SpadeClub Poker Winner: Andy 'jackrabbit' Byers

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SpadeClub Exclusive member Andy “jackrabbit” Byers beat out the tough competition in the Sept. 21 $5,000 weekly event and took home his $1,500 share of the prize pool. He is excited about his win and plans to use his winnings toward a SpadeClub membership and some relaxing cruises in the near future.

“I like SpadeClub,” Byers said. “It is a wonderful way to get in a lot of play at minimal cost, and it is a great learning opportunity! I have never played tournaments before, and my experience has given me a lot of confidence in playing tournaments.”

Byers was able to tell Card Player a little bit more about his exciting life and his big win on SpadeClub.

Card Player: Tell me a little about your life outside of poker.

Andy “ jackrabbit” Byers: I was raised on a farm in North Texas and graduated from West Point in 1950. I retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel in 1972 and then spent several years as a materials manager and consultant. My wife and I moved to Florida in 1995, and I started a newsletter for writers, “The Great Blue Beacon.”

In 2005, my book was published. The (IM)Perfect Spy is the story of my neighbor, a retired army colonel who was arrested in 2000 and charged with espionage — the most senior member of the U.S. military ever charged with that crime. Convicted, he is now serving a life sentence in California.

CP: Do you have a story behind you screen name?

AB: There were a lot of jackrabbits in Texas, and that name just came to mind when I was seeking a screen name.

CP: How long have you played poker, and what got you interested in SpadeClub?

AB: I have played some form of poker all of my life, and began to play a lot of hold’em three to four years ago. SpadeClub ads in Card Player magazine got me interested, and I joined a few weeks ago.

CP: How often do you play on SpadeClub?

AB: Daily.

CP: What was your first poker experience like?

AB: Penny ante poker in my early school years.

CP: Do you consider yourself a recreational, amateur, or professional poker player?

AB: Recreational/amateur.

CP: Do you play live or just online? If so where?

AB: SpadeClub is my first experience with online poker. I play $2-$5 and $5-$10 no-limit hold’em games at Club 52 (in Melbourne, Florida). I also play two nights each week in local low-limit games.

CP: What is your general strategy going into a tournament?

AB: Before play starts, I promise myself to play only premium hands and avoid making large calls on draws. I avoid going all in early until the pot contains a reasonable [amount of chips], because at that time there is little to gain compared with possible losses.

CP: What is your method to go about piecing together what kinds of hands your opponents could be holding?

AB: I try to gain info from betting patters, etc.

CP: Do you think SpadeClub is a good learning ground for people who are looking to start playing?

AB: Absolutely.

CP: What do you think sets great players apart from merely good players?

AB: Great players are known for fearlessness, years of experience, a sixth sense, and an uncanny ability to read other players.

CP: Did you meet anyone interesting at the tables to add to your friends list?

AB: I have met one or two potential friends.

CP: What is your favorite part of the SpadeClub community?

AB: The large number of varied tournaments available.

CP: What is your next goal on SpadeClub? How do you plan to accomplish it?

AB: I hope to use my red token to win the next Mega Monthly.