GPInterview: Joe Stapleton | Off the Felt Superstar

Joe Stapleton will co-host the GPI European Poker Awards on Wednesday. Before the big night – and before another marathon run providing coverage of the EPT Deauville live stream – Stapes took time from his busy schedule to chat about life in London, the EPT live stream, the old days at PokerRoad and so much more!

AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON

Joe, it’s been almost one year since we last spoke, have you been able to fully immerse yourself in the London culture?

Absolutely. I’ve immersed myself in everything London has to offer: pubs, bars, lounges, AND clubs. Often when I go to Starbucks or McDonald’s I’ll say “Cheers” when I get my order. I’m such a Londoner now!

What has been the toughest part about having to leave America?

Space and customer service. In Europe, when you walk into a store or restaurant, everyone working there acts like they’re doing you a favor (My autocorrect changes “favor” to “favour” every single time, and every single time I change it back. Right now, it’s got the little red spelling error line underneath it, and I. Don’t. Care. You know what else has a red line? The American Flag. ‘Merica.) by providing you with the opportunity to pay for goods and services.

I also just miss open spaces. Everything’s so narrow and cramped here. Oh! And water in the toilet. Europe should take some of the water they don’t seem to care about splashing out of the shower and all over the bathroom, and put it in the damn toilet.

I’m sure you’re getting ready mentally for another round of the EPT Live Stream in Deauville, are you surprised by how popular the EPT live streams have become?

Yes. Very surprised. Are the EPT Live streams popular? I had no idea.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

I was listening to an old episode of PokerRoad Radio during the holidays (a classic Eugene Todd Bro episode). PokerRoad was a direct influence in me (and others) aspiring to become members of the poker media, what made PokerRoad so unique, so special?

Wow. Really? That’s….weird. There is so much GOOD entertainment in the world (Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiam, Toddlers and Tiaras), how in the world do you have time to go back and listen to that old stuff???

Secondly, thank you. That’s great to hear and also shocking. I had no idea it was going to inspire people to want to be in the poker media. God. Now I know what the guy who invented the AK-47 must feel like. I’m sorry.

Basically, I am your typical audience member. And so all I’ve ever done is try to make content that I would actually want to watch or listen to. Luckily Joe Sebok and Barry Greenstein understood that, and took a chance on us. Huff understood it as much as anyone. They were onto something, but the market just wasn’t right. If it was special, it was because we all were genuinely having fun. I try to continue that even now.

Canadian poker fans were recently treated to another edition of the PokerStars NHL Charity Shootout but I need you to help me out … i’m still confused as to how Jeremy Roenick gets your regular gig? I didn’t realize that JR was had aspirations of becoming the next Norman Chad or Vince Van Patten?

Well, you’d be right if it were a poker show, but it’s not. It’s a hockey show, and it doesn’t get any bigger or better when it comes to hockey than JR. His name just goes so far in that field, that it doesn’t matter if his analysis sounds like it’s coming from a hockey player. It’d be like having Gerard Pique do commentary in Spain. The soccer fans are going to eat it up. I’M just lucky they let ME come along for the ride.

AWARDS SEASON CONTINUES

You’ll be hosting the 13th Annual GPI European Poker Awards alongside Gaëlle Garcia Diaz. How is Gaëlle going to be able to compose herself working next to a Playboy Mod… oh wait …

I see where you’re going with this. I’ve been working with Gaelle for a long time. She’s actually known in the Benelux as “The Belgian Joe Stapleton.” We get along very well, and oddly enough, have similar senses of humor. Yes, I’ve lusted after her relentlessly, and publicly, but I guess she must have gotten used to it because her lawyers seem to have given up.

In all seriousness, it must be an honor to be asked to host such a prestigious awards ceremony?

It is. It’s a great honor. However, I should warn you that after I’m done with it, it’s gonna be a whole lot less prestigious.

They don’t get much funnier than Joe Stapleton – plus he’s a great guy to boot! We thank Joe for the interview … Gold Jerry, Gold!

If you don’t follow Joe on Twitter already, well, you should: @Stapes.