Mary Jones

Professional Spotlight

by Sherry Godfrey

In 2006, Mary Jones surprised us all by bursting onto the scene of the 2006 World Series of Poker Ladies Event and taking home the bracelet. 

S.G.:  How long have you been playing poker?

 M.J.:  Well, my Mom will say I was born with a deck of cards in my hands.  I’ve always loved to play all card games.  I used to play poker with my friends when we traveled on business, but strictly for fun.  I started really playing 2 ½ years ago.

S.G.:  How did you get started in poker?

M.J.: My husband and I were watching TV the day after Christmas and ran into a poker marathon.  Soon after I was in a casino playing my first cash game.  A couple of weeks later, a friend told me about all the tournaments in town.  I made it to the final table in my third tournament and I’ve been hooked ever since.

S.G.:  How often do you play?

M.J.:  Never enough.  It kind of depends.  When I’m in a tournament, every day.  If we’re home and there’s nothing major happening, I still play about five times a week.  I’d play every day, but I don’t want to burn out and I think it’s important to keep a balance in your life.

S.G.:  Where do you play most often?

M.J.:  I mainly play at Bellagio.  All of the staff are so great and really make me feel at home, so there is a real comfort there. 

S.G.:  What are some of your other interests besides poker?

M.J.:  I love to read, especially anywhere out in the sun.  I used to play a lot of golf and fit in a few ski trips each year, but they have had to take a back seat to poker for now. 

S.G.:  Do you have any mentors?

M.J.:  No

S.G.:  Do you play mostly tournaments or combination of cash games as well?  What is the biggest difference in play between live cash games and tournament play?

M.J.:  I play both and really enjoy both.  For me. a tournament is a marathon.  You cannot miss one thing or make one mistake as it can cost you the entire tournament.  It’s almost a test of wills.  However, in a cash game, each hand stands alone.  You or anybody else can reach in your pocket for more money, so there is a different strategy from a tournament. 

S.G.:  Have there been any books that have helped you learn how to play?

M.J.:  I have read a good number of books and keep up with the articles in various magazines to keep on top of things, but both of Doyle Brunson’s Super System books are still the best.  Personally, I find little pearls in almost everything I’ve read.  The key is to know yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and then apply what you learn to develop your own unique style.

S.G.:  How do you prepare for tournaments?

M.J.:  As I have matured as a player, so has my preparation.  First and foremost, get plenty of rest and eat right.  In the beginning, I would review the basics by writing down what I needed to focus on.  As things become second nature and your level of play improves, you start focusing on your opponents and ways to vary your play to keep your opponents off-guard.

S.G.:  What was it like playing in your first tournament?

M.J.:  Absolutely frightening!  The first 30 minutes were the worst.  After that, I settled in and started to get the feel of the tempo.  It was so much fun to have so many chips to play with.  I had to get over betting so much for the first time.  Now, it’s great to use the power of the chips.

S.G.:  What adjustments have you made in your game over the years that you can attribute to increased cashes?

M.J.:  I don’t think I necessarily make adjustments due to cashes.  We usually learn the most when we don’t succeed.  Making it in the money, and especially winning, gives you increased confidence.  That is a powerful tool to use yourself and to use against your opponents.  Sitting down and knowing that you’ve already done it once, you need to remember all the things you did right and how that time felt and make sure that it happens again.

S.G.:  What are some of your strengths and weaknesses as a player?

M.J.:  I have tremendous focus.  I don’t think about anything else when I play.  I watch and listen for everything.  And, I don’t get emotional or take anything personally.  I’m not intimidated to sit down at a table full of men.  I was the youngest and my Dad always wanted a son – so, I spent a lot of time playing cards with men and learned how to graciously beat them almost every time.  As far as weakness, I think that every time you sit down at a poker table, the dynamics are different.  I always want to get better at being able to quickly read my opponents and adapt my game to maximize my advantage.

S.G.:  If you could give just one tip about how to win at No limit Holdem tournament, what would it be?

M.J.:  Play smart.  You have to be the one to make the fewest mistakes. Make the best decision possible in any give hand.

S.G.:  How has life changed for you after winning the WSOP Ladies Event last year?  Tell me in detail about some of the key hands that you remember or big decisions you had to make?  Did you change gears throughout the tournament?  What was your strategy in the middle stages of the tournament?  When you were at the final table, did you have a strategy plan?  How did you view the other nine players regarding skill level?  When it was heads up play, what was going through your mind to win the tournament?

