THURSDAY DISCUSSION WITH @CKMATEIN427

For my interview with Ckmatein427 I met him at an empty roulette table at Bally’s casino hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey
. Ckmatein427 was running a little late so I decided to find a packed operating roulette table on the casino floor and try my luck
. I spotted one so I made my way over walking like James Bond would
. All the while winking at cute waitress and cigarette girls as they walked by me. They did not reciprocate a smile, a wink or any good will. They seemed to roll their eyes at me. Nevertheless I sat down amongst the 10 people who were playing at the roulette table. I had to show them I was balling so I smacked my 1 dollar bill down hard on the felt!  The croupier looked at me and I smugly looked at him and nodded as if to say “yeah you know I’m the man!”  The croupier immediately busted out laughing in addition to the ten other players. I was wondering what they were laughing at when the croupier suddenly pointed to the sign to his left (while still cackling like a mad hyena). The sign read 10 dollar minimum. So I quickly took my one dollar bill and replaced it with an Alexander Hamilton bill. The players subsequently placed their bets. I was undecided as to what number I should place my precious ten dollars on but then the answer came to me immediately. I remembered the movie passenger 57 starring Wesley Snipes where he proclaimed “always bet on black!
” Just before the croupier announced “No more bets please!”   I placed my ten on the color black as opposed to red or any colored number. The croupier then spun the diminutive white ball around the tilted circular track as it also spun in the opposite direction. I was very confident it would land on black. So confident in fact that I turn to the busty blonde to my left and started winking at her.
 She looked at me and smiled. I told her in my best Billie Dee Williams Colt 45 voice  “I’m ballin babe”. She responded loudly “Oh please ten dollars?! Huh!  You can’t even take me out to the Cheesecake Factory, leave me alone douchebag!” So I left her alone, she would be singing a different tune when that ball lands on a black number. 32 red screamed the croupier!”  The ball did not land on a black number I had lost my ten dollars and my pride. Luckily I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around  and it was Ckmatein427.
He was ready for his interview. As I left I heard the buxom blonde say “Bye Mr Baller” and then subsequent laughter!

We found an empty poker table. We sat down and I started my interview with the four time LC title winner. 

El: @Ckmatein427 thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview. I know you are entering poker tournaments in addition to playing in the upcoming Independence Day tournament. Are there any similarities you see in the game of chess and poker and if so what are they?

CM: Most definitely there are similarities.  Besides popularity, poker like chess is HIGHLY COMPETITIVE, which is one reason why i play poker.   The other reasons include, strategy, planning and a desire to win!!! However, unlike chess where you can see every possible move on the board, poker isn't as visible to the naked eye which makes it harder, yet, easier for an amateur type player like myself to have a small amount of success.  There's luck in poker, not much in chess, especially at the longer time controls.

EL:  Hmm never thought about that. You make a good point. But moving right along you basically have a winning record against everyone who is competing in the upcoming IDT; however you’ve never played Juanitamann
  and J_Santiago
in daily. When I look even closer I see that both  have a winning record against you in blitz (Juanita is 2-1 and Santiago 7-0-1 against you). Does this concern you? Why or why not? I ask because both are in this tournament and have the potential to match up against you. 

CM: 2) No it doesn't concern me... blitz is a different animal, whereby, lower rated players who know the game can escape or avoid being mated or beat by stronger players.... that's what makes chess the most similar to poker.   Weak players often can avoid being beat by using the clock to their advantage.  I have some punishment to hand out in the daily.

EL: You probably won’t see Ydtd
until the IDT finals. He has just finished securing his 8th Let’s Castle daily title. However against you he is a paltry 1-6-1. Why have you had such success against a dominant player in this club?!

CM:  My success against @ydtd is largely due to my experience.  I've studied more openings, tactics and end games than most.  I can be a handful for anyone, plus I respect ydtd’s game a lot.  Therefore, I know to bring my best effort.

EL: Ckmatein427 you are a 4 time LC title winner and also the 2022 club champion. What advice do you have for the neophytes and first time chess players who aspire to play as well as you do?

CM: Chess is about studying.   Very few players can just play the game day in and day out, without picking up a book, and be very strong.   I've seen them, and have played against those types and they can be very good.  But I'll take the player who has studied the game and it's various openings, tactics and endgames over the hard-core chess player who hasn't picked up a book.

EL: Thank you for your time Ckmatein427

I could see even though Ckmatein427 is laser focused on poker right now he is also locked in to winning the IDT as well. After wrapping up my interview I had to make a mad dash for the  bus terminal because I had to catch the bus
to Yonkers, NY to interview  rookie of the year candidate and LC number 20 @Moekillz!

-Eledef07