Amnon Filippi

My first memory of New Yorker Amnon Filippi was of him walking around the Bellagio Fontana Room during The Festa al Lago announcing “One hundred last longer and don’t ask me any stupid questions.” While I found his loud New York accent a bit intimidating it was clear he had a great sense of humor and was popular amongst the self amused pros as they asked him… stupid questions.
Amnon Filippi will be the first Stud of Poker as he possesses a long poker resume, six cashes at this year’s WSOP including a fourth place finish in the H.O.R.S.E. event which made him one of the top most viewed players on various poker websites.Amnon’s to date winnings are over 1.5 million and it should come as no surprise if you start hearing more about this guy. Last week, he told me his position on last longest bets, JC Tran “not” taking a piece of him in the H.O.R.S.E. Eventand where he’s heading next. And sorry ladies…he’s unavailable.
ML: How long have you played poker?
AF: I started playing in high school, so about 20 years but professionally 3 ½ years.I used to play in the New York card rooms.

ML: What is your favorite poker game?
AF: Seven-card stud, this is the first game I played in the clubs in New York.Back then it was limit Hold’em or stud, so I would always play stud.
ML: Are you going to WSOPE?
AF: Not sure, probably not because there are two events I want to play here, one in Biloxi Mississippi and one at The Borgata.
ML: Did you win a buy-in to the horse event?
AF: No, I bought in and played for half, I sold half of myself from people that had faith in me. JC Tran didn’t buy a piece.In fact, JC told me not to play.
ML: What did JC say after you won?
AF: He still stands by his original advice of me not playing. But he got a free roll out it.
ML: What do you mean?
AF: When I cash in any event that he doesn’t play in then he gets a free roll (I pay him the entry fee and vice versa). So, he basically got 5k for nothing.
ML: How do you feel about your finish in H.O.R.S.E.?
AF: I would have rather had first, but it’s a tough field, you’re cards have to hold up, I had the best going in a lot of the time but they didn’t hold up in the end.Everyone in that tournament is an underdog because they are all great players.
ML: What do you do when you’re not playing poker?
AF: Nothing much, relax at home, play sports, hang with friends, ball games, travel. I’m going to Antigua and Jamaica. I usually go to the Caribbean a couple of times a year. I usually go to St. Thomas and a new place to unwind from poker.
ML: Favorite restaurant in Vegas?
AF: I eat a lot of Vietnamese Pho Kim Long with JC. I eat everything so not really any favorites.
ML: Where do you stay in Vegas during tournaments?
AF: I stay at the hotel where the event is unless it’s the WSOP then I rent a house with JC, Tommy Hang, Quinn Do. Quinn is the only one of us that has a bracelet and he never lets us forget it.
ML: Are you single?
AF: I am not single. I’m taken.
ML: Do you have any groupies
AF: No groupies, but a few fans that sweat me on the east coast.[laughing] I did have a guy that was sweating me once and I turned to tell him I didn’t like anyone to see my cards, he said “don’t worry, I’m not letting anyone see your cards.” I don’t know his name but he shows up and sweats me sometimes. Once I found out he was protecting me against other people looking I was like, ok, I guess you’re my bodyguard. It was weird and funny at the same time.
ML: How many last longest do you think you’ve won?
AF: As for last longers, I’m not sure how much but I’m pretty sure I’m ahead, maybe not much… but I’m ahead. I was scolded by JC that I should be paying more attention to my cards during tournaments so I stopped.I have a last longer deal with Gavin Smith for 1k, that if we make the final table we have 2% of each other. I’m Plus 5k with Gavin since we started this at the 2006 WSOP. ML: When did you and JC become friends? AF: JC and I became friends….I think I met him at The Mirage 3 years ago in a tournament.I congratulated him and we started talking and became friends from there. Everyone is friends on the tour but everyone breaks into smaller groups, JC and I clicked pretty fast. I am friendly with most of the players on the tour; I’m pretty easy to get along with.
ML: Who has helped your game?
AF: A few years ago Paul Darden really helped my game. Lately, I have been taking up little pieces from a wide variety of players (even players no one has heard of) to make my own little mold. Other players he gets pieces of his game from are Tim Phan, Chris McCormack.ML: What do you do before a tournament to prepare?

AF: Nothing really.I try to wake up close to the tournament time, I’ve played well with (and without) rest, I’m not a big drinker but if I do drink it doesn’t affect my play, it’s weird, I don’t know, I just play my game.
ML: Do you offer lessons or will you write us a book?
AF: I don’t have a problem answering questions but I’m not a book guy. Maybe for the right amount of money.
ML:  Any advice to new players?
AF:  Keep playing that’s the only way to get better. [Laughing] And it’s last longers, not longest.  It’s not sex we’re talking about!