Player Interview: Reed Hensel
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Reed Hensel has slipped into Day 6 near the top of the counts by playing solid poker and slowly chipping up without a lot of fanfare. That did change a little bit when he added 1 million chips to his stack late in Day 5 after winning a preflop raising war with Richard Gryko.
Day 6 is a familiar sight to Hensel, who placed 70th in the 2009 Main Event. Hensel just bested that result as the 67 remaining players went on the first break of the day. That's when we found him to talk about his journey so far.
Hensel: I barely survived Day 1 and 2. I had less each day and just focused on surviving. And then a few things started to go my way, and I just started to increase my counts each day — Day 3, 4, and 5 and hopefully today. Today, I've lost a few small pots and got down to 5 million. Then I won a few pots, and now I'm sitting with around 6 million. I feel pretty good about it.
PokerNews: You have an excellent reputation as an online player. Does that experience help you here?
Hensel: I don't know about my reputation. I do play online, but I haven't won anything in about three years. I think online helps with exposing you to a lot of hands. It's really tough online now. I tried to play the online events this year, but I couldn't deposit with my credit card. I tried multiple cards, but I just couldn't get it to work, and I was too lazy to go to the cage and take care of it.
PokerNews: Back in 2009, you finished 70th, which is right where we are right now. Does your experience at this stage help you going forward?
Hensel: I don't know about that. It's more about the fact that I'm older and more mature. Eight years ago, I would lose a hand, and it would really mess me up, and now I just shake it off and move on to the next one.
PokerNews: Most of your tournament results are in no-limit. But you had a deep run in the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event this summer. Are you starting to add mixed games to your repertoire?
Hensel: When I play online, I play eight-game a little bit. Not like high stakes or anything, but just for fun. I enjoy the games. Tournament-wise, I really like the mixed games. When people only have to face one bet, instead of a bet for all their chips, people can open up and talk. I really enjoy myself more when it's just not nine nerds at the table. It was probably one of the most fun tournaments I've ever played.
PokerNews: You just got moved to another table. Are you familiar with the other players? Have you been able to size them up?
Hensel: I've never played with any of the players at this table except Superman. Maybe I can get some of those super powers. I've only seen five hands, and there were three all-ins. One guy gave it away, but the other two were legitimate hands.
PokerNews: What's your plan for the day?
Hensel: My goal is not to get through the day; my goal is to play every hand the best that I can. If I lose, I lose. And if not, then I'll make it to the end of the day.
PokerNews: Are you happy with the way you're playing?
Hensel:Yeah. Yeah. I'm sure I messed up some stuff, but that's bound to happen. My better poker friends have told me I made some mistakes.