ESPN

Andrew Feldman

  (4:56 PM)

Hey everyone. We hope you've enjoyed the poker chat block so far and Ivan Demidov is here to finish up today's chats! Send in your questions to the runner-up in chips now!

Dave(Cleveland, OH)

Hi Ivan. What was your strategy with the final table nearing closer and closer?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:02 PM)

It really depended on the position I would get on the final table. If I get a lot of aggressive players on my right I'd have to play tighter and f I get position on the aggressive players I'll be ready to reraise a lot and be aggressive.

Tim (Denver)

As you prepared for the final table during the break, were there any specific tells that you found while watching tape that you will exploit on Sunday? (You don't have to tell us who or what)

Ivan Demidov

  (5:03 PM)

Nothing very specific. I'm not that good at reading people -- all their tells -- I'm still unexperienced in this area so I don't know if I'd pick up anything at all.

Mike (St. Louis)

Would you be embarassed to finish worse than Kelly Kim?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:04 PM)

Yes. Haha. Actually, I mean going heads-up is my goal for the final table. I might need to get lucky to do that, but that's my plan.

Mark Citrone (Natick, MA)

What was it like playing in the EPT final with Negreanu, Juanda, etc?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:05 PM)

It was a great experience for me to play in that major final table. There were great players there, not only Juanda and Negreanu, but Fischman and some swedish players. It was very nice and very hard at the same time. It is definitely going to help me -- I learned a lot about a marathon final table and I hope it will help me.

Victor (Fresno, CA)

When everyone made the money, what was your chip position and how did it feel to get past that?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:06 PM)

Actually, I was the chip leader at my table and I used that time to bully the table and get as much as I can. I wasn't really too worried that I wouldn't make the money. I was really focused on getting more chips at this time.

Andy (San Antonio)

Congrats on making WSOPE and WSOP Main Event Finals. Being 2nd banana, do you feel you have to keep the heat on the shorter stacks or kick back and let them kill each other?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:07 PM)

that's a good question. That will depend on my position at the table. If I have position on them, I'll try and use my chip stack to try and take some easy pots from them. If I'm not in position, I'll play tight, let the shorter stacks bust out and maybe then the game will change,

Bill (OSU)

What's the deal with Russians kicking so much ass at the WSOP? Is it true you guys are being cloned to take over poker?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:08 PM)

I have no idea! the results have been great these past two years. I don't know the reason, but mainly I think its because a lot of y ounger players can now afford to travel and play in these events. A few years ago, maybe only five or 10 people traveled to the WSOP from Russia. Now we have over 50 that played in this past year.

Armand (Phoenix AZ)

Ivan, how much would you say making the final table at the WSOP Europe has helped you prepare for the November 9?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:09 PM)

It's hard to say. It's definitely helped. I don't know if it will be a big difference or not, but I think I was in a good position when there were three or four players left in Europe to go heads-up, but I was tired and I wasn't prepared for such a long day. I wasn't ready for it and I donked my chips off. I played pretty bad. I really hope that experience is going to help me prepare for this final table. I hope I can stay focused and play my best game at all times.

dp (New Jersey)

Ivan, the early going of these huge tournaments seem to be a minefield. What was your early strategy and any key early hands that made you think you would be able to last to the final 9?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:11 PM)

I think my strategy was nothing special. I know its right to play a little tighter to keep the pots smaller at the start. If I get a lot of chips in I'm pretty sure I'll win the pot. Don't risk a lot of chips early on. Key hands - no, not really. Actually, each day I was surprised I was still in. I never had the feeling I was going to make it to the final. I was just happy to be in.

Jake (Syracuse)

Ivan, are you excited about possibly being the 1st Russian to win the WSOP?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:12 PM)

It would be great if I could accomplish that. I think if I win or go heads-up it will have a pretty big impact on Russia and maybe even more Russian players will come and play next year. It will definitely have a big impact there if I win.

