Hero Poker: Most memorable hand?

Julian: It was the 1st time I took a shot at the big live game in the Crown Casino with all the old school/rich gamblers. The game was 25/50 round of each NLHE/PLO. This hand was in Omaha, my starting hand was 4667. What happened pre-flop was that Tony Hachem accidentally turned over a card (4) so the flop was 3-4-5 rainbow and I was first to act. I bet out (can't remember bet sizes) and 2 people called.. Turn was a repeat 4 so I bet out again. This time only Christopher called. The River was now a 6 making me the absolute nuts and I check raised all in. Chris showed 55 for second nut full house. It's memorable in that it my 1st shot at the big live game and honestly because of that exposed 4, I reckon that Chris thought I was making a play on the pot, and that he had the absolute nuts. Of course up to the turn I was extremely behind, 2 outter lol, but even though I ended up winning on the river, it was that moment that really settled it for me to really compete and not come to point where I had to let lady luck pull me out of the weeds, although, I'm not going to mind it every blue moon or so.

Hero Poker: Biggest pot?

Julian: My biggest pot was for about 280k USD playing in Macau... I didn't have 100% of my action though... I had 40%.

Hero Poker: How did you get started?

Julian: I went to Sydney on a holiday with my friend. He introduced the game to me at the casino playing 5/10 limit. I got hooked. I then played micro stakes home games as many times a week as we could, then finally when I thought I was good enough I quit my job and took it up full time. In that way, I might be considered one still a throwback to the old school rounder days.

Hero Poker: What is the toughest thing about being a poker player?

Julian: Dealing with swings and not knowing about the security of your future. Actually, probably the toughest thing is worrying about what my parents, their friends whom I grew up with, and more importantly my children, will think of it in terms of me not achieving enough in life, like getting university degrees and having a secure job. I came into poker relatively young and had an eye for it and it was just an automatic thing for me to focus on it, I didn't give it much thought when I started.

Hero Poker: Which live tournaments do you like the most and why?

Julian: I love main events, such as WSOP and the Aussie Millions due to the fact the are great long structures with a lot of pros, friends and spotlight on you. A lot of fun!

Hero Poker: What do you think is wrong with the poker world today?

Julian: I think generally the poker world is fine. However the social aspect is not as great as a normal job/life. e.g. a lot of geeks, unsocial, and a lot of degenerate people. They are the minority, but the visible/vocal minority.

Hero Poker: Where do you think poker is headed?

Julian: Poker just seems to be getting bigger an bigger throughout the whole world. I believe it won't change too much for at least 15-20 years when all the old school players have burned out and the young internet players completely took over.

Hero Poker: What are you thoughts on Pot Limit Omaha (PLO)? How is it in comparison to Hold'em?

Julian: I love Omaha. I play that for a living. It is a hard game and is a much more technical game than NLHE. A lot more exciting as you have more options with 4 hole cards and play a lot more hands. Definitely more exciting, but significantly more variance than NLHE.

Hero Poker: Which other pro do you admire or simply like, if any?

Julian: Phil Ivey goes without saying.. Also Phil Galfond and Raphi Amit.

Hero Poker: What limits and games do you play, both online and live?

Julian: Online, I don't play so much anymore but when I do, it's mainly 25/50 PLO and high stakes mixed games. Live, I like to play anything ranging from 20/40NL to 500/1000NL depending on the field and the percentage of my action I have.

Hero Poker: Top 3 qualities in a pro when they play online, and what you think differs when playing live?

Julian: I find the top quality of playing online is discipline! I admit when I play online I tend to take more risks, a bit more than I do live. I think it's due to the fact that I don't play as much anymore and use it more as some time to relax. Second quality, to be able to think fast, accurately and make the right choices within a short period of time under pressure, and finally being able to concentrate and play your A game while multi-tabling.

The difference with live is generally you play a lot deeper and it is normally a 10-handed game. Also I think players are quite weaker live, as online, there are lot of professionals playing these days and only play when the games are good, meaning that they target certain tables, as it's so easy to choose from a number of tables and these are the people you are playing against.

Hero Poker: Quickest way to improve for a beginner (just starting), and intermediate level player (playing for about a year)?

Julian: Honestly, putting in as many hours as you can while analyzing your keys hands where you felt you missed value or made a mistake... You can never learn or study too much, so talking to other players, reading books/forums etc.., watching videos will rapidly improve your poker game.

Hero Poker: What are you most known for in poker or otherwise?

Julian: Yes I'm known more for poker, but those in poker also know me as a crazy sportsman, and of course, I enjoy the social aspects of life, good wine and dinner with mates.

Hero Poker: What is most like poker outside of poker?

Julian: I guess maybe backgammon due to the fact it involves a deal of thinking and skill, with also an element of luck.

Hero Poker: What does 'Hero' mean to you in the poker sense?

Julian: I guess you could say that a hero in poker would be a player that has no fear and goes with his instincts and gut feelings, but that needs to be said in the right situation. If you're new to the game, I wouldn't recommend being a 'hero' in that way, and I can't say that even the best players are fearless all the time. Poker is a very analytical game, but there are sometimes where you can't explain it and you need to make that 'hero call' or 'hero fold', well just one time, that's epic.