Amateur Spotlight

by Crystal Osgood Grey

Recently I had the good fortune to watch Jana DeLa Cerra play poker on a tournament table at an LPA Pro Tour event. I was completely taken in by her play and inspired by her style. It seemed she had the ability to KNOW exactly where she was in a hand, and had perfectly crafted an “image” at the table that gave her the ability to take her opponents chips when they least expected it. It was impressive! I felt like I was watching a magician or a master illusionist weaving a web of artful deception.

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LPA:  What do you do for a living? 

I always say my “main” job is an elementary school teacher but I have a lot going on.  Right now I am the co-owner of a residential development in the Palm Springs area.

LPA:  Where did you grow up?  Where do you live now? 

I grew up in the Los Angeles area, the San Fernando Valley to be more specific, and never left.  Keep threatening to leave though.  A beach community is where I’d like to be.

LPA:  How long have you been playing? 

First, my grandfather took all my money when I was about 14 in a stud game.  It was about 1990 that I stepped into The Bicycle Club for the first time.  This was well before the “young guns” were playing, and I was just a 21 year old girl.  I had a mentor that “protected” me.  I was waiting tables at the time and my bosses’ brother was a regular at The Bike. My protector, in fact, was at the final table of a WPT event last season.  I started playing tournaments at the end of 2004.

LPA: How did you learn to play poker? 

I have always been an avid game player and would say I was basically self taught.  I have since put significant hours into reviewing hand histories, cash game and tournament strategies, studying respected books, and receiving coaching and guidance with some very successful players.  I first learned Stud and low ball and now have gone with the flow and moved to Holdem mainly.  I’ve recently become interested in Omaha and have started reading up on it and playing it on play money online sites.  Not sure if that’s the best approach though.

LPA:  Tell us a little bit about your poker accomplishments?

 I have enjoyed cash game success as well as some tournament accomplishments.  My most memorable tournament was making my first final table in 2005 and having it shown at Live at the Bike.  It was a ladies event and I won it.  It was fun and informative watching it after, seeing everyone’s hole cards and hearing the commentary.

LPA:  Can you describe your “type of play”, aggressive, tight, loose, etc…

As a general rule, I find tight-aggressive to work well for me.  But everything is situational.  My play will vary depending on the table dynamics. 

LPA:  Can you give us some advice as to your strategy for playing in a tournament setting? 

Position, position, position. Be patient and pick your spots. Pay close attention especially when your out of the hand.  This is a good time to get information while no one is paying attention to you.  Also, don’t be afraid to get knocked out.  You have to accumulate chips in the middle stages of a tournament to have the best shot of going deep and winning it.  Don’t play to last, play to win.

LPA:  Can you tell us how important the following elements are to YOUR game?

Tells?  This is something I’ve really been studying lately.  My favorite thing to do is look at my opponent’s eyes while they are looking at the flop being dealt.  Amazing how many people aren’t looking back at me.

 Psychology?  Using psychology in poker is about knowing how my opponents play and how they perceive my style of play.

 Patience?   Patience is essential to my game.  But don’t take this to mean only waiting for premium cards to play.  This means be patient for the right spot.

 Knowing your opponent? When I sit down at a table I’m looking for the opponents I especially want to get into pots with.  In a cash game, in particular, I’m only playing premium hands while waiting to get to know my opponents.   Then I’ll mix it up.

LPA:  What adjustments, if any, have you made in your game that you can attribute to increased cashes? 

I’ve been mixing it up a lot more and showing and feeling little fear.  I want to get myself in a position to go deep.

LPA:  If you could give just one tip about how to win at No Limit Holdem what would it be?

 Be aggressive, not reckless.

LPA:  How often do you play?

Not as often as I’d like to at the moment.  Maybe 4-5 times a month.

LPA:  Where do you play most often?

 Although The Bike is my favorite place to play I’m not really loyal to any casino.  I also play at Commerce, Hollywood Park, and Morongo when I’m working in the desert.  I love hitting the Vegas casinos too.

 

LPA:  What game(s) do you play? 