Lane (Shawnee, OK)

Do you think Hilm's meltdown at the FT last year will be weighing heavily on the minds of those of you at the top of the chip counts?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:14 PM)

I don't think it will affect anyone at all. From what I have seen on ESPN, he was trying to play aggressive, risked a lot of chips and lost a big gamble against Jerry Yang. I'm not going to play this way. I'm not going to play like him and I don't think it will affect anyone else. It's just a difference in style.

Jim (LA, CA)

Ivan, do you what will be your schedule as it relates to Sunday and the final table? Is it going to be at the Rio, are they going to have special seatings and how many family and friends will you have with you? gl

Ivan Demidov

  (5:15 PM)

I'm not bringing anyone of my family, just my girlfriend. It will just be my friends and those who I travel with to tournaments. We'll just chill out before the tournament, nothing special. Everyday when I went deep in the main event, we had a meeting in the house we rented in Vegas and it really helped you. It gave me confidence and stuff like that.

Brian (NYC)

Many think that the coverage of you at the WSOPE final table will hurt you by giving the others added information about your style of play, but do you think you can turn it into an advantage?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:16 PM)

So far I don't think that I haven't really shown my hands at all during that table. I won 95% of the hands without showdown. People can't really tell that much about my style from that final table and I don't think it will be neither a disadvantage or advantage as you can't really determine much from watching it.

Dave(Cleveland, OH)

Do you have any special plans with the money you will be making?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:17 PM)

No, no special plans. It really depends on where I finish as each place there's a huge difference.

Greg (Las Vegas)

With international flavor being represented at the final table again this year, will you sport the russian flag?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:18 PM)

Yes. My friends will be bringing at least one.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Ivan, What do you do to get ready before you play?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:19 PM)

I'm not sure. I'm fully prepared. I'm just going to try and have a good time before the final table. Not play, just save everything for the one important day. Nothing special.

John NY

Congratulations on making both final tables. Throughout the main event in Las Vegas, which player was the best you played with? Which pros do you think are the best live tournament players?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:20 PM)

John Juanda really impressed me. He definitely deserved to win the title in Europe. From the main event in Vegas, I think Peter Eastgate is a very good player. He was the one that I couldn't get a good read on at all and I'm pretty sure he bluffed me out of a lot of pots because I couldn'te tell if he was bluffing or not. he's probably one of the best at the table.

Mike, Seattle

What's your favorite hand and why?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:20 PM)

I think it's 9-9 now because I won that huge pot with it.

Ivan Demidov

  (5:21 PM)

It could also be A-K because playing that hand wrong is going to cost you a lot of tournaments. Playing it right will give you a lot of chips. It's not a really strong hand, but many people overplay it.

Brian (Portland,ME)

How much pressure have you felt from the media and marketing hype these past few months?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:21 PM)

You have to understand that poker isn't that big in Russia yet so I'm pretty sure that it was easier for me than everyone else. I still get lots of interviews and TV shows, it wasn't too bad.

Bill (Ft. Lauderdale)

Congrats on your recent success. Based on that well publicized success and the fact that you are second in chips do you expect to be a target, or avoided, at the table?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:23 PM)

I think people will try to avoid playing huge pots with me because I had the success lately. They think I'm a good player now, the difference is that many wouldn't want to get involved with pots with me, but there are players like Chino Rheem who will be playing aggressive against everyone. I think that they'll try and avoid me.

Erick (Newark)

I read somewhere you were a pro gamer before poker. What did you learn there that you use in poker?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:25 PM)

Yes, I have played Starcraft and Warcraft3 professionally. I traveled to big tournaments, just like poker tournaments, once a year. I have been in the finals three times, but haven't really won anything. It was mostly the same - you need to play in big tournaments, beat a lot of people, play long hours every day and play your best game because every pot and every game matters. It gave me a lot of experience.

