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A Living Legend

During almost 50 years of playing poker, TJ Cloutier has achieved some of the biggest successes poker can offer. Considered one of the best tournament players around, he has won well over 50 major events. Be careful if you are ever seated at his table. He is very observant about the hands, even if he isn't involved in them. He is known to remember every detail about a hand, as well as the style of play of whomever he plays with. He has also said that he may not remember someone's name, but he will remember how they played their hands, even if he played them 10 years ago.

Born in Albany, Texas, in 1939. Cloutier was born to compete. He grew up playing football and even got a chance to play in the 1959 Rose Bowl while he attended the University of California at Berkeley. After college, he went on to play for the Canadian Football League and played there until he hurt his knees. Soon after leaving football, Cloutier continued following his competitive spirit and made his permanent move to the poker table.

Here's a chance to sit down for a chat with this living legend.

What drew you to poker? I was always a competitor. I have been playing this game since I was 17 years old, so that's 49 years. I was caddying on the golf course, and we used to go to Artichoke Joe's. (Artichoke Joe's is a casino in San Bruno, California.) I wasn't supposed to be there till I was 21, but I was playing when I was 17.

So that's how you learned? Well, that's how you start. You learn over the years.

Why make it a profession instead of just a hobby? I found out I could make more money this way.

How important do you think intelligence is to the game? I think it is very important! Most of your good poker players have a higher IQ than average.

What do you think is the most important skill in poker? It is definitely observation. Observe the other players and learn how they play. That's my strong point, that and instincts. I observe constantly throughout the tournament.

Do you find that to be draining?

It is when "the tournaments" are over. As I'm playing, it doesn't bother me at all. When they are over, I want to sleep for a couple of days.

How important is the stamina factor in poker? You've got to be able to last, but that's about it. What was your greatest poker accomplishment? I guess winning the $10,000 at the Bicycle three years in a row: 1990, 1991, and 1992. I guess I have won 59 majors, and that's more than anybody. So that's pretty good!

How much has your game changed in the last 20 years? It hasn't. It stays pretty much the same. I play differently against each player, but I have always done that.

What about playing a pro vs. an amateur. How much does it change then? When I play somebody, if he is an amateur, I always think he can play until he shows me he can't. I play them all about the same and give them credit for being a player. If one shows me he can't, then I'll do a few different things with him that I wouldn't with somebody else, that's all.

Has the exposure of poker on TV changed your game? It hasn't changed my game, but it has sure improved the pots and everything. They are worth a lot more than they used to be! There are a lot more players, too. We used to have three $10,000 tournaments in a year, now we have about 30 or 40 of them. That's great!