Interview with Jeff Boski
1 year ago
13 Apr
Jeff Boski is an ACR Team Pro, Twitch streamer and vlogger who has made a name for himself in the poker world with his entertaining content. He started playing poker while in college and has since gone on to build a successful career.
His engaging personality and passion for the game have earned him a loyal following as he shares his poker adventures and insights with fans. In this interview, we'll get a glimpse into Boski's life as a poker pro and hear about his recent trip to the Triton Super High Roller Vietnam.
Triton Super High Roller Series Vietnam and Life as an ACR Team Pro
Q: Hi Jeff! Congratulations on your recent performance in Triton Super High Roller Series Vietnam. We saw you almost double your previous best live score with a $121,000 cash in the $25,000 No Limit Hold'em - Turbo event that saw you taking on the likes of Ike Haxton. Tell us about your trip and how it felt to be lining up against some of the best in the business. Do you have any plans to play in the Triton Super High Roller Series in the near future? What about some of the other prestigious series such as the European Poker Tour?Thanks for having me. Yes, there is another ACR Team Pro competition all through May in which the top 2 pros will win a $100,000 package to Cyprus. I don't have any plans to attend EPTs at this time.
Q: Southeast Asia is full of online poker players living their dreams in a variety of locations - has your trip to Vietnam given you any motivation to try the life of a grinder abroad?
I can understand the desire to travel and explore and experience new things but I am very happy living in Las Vegas. I have everything I want and need here and traveling is usually a lot of time, effort and stress.
Q: Although primarily an online player, you still often participate in live tournaments - how do you prepare for these events and what kind of mindset do you need to have to succeed in high-pressure situations?
Preparing to live poker compared to online is all about slowing everything down. You have to focus on one table, not 12. You have to maintain your composure and not give off any physical, timing or sizing tells. Pack your backpack with everything you might need for the next 12 hours because live poker is a grind.
Q: ACR has become the place to be for US-based players over the last few years. How has life as an ACR Team Pro changed your career? Have you found that a friendly rivalry with the other pros has driven the standard of your play to new heights?
Being the original ACR team pro has been a great experience. It has given me more drive to create content on Twitter, IG, YouTube and Twitch to help promote ACR. Behind the scenes we are a team that works well together. These competitions definitely bring out my 24/7 grind mode. $100,000 is a lot of money and you better believe I am going to give it 100% of my focus for the next month.
Q: How does it feel to have your name associated with guys like Chris Moneymaker, Chris Moorman, and Jon “Apestyles” Van Fleet?
They are all legends of the game and I am proud to call them my teammates.
Q: What advice can you give to aspiring poker players aiming to make it in the world of professional poker in 2023?
Know what you are getting into. Pursue an occupation that you are passionate about and if poker is #1 then go for it. Hope to be successful, but know that the odds are stacked against you. Variance, expenses, taxes and bankroll management are all very important things. The mental game is almost as important as your poker still. Maintaining your composure when things go bad day after day and month after month can be very depressing.
Twitch Streaming
Q: How did you first get into streaming on Twitch, and what motivated you to start sharing your poker gameplay with others?I got into Twitch about five years ago when ACR mentioned that it would be a good way to promote the brand. I thought it would be a fun and interactive way to compete on the internet with my followers there to root me on. It is a break from the monotony of grinding solo.
Q: Your Twitch channel primarily features poker content - what do you think draws viewers to watch poker gameplay and what strategies do you use to keep your audience engaged?
The winning formula for Twitch in general is to be loud and obnoxious and entertaining. I don't think I am really much of any of these three things. Maybe entertaining in my own way. I have been told that I have a very chill persona that uses occasional dry humor to get a few laughs. It is good to be constantly reading all of the chat and interacting with the viewers. Most of my viewers have been around for 3 years, since Covid hit and have been loyal.
Q: What do you think sets you apart from other Twitch poker streamers, and how do you aim to differentiate yourself from the competition?
I am different because I play all stakes. $2 to $2,650 online MTTs. I have quality emotes, relevant clips, and ACR ticket giveaways for every final table. I have a unique personality that most enjoy.
Q: What do you enjoy most about streaming and creating poker content, and what are your long-term goals for your Twitch channel and poker career?
I enjoy the interaction and the sense of me and viewers all being in this together. If I win, they win. If I lose, they lose. Or at least they feel the highs and lows emotionally, but not financially. I plan on streaming on Twitch for the foreseeable future. It is a lot of work, but I am good at multitasking. I like the challenge.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to someone who is interested in starting a career in content creation or Twitch streaming, and what skills or qualities do you think are essential for success in this space?
You have to have good people skills. You have to be able to handle many situations on the fly and make thousands of decisions on a daily basis. I would recommend people try it but realize that it is very hard to get a following. You will start with 0 viewers and that might stay that way for many sessions.
Jeff Boski can be found on the following social media channels where he puts out content daily:
Twitch - JeffBoski
Instagram - JeffBoskiPoker
Twitter - ICuRaRook
YouTube - JeffBoski
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