 Now I’m concentrating mostly on NL Holdem.  But before the big poker boom, I played Stud mostly.

 

LPA:  Mostly Cash or Tournaments? 

 More cash because I usually have limited time.  But if I have no time constraints, tournaments have become my first love.

 

LPA:  What advice do you have for anyone just starting out? 

 So many women that play the game have told me they are too nervous to go to a casino.  So my advice would be don’t be afraid! We all had to start somewhere.  Also, start by just playing premium hands.  This way you can gain experience and not lose much money.  But remember, you’ll become very transparent very quickly.  You’ll have to eventually mix up your style and come up with the strategy that best suits you.

 

LPA:  What was it like playing in your first live tournament? 

 Exciting and nerve racking at the same time.  Although I had been playing in casinos off and on since the 90’s a tournament felt completely different.  There’s something about not having the option of taking more money out of your pocket when your aces get cracked by a king deuce.  I remember the field being approximately 200, paying out about 20 and getting knocked out about 25^th.  At the time I was proud of myself.  Now I would be upset and replaying every lost hand or missed opportunity 18 times.

 

LPA:  Do you play on the Internet? 

 I did before the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act.  It just seemed too complicated then.  But I really miss it!  I loved the sit & go’s and made a steady profit off of them, as well as cash games.  Hopefully things will get uncomplicated someday.

 

LPA:  What differences do you see between poker on TV and the tournaments you play? 

 Poker on TV is for entertainment only.  They should have the “do not try this at home” disclaimer before every show.  The most glaring difference is the number of hands actually played versus the number of hands shown on TV.  The big blind does get a walk occasionally.  TV is good for learning the rules and terminology but that’s about it.

 

LPA:  What do you think the future of Ladies Poker is? 

 It’s definitely on the rise.  Poker is growing in popularity with women.  Poker is mainstream now.  I use to be the only women at a cash game but not anymore.   But we do still have a long way to go.  The under representation of women at final tables is not for lack of ability but a pure numbers game.  When only 2-5% of the entries in mixed events are women the odds are simply not in our favor.  We’ll get there.

 

LPA:  When you play mixed tournaments, not ladies events, what differences are there in play?  

 Overall aggression and men tend to respect a raise more, but that’s about it.  There are varying degrees of experience in both. 

 

LPA:  What advantages do you believe women have in the game?

 First, there are some men who think women can’t play and this can easily be exploited.  Next, as unethical as it may be, some men can’t help themselves and soft-play against women.  Can’t tell you how many times in a cash game a man has said to me “throw it away, I made my flush and don’t want to take your money.”  I toss it and they show me the flush.  That’s my honest answer.  I don’t truly believe the standard line of, “I think women have the natural advantage of better intuition”.   Poker is not a man’s game nor a women’s game.  It is an intelligent thinking person’s game.

 

LPA:  What disadvantages do you believe women have in the game? 

 Some women tend to be too nice.  There is a lot of calling and not enough raising.  Women need to be more aggressive.  Raise when your spot dictates it or when you think you have the best hand.  Women don’t always maximize their profits.

 

LPA:  Is there any poker player pro/women/amateur that you admire? 

 Although I have only seen her on TV how could you not admire Jennifer Harman?  She plays with the big boys and plays so many games so well.  I did meet Evelyn Ng recently and played at a table two to her left.  I really liked her game.  And how could you argue with the tournament success of Kathy Liebert?  Who wouldn’t want  her lifetime earnings?

 

LPA:  Where do you see yourself in the world of poker in 5 years?

 I hope to have more time to dedicate to the game then.  I would like to have the opportunity to play in some major tournaments.  If I play well and get lucky in a big event who knows what can happen?

 

LPA:  Who has been the biggest influence in your game? Why?

 My grandfather was a big influence but I can’t name one person.  I’ve been very lucky to meet many people in poker who I’ve learned from, and been inspired and motivated by.

 

LPA:  Can you tell us why you became a member of the LPA?

 All my friends were doing it.  I also learned very quickly what a classy organization it is and am proud to be a member.

 

LPA:  Is there anything you would like to tell women poker players out there? 

 Get out there, represent well and have fun!