Kevin (Boston MA)

Ivan what is a typical tell that us amateurs should look for at the table?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:26 PM)

I have no idea! I'm not really experienced in this stuff. I can't really say anything specific, but when I see amateurs at the table they are giving away a lot, but when it comes to someone who has been playing for a long time, I can't get much off of them in terms of tells.

Brian

What are your thoughts on Tiffany Michelle? Is she as much of a B*tch at the table as everybody says?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:27 PM)

I don't really like her. I know that when I played with her at the same table she was pretty rude to everyone and she thought too highly of herself. At the same time, she really had no idea of what she made a certain move. If you check to her on the turn, there was almost a 100% chance she would bet. She really is not a good poker player and she was lucky to get so deep.

Tim (Denver)

What is your favorite game? And at what stakes do you like to play? What is the highest stakes you have ever played comfortably?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:28 PM)

My favorite game is hold 'em, that's basically the only game I play seriousy. I play some Omaha and HORSE for fun. I have been backed for these big live tournametns. I had a sponsor that paid my buy-in so with his money I have played pretty high cash games and the biggest tournaments in the world, but with my money I've only played $1K buy-ins and maybe $5/$10 cash games.

Wyatt

Do you like Las Vegas or is it really just another city?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:29 PM)

I don't really like it. It's fun to visit for a week or maybe 2 weeks, but when you have to stay there for a few months, it really gets old. I can't say I like it. Some other cities I have been to playing poker, I've liked them a lot more.

Craig (LSU)

When is it okay to call the clock on somebody?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:30 PM)

I have never called the clock on anyone yet so I'm not the one to ask that question. I don't think its Ok to acall the clock on anyone, especially its a big decision. The only time it is OK to call the clock is when people are stalling, trying to make the money. That really might be the only time.

joe parmud nj

what did u do before your good run and how r u gonna use the money

Ivan Demidov

  (5:31 PM)

Before poker, I was studying at the university and I realized I didn't want to do a normal job. Poker fit perfectly. That's when I started playing seriously.

Tim (Denver)

If you are looking to get into the backing business, I am available.

Ivan Demidov

  (5:32 PM)

I am looking. With the money I win, some of it I will invest in young players. Back them in big live tournaments. First of all, it's really fun to root for someone, a member of your team. It's not just about the money, its a good feeling when they pull out a big win.

Stan, Salt Lake

How much of your preparation has been studying the other 8, versus just improving your game?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:33 PM)

Mostly I have been just trying to improve my game and paly a lot of live tournaments to get the experience I needed. Of course I have seen the ESPN coverage and the hands my opponents have played. I've already played a lot with them and my tells from what I've been playing with them is more important than what I saw on TV. It's more important how people behave in a live situation, something that they won't show on TV.

Jeff (cincy)

How was the million dollar men tournament this weekend?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:34 PM)

I think I had played pretty well until the bust out hand. Aside from that I played well and it was a good promotion from PokerStars. I had fun playing and it was a good structure. Too bad I couldn't do better, I finished fourth.

Ivan Demidov

  (5:35 PM)

I don't think the other guys played their normal game. It wouldn't be smart to show all their potential with the final table in a week. I paid attention to how they played, but I don't think they'll play the same way with the 9 million on the line.

Tony (Long Island)

Ivan, at the WSOPE, do you feel you and Alekhin were trying to put the squeeze on Juanda to make it headsup between the two Russians?

Ivan Demidov

  (5:37 PM)

I don't think we were playing against him. I played differently against Alekhin versus Juanda as they had different styles. I've known him for a lot of years and even if you want to play the same against him, it's not really possible. We weren't colluding or anything like that, but it's impossible to play against someone who you knew for years and a strangers.

Ivan Demidov

  (5:38 PM)

Thanks for all the questions and I hope you're going to root for me during the final table! Considering Dennis Phillips is bringing like 300 people to the final table, I'll need all the support I can get.