SpadeClub Interview: Jennifer “MsDillen” Miller
$5,000 SpadeClub Weekly Tournament winner talks about her exciting win and how she enjoys playing on SpadeClub
SpadeClub member Jennifer “MsDillen” Miller has only been playing poker for about a year and half and enjoys the unique competition it brings. Miller loves the community on SpadeClub and says she couldn’t have done it without her buddies urging her on to do her best. Miller recently told Card Player all about her win and her new found SpadeClub friends.
Card Player: How did you hear about SpadeClub?
Jennifer “MsDillen” Miller: A guy I play poker with has been talking about it since it started.
CP: Do you have a story behind you screen name?
JM: No story. It’s just my middle name.
CP: How long have you been playing poker?
JM: Just over a year and a half.
CP: How did you get started playing poker?
JM: I had a teammate on my Dragonboat team pull together a few home games. I was hooked and wanted to become more competitive.
CP: What was your first poker experience like?
JM: Depends on the experience I guess. I know that the first time I walked into a tournament it was pretty intimidating playing with people I didn’t know instead of my buddies from the dragon boat team. I made new friends, though. In fact, the person who talked me into trying this site out is one of the first people who was friendly and welcomed me at the club. He has even coached me.
CP: Do you consider yourself a recreational, amateur or professional poker player?
JM: If recreational means “playing for fun,” then, yes.
CP: Do you think SpadeClub is a good learning ground for people who are looking to start playing?
JM: Yes. There are a lot of solid, skilled players on this site. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a full table of them, and the game is competitive and FUN. I love good poker.
CP: When do you plan on cashing out your winnings and do you have any plans for the money you just won?
JM: No plans for the money, so I haven’t been in a rush to cash it out. It will just go into my poker money. I plan on playing in an upcoming LIPS tournament.
CP: Have you participated in any of the community features on SpadeClub? What do you think?
JM: I do a little. At first I wasn’t interested, but as you play with the same people over and over again, it’s nice to read a little bit about them and get to know them.
CP: What do you think sets great players apart from merely good players?
JM: Great players think about how much money they can get out of someone based on the bets they make. They pay attention to betting patterns, what people raise with. How often they try to steal from late position. Chip stacks. They have a multi-dimensional game.
JM: Yes. The best part was that so many people observed the final table and rooted me on: Slinke, Oni, IrishQueen, DiamondGirl, 2manychips4u, Hayloft, Nomis and many more, it’s a long list! And that really motivated me to do my best to win. I took risks at the right time. How could I not with Firestones and 2manychips4u incessantly urging me to push or go all in!? I finally got aggressive and pushed a lot. I got lucky when I needed it. And, really, having your friends there cheering you on is just incredible. Since the win, so many people compliment me when I am at the tables.
CP: What do you think of the format for the tournaments on SpadeClub?
JM: At first I didn’t really like it, seems slow to get into a tourney. But, to be honest, it emulates live play much better and I have found that I prefer this. I think this format also discourages some of the hyper, young, rude players that are so prevalent on-line.
CP: What’s the most money you’ve ever won in a poker tournament?
JM: It was this one! $1,500!
CP: Was there a particular key hand that you played in the tournament that helped lead you to victory?
JM: There were a few hands, I think. I would go all in with pocket Kings and someone else would have pocket Acess. But, I’d get the flush on the river, more than once. At the very end, heads up, the key hand was the 8 on the river to give me a straight. Unbelievable! The “miracle 8,” as “SLINKE” calls it.
CP: What advice can you give to other SpadeClub members looking to go deep in these tournaments?
JM: Just be patient. Don’t get inpatient and play a hand you will most likely just get into trouble with anyway. But, every now and then, take a risk. You can’t win a tournament without getting lucky.
