ESPN

Andrew Feldman

  (4:01 PM)

Hey everyone! Scott will be joining us shortly, so please keep sending in the questions!

Scott Montgomery

  (4:04 PM)

Hi everybody.

Justin from Philly

If you were a gambling man...er...what do you think your odds of winning are?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:05 PM)

Well, I guess I am a gambling man, so that's a good question I'd give myself very good odds. My aggressive style lead me to bust out early. That said, heading into the final table, I'd give myself a 20-25% chance to win.

Eric (Columbus, OH)

Were you angry with Tiffany Michelle calling the clock?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:06 PM)

At the time I wasn't that angry, but thinking back on it it could've cost me the tournament. He might have folded if she didn't call the clock. It wasn't shown on TV, but he was really considering laying it down. Even though I won the hand anyway, it's water under the bridge. It worked out well for me.

Mark (Sunnyvale, CA)

Given the 2-outer you rivered against Snead, you're basically playing on house money. Does that make it easier to play loose aggressive at the final table and try to win some big pots?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:07 PM)

No, I mean, one hand is never going to change my style or strategy one way or the other. You have to ignore any weird hand you get involved in. Ignore any bad beats you give or take and just move on.

Vijay (Porter Ranch, CA)

Hey Scott, who was the biggest pro player that you eliminated during your run to the Final table?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:08 PM)

I didn't play that many pros, but on Day 1 I eliminated Bobby Baldwin. He was probably the most notable pro I knocked out. On Day 1 I had Bobby and Barry Greenstein at my table. I knocked out Bobby and doubled up Barry, so it ended up about even.

elk8000 (Seattle, WA)

Scott, best of luck on the final table.Two questions if I may:How many times did you personally witness cracked aces during the WSOP?What was the sickest fold you made?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:09 PM)

I have no idea how many times I saw aces cracked. I have a terrible memory for hands. My aces were cracked twice! Only three times did I have aces and get some action and two of those three times they were crqacked. I didn't have a lot of luck with them. Aces get cracked a ton of times -- its a pretty common occurance.

Scott Montgomery

  (4:10 PM)

Making sick folds isn't really my specialty. I remember limping in with kings one hand and then laying it down on a Q high flop. That was probably the biggest laydown I made.

Scott Montgomery

  (4:10 PM)

I try to get myself into situations where I neve rhave to make the big lay downs - keep the pot as small as possible. Hopefully I never have to make that big lay down at the river as I'm confident that I have the best hand (or make the best bluff).

Bryan (Richmond, Virginia)

What was the biggest mistake you made in the tournament thus far? Where would you rank your A4 off play in comparison?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:11 PM)

That has to be the biggest mistake I made. No question about it. I made a lot of rediculous bluffs, but that one there was no fold equity behind it so it was just a big mistake.

Clancy, Ottawa

CA-NA-DA!!!!!

Scott Montgomery

  (4:11 PM)

Go Canada!

Mark (Sunnyvale, CA)

How many times did you get your whole stack in the middle as an underdog? From the ESPN telecast, we already know of at least two. Are those just the tip of the iceberg?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:13 PM)

Yes, those are the two that I remember personally, the two that they showed. I had a bunch of coinflips. I don't think I was all-in and behind too many times. I was all-in preflop with 10-10 vs A-K and an ace hit the flop. luckily a 10 hit the river. I'm not the kind of guy to say that I put it in ahead throughout the entire tournament, but I got it in behind a couple times and got lucky.

Zlatko (Petrovac, Montenegro)

Did you really believe you had a AA, rather than the A4? That was on hell of a river card! Good luck on Sunday!

Scott Montgomery

  (4:13 PM)

That's one of my big worries on TV. I'm having a hard time seeing people understand sarcasm. No, of course I wasn't serious when I said that! It was a joke!

Scott Montgomery

  (4:13 PM)

People need to work on their sarcasm detectors.

Cory (Indianapolis, IN)

Do you think your chance of winning has increased or decreased since the break, and do you think any reads or tells you picked up on the others will still be there?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:15 PM)

I'd say the break has probably decreased my chances of winning. It has allowed everyone to improve their games which levels the playing field. Going into the final table, some of the players would've been overwhelmved by the final table and the pressure and fans -- there would've been some blow ups. With the break, people will be relaxed and calm. As for the reads and tells, I can't really talk about that stuff.

Tyler (Ankeny, IA

Who do you think your toughest opponent is going to be at the final table and why?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:17 PM)

I wouldn't want to give any other players at the table too much confidence. Telling someone is my biggest threat means that they'd bully me at the table. You always try to play more against the weaker players. It means after that horrible TV broadcast, everyone will want to play against me, so that means I will be playing a lot of pots.

