SpadeClub.com, the total poker experience, offers more than 2,500 tournaments and awards $100,000 every month, all for just $19.99 a month. No entry fees, no deposits, no risk. Find out more.
SpadeClub member Arthur “InntheBuff” Kliszak took fist place in SpadeClub’s recent $5,000 weekly event and walked away with $1,500. Kliszak has been playing poker since he was in high school but has only really started playing live and online about five years ago. He thinks watching poker on TV and reading online and in magazine articles about poker strategy is what has made his game what it is today. In Kliszak’s spare time, he enjoys boating, fishing, waterskiing, running, and hunting, and, of course, playing poker. Card Player recently sat down with Kliszak to discuss his win and what he thinks about SpadeClub.
Card Player: First off, can you tell us a little about yourself?
Arthur “InntheBuff” Kliszak: I was born in Buffalo, New York, and now live in Cheektowaga, New York. I have one daughter who is entering her senior year at the University of Buffalo. I’m an operations supervisor for a national trucking company here in WNY.
CP: How did you hear about SpadeClub?
AK: I subscribe to Card Player magazine and saw an advertisement there for SpadeClub’s beta program and decided to give it try.
CP: Do you have a story behind you screen name?
AK: It’s not much of a story, it’s just that I’m living in the Buffalo area. Hence, InntheBuff.
CP: What was your first poker experience like?
AK: I played dealer’s choice with some friends in high school. We didn’t really know what we were doing, but we had fun.
CP: What is your general strategy going into a tournament?
AK: Be patient, observe my opponents, and carefully pick my spots.
CP: What is your method to go about piecing together what kinds of hands your opponents could be holding?
AK: It depends on my opponent’s position, stack size, and prior betting patterns.
CP: What do you think is the key to success when a tournament gets down to heads-up poker?
AK: For me, I try to open up my game, play much more aggressively, and steal more pots.
CP: Do you consider yourself a recreational, amateur, or professional poker player?
AK: Recreational; I’m playing just for fun right now.
CP: Which poker skills do you still have to work on?
AK: In live games, I’m working on improving my reading abilities, and I’m always working to improve on the math aspects of the game.
CP: What got you interested in SpadeClub?
AK: What interested me about SpadeClub was the low subscription price. Just about anyone can afford it.
CP: Do you think SpadeClub is a good learning ground for people who are looking to start playing?
AK: Oh, yes. There are many different levels of skill at SpadeClub, and if you pay attention, you can learn from the more advanced players.
CP: Have you participated in any of the community features of SpadeClub?
AK: I’ve been building my friendship base and I have posted comments.
CP: What do you think sets great players apart from merely good players?
AK: Great players observe their opponents’ betting patterns. They remember how they played certain hands and what their tendencies were. Then they categorize their opponents’ styles and adjust their own play to take advantage of their opponents’ play.
CP: Is there anything else you would like to add?
AK: I would like to thank everyone who sent congratulations postings, and I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends at the tables.
