Interview of Patrick Hocking
Jeff Henry
August 8th, 2005
Full name: Patrick Hocking, married to wife, Natalie, 3 children, ages 6, 9 and 12
Date of Birth: 5-11-61
Place of Birth: Sacramento, California
Now resides: Medford, Oregon
Favorite Poker Game: No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em
Started Playing Poker: 1980
Online Name: The Hawk
Major Accomplishments: Fourth place, World Poker Tour main event, PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, Paradise Island, Bahamas, 2005
Q: So you finished fourth in the main event of the World Poker Tour PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, taking home $207,700. What was better, being on television or the money?
A: The whole WPT thing was a lot of fun, but if I had to choose I am taking the money, and it is not even close. I strongly suspect my three girls would answer that question differently!
Q: Who was more excited, you or the family?
A: My wife and girls were thrilled for me to say the least, but I was probably the most excited. It had been a goal of mine to qualify for a major event for several years. To finally make to one, and finish fourth, was a thrill of a lifetime. However, I am hoping it is not my final significant thrill in the poker arena.
Q: Were the kids old enough to understand what was going on, or were they most interested in going to the beach?
A: My girls were very into the whole Atlantis experience, the pools, waterslides, and beach - but they were all old enough to understand to a large extent what Dad was doing. My 12 year old was literally heartbroken that she could not attend the final table (there was a minimum age requirement of 18).
Q: Has your life changed since winning all that money? Have you changed your poker play since then? Do you play the same games online, or larger buy in games?
A: I really have not changed anything since my tournament win, I continue to play small to medium limit tournaments and ring games. About all that has changed is that I have stopped cashing out my online winnings, instead retaining them to try to qualify for other major events. I hope to qualify for at least an event or two a year.
Q: Who is your favorite poker player, besides me of course?
A: I am not sure I have a single favorite player, but I tend to like the more cerebral players, since that is how I try to approach the game. Howard Lederer, Eric Seidel, Andy Bloch, Chris Ferguson, and John Juanda are a few names that come to mind.
Q: Any wins in the 2005 WSOP so far?
A: I played in events two and three (funded compliments of the $W I had accumulated at PokerStars), and did not cash in either of them. I got knocked out pretty quickly in the $1,500 NL event, but finished 122nd in the $1,500 pot limit event, just missing the money (top 100 paid). I lost a coin flip to Andy Bloch when we were down to 170 or so, or I would have been able to cruise into the money. In fact, go ahead and remove Andy from my favorite players list.
Q: Did Shana Hiatt slip you her phone number, and can I have it PLEASE?
A: I have to say, my wife was keeping a real close eye on me during my interview with Shana following my elimination from the tournament. I think it was obvious to anyone watching that Shana was flirting with me during the interview, but with my wife closely watching. I pretended not to notice. Had I offered any encouragement, I have no doubt that slipping me her phone number was the next step for Shana. (Just kidding Honey!!)
And for our readers, Patrick also told me he has already won his seat in the WSOP main event, so look for him there. And, keep reading and learning the great game we all love so much right here on our site, and I might be interviewing you one day!
