Ashley Sleeth (Vegas MTT pro)- Ask Me Anything About Playing Poker

[belladonna05]

My favorite overseas place to play by far is The Crown in Melbourne, Australia as part of the Aussie Millions tournaments series. There is so much to do! The Australian Open always happens at the same time and you can literally walk to the tennis courts from Crown. If you love breakfast and/or coffee as much as I do, Melbourne tops the list with an amazing variety of places to try. If you're more of a dinner date night person, they have you covered too. The property itself is huge. The poker room is full of friendly dealers and players; Aussies keep the table social and light-hearted. It has a mall, 'gold class' movie theater, food court, tennis courts and amazing high end restaurants. It borders the Yarra River where it does a fire and light show every night on the hour. The beach is a bike ride away. Wine vineyards line the drive all the way to where you can see hoards of penguins! It's just the best city for poker and makes busting tournaments feel quite alright.

I've done one trip and the Crown and walking the city outside the casino is a must! I loved it there, hope I can make it back one day. I dubbed the city New York, but with it's shit together ( and I love NY) .


I saw you make a cameo in the latest Brad Owen video, how well did you do in that game?

I'm retired so usually play the 1/2 cash games in Vegas, I've been told the 2/5's are much more profitable with much of the same play, what are your thoughts on that?


As a casual woman poker player I have one really burning question. How many dollars would you have if you had one for every time a guy at the table uttered "women can't play poker"

 

[Debi]

How many wsop events will you be participating in this year and which ones are you most excited about?

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

I've done one trip and the Crown and walking the city outside the casino is a must! I loved it there, hope I can make it back one day. I dubbed the city New York, but with it's shit together ( and I love NY) .


I saw you make a cameo in the latest Brad Owen video, how well did you do in that game?

I'm retired so usually play the 1/2 cash games in Vegas, I've been told the 2/5's are much more profitable with much of the same play, what are your thoughts on that?


As a casual woman poker player I have one really burning question. How many dollars would you have if you had one for every time a guy at the table uttered "women can't play poker"

I think I won a small amount at that Meet Up game. Nothing crazy.

I haven't played 1/2 in a while, but there tends to be more gamble at the 2/5 tables with a lot more money on the table. There are some pros at 2/5, but nobody who will make the game too tough for you. Give it a shot!

As far as your burning question goes: I've actually never been told straight up 'women can't play poker'. There have only been random comments about my play, but I've seen men get those comments too.

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

How many WSOP events will you be participating in this year and which ones are you most excited about?

Hey Debi!

I'm planning on playing about 30 WSOP events this year (not including re-entries)! Will try to squeeze in the best Wynn and Venetian tournaments too

I'm always the most excited for the Main Event. I love turbo events too because you can win a bracelet in a day!

 

[Tammy]

Ok, I was just watching your podcast on YouTube, and first off - you seem super fun and tell some great stories. I hope we get to hang out sometime, because I'm sure it will be a blast.


One question I have though, and this is totally random because it doesn't really have to do with poker (at least I don't think it does).... what is "Werewolves"?


For everyone else who may not have seen Ashley's podcast, you can catch it right here:

 

[belladonna05]

I think I won a small amount at that Meet Up game. Nothing crazy.

I haven't played 1/2 in a while, but there tends to be more gamble at the 2/5 tables with a lot more money on the table. There are some pros at 2/5, but nobody who will make the game too tough for you. Give it a shot!

As far as your burning question goes: I've actually never been told straight up 'women can't play poker'. There have only been random comments about my play, but I've seen men get those comments too.

1. Nice to the little bit at the meetup.


2. I'll have to give 2/5 a shot in my upcoming trip, none around these parts but our 1/2 seems to turn into similar with button and utg straddles being the norm. plus the buy in is capped at the largest stack at the table which is usually over 1k.

3. It must be a regional hoosier thing, cause I'd have a huuuuge bankroll for every time it's been said to me (not that those saying it haven't in some small part contributed already)

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

Ok, I was just watching your podcast on YouTube, and first off - you seem super fun and tell some great stories. I hope we get to hang out sometime, because I'm sure it will be a blast.


One question I have though, and this is totally random because it doesn't really have to do with poker (at least I don't think it does).... what is "Werewolves"?


For everyone else who may not have seen Ashley's podcast, you can catch it right here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHpdN_P9xGo

Thanks, Tammy! That is so sweet and I can’t wait to meet up in Vegas!

