Catching Up With Jason Koon
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Jason Koon is in the final eight of Event #27. He��ll compete against Dan Healey in the next round of heads-up play. In his first two matches today, Koon came from behind to win against Taylor Paur and then defeated Mike Watson despite starting with a substantial chip disadvantage. PokerNews caught up with Koon after he won his round of sixteen match against Watson.
PokerNews: Before the summer, you were optimistic��and pretty vocally optimistic��about your chances for success at the World Series. This is your third cash and you��ve had one final table. How do you feel it��s been going, and how do you feel it will go moving forward?
Koon: I think it��s been great. I��ve had to miss a bunch of events for two weddings, so I flew home, but out of the ones that I��ve played I felt like I played really well. I��m being very objective this year. Like today, for instance. I came in final 32. I knew I had two very tough rounds at the beginning. I knew it was unlikely that I would have a shot to win the bracelet. Less than 15%. So back in the day, I would just think I��m due, and then I would end up being bummed out and burn out halfway through the World Series ��cause I��d have all these deep runs that didn��t come out the way I wanted them to. But nowadays I��m just realistic with my situation ��cause I focus on what I have control of, and if I happen to win a bracelet, so be it. And if not, I��m really happy with my progress as a person and as a poker player.
Why is this year going to be better than last year for you?
For the last four or five months I��ve spent an extreme amount of time getting coaching, and it��s really paid off.
You��re pretty well known as a fitness fanatic. How has that helped you with poker?
It helps me maintain focus. I feel like that��s a big edge through the long days. And also, it��s just a great outlet for stress. I think a lot of people have a bad day and they go drink or eat a bunch of hamburgers. That might be a quick fix, but it doesn��t work long run. Staying in shape just keeps me happy.
How do you feel about your chances going into the next round?
I have no clue who I��m playing, but I thought it wasn��t cool that he sat on the rail and watched us the entire time as we played. It��s not illegal, but it��s kind of unethical. It��s an edge that he has over me that I wouldn��t have over him. That said, all I��ve done for the past four and a half months is study heads-up no limit, and I feel pretty good about it.
If you win, how are you going to celebrate?
What��s first place, 370K or something? It��s not life-changing money or anything, but we��ll definitely party. We��ll get the crew together and probably hit up a pool during the day and spend a little money. Not too much money, though, I��m kind of over all that.