David Williams

10 Questions with David Williams

1) If Magic “the gathering” games had the same compensation (money, fame, quality of
groupies) as poker, which would you rather play?

David Williams: Poker. As much as I love playing magic, I play poker because I like playing
and not for the reasons listed. Those things are great, but true success at
something comes when you truly love it. I do love magic, and still play a
bit.

2) Do you think that poker is a sport?

David Williams:

I don’t think so, but I am glad others do. I feel a sport is something that
requires physical talent. Poker may be a mental “sport” but not a true sport
in the sense of the word.

3) What is your greatest accomplishment outside of poker?

David Williams:
I guess that would be my education, even though I haven’t finished yet. I
was accepted to Harvard, Princeton and other ivy league schools. I attended
Princeton, and wanted to be back home close to family and friends and
transferred to SMU in Dallas. I have a 4.0 GPA and I am a little more than a
semester from being finished. I do plan on going back in about 2 years and
finishing.

4) If you didn’t have to work for a living, what would you like to do?

David Williams: That’s easy. I’d play poker. I have been all over the world, so I’m pretty
much over traveling.

5) Who would you least like to see across from you at a major final table?

David Williams:

That’s also easy. Phil Ivey. I enjoy playing with him, but he is the best in
the game in my opinion.

6) Do you prefer cash games or tournaments?

David Williams:

Tournaments. I can’t seem to do well in cash games anymore. I started as a
cash game player back in 1998, and didn’t play a tournament until late 2003.
The WSOP main event in 2004 was only my 3rd live tournament. I played a few
online leading up to the WSOP to practice.

7) Which country has been your favorite to visit?

David Williams:

Brazil. I love Rio. The weather is great, the food is good, it’s not
expensive. Oh, and the women are… um, nice.

8) What is your advice to young people who may consider following your
path into professional poker?

David Williams: Stay in school and having something else other than poker. You don’t choose

to become a poker professional, it just happens. If it’s right for you,
eventually it becomes more profitable than your other source of income, and
it phases itself in, as your other things phase themselves out.

9) What is your favorite starting hand?

David Williams: I’ve always hated this question, because it should be Aces for everyone.

Other hands are fun, but when it comes down to it, poker is about winning,
and Aces are the most successful.

10) What is something about you that surprises most people?

David Williams: Even though I don’t hide it, and a lot of people already know, I am a big

nerd. I really like math and science, and play a lot of games. I guess you
could say I have this “cool” guy image, but I deep inside, I’m a geek.

David Williams

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