Werewolves is a social game that poker players love because it involves bluffing roles the whole time and trying to outwit everyone. Psychology mixed with strategy. Similar to Mafia if you’ve ever played that. A lot of games happen around Vegas with poker players 😊

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

1. Nice to the little bit at the meetup.


2. I'll have to give 2/5 a shot in my upcoming trip, none around these parts but our 1/2 seems to turn into similar with button and utg straddles being the norm. plus the buy in is capped at the largest stack at the table which is usually over 1k.

3. It must be a regional hoosier thing, cause I'd have a huuuuge bankroll for every time it's been said to me (not that those saying it haven't in some small part contributed already)

Yea that sounds like a big 1/2 game so you’ll feel right at home in a Vegas 2/5 game.

Lol to you winning off those guys. They were asking for it

 

[Debi]

I know you are busy at the WSOP - but when you get a chance I have a question for you.

I didn't realize until I listened to your podcast that you are a dancer. Do you feel that dancing prepared you in any way for your future as a poker player? I know that you have to exercise a lot of control as a dancer. Also - dancing tells a story, so I feel there is some "acting" involved in a dance.

Have you ever thought about the possible connections to poker or am I stretching?

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

I know you are busy at the WSOP - but when you get a chance I have a question for you.

I didn't realize until I listened to your podcast that you are a dancer. Do you feel that dancing prepared you in any way for your future as a poker player? I know that you have to exercise a lot of control as a dancer. Also - dancing tells a story, so I feel there is some "acting" involved in a dance.

Have you ever thought about the possible connections to poker or am I stretching?

Hey Debi-

Yea, great insight. I definitely think dancing prepared me for poker in terms of having more creativity in certain hands, feeling comfortable under pressure (and in front of many people) and maintaining some level of physical stamina throughout long tournament days.

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

If anyone is coming to the WSOP, I'll start posting my weekly schedule in this thread. Feel free to come say hi and introduce yourself

10/9- $1,500 Millionaire Maker (WSOP)
10/11- $1,000 Ladies Event (WSOP)
10/12- $1,100 MSPT (Venetian)
10/13- $1,000 NLH (WSOP)-->$1,100 MSPT (Venetian)
10/14- $1,100 MSPT (Venetian) OR Day Off

 

[Debi]

Good luck today!

 

[johnnylawford]

Ask me anything

Hi Ashley, how did you start out with building a big enough bank roll to play professionally? Did you spend a long time grinding out smaller wins over time, or find a big score that let you move up stakes quickly?

Also, when do you decide to move up stakes? Do you ever take shots with 100% of yourself, or do you always sell action if you're buying into events outside of your normal buy-in range?

Thanks for this thread, good luck in your events!

 

[martinlgs]

If anyone is coming to the WSOP, I'll start posting my weekly schedule in this thread. Feel free to come say hi and introduce yourself

10/9- $1,500 Millionaire Maker (WSOP)
10/11- $1,000 Ladies Event (WSOP)
10/12- $1,100 MSPT (Venetian)
10/13- $1,000 NLH (WSOP)-->$1,100 MSPT (Venetian)
10/14- $1,100 MSPT (Venetian) OR Day Off

Ashley was very successful in tournaments.
For this year I will be looking forward to meeting you in person .. I hope to do so later.
Get out of Las Vegas with a bracelet

 

[Jillychemung]

Any tips for the food at the Rio?
Quickest options?
Cheapest options?
Places to stock up on water/drinks/snacks to take to the table?

I'll be bringing some snacks with me but will want options to pick up more and of course I'd like to relax during the longer breaks.

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

Hi Ashley, how did you start out with building a big enough bank roll to play professionally? Did you spend a long time grinding out smaller wins over time, or find a big score that let you move up stakes quickly?

Also, when do you decide to move up stakes? Do you ever take shots with 100% of yourself, or do you always sell action if you're buying into events outside of your normal buy-in range?

Thanks for this thread, good luck in your events!

Hi Johnny-

I have an atypical poker experience purely because my backer is my fiancé, who won millions in just one tournament. He is also my coach and is very honest with me about when he thinks I'm ready for certain events. I've been fortunate enough to be able to play mid-stakes tournaments for the last few years, but will have to work really hard to move up to bigger buy-ins than what I currently play. When there is one big event, I sell to friends who I talk poker with on the side. I didn't sell a package for this WSOP because I wasn't sure what my schedule was going to look like. So if I lose across the series, I'll be in makeup (owe money to backer). If I win, I get 60% and my fiancé/backer gets 40%.

