Road to the 2009 World Series of Poker with Jennifer Harman

May 6, 12:59 AMLA Poker Tournament ExaminerAlex Gonzales

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I wonder what's on her iPod? Hmmm

When people often refer to Jennifer Harman as one of the best female players in the world, I take a bit offense to that. She's is not one of the best female players in the world, but one of the best players overall, period. This two-time bracelet winner has made a name for herself in the world of professional poker by beating the competition on a continous basis and succeeding at every level of play. Whatever the stakes, Jennifer brings her intense focus and skill to a game she's loved since she was eight years old.

Now with the 2009 World Series of Poker just a few weeks away, I caught up with Jennifer Harman to discuss her year so far and her World Series outlook...

Alex Gonzales: You recently had a really good run at the $25,000 WPT Championship at the Bellagio, placing 11th for a nice payday of $81,710. How do you think you played with such a tough field of pros out there? How has that last tournament motivated you to perform great the rest of the year?

Jennifer Harman: I'm very happy with my result in the 25k WPT Championship. Of course when you get that close, you're a little disappointed because you're so close to winning it, but I feel I played well. Of course it's hard to play perfect poker and I feel I made some mistakes. 

But the important thing is that I learn from these mistakes and can use my knowledge for future tournaments.

Alex Gonzales: You’re married to another professional poker pro, Marco Traniello. How do you balance a relationship like that when the game produces so many ups and downs throughout the year?

Jennifer Harman: I think it works out great to be married to another professional poker player. Poker does have its ups and downs and I think it takes someone who plays to be able to understand that. Being in the same profession also gives us the freedom to have a life outside of poker because we are both basically on the same schedule.

Focused and ready to play.

Alex Gonzales: Over the last two months, you’ve held successful charity poker tournaments for the National Kidney Foundation and the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. How are these organizations close to your heart?

Jennifer Harman: I'm very happy to be involved with these 2 organizations. The National Kidney Foundation of course is close to my heart because of my own problems with kidney disease. I am very thankful because I have had another chance at life.  The NKF helps raise donor awareness and this is very important to me. It's hard for me to see people dying waiting for an organ. 

The NSPCA is also very special to me. I've always been an animal lover. I remember when I was a kid that I could not watch a movie or a television program where the animal dies. Animals just love unconditionally. The NSPCA takes care of all their animals with love and finds homes for each and every one of them. This organization really cares about what they are doing. 

Alex Gonzales: What does it mean to you when all of your friends in the poker world come out to support these causes of yours?

Jennifer Harman: It's nice to see all my friends come out to support these causes. I think that poker players in general are giving people and they like to help their friends. I feel honored to have such great friends who will support me.

Awww!

Alex Gonzales: Onto the World Series... with now 57 bracelet events at this year’s World Series of Poker, how many do you plan on playing? Will the $40,000 buy-in event be the main attraction?

Jennifer Harman: I'm not really sure how many events at the WSOP I will be playing. I never had a set schedule as to how many I will play. The ones I will play for sure is the 10K Mixed game, the 50k Horse and the Main Event.

I'm not sure if I'm going to play in the 40K NL holdem event. I guess it depends on how many entries they get. I'm not a huge fan of NL holdem tournaments and want to focus on the other tournaments they are offering.

Alex Gonzales: What is it about the World Series that brings you back year after year? Is it still enjoyable with the online pros flooding the World Series with their insane no-limit play, or do you feel that kind of level of competition elevates your game and gives you an advantage?

Jennifer Harman: I always am excited when the WSOP comes around. I don't know what it is about this tournament but the energy you feel when playing in these events is amazing.

The online players are unbelievable players at NL holdem. I have learned quite a bit playing in these NL tournaments with these players. I am all about learning and I feel that there is a lot to learn from these players.

Alex Gonzales: If you had to pick one other big name out there besides yourself to take, “Player of the Year” for the 2009 World Series, who would it be and why? Would you prop bet that with Phil Ivey? Ha.

Jennifer Harman: Wow there are so many great poker players out there. It's really hard to just pick one. To win player of the year, you have to play a lot of the tournaments and a lot of the great poker players are seperating their time between tournaments and cash games. If I had to pick one I guess it would be Daniel Negreanu because he is going to be playing a lot of tournaments and he is very driven to do well. 

Sure I would bet Phil Ivey. I wouldn't bet big though. If I bet big enough he would try to win it himself and when Ivey sets his mind to something, he usually accomplishes it.

Alex Gonzales: So after over a decade of being on the circuit year after year, even with your personal setbacks, what does Jennifer Harman still strive for? Are you content with your 2 bracelets and your charity work?

Jennifer Harman: There is always something that I strive for. I am wired that way. Of course like everyone else, I want to win the Main Event. I would like to win another bracelet this year. I would like to win 2, 3, 4, as many as I can, lol.

I want to say a big thank you to Jennifer Harman for her participation in this article. Good luck at the Series, Jen!

For more infomation on Jennifer Harman's Charity Organizations, please visit the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org and the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at www.nevadaspca.org.

Also, catch Jennifer Harman play exclusively at Full Tilt Poker where satellites are running daily for your chance to win a prize package worth $12,000 to this year's World Series of Poker! Sign up now!