Joseph (Toronto)

Hey Scott, do you think the lack of marquee names at this final table might take off some of the pressure you felt at the the LAPT with the two Phils?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:20 PM)

Yea, not just the names, but I felt so much more pressure at the LAPC final table because it was my first TV table. I was sitting with the two Phils and I felt so much pressure. Even if there were big names at this final table, the experience in front of the cameras definitely makes this easier the second time around having done it once before and knowing what it's like with the pressure.. The first time you think you might never make a another TV final table. Now I make another one and you start to think that there might be a third one down the line.

julian

if you happen not to win the main event, who would you want to win? who would u be rooting for?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:20 PM)

Generally I would say I don't care because I would be so disappointed, but this time around I'd say I'd have to root for the Canadian Darus, need to have some national pride there!

Joseph (Toronto)

Do you think its important for the world champion to take an ambassadorship to poker seriously?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:22 PM)

No. I understand the reason for it and I would totally do it if I won. Travel the circuit play all the tournametns and celebrity events and stuff, but I don't think it's a given. I think if someone won the tournament and felt like quitting poker, I don't hold it against them. It's their life and their money and I don't think we have the right to put the pressure on someone because they won a tournament. It shouldn't have to change their life and make them try to change the status of the game worldwide.

Ed (Memphis)

You and Chino seem to be the most vocal at the table among the remaining players. Don't you worry that by speaking a lot you might end up conveying information about your hands?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:24 PM)

No because though I talk a lot at the table, especially those last couple days, everyone was so serious except for me -- I was always joking around -- but it was always in between hands. The A-4 hand that was probably the only time I talked during a hand the entire tournament. I talk between hands all the time to lighten the mood and have some fun, but during hands, I rarely ever talk.

Ben (Athens, Tennessee)

Scott, good luck at the final table. What was your strategy early on in the main event during the first three or four days?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:27 PM)

During the first day my strategy was usually to play extra aggressive. During the first day people usually play really tight. So if I played very aggressive, I was able to pick up a lot of small pots. Being aggressive so early people thought I was getting loose and it allowed me to get paid off on the big hands. At the end of Day 1 I had $100,000. By playing extra aggressive at the start of a tournament you should be able to gain some chips.

Blanchard (Charlotte, NC)

I love your aggression. When, if ever, do you choose to avoid playing against another player.....when they are running hot, bigger stack??? Good luck in the Final.

Scott Montgomery

  (4:28 PM)

When playing the aggressive style, knowing who to play against is so important. Thre are players who will call you down with anything so you need to know who to avoid. There are certain people at the table who will call you down all the way with middle pair and with the aggressive style, you need to avoid them.

Pete (NC)

How much of a break from poker did you take once the final table was set? I would think you would be tired of it at that point.

Scott Montgomery

  (4:29 PM)

I mean, I love playing poker. I play full time, but I took a break for a month after the table was set. I was down in Vegas for the entire WSOP and thre for 2-3 months and was tired. I went back for a month before I played the next tournament on the circuit.

Justin (Philadelphia, PA)

Can you categorically divide most of your remaining competition into two groups: those players looking to aggressively add to their chip counts early and those players that are looking to climb the prize ladder for a while and get aggressive late?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:31 PM)

I can't do that yet, but come the final table time, I hope so because that's something you need to be able to figure out off the bat. Who is playing to win and who is trying to move up the money ladder. Usually I find it foolish to move up the ladder, but this year, the prize money is so heavy at the top, it makes sense. The jump between 8th and 7th is almost as big as the jump between fourth and third.

Mike (La Habra, CA)

What is the best way to prepare for a lengthy final table?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:32 PM)

God I hope it doesn't last like 22 hours like the one in Europe. I guess that just goes to experience Anyone who has played a lot is used to playing 10-15 hour days. A 22 hour day might lead me to fall out of my chair, but a 10 hour session won't be that terrible to prepare for.

Brian (LA)

Can you see the chipleader collapsing for the 2nd year in a row, in the same way the Mets have collapsed 2 straight seasons?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:34 PM)

Yes, it's always possible, especially with the stacks so even. The chip leader only has a little over double the average in chips. If he doubles up anyone other than Kelly Kim he loses a huge portion of his chips.

Frank (New Orleans, LA)

Are you already in Vegas? If not when do you plan to make the trip? Just curious what the plans like something like this would be.

Scott Montgomery

  (4:36 PM)

I've been down in Vegas for three or four weeks. I came here for the WPT event at the Bellagio and played there and the event at Caesars Palace. The WPT Bellagio was pretty standard for me. I got up to the chip lead midway through Day 1 and then busted an hour later. I gave my chips to Antonio Esfandiari. It goes back to the chip leader question again...

Dog (Sumter, SC)

What kind of money do the online sites offer in regards to sponsorship? Do they offer long term deals or just Final Table sponsorship?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:39 PM)

I don't think I'm supposed to talk about that.

Scott Montgomery

  (4:39 PM)

But I do have a deal with Full Tilt.

