Poker News

Susie Isaacs

In the last issue of Poker Player, I began an in-depth interview with Kathy Liebert. After receiving a business finance major from Marist College she worked for Dun and Bradstreet for a year. She made good money for a young woman but she was not happy. Her mother suggested she look for what would make her happy and assured her “the money would follow.” Her selfsearch began in San Diego where she took some pre-law courses. She eventually ended up in Colorado because the cost of living was inexpensive and she liked to snow ski. She started out selling ATM machines.

Susie Isaacs: So you discovered poker in the small casinos in Blackhawk, and Central City, Colorado. You found yourself! That actually is a question.

Kathy Liebert: I guess I did. Basically once I started playing, I never stopped and I never sold another ATM machine. I actually got a job as a prop in a little two-table room called the Cracker Factory. I had found a home game and I learned a lot there. I was playing against a bunch of novice players and dealers at work. Some of the dealers were so new they couldn’t even read hands correctly. I don’t know if I was good but given the competition I felt like I was and I definitely was supporting myself playing poker. I did that for several years. In 1994 I started hearing about the Gold Coast tournament and decided to go.

SI: I know this was a turning point for you. Did you do anything special to prepare for your first major tournament?

KL: I borrowed two books, Tournament Poker by Tom McEvoy and Tournament Tips from the Pros by Shane Smith. I went up in the mountains where I read, studied and highlighted, and then I headed to Vegas. I got into a $6-$12 game at the Treasure Island. I was doing so well, reading people and winning. I was really proud of how well I was playing. I ended up staying too late and I missed the first tournament. I went back to the TI the next day. I liked it there. One of the dealers said, “You really play well. You should give that tournament a try.” So I did. My first big Las Vegas tournament was $120 buy-in and 470 entrants. I had a great time. Before I knew it I was at the final table and before I knew it I was heads-up with Don Vines.

My sweater was my friend from Colorado, Tim Latham. Don and I had been moving chips back and forth for an hour when he asked me if I wanted to chop. I didn’t know what he was talking about but Tim said, “Do it, do it!” So we chopped the money and after the deal was made Don played very fast and he won.

SI: Did you feel as if you were now on your way in competitive poker?

KL: I don’t know about that but I had been at the table with Ken Buntjer and he made the statement that I was going to be a big star. He nicknamed me Colorado Kate and they used that in the write-up. The next tournament I played was the $230 hold’em and again I had agreat time and found myself heads-up. This time I asked him if he wanted to chop, like I was the old pro. Our chips were about one chip apart. We did chop and we high-carded for the win. Again I got second but I had won over $34,000 in two tournaments.

SI: How could you even think about a real job or law school after a start like that?

KL: I didn’t. I was officially hooked on tournaments. I went straight to the next tournament, which was at the Normandie. It happened to be my birthday and I won, no chop!

SI: You had a hell of a first year. And you never looked back.

KL: Right. In 1994 I made 10 final tables in six months.

SI: Did you feel lucky or think you were really that good?

KL: At the time I didn’t know as much about hand values as I do today; but I was playing on the aggressive side; I was so focused, almost fearless; I was making good reads and I was making a lot of good plays. My instincts were so good. On occasion my opponent would show me the best hand and fold to me. And then I met Mansour Matloubi.

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