Annette spoke to Dave McCarthy from Poker from the Rail about her first World Series of Poker.

So how was your first WSOP?

Pretty much went as expected. I try not to ever enter any tournaments with high expectations since it’s so high variance. You don’t want to go in expecting to win and then be disappointed when you don’t.

It wasn’t a great series. I had 4 cashes, one 11th place. I was really hoping to make a final table, since everyone notices that. If you cash, nobody really does.

Read the full interview over at the Poker From the Rail Blog.

So, I guess I’m a late bird seeing as the WSOP has already started and I’m not there yet. I decided to stay home for my moms birthday since I havent spet much time at home lately. I realize more and more how boring it is to be home and that I enjoy travelling much more than most ppl. I think its a good quality to have. Not really sure why I’m so independent and not get too attached to people, but I’ve always been like that. Makes being a travelling poker player a lot easier

I’m very curious as to how I’ll deal with the whole WSOP thing. I hope that I’ll be fine playing live poker for every day for such a long time. I know its gonna be hectic and not a walk in the park. I already have some podcast and radio interviews lined up for when I get there, and thats only the start. I think it would be better if I could just relax and enjoy playing and not have to worry about other stuff, but since its my first WSOP and ppl are excited to see how I’m doing, I’m fine with doing so as long as I get to decide where and when its gonna happen lol.

Off topic, but I’m watching Eurovision Song Contest 2010 right now, and I must say Norway was a huge dissapointment. We had a decent song that ended up winning last year, so going from that to this.. kinda sad. Happy I wasnt there watching it live.

My appartment in Vegas is still not approved and I’m still waiting for confirmation that I can pick up the keys and that everythings cool. Looks like I gotta spend some nigths in a hotel when I get to Vegas. I’m leaving on Tuesday morning from Norway so I’ll probably be there Tuesday night.

Some other exciting news. A norwegian tv channel (NKR) is making a documentary about me, and I very unexpectedly got a phone call from the drector two days ago asking if I could fly to Bergen the next day to do some early shooting. Obviously I had no choice, so I did so, and we got some stuff done. They’re also coming here to Stavanger to film me with my family and friends (who I hope will cooperate and not too camera shy) on Monday. As if thats not enough, they’re also flying out to Vegas during the WSOP Main Event to either get some footage from that or if I happen to bust, the $15k at Bellagio. Hope everything turns out nicely cause its taking up a lot of time and effort on my part, which u all know I hate cause I’m rly lazy lol. Kinda felt it was my responsibility as the most well known norwegian poker player as the moment, to try to change ppl’s perception of the game in our country. Would be nice if more ppl understood that its not just gambling and its actually a very complex game with a lot of skill involved, and not what the media here make it out to be.

Hopefully next time I update I’ll have won a bracelet or something fun!

Till then,

take care,
Annette

So, after three years, lot of hard work, dedication and a strong passion for the game, I have finally gotten to the point in my poker career where things get more exciting. Signing with FTP is one of the best things that could have happened to me, and I can’t express enough how happy and lucky I am to be in the position I’m in today.

How many 21 year olds can say they’ve already established themselves as one of the best in the field they’re in, and are respected by people all over the world? It’s truly an honor to be a spokesperson for poker, even though I sometimes probably come off as cocky or overly confident on TV. Truth is, I’m a very sarcastic person, and people who know me in real life know this. I will say stuff that I don’t really mean to people who I know will get the ‘joke’ and not realize that people watching will think I’m such a prick. I’m still dealing with the fact that everything I say in certain situations are heard by (gulp) millions of people, and I don’t think much before I speak lol. I hope in time I’ll get better, and I’m sure I will :)

The last couple of weeks, I’ve actually been playing quite a lot online compared to what I usually do, and even though I’m not running the best I could, I feel like I’m playing really well and that I’m starting to get ready for my first WSOP. It’s weird having to do all these interviews about my expectations for the series since I’ve never played before, and really don’t know what to expect at all. It’s easy to sit here and say I’m going to play every tournament and I won’t get burnt out doing so, but hopefully I’ll be able to get in enough volume that I have some good chances at deep runs and maybe even a bracelet.

I also played in the Doubles Championship this week, and I have to admit. It’s probably the most fun I’ve ever had in a live tournament. It was a challenge for me having to play hands with people who’s game I didn’t know at all, and accepting the fact that we don’t all play the same way, and something that you think is a really stupid play, might work for them for reasons you haven’t thought about. I also got very lucky with my partners and I got a chance to play with Phil Galfond, Huck Seed, Annie Duke and David Benyamine in the qualifying rounds. I can’t tell how I did, but you’ll get to see on TV when it airs!  I thought the format was super interesting and led to many spots toy wouldn’t normally be put in when you’re playing by yourself. The production team and everyone on set were amazing, and I think it’s going to turn out to be a hell of a poker show and something we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the future.

I’m going back home today after being in Vegas for almost two months. My brothers and his wife is having their second baby very soon, it’s our national day on the 17th, and my mom’s birthday on the 30th, so I decided I wanted to be home for all that, and go back again on June 1st.

Another thing that’s also very exciting for me is that I’ve decided to rent an apartment in Vegas at the Turnberry Towers. I absolutely fell in love with the fourth one as soon as I stepped in the door. Very modern and on the 20th floor with a nice view, balcony, gorgeous bathroom, already beautifully decorated and furnished. All that’s left to do is get the key and move in! So hopefully I’ll get all the paper work done ASAP and have it be ready for when I get back. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I don’t know how often I’ll be updating my blog, and I’m going to apologize in advance for probably forgetting or being lazy, but I will also try to do my best to update as frequently as possible even if its just short posts. In the meantime you can all follow me on www.twitter.com/Annette_15 and come and chat and play with me on fulltiltpoker.com!

Bye for now,
Annette