Justin (Philadelphia, PA)

Have you been able to seek out advice from any recent main event final table competitors? If so, who?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:40 PM)

I was talking with Lee Watkinson a bit who made it last year and then I talked with Matusow as well. Other than that, I don't think I've been talking to too many of the guys. I just talk to them about general strategy and mindset going into the final table -- nothing too specific.

Clancy, Ottawa

What are your thoughts (other than it decreasing your chances of winning) on The Final Table Experiment?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:42 PM)

That's my main thought unfortunately. I think it's gone pretty well. People were expecting a massive publicity push at the end, which I haven't really seen, but it has increased the publicity of the final table. If I wasn't playing I'd definitely be watching. It adds to the suspense for the viewers.

Wil (Bronx, NY)

Where on your body will you get your winning hand tattooed?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:43 PM)

Hahahah. I thought that was really weird that they put that in there. I have no tatoos and I'm still going to do it. Probably somewhere not too painful, maybe on my arm somewhere. I'm thinking it it gets down to heads-up, they'll bring up the tatooist and tatoo me right on stage.

Brad (Seattle, WA)

What are your thoughts about excessive celebrations during televised events? Is that something that needs further action, or do you just shrug it off? Is it possible to increase the percentage of poker players who are capable of winning with a little class?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:44 PM)

Yea, I have to be against it. I always give respect to the guys who win or lose a big hand. I always appreciate that at the table and it annoys me when people go crazy with cheering and rub it in a guys face. When you win a big hand, show some class and take it in stride.

Dan Milford, MA

Have you noticed yourself playing less hands and playing alot tighter than you usually would to make the final table

Scott Montgomery

  (4:46 PM)

Nope. I mean, once we got down to 10-handed I tightened up for sure. Before that, I never really had a big enough stack to tighten up. I doubled up the final hand before the 10-handed table. I didn't have that big of a stack before that so I couldn't play tight. I wasn't trying to fold my way into the final table.

Scott Montgomery

  (4:47 PM)

Plus the final two tables were so different. Our table was playing crazy aggressive -- lots of all-ins with all the big stacks at the table. The other table was tight. We were hoping a short stack would bust and we'd move over there, but they just kept on moving people to our table.

Wil (Bronx, NY)

The general question, what will you do with the money if you win?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:48 PM)

If I win I'll probably buy myself a nice house in Vegas and jusst stock it with all the amazing gadgets I can find. Maybe buy myself a maserati or something. Just blow it on all the cool stuff I can find. Throwing away a couple million for fun? Yea, I'd do that then invest the rest and give some to my family.

Paul (AZ)

You said you play "psychotically insane" cards - how much of an edge will you have against those players that may start off tight at the final table? Good luck to you....

Scott Montgomery

  (4:49 PM)

I mean if everyone starts off by playing tight, it would be great! but there are so many aggressive players at the final table, it's just not going to happen. The tournament was aggressive the entire way, even 10 handed.

Scott (Lees Summit, MO)

Do you have a favorite "junk hand" that you like to see flops with if you can?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:50 PM)

No. I mean, I'll play any sort of suited connectors, even down to 2-3 suited. I might even call a raise with it, but no specific hand that I'll always play.

Dave (Winnipeg)

Favorite place to play live?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:51 PM)

Any place with a lot of suckers and easy money. Caesars Palace has a lot of room at the table and I always enjoy playing there.

Scott Montgomery

  (4:51 PM)

Plus it's seperated from the casino and there aren't people smoking on the rails.

James (Atlanta)

Scott I didn't get to ask Craig this, but what was the reaction at the table like when he came over the top of Dean Hamrick with the AQ offsuit? I was watching at home and I was shocked; what was it like in the building?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:53 PM)

I mean it all happened pretty quickly. My immediate reaction was wow, here's aces. I hadn't been playing with him before the final table, I'm thinking man, it has to be aces or kings for sure. And then when Dean called with QQ, I thought man, here it is. I told Darus that after the flop of two hearts, it was going to be runner runner hearts. Other people were disappointed, but for some reason I thought that the A-Q was going to win. Craig Marquis' reaction was the best though. Meh, another hand.

Dave (Tustin, CA)

Do you hang out socially with any of the other pros? How about cash games with the other pros? If so - who?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:54 PM)

I don't play a lot of cash games and I don't really hang out with a lot of pros either. I'm new on the circuit and don't really know a lot of the guys, but I'm sure that will change. This year one of my goals is to learn to play all the different games so I can play in the WSOP's events next year.

Cory (Indianapolis, IN)

Out of the other 8 players remaining, how many of them do you think were just card racks and have no business making the final table?

Scott Montgomery

  (4:57 PM)

Wow, that's a mean question. It's hard to say, there were a bunch of players who I didn't play with until 10 handed. My answer will be: a couple. A couple made the final table simply because they got lucky with cards.

Scott Montgomery

  (4:57 PM)

Thanks for all the questions. It's been fun! Cheer for me next week!