M.J.:  For me, “life” has completely changed.  It presented me a great opportunity to do something I had wanted to do all my life.  I went to work the day after graduating from high school, put myself through college at night and had quite a successful career in the telecommunications industry.  I am also very competitive and, as we’ve already figured out, I love to play cards.  This was one of those rare moments in life when what you asked for is staring right back at you.  I am incredibly fortunate that my family and friends have been so supportive in me taking such a major left turn.  It’s been an awesome experience and I am looking forward to continued success. 

S.G.:  You have had two major wins back to back, what was that like?

M.J.:  Talk about confidence…. More importantly, truly validating.  The first time you win a tournament, there is some doubt that it could have been a fluke.  Winning a second tournament, doing it so closely to the World Series, and the fact that it was an open event, pretty much puts any doubts to rest. 

S.G.:  Do you play on the internent?

M.J.:  I don’t…..  I am lucky to live in Las Vegas, so I can play in a live game anytime I want.  I like being able to look at my opponent, hear what he’s saying, and watching him respond to what’s going on around the table.  

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

M.J.:  My play remains the same.  What changes are my opponents.  Each of us are individuals, so I try not to generalize.  There are many strong, aggressive female players and there are many weak, passive male players.  My job is to identify attributes of each opponent and play back at them accordingly. 

S.G.:  What advantages do you believe women have in poker?  What disadvantages, if any, do you believe women have in the game?

M.J.:  We get to play in Ladies Only tournaments.  I think they can be so much more fun and social.  The conversation is totally different and I have had the good fortune of meeting some great new friends.  I think there are a lot of men out there who are not comfortable playing cards against women.  Obviously, this can be used as a great advantage for us – you just have to be careful.  Make sure you read your opponent correctly.  Personally, I don’t think women have any disadvantage.  Most of the guys are gentlemen and enjoy having a lady at the table.  The smart ones respect us, knowing that we have strong analytical skills and probably have better people-reading skills.  Others may not want to be beat by a woman and let their ego get in the way. YEAH!!!  That’s when we can really rake in the chips.  I think we have the best of both worlds.

S.G.:  What goals do you have as a poker player?

M.J.:  My short term goal is to win another tournament – soon.  I definitely want to win another WSOP bracelet.  That is the biggest honor we can achieve.  Next, I want to win the Main Event.  I also want to compete in other poker games – Omaha, Razz, Stud.  I think the HORSE tournament is emerging as the new “main event”.  I want to be successful in something other than Hold’Em and I truly want to compete in the HORSE event in the next 2 years.

S.G.:  Where do you see yourself in the world of poker in five years?

M.J.:  That’s a tough one.  I have been focusing on a two year plan.  I do believe poker is here to stay and is growing on a global basis.  I am involved with the World Poker Association.  The WPA was founded to be the governing body for tournament poker worldwide – similar to the PGA.  I would hope that I am continuing my success as a tournament player, growing in my abilities and diversity, and giving back by volunteering with the WPA.

S.G.:  Who has been the biggest influence in your game?

M.J.:  My husband.  He played years ago and has an amazing gift for the nuances of the game as well as solid understanding of the basics.  As my skills improve in one area, he refocuses me in another to ensure I keep getting better.  Most of all, he has absolute confidence in me.  I cannot tell you how much that means to me.  He is the one who has encourages me to take all I learn, adapt it to my style, and then play what he calls “Mary Jones Poker”.

S.G.:  What advise would you give a woman that is just starting to play poker?

M.J.:  Some of it would depend on if she wants to play socially or is serious about competing.  First of all – have fun.  We always do better when we are relaxed and happy.  Second, don’t give up.  Doyle Brunson has been playing for 50 years and says he is still learning something new about the game.  Next, be committed.  Whether for fun or something more serious, learn how to play the game well and be confident in your skills.  Finally, keep things in perspective.  Poker is a game.  Yes it is competitive and yes we are playing for a lot of money.  However, it’s still a game.  Nothing is more important than our health, our family and our friends. 

S.G.:  Is there anything you would like to tell women poker players out there?

M.J.:  If you see me, please come over and say hi.  We immediately have something to talk about.  I love meeting new folks and making new friends.  It’s another confidence boost for both of us, knowing that there are folks out there rooting for us to win.  I sincerely wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing you soon.