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Riding the train through Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport, heading into the main terminal, I struck up a casual conversation with a gentleman wearing an Online poker room jacket. Because we were both there for the World Series of Poker, conversation quickly got around to what our plans were in Vegas. I was going to be shooting pictures of the WSOP Main Event, and Doug was there in support of his friend, Ciarán O’Leary (pronounced Keer-An).

The following day, I ran into him again outside, behind the Amazon Room where the championship event was being held, and this time he was with Ciarán. We were able to talk briefly before the break in action was over, and as luck would have it, Ciarán told me he had won the $1500 buy-in No-limit Hold’em event. As the words passed from him to me, he had a twinkle in his eyes. The kind of twinkle you’d imagine a leprechaun would have as he was showing you a pot of gold.

During the week of the Main Event I had many chance encounters with Ciarán and from the talks we had, I found him to be a sincere, humorous, and well mannered lad, that exuded an integrity that is found only in the character of the true champions of poker, the legends.

He’s a truly generous person too. After he’d won his WSOP bracelet, and the $727,000, he carved out $250,000 of his winnings and divided it up amongst a small group of close friends there at the WSOP with him.

I think you will find that my interview with him delves even deeper into his genuine quality, and well meaning motivations as he pursues his career in the world of poker.

Please enjoy.

PokerAllstar: I understand that you've been playing poker since you were 9/years old. Did you learn playing with neighborood friends, or was it a family member that taught you how to play the game?

Ciarán: My father taught me, and I enjoyed learning so much about poker at an early age. He always said that if your mind isn’t in a game then don’t play it. So let’s just say my mind was in the game when I played against my dad and other people much older than I was. All of these people helped my game considerably. You can never know enough about the game of poker.

PokerAllstar: For myself I remember playing poker with the old men in a caddy shack when I was 12/years old. What memory really stands out for you with regards to poker?

Ciarán: The mounds of crinkled up money stacked as high as could be on the table, and me as a child watching every move the grown-ups made. The smoke filled rooms, and the cheering of a player who hit his one outer to take down a huge pot. While at the same time, I felt the groan of pain it caused the poor individual who had just lost his weeks wages. It makes me smile every time I think of it. Ahhh, you gotta love the game of poker.

PokerAllstar: You have won many tourneys over the years, and actually won three tourneys in one week at the Lucky Chances Casino in San Francisco. Not to give you an excuse, but why do you think you didn’t go further than you did in this year’s main event?

Ciarán: To go deep in any event, you’re going to need several things to go your way. One of which is your fair share of decent starting hole cards. This makes it a lot easier for you to make plays when you don’t necessary have a hand, as you will have most likely accumulated some chips due to your hands you hit earlier. So if some one comes over the top, you can fold and not feel too bad about the play, as you were just trying to put your chips to work. Unfortunately for me, I was as card dead as someone could be, and the timing was off a little. When I had a hand, no one else had anything! When I tried to make a play, TWO people had a hand. Such is the way with this great game. All an all I’m happy with my performance in the main event this year, considering how well the two days went for me, but I was sick when I got knocked out! Now, I’m home with my wife and children again, and feel much better.

PokerAllstar: With the recent UIGEA legislation, WSOP was forced into limiting seats won Online to Europe and the UK, and at the start of Day 2, over 27% of the players were from outside the United States. With you having played across The Pond as well as here in the United States, did you find that having fewer players from the US changed the style of play in the Main Event?

Ciarán: Not really. I think anyone who is willing to put down $10,000 to enter the main event means business, and that’s what the players from here (USA) had to do. They put on a great show with the eventual winner hailing from California. Regarding the extra players from Europe? Well, I think that’s great for the game. The WSOP is the biggest stage for all us poker players, and my hat is off to all those who make the long journey over.

PokerAllstar: How do you feel about not being able to play Online poker here in the States?

Ciarán: Personally it doesn’t bother me, but I do feel for those who wish to do so. It affects players who might not live near a card room, or might be unable to leave their homes. These are the ones that suffer most. Hopefully they will work something out soon, and we can move forward.

PokerAllstar: Of the players you met during WSOP, was there anyone that had positive influence or impact on you?

Ciarán: I saw one player who was truly amazing, Jason Holbrook. He is legally blind and has a friend of his sit behind him that whispers in his ear what each player is doing, and based on all of that he then makes his move. Incredible!! How can you top that? The game is hard enough as it is let alone trying to play it that way! Again, it was incredible.

PokerAllstar: What most sticks out in your mind about your experience playing in the WSOP?

Ciarán: Well my first World Series was back in 1998, and that was a great experience because I made a nice amount of money in the side games. I’ve made lots of trips down to the series since then, but winning the No-limit Hold’em event this year (#3) made me feel very proud. To go up against 3000 players is no easy task, and considering that they’re among the best in the world makes it a great accomplishment. I’m glad the cards were on my side. The trick is to put yourself in a position to advance to the next day, and next in a position is to make the final table. Once there, go and win it!!

PokerAllstar: During Day 1, when most big name players were eliminated, did you have the opportunity to play against anyone that you may've hoped to be playing across from?

Ciarán: No I didn’t, however I have a fantasy to be in a game with six players at the table, and my role would be that of the dealer. Seated at the table would be Stu Unger (God rest his soul), Dan Harrington, Barry Greenstein, Mike Sexton, Daniel Negreanu, and Umberto Brenes. As you can see, all of these are great players with a superior understanding of the game. Yet there are three very aggressive players and three who are very tight. Two very different styles, and it would be very interesting to see how it would play out, as I’d be dealing and soaking it ALL-IN!!!!

PokerAllstar: WSOP Europe is coming up September 6th. Are you planning to attend that event as well?

Ciarán: I am considering it, and have not completely ruled it out. Though I need to make my mind up fairly soon. It seems like a good idea to hold some bracelet events across The Pond as it makes it easier for those who are unable to travel, and gives them a chance to compete for the ultimate treasure we refer to as “the Bracelet”. And besides, I’ve always liked to compete!

PokerAllstar: I know you were looking forward to being picked up by an Online poker room as one of their team members. How has that turned out?

Ciarán: That is being worked on as we discuss this, and as soon as I get that worked out I’ll then figure out my schedule for the coming year.

- - - - - - -

After my interview with Ciarán we discussed what plans he has for the immediate future, and it looks to be a full schedule straight off.

Next month he will be playing at the Bicycle Casino in two events. The first is a $10,000 World Poker Tour Event, and the second event will be a $1000 event put on by Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, in which 20% of the winnings will go to a specified charity.

Then at the start of next year, he will be attending the prestigious Irish Poker Championship that will be held in Ireland on the 4th, 5th & 6th of January, 2008, with a prize of €500,000 for the main event. "This is going to be a fantastic opportunity because it's being televised in Ireland and Europe" said Ciarán. He went on to say, "Not only is it a great opportunity for myself, but it's also a golden opportunity for my future sponsor to get tremendous exposure because I will be playing at the featured table."

PokerAllstar plans on doing a follow-up article because we see great things in store for Ciarán, and wish only the best of luck to him in all his endeavors.

Related Ciarán O’Leary story: WSOP No-limit Hold'em Champion


Editors note: The author, Kurt Stine, is publisher of Poker Allstar, and other poker related websites in the ComKings network.

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