November 13 2013, by Eric Danis

GPInterview: Shannon Shorr | GPI Player of the Month October 2013

The Global Poker Index Player of the Month for the month of October, Shannon Shorr (GPI#6) joins us to talk about recent successes, David Peters and what’s up next for the Alabama superstar:

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Shannon Shorr GPIShannon, congratulations on earning the Global Poker Index Player of the Month title for the month of October 2013. You enjoyed two scores at EPT London and went on to pickup two more at WSOP Europe – including an eighth place finish in the Main Event, can you talk about your successes last month?

I’m honored for the award; I appreciate it. It was a month of close calls for sure. Kind of leaving a lot of money on the table, which is the tough part and makes it bittersweet to make some deep runs and not quite get there, especially the World Series events because I’ve been grinding for a long time and still looking for my first bracelet.

But I don’t take results of poker tournaments too seriously; I just like to show up and play my best and whatever happens, happens. I’m pretty excited and pretty focused right now so hopefully I can keep it up.

READ OUR ARTICLE ON THE OCTOBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH >> HERE!

Let’s explore your comments on the WSOP bracelet hunting a little further; do you ever get frustrated that you’ve come so close to a WSOP bracelet on a few different occasions?

It’s not really frustration, it’s more annoying to come so close so many times and not quite get there. But honestly, I know it sounds crazy, but I don’t put much stock in the results just because of the variance, as you know, is just through the roof.

But it is annoying not getting there.

You have moved up to 6th overall on the Global Poker Index and sit 5th in the 2013 GPI Player of the Year Race, do you keep track of races like these?

I definitely take a peek once in a while at the leaderboards. Although really for me, I play for the money. But it is a nice bonus and it’s definitely cool to be up there.

I don’t set goals per se but it’s something I can look back on and say it was pretty cool if I get there.

A few weeks ago you posted the following on Twitter:

How good is David Peters…

He is very, very good in my opinion. I have been playing with him in tournaments live and online for a long time now – six years or so – he’s the type of guy who’s not going to go out and tell you how good he is. He IS the consummate pro and if he had it his way he would just lay low. I think he’s one of the best.

Rich Ryan and I host the PokerNews GPI Update Podcast and we discussed the Peters tweet on our last broadcast. We both couldn’t help but notice that many people in the poker world could say the exact same thing about you?

I don’t know if that’s true but that’s cool!

SHARP-DRESSED MAN

Shannon Shorr GPIIn a world of sweatshirts, sweatpants and flip-flops when playing a poker tournament, you chose to dress up at the table, why is that important to you?

I’ve been doing it for a little over two years now. I actually started doing it in my personal life and it kind of carried over into poker. For the longest time I was just really sloppy, self-awareness didn’t even exist to me!

One day I just snapped out of it. I lost a bunch of weight and decided to make a good impression on people. When I show up to tournaments, especially with media and others around, I hope to make an impression. I’m not always dressed to the nines but I try to look decent when I can.

You’re not even 30 years old yet you’re a veteran on the live tournament circuit, you’re so young yet with all the younger players on tour, you must feel old at times!

Yeah man, I’m 28 now and I feel old. But I’m still feeling young and I’m still working on my game, trying to not get left behind because I know a lot of those younger guys are working really hard on their game.

But definitely, 28 nowadays is up there, especially in the US.

You’re currently playing the Master Classics of Poker in Amsterdam and have already picked up a final table finish in the NLH Re-Entry event, does cashing early in a series influence the way you play the rest of the way or do you play so many tournaments in so many cities that it doesn’t matter where you cash?

Little more so the latter especially this time of year when I’m playing so many tournaments. But anytime you can put up a run like that it helps with your confidence. I was able to run up a decent stack on Day 1 of the Main Event.

I just try and stay focused and learn. It’s kind of like a world of information to be explored when you watch these guys. So, having that early score does give me confidence but it doesn’t make me open up or sit on the money or anything, it doesn’t really affect how I play the next one.

The casual poker fan may not know about the Master Classics but it’s one of the most important series on the European circuit and you’re a fan of the series and the Holland Casino?

I love this series. I think it’s really cool because it’s their National Championship. These guys come from all over Holland to play. It’s a big production, the final tables are a big production and you can tell there is a battle for bragging rights between these guys.

If you get the chance to visit the Holland Casino you have to if you get the chance. It’s really modern with upbeat music playing the whole time it’s a really cool atmosphere.

ON DECK

You’ve put together a very solid 2013 campaign so far, what tournaments do you plan to play the rest of the year?

I’m headed back to Alabama on Monday; I’m going to spend the (Thanksgiving) holiday there, to spend time and catching up with family for nine days or so.

Then I’m going to go up to Montreal to play the WPT and then all the way back over here to Prague, I’m going to play the WPT and the EPT so that should be a lot of fun.

Prague has really become one of the hottest tour stops in the world; part of it is the time of year, what are your thoughts on Prague?

It’s spectacular but it’s cold (especially for a guy from Alabama). Prague is just a magical city and walking around during Christmas time with all the lights, it’s like no experience I’ve ever had. I really like the city.

The tournaments are great too; a lot of players are trying to finish the year strong. Prague is pretty central so you have a lot of people from all over Europe coming to play too. This is my third or fourth year making the trip over there, it should be fun!

 

We thank Shannon for taking time to speak with us today and wish him the best of luck the rest of the way in 2013!

Be sure to visit Shannon’s site at ShannonShorr.com to and read the blogs one of the best poker minds our there! You can follow Shannon on Twitter: @ShannonShorr.

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About the author

Eric Danis’ passion for poker came at a very early age but it’s when writing about and covering the game he loves that Danis is most in his element. Danis is better known for creating www.PTPRpoker.com where he spent a few years covering poker events. Danis is also known for having worked on the poker shows Poker Eh! and The Pulse on the Quad Jacks Network.