GPInterview: Gaëlle Baumann | If Looks Could Kill

If looks could kill Andras Koroknai would most likely not be alive today. With 10 players left – and one player away from determining who would make it to poker’s grandest stage, the WSOP Main Event October Nine – Koroknai made an all-in call that shocked many in the poker community, most notably his opponent, Winamax sponsored pro Gaëlle Baumann, who suffered the toughest defeat of her young poker career, bubbling the Main Event Final Table.

Movie star looks, a certain je ne sais quoi quality, Baumann was exactly what ESPN Executives were hoping to see make the final table in hopes of attracting a brand new audience to its signature television event. But alas, it wasn’t mean to be for Baumann who quickly managed to pick herself up dust herself off and make a return to the Rio…

Gaëlle, you finished 10th in last year’s WSOP Main Event after a fine performance.  How did you enjoy your experience in the Main Event, despite the tough finish?

It was obviously a wonderful experience, paradoxically my best and worst poker experience at the same time. I spent seven days playing the most amazing tournament in the world with all the best players, going through an emotional roller coaster, but then the dream came to an end so abruptly, with a lot of frustration and the feeling that I just missed a huge opportunity in my life. But needless to say, retrospectively, I am very pleased with my performance.

You mention missing a huge opportunity, you were the last player eliminated prior to the formation of the October Nine, how long did it take you to get over the fact that you were oh so close to making it to October Nine play?

After I bubbled the final table, I went straight back home and stayed with my relatives for a while. They helped me to put things in perspective, so it actually took less time than I imagined. After two weeks, I finally managed to get over it and was finally happy and proud of my performance. Then I went to Cyprus to play the WPT, so I just stopped thinking about it to focus on my game again.

Sticking with last year, I believe it was your first experience in Vegas for the WSOP.  For those making their first appearances at this year’s Series, what’s the best piece of advice you could give those players?

I actually came to Vegas in 2010 (for the WSOP) but only to play the Ladies event, which I surprisingly enough bubbled! For the players enjoying their first Main Event, I would only advise them to take their time. The Main Event has such a slow and awesome structure, there is absolutely no rush and the tournament really is a marathon. So be prepared to play your best game during seven days, you never know what could happen!

You’ve just arrived in Vegas … with such a strong 2012 WSOP Main Event performance, what is the goal coming into this year’s Series?

This year I plan to play a lot more events than last year, which means more opportunities to make final tables, and my goal is obviously to win a bracelet, like everyone else.

You’re a member of Team Winamax.  Talk to me about how things have gone so far as a Team Winamax pro, talk to be about your association with Winamax?

As members of the Winamax Team, we are constantly working on our games together but we’ve also developed a strong bond within the team, we spend a lot of time together, as a team, when we play live tournaments together.

I’m sure that you can imagine that we take advantage of our road trips by going out a few times … there is a real spirit that surrounds the team; when Davidi (Triple Crown winner Davidi Kitai) and Ludovic (EPT Sanremo Champ Ludovic Lacay) won in Berlin and in Sanremo last year, it was as if we all won those events, as a team.

You’ve been a popular selection on the GPI’s Fantasy Poker Manager App this past season.  Tell me, why should people add you to their Fantasy teams this summer?

This summer, I win a bracelet!

We thank Gaëlle for being able to take a few minutes from her crazy schedule that finally brought her here to Las Vegas and speak with us – be sure to follow her on Twitter at: @_O_RLY

Head on over to Facebook and signup to play the GPI Fantasy Poker Manager – lineups for the next World Series of Poker Individual League event lock soon! … FPM is the OFFICIAL Fantasy Poker Game of the World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker!

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