A force to reckon with, streams to

A force to reckon with, streams to save the day!

By Mrinal Gujare

ete Chen is a name that

Pmost aspiring poker players in Asia would definitely know. The Natural8 Team

Hot ambassador’s motivation stems from his own growth in the game and it is this passion that keeps the fire in him alive.

This This No-Limit Hold’em champ who also aces Pot-Limit Omaha, HORSE and the 8-Game Mix shared some insights and laughs about his achievements in poker and also humbly opened up about the COVID-19 relief efforts he has undertaken.

How and when did you decide on playing poker professionally?

I first played poker, mostly home games with my friends in 2008. However, in 2014, I decided to drop out of college and move to Macau to play poker. I set a target of earning HKD $1 million in one year. If I win, I will keep playing poker. If I fail, I would have gone back to Taiwan to finish my bachelor’s degree and find a job.

Your biggest cash was at the 2017 WSOP $5,000 No Limit Hold’em in Vegas, where you won $382,122. Is it vital for a poker player to book major wins like this to stay motivated?

I believe that if a poker lover needs to stay motivated by getting money, then he can’t be called a poker lover. Even if I lose a lot of money from playing poker, I would keep playing and take every game seriously. I stay motivated by seeing my progress, by winning, learning, and playing poker.

Did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your game?

Many live games have been canceled since 2020 because of

COVID-19, so I spent a lot of time playing online poker. Although playing online poker is more effective, it’s relatively boring than playing live games. I hope to spend equal time playing live games and online poker alongside learning.

Help Fight COVID-19 In India’ initiative by Natural8 received a lot of support from all quarters. Your views on what more could be done to aid people?

I think everyone should come forward to help India. Of course, money is important, but celebrities could use their influence to encourage more people to help. As long as you are willing, every action could be of great help.

As an internationally acclaimed poker player, what can poker players collectively do to aid COVID-19 relief work?

I think poker players should donate money if they can. Famous poker players can use their influence to encourage more people to help.

How did you go about making a contribution to Natural8’s COVID-19 relief initiatives?

On May 26, I hosted a Heads-Up Challenge with Taiwan’s famous poker streamer Yo (Chinese name: Chih-Wei Fan). The winner donated the prize money to help India. We streamed the game to attract players to watch and promote the initiative by Natural8.

As a player who contributed to the COVID-19 relief efforts, what message would you give to other players to make contributions towards a cause like this?

Hope everyone takes the vaccine, everyone should be safe when playing live games. If you can’t, then stay home and play poker online.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

FAVOURITE COLLEAGUE AT NATURAL8’S TEAM HOT Bryan Pari

FAVOURITE VENUE TO PLAY LIVE POKER Australia and Taiwan! Taiwan is very safe.

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE NATURAL8 Fun!

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE PETE CHEN Hard-working!

YOUR CELEBRITY POKER CRUSH Pete Chen. (Yeah, myself)

$3 MILLION DOLLARS TO NEVER PLAY POKER AGAIN No! I love poker.