There are plenty of players from Europe trying their luck in America, but only few of them go the other way. Read our interview with American WSOP champion Michael Noori, who has come to try his luck in European poker.
In most of the world, poker tourism has a clear goal - most players are eager to get to Vegas and experience the atmosphere right in the epicentre of gambling. But the opposite direction was taken by Michael Noori, an American pro and WSOP bracelet holder, who went to Europe for poker and offered us a view from the other side of the barricade!
Mike, first of all, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. We're talking at WPT Prime in Liechtenstein, how do you like it here?
"I really enjoyed playing at this casino, it was enjoyable. I played with a different type of players than I'm used to. I think I made good decisions, although I obviously wished I could have got further. But like I say, I'm glad I was able to play here."
According to your results on the Hendon mob, you've only played in the US so far. Is this your first time in Europe? What brought you here?
"Yes this is my first visit to Europe. I came here for 8 weeks and the first one I played with my friends was the EPT Main Event in Barcelona, where I didn't cash. And this is our second poker stop. My friends decided to come here, so I figured I'd join them. I've been travelling around Europe for 2 months, and this was part of the schedule, and it's great that I made the ITM."
Besides poker, can you find time to explore cities, sightsee, hike?
"Yes. After this tournament, I won't play poker anymore and I plan to travel for the next month. I'm going to Paris, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. So I'm looking forward to exploring. And this 46th place before that made me at least a little bit happy."
Since it's your first time in Europe, what differences do you see compared to the US?
"There's an awful lot of that. First of all, in poker - it's completely different, the players have a completely different playing style. Recreational players here play more aggressively than in the US. But I would say everyone is very friendly here, more so than in the U.S. People are more emotional at the table here. In America, people are more reserved when they play, they keep their distance. So I've enjoyed it here. Except that specifically the air condition doesn't work here (laughs). I only made it to Day 2 on the second try from the last flip of 1E. That was on a Friday, and when the poker room was full, I was completely wiped out from the heat. It wasn't exactly an experience I'd like to repeat."
Do you have a favourite poker player, a poker role model?
"I really admire Phil Ivey because of the way he presents himself at the poker table. When I play with him, he has a special aura about him that I can't even describe. That's something I really admire."
Phil Ivey during WPT Cash Game
Now I'm going to digress a little bit from poker. I read that you made a pretty crazy bet a while back...
"Yes that's right. I was young at the time and my friends and I were drinking a little bit and suddenly it went wrong. I agreed to do it and I failed horribly (laughs)."