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

Ashley was very successful in tournaments.
For this year I will be looking forward to meeting you in person .. I hope to do so later.
Get out of Las Vegas with a bracelet

thanks, Martin. A bracelet would be a dream!!

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

Any tips for the food at the Rio?
Quickest options?
Cheapest options?
Places to stock up on water/drinks/snacks to take to the table?

I'll be bringing some snacks with me but will want options to pick up more and of course I'd like to relax during the longer breaks.

I know Guy Fieri's Mexican place and the All-American Bar/Grille are both pretty quick and relatively cheap. The Indian place is good, but can be slow.

I wish I could be of more help in this department, but I typically eat in Chinatown during dinner break. Quick and right around the corner from the Rio. There's Vietnamese, Mexican, Sushi and a Doner place ++ all in the same plaza (on Spring Mountain and Valley View).

If you just want snacks throughout the day, I'd stock up at the closest grocery store so you're not paying the crazy mark-up in the poker kitchen.

 

[Viper ChipIt]

Are live mtts alot softer then online and if so how much more of an Roi would the average winning player have ?

 

[Debi]

Hi Johnny-

I have an atypical poker experience purely because my backer is my fiancé, who won millions in just one tournament. He is also my coach and is very honest with me about when he thinks I'm ready for certain events. I've been fortunate enough to be able to play mid-stakes tournaments for the last few years, but will have to work really hard to move up to bigger buy-ins than what I currently play. When there is one big event, I sell to friends who I talk poker with on the side. I didn't sell a package for this WSOP because I wasn't sure what my schedule was going to look like. So if I lose across the series, I'll be in makeup (owe money to backer). If I win, I get 60% and my fiancé/backer gets 40%.

It is definitely atypical and fortunate but - I love that you both still treat it like a business deal. Otherwise it could be awkward in your relationship plus I imagine with this arrangement it keeps you really driven and focused on being successful.

You guys are quickly becoming my favorite poker dream team!

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

It is definitely atypical and fortunate but - I love that you both still treat it like a business deal. Otherwise it could be awkward in your relationship

Absolutely! Think it works because he was always my coach from the beginning

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

Tournament schedule this week:

10/16: WSOP $1500 Monster Stack
10/17: WSOP $800 Deepstack
10/18: WSOP $500 Turbo
10/19: Wynn $1600 1.5 Mil GTD
10/20: Wynn $1600 Day 1B
10/21: Wynn $1600 Day 1C

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

We're approaching the halfway point of the WSOP! Still lots of events to play. If you're headed out to Vegas, be sure to say hi if we bump into each other I also have a vlog going about all the events I'm playing. Be sure to follow that so you can feel like you're already here!

Tournament schedule this week:
10/22: WSOP $1k Double Stack 1A
10/23: WSOP $1k Double Stack 1B
10/24: WSOP $800 Deepstack
10/25: WSOP $1500 Shootout

VLOG: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu2PI5vckIWzWGf_kXOaPjw

 

[johnnylawford]

Hi Johnny-

I have an atypical poker experience purely because my backer is my fiancé, who won millions in just one tournament. He is also my coach and is very honest with me about when he thinks I'm ready for certain events. I've been fortunate enough to be able to play mid-stakes tournaments for the last few years, but will have to work really hard to move up to bigger buy-ins than what I currently play. When there is one big event, I sell to friends who I talk poker with on the side. I didn't sell a package for this WSOP because I wasn't sure what my schedule was going to look like. So if I lose across the series, I'll be in makeup (owe money to backer). If I win, I get 60% and my fiancé/backer gets 40%.

Thanks Ashley, one other question -what's a good ITM rate for online MTT professionals over a larger sample size? Should a good player expect to cash a third of the time or more, or is that unreasonable?

 

[Luvepoker]

Ashley, I have to say I love your poker blog. Please keep up the great work and dont stop doing them.

The only bad part is I wont get to meet you at the CardsChat meet up at the Colossus as I was unable to go this year. I will say watching your blogs it making me so home sick for Vegas and live poker. Best of luck at the tables.