Three Time Minnesota State Champ Clay Lipke Talks Strategy and Style
How did you get your start playing poker and how long have you been doing it?
I started playing poker regularly when my wife and I moved to Breezy Point in 2005. Primetime was starting a league and I decided to sign up for it since we lived only a few miles away. We have met a lot of good friends through the league and it has become a Monday night ritual.
What’s your favorite starting hand?
AA of course!
How do you describe your poker strategy?
Passive aggressive. Make people make decisions they don’t want to make but pick your spots.
What is it about poker that you most enjoy?
The challenge. Reading people and figuring out what they are trying to do.
What’s the best advice you could give another poker player about how to better their game?
Be patient in a tournament and don’t be afraid to make the tough call.
What’s the worst poker advice you’ve ever heard?
“They were suited.” People don’t realize how little the advantage is with suited cards as to non suited.
Do you have any lifetime winnings you can report?
Not really. I have cashed once in Heartland and taken a few bucks off the home game!
(Pictured: Clay Lipke with his winning trophy during the 2008 Party at the Palms National Championship in Las Vegas)
Do you play in a lot of casino games?
I try to play in a few casino tournaments now and then, as well as the Minnesota State Poker Tour and Heartland.
What about house games or online?
We have a home game about once a month where about ten of us get together. I also play on Full Tilt on occasion.
If you could have drinks with any professional poker player in the world, who would you choose and why?
Daniel Negreanu. I respect his reading ability and would love to shoot a round of golf with him.
What’s the best part of playing in the Free Poker Network/Minnesota Poker League?
I love the structures of the state tourney’s and the fact that you can realize a dream of playing in the WSOP without having to risk any money. Brook and Pete have done a fabulous job with the league!
What do you think has contributed to your three state wins with the league?
Patience, luck and good poker playing. I would be lying if I said I didn’t get lucky once in a while, but everyone has to eventually. Don’t let the highs and lows of the game dictate your play.
Do you consider yourself the odds-on favorite based on your past wins and experience?
I think experience helps but I don’t think there is an odds-on favorite. I like my chances though =] !
With so much past WSOP tournament experience and FPN experience do you get nervous at all heading into national championship events?
I always feel a little nervous but it makes me focus better. I love the rush of winning a big pot or pulling off a huge bluff.
Let’s say all the stars are aligned this weekend and you end up making it to the main event on Tuesday and cash big. What would you do with the money and would you ever consider going pro?
I would definitely pay off all our debts and go on a vacation with the entire family. Going pro has always been a dream if I had the money to support my family. I hope one day that can happen.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Three time champ is great, but I want to be the first million dollar winner to make it through FPN!