know it does not harm to speak to someone who’s done it themselves. Basically I will answer any questions I am asked. I don’t pretend I am the oracle, all I can do is tell them things from my perspective.
CP: : Any teaming up with Steve Davis (the other Ladbrokes Vegas Dream coach) to prank the winners? You know, some good old-fashioned hijinks to report to the Ladbrokes community back at home?
JK: I would never comment on such things, the man’s a professional
CP: : I read that you won your seat at the 2007 WSOP main event via a $500 super satellite in Vegas, mere days before the start of the big dance. How many of these did you play before you won, and what were the results of the other attempts?
JK: It was my 4th (2 x $1000 2x500) I got sick beats in all the others going out with Aces, QQ and AK. Along with playing the $1000 at the Bellagio a couple of times and a $2000 at the Rio my pockets were almost empty.
After winning at the fourth attempt I immediately sold 10% to Marty Smyth so I could play one more $1000. If I won it I’d have enough money for Kila to fly over. I lasted one hand, my pockets Queens could not make 78 pass on a 5 6 2 board. SIGH!
CP: : Was qualifying via satellite in Vegas part of your overall strategy for getting into the main event, and did you have a back up in case you couldn’t do it?
JK: Initially I wasn’t trying to play the main event that year. I was just there to play cash. After getting there the thought of not playing was hard to bear. Everyone was excited about it and I wanted in, it felt like I was the only guy around not in it.
CP: : Having done this already, you are in a great position to coach the Vegas Dream winners, who are going to have at least three chances to do the same. Do you have any general advice about qualifying via satellite for the rest of us?
JK: There is no bonus for coming 1st in a satalite. If you win a seat you win a seat. Be patient. If you have to play with marginal hands, have position and be the 1st to bet.
CP: : Your 2007 WSOP main event experience – can you describe to our readers a bit of what it was like? What you went through each night, having survived yet another day where any hand could have ended for you, dealing with the media, the insane number of people milling about?
JK: I played a satellite in my dreams every night, (it) was weird. Felt like I hadn’t slept at all, but was still feeling fresh. Adenalin… who knows.
Only once was I in major danger and that was all in with AJ on day one to pocket 8’s. I had recently had aces cracked of jacks and was getting short. I flopped the Ace, he got the 8 on the turn but the river put 5 to the flush on the board for a chop.
When we each hit we took it in turn to stand up, it looked like our own little Mexican wave. Yes, the crowds are a pain but don’t forget you’re a member of it too.
CP: : What are your thoughts about the new “delay of game” rule for the WSOP main event final table (introduced in 2008 and returning in 2009) – the months-long gap between the final table bubble bursting and actually playing the final table. Good for poker? Good for the players? Had you the chance to break in your game, would it have meant you performing better or worse in 2007?
JK: Great for the game. If they had the idea a year earlier I would be about a million better off that’s for sure. I doubt it would affect my game but the final would no doubt have played out differently with others changing their styles and tactics in the meantime.
CP: : A strategy question for you -- there was one hand at the final table; you were in it with Kenny Tran. He was in the cutoff, you in the small blind. He raised, you called with Ace, 8 of clubs, and you kept calling as Tran bet out on every street – you rivered a flush and moved all in. Tran was in the tank for a while, and you called the clock on him. He wound up calling, and you busted him out. How important was calling the clock to you in this scenario? Was it a deliberate move on your part to prompt him into calling, by adding the pressure?
JK: YES. All day he had bragged about being the best reader of the game in the world. He had given himself the name of “sick call Kenny.” What you don’t see is the history over the hands prior to that one. I was certain I could get him to call an over bet if I made a hand. He looked like he may pass so calling the clock was my last chance for a call. To be honest had he not been so arrogant all day I would never have done it too him.
The TV editing changes this hand so much, I actually found an article written by a guy call Chris Hanoi who was on the rail. He best described what really happed. Read it here http://skalie.org/?p=70
CP: : The Vegas Dream promo from Ladbrokes is going to give a lot of players the chance to really experience Las Vegas during the WSOP, and the organizers made a smart move bringing you on board as coach. Best of luck in 2009 leading up to the WSOP, and beyond!
Join Skalie and the rest of the Vegas Dream Prize Package winners- Summer with us in Sin City!
Check out Skalie at last year's WSOP in the vid below: