Interview of Charlie "Smoke" Oliver
Jason Bullock
March 4th, 2006
Full Name: Charlie Oliver
Nickname: SMOKE
Online Handle: SMOKE225225 and SMOKE225
Date Of Birth: 6-9-76
Place Of Birth: Baton Rouge Louisiana
Now Resides: Baton Rouge Louisiana
Favorite Poker Game: N/L hold em I favor Tournament play
Q: At what age did you start playing poker?
A: I started playing poker seriously and trying to make it somewhat of a profession about 1 year ago. I actually learned the game from my aunts on opposite sides of my family. I started playing every now and then with family members at age 11, and we were playing 7 card stud not No Limit Hold em. I got stuck playing cards ever since.
Q: You had a strong start in 2006 playing live tournaments, with 3 cashes in Tunica and 1 win, tell us about those and what you attribute your success to.
A: I just recently started traveling and playing in the tournaments all over the U.S. in December. I made 2 final tables at the Bellagio 5 Diamond classic in the $2000 and $500 in December and then I went to Tunica on a high wanting to actually win a tournament after getting my feet wet with some of the best players out there. I cashed in one of the $1000 events, and followed it up with a 4th in a $500. I finally get a win 2 nights later in a $500. I almost felt that I was due, I managed to make 4 final tables in 7 events and to win one was great, it was a real confidence booster. I contribute a lot of my success to just seeing and playing as many hands as I can. I also read some books and things to stay fresh. I also got a chance to start playing in a private league where I am from about 2 years ago that was able to have a tournament setting with 50 people once a week. I got a lot of practice this way and it didn't cost a lot, but the experience I gained was very useful towards what I am trying to accomplish now.
Q: What are your plans for 2006?
A: I will probably hit the road pretty hard in 2006. I started the year off hot and I plan to travel and ride the wave as long as I can. I just hope that I can keep up the way that I have been playing and the cards hold up. I will try to attend all the WPT events this year, thats my goal.
Q: I'm sure you got to meet a lot of big name players, who's style really stuck out in your mind?
A:It's really hard to say, I played a few satellites in Tunica with Men Nguyen(Not the Master) and I really thought that his game was solid. I played with a few others but most of them are just aggressive players, I like that.
Q: With the influx of young players in the game, what piece of advice would you give them?
A: I guess that it would be that you have to have a lot of patience to play this game and win consistently. I think that anyone can get lucky once or twice but to do it consistently you gotta have patience!
