François Tardieu: “Partouche is the leader when it comes to organising Poker in France”

François Tardieu, winner of the Side Event and Super Satellite at Lyon, has taken part in one of the best poker hold’em experiences. He looks back over this emotionally intense and varied weekend in Lyon. It was a weekend that the Maestro is not ready to forget and we understand why…

So François, how do you feel after Lyon where you won two tournaments in 48 hours?

Exhausted…having played more than 20 hours over the two days. But I am also particularly satisfied with my successful performances. Having said that, I have to admit, for future participants, that I never had AA or KK during the two days. So one must always be patient and opportunistic and never give up hope.

What does it mean to you to win your first big poker tournament, especially coming from a backgammon background?

I was already on a final table at the European Poker Master in the Aviation Club de France where I finished 7^th. At the time I had less experience and felt like I failed. Then I understood that it could be possible to win first place if I worked on my game a bit more. Which I did at Lyon with a little help from luck. That does not mean that I cannot improve more. On the contrary, I count on improving my game.

Did your backgammon experience help you during the weekend?

After the dinner break, my chip count was quite low. I knew however from experience, particularly in Backgammon, that the most desperate cases are never fully lost and one has to always do one’s best to have luck on one’s side. That is what I did.

“I sometimes play close to 100 tournaments each week”

Which of these games do you play most at the moment? And which one do you prefer?

The games I like are chess, backgammon and poker. I have played these games now for 20 years. I like chess for its purity and beauty, backgammon for its challenge and ability overcome chance with technique and finally poker for the strategic combinations and the human dimension.

It must have taken a huge amount of concentration and endurance to win two tournaments in a row? What is your secret? And according to you, what are the qualities one needs to win this type of tournament?

Many qualities are needed to win a poker tournament. They are not that different to those needed to win other tournaments. I would say that one needs discipline, patience, a big capacity to think under pressure, a bit of maths, a good memory, good control of one’s emotions and lots of other things. I certainly don’t claim to have mastered all of these qualities, but I have been improving them during the many competitions I have participated in over the years.

How did you find the events at the Pharaon and the Lyon Vert?

Well organised and the staff were friendly and competent, particularly Maxime Masquelier who directed these events personally. All of that makes Groupe Partouche the leader when it comes to organising poker in France and I am sure they will have even more success in the future. The structure of the Super Satellite was quite appropriate although there could have been an extra level at the beginning, which would have meant the event would have started and hour earlier. Having said this, I am sure that the Main Event in Cannes, which lasts several days, will be of a standard that will put the biggest international tournaments to shame.

At what moment did you think that the Super Satellite could be yours?

When there were only 42 players left for 41 qualifying places, I has an Ace and King of hearts with a good chip count, I waited a bit to be sure I has my ticket for Cannes and then I went all in. It paid off, I won and I became the chip leader. I then said that I would not fold again even though I knew the fragility of being the chip leader in a tournament.

You gave us a great chip leader demonstration on the final table. You gave the impression of always being in control. Was it really that way in your head?

I went onto the final table calmly. I definitely had a little advantage since I sometimes play close to 100 tournaments each week, so I know some little tricks. But at the showdown without the cards there is nothing one can do…a little bit of luck helped things.

“it was nothing personal”

Did you feel at the time that the other players at the table got annoyed with you?

It was not like that, it was nothing personal. I just play the game that seems right to me in the moment. There was an atmosphere of fair play around the table, despite everyone being tired.

You came to Lyon for Cannes after your failure at Saint-Amand. If you would have lost again, would you have tried again at the next Super Satellite?

It was effectively my second try. Being relatively headstrong I would have without a doubt tried a third time if I thought I had a good chance of qualifying.

Now on to the Main Event in Cannes with its 2,000,000 Euro prize pool, how will you prepare?

The event in Cannes is over 4 days, so I think I will simply prepare my physical condition. If I have the chance to win a bit in this tournament, it would be a shame to fail because I loose energy or concentration.

Do you want to add anything else François?

I want to congratulate the other qualifiers of this stop, as well as all the players who showed a great spirit and fair play whilst staying competitive.

Thank you François and well done again!