GPInterview: Jason Duval | Dog Days Are Over

Just hours ago, he was known to the world as “bébé chien” which translates to “puppy” in English. Now, he’s known as Jason Duval (GPI#260), World Series of Poker bracelet winner … and yet, he’ll always be “bébé chien” to most of us!

Duval is yet another young gun from the Province of Québec in Canada – where grooming Champion poker players seems to be the norm these days. After the Duhamels, LeFrancois’, Ladouceurs, Roys, Khuns and Sylvestres before him, Duval is the last French Canadian pro to score a big win on the live tournament circuit.

Duval’s victory in NLH Event #28 here at the WSOP in Las Vegas also marked a record seventh bracelet for Canada, the most ever by America’s neighbours to the North … and we’re only half-way through the Series!

We met up with Jason shortly after the epic victory:

Jason, congratulations on the huge victory, can you share your thoughts from the big bracelet victory?

Thank you very much, I’m feeling great, I’m so happy I won a big tournament like this one and to win the bracelet for myself, for the Province of Quebec and for Canada.

Let’s talk about your homeland for a moment. It’s a second win for Quebec and a record seventh bracelet victory for Canada, how crazy is it that Canadians are running so well here?

It’s really nice. If you look at EPT’s and other tournaments, you’ll see that Canadians are always doing well; there are a lot of great Canadian players out there, it’s nice to see them doing well at the WSOP.

Going back to your bracelet win, you had a great rail with several star players and friends, what about back home, who is the first person you called after the big win?

Actually when I looked at my phone the first time after winning, I noticed that my mom had called me about 10 times already so I called her back right away. We had a great conversation; she was really happy, she couldn’t believe it!

French-Canadians have a growing reputation as being trendsetters when it comes to parties on the live tournament circuit, I’m sure you had a good celebration?

Yeah, we had a big party, we were here at the Voodoo, it was pretty sick. I’m not sure they liked us there at the end but it is what it is, it was real nice!

Does this win change your plans for the remainder of the 2013 poker calendar?

I haven’t really thought of about it yet. It won’t change my schedule for the WSOP, I will still play the events I planned on playing. It may give me more motivation to play the EPT’s and other events around the world.

How did the name “bébé chien” come about?

Actually, it was just a funny screen name that I came up with. In French, it’s just a funny name to say. People liked it so I decided to adopt and keep it for all these years.

Is it weird to be known by most as “bébé chien” and not by your given name, Jason Duval?

Yeah, it’s a bit weird. Sometimes people will just call me “bébé” or something. In poker, it’s pretty standard, especially for those who only play online. I don’t really care actually, I find it funny, it really doesn’t bother me.

You can follow Jason on Twitter at @bebe_chien

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