By Alejandro Caminos, journalist, screenwriter and G&M News’ collaborator.
What do you remember about how you started in poker? What was your first championship?
I started playing with my dad at age 13, like any other game. Afterwards, I continued playing at home with my friends. I had already started gambling. In 2005, I participated in my first tournament, in what was the beginning of poker in Brazil. Specifically, it was the ABC Circuit in São Bernardo, São Paulo, with 88 players.
Before poker, you were a chess player. Why did you decide to change games?
I was a professional chess player and competed in national tournaments. Unfortunately, chess is not as well recognized as it should be. Therefore, you do not have as much investment, which makes it difficult to be a professional and make a living. Instead, poker has a much wider range. In fact, we are several Brazilian players who went from chess to poker. We have an advantage: we are used to think before acting and we are united by the habit of studying.
Given these characteristics, I imagine you are a very tactical player. How do you prepare before each tournament?
There is a daily training; it’s not something I do exclusively before the events. As in chess, in poker, it is necessary to always be up-to-date in relation to new strategies and trends.
What can you describe about your experience of winning the WSOP Circuit in 2018 and getting the desired ring?
I think all titles are important, but some are special. That championship, with the seal of the WSOP, has become very meaningful to me. I even won it in a different modality than Texas Hold’em, which further increases its relevance.
You are one of the most recognized players in Brazil. Do you feel like a role model in your country?
Making a list and defining the best players is very difficult, as there are many criteria that could be followed. Therefore, beyond technical levels and titles, being a model can change a lot. I think I am a representative of Brazilian poker and that is already something very rewarding.
What are your personal motivations for your participation in gaming?
Motivations also vary a lot. The main thing is to be happy; wake up and be satisfied that you can work on what you love. Of course, money is important, because if it is your job, it allows you to earn a living and support your family. I don’t have big profits. I always look for balance.
What has poker offered you throughout your career?
It gave me more freedom in my choices. I manage my career in the best possible way. I do not have external pressure from bosses or fixed schedules. Although I work in much more extent than in the traditional way, I do it for pleasure and at my own pace.
How did your alliance with Pay4Fun come about? What benefits can this bond bring to the game?
I have worked with Leo Baptista (CEO of Pay4Fun) in other projects and companies, so we already had mutual trust. As an electronic method of payment, Pay came up with a solution to an old gamer problem. The company chose me to present this product to the general public and especially to the large community of professional poker players. I am happy with this relationship.
How is Brazil positioned within the Latin American poker?
Brazil is a great world power. We are already among the best players in the world and, therefore, we have this leadership role in Latin America, either due to the number of players or to their quality.
Which daily habits you had to modify because of the pandemic?
My routine was modified a lot because of travels cancellation. This was going to be my thirteenth year in a row going to the WSOP in Las Vegas and the pandemic took that away from me, in addition to all the face-to-face tournaments. Reality is that a trip does not only imply playing a tournament, but also meeting friends, making contacts. Those moments shared with the poker community are sorely missed by me.
You already played online poker before the Coronavirus. What are the differences between online and live poker?
Yes, from the beginning, I have played both modalities. I prefer live poker because it creates more emotions and situations that you can explore. However, being a long-term professional also means knowing and trying online. Playing iPoker allows me to have more tournaments to participate on.
Since that first championship in 2005 until today, how much have you changed as a person? What would you say to ‘the Rodrigo Garrido from the past’?
I would have a lot to say to him, but I would never do it, because I think that would change who I am today, and I am very happy this way.
So what piece of advice would you give to rookie poker players?
I would tell them not to miss opportunities thinking that other chances might appear. Also, to never let down your guard, take advantage of time, because it goes by very quickly. If they start playing because they think it is an easy job, they are so wrong. To be successful in poker, you will have to work very hard. You have to take this career seriously and not be satisfied for some winning streak, because storms will sooner than expected come and you will have to be prepared to face them. Besides, you can also try out Ignition Poker.
What plans do you have ahead?
This 2020 was a year of preservation, of much recycling and study. I want to continue participating in the most important poker circuits in the world, winning titles and staying active among the top players of the country.