Brett Richey is a Pennsylvania pro and renowned tournament grinder. But he’s also an aspiring rapper who is recording his first album. Richey has 58 cashes and tournament earnings of $1.23 million. Here’s what he had to say:
Where are you from and how did you get into poker? I’m from Pittsburgh and I started playing poker during college.
How long have you been rapping? I’ve been rapping for about eight years on and off. I’m currently recording an album and am excited about it.
Who inspired you most in rap? No one in particular, but rappers that stay true to their unique style instead of copying someone else’s.
Do you enjoy playing live cash games? I like live cash and regularly play in a $100-$200 mix game, though I greatly prefer online.
Who are your poker friends you discuss strategy with? I don’t really talk strategy much, but will occasionally ask one of my friends a question. I don’t have a go-to guy or anything, though.
What is it about the World Series of Poker that you look forward to the most? I look forward to the non-no-limit tournaments. It’s the only time of the year these events run with big prize pools.
NEWS: Chris Moneymaker’s contract with Presque Isle Downs in Erie has expired and he’s no longer the room’s ambassador, moving on to Hollywood Columbus in Ohio instead. Also, Farmington, Pa., has opened the state’s 13th casino, the Lady Luck Nemacolin, an Isle of Capri property, but there are no plans for a poker room. … The primary bad-beat jackpot at Wheeling Island Hotel and Casino’s poker room in West Virginia reached $151,031 at press time. The poker room has paid nearly $2.3 million in bad beats since 2008. All limits of hold’em are eligible, including $2-4 limit with a $20 minimum buy-in and $1-$2 no-limit hold’em with a $50 minimum buy-in.
— Mike Owens is the Ante Up Ambassador for Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. You can follow him on Twitter @Holdemag and check out his blog at CheckRaze.com. He can be reached at anteupowens@gmail.com.
