WSOP 2009 - 20 Questions with Evelyn "Evybabee" Ng

by Bodog Poker | Jun 9 2009

1. You started out as a blackjack and poker dealer. What was that like?

When I started dealing I didn't know anything about poker so I had to learn very quickly.  I think paying attention while I was dealing helped me be aware of how much was in the pot at all times and made me aware when people would short the pot or make other errors.  I'd also try to put people on hands and I think that experience gave me an edge once I started to play myself.

2. If you could sit down and play a game of poker with any five people in the world (living or deceased), who would you pick?

Oprah Winfrey - she's loaded and I don't think she'd be very good at bluffing

Bill Gates - he's loaded and I think he would be kind of a nit

Anna Nicole Smith - no disrespect to the dead, but she inherited all that money and she wasn't exactly the brightest bulb.

Michael Jackson - it might be hard to read his poker face, but I think I could take him

The latest Megabucks or Super Lotto winner.

3. If you could sit down and play a game of STRIP POKER with any five people in the world (living or deceased), who would you pick?

I've never actually played strip poker, and I really can't think of anyone I'd want to play that with besides my boyfriend.  So, I'd probably pick the same 5 people from the last question and then try to convince them to play a "small cash game".

4. As a professional poker player, you do pretty good. We hear you just bought a new Vespa. What's that about?!?

I've never had a driver's license, and to get around, I've always had to rely on taxis and friends.  I've wanted to get a Vespa for a couple years, but it wasn't until my friend Maridu (Maria Mayrinck) rented one for the WSOP that I got to ride one myself.  Since I live right by the Strip, I only need to go short distances, and riding a scooter is so much fun!  I found the perfect model, a 50cc (which I don't even need a motorcycle license for) LX50 in powder blue at the dealership, and a few days later I paid for it in cash.  It should be ready for me in a week or two.

5. Is there any part of your game that you'd like to improve upon?

I have a tendency to take too many gambles early on, trying to get a big stack early, especially in large fields.  I think I need to work on my "small ball" game.

6. Both you and David Williams dress with a certain air of coolness and style. Come to think of it, there are only a handful of 'hot' players. What's it like being the hot chick at the table? Do you use it to your advantage?

I have my own style, which I think of as kind-of "sexy-casual".  I like to be comfortable at the poker table, but I don't want to dress like a guy either.  While I try to play-up my femininity, I don't overtly try to use sexuality as a poker tactic (though I don't see anything wrong with that really).  I'm sure that sometimes this works in my favor, but I do have to deal with unwanted sexual advances and some harassment as well.

7. You like playing with your chips. Do your 'chip tricks' help you to concentrate or do they ever intimidate other players at the table?

I think that doing chip-tricks at the table is a definite signal to my opponents that I am no stranger to the game-- but since I've been on TV quite a bit, I don't think it really hurts my game really.  I do have Attention Deficit Disorder, and I think that playing with my chips helps me get out some of my fidgety energy and allows me to concentrate more.

8. What is it about the WSOP that excites you?

There's a certain palpable energy when you are at the WSOP.  It's also kind of a family reunion, getting to see all kinds of poker friends from around the world.  It's really cool to see so many poker players converging for such a prestigious live tournament, and the history of the WSOP has a lot of sentimental cache as well.

9. If you could, is there anything about the WSOP that you would change?

Personally, I think women's events should be called just that-- Women's Events.  Calling it a "Ladies Event" is somewhat demeaning and lessens it in my opinion.  I'd also like it if there was more than one women's event, and I think the Women's Championship event should be a higher buy-in, maybe a $3000 or $5000 entry fee.

10. How has it been playing for Bodog? How have they been treating you?

I love Bodog.  It's such a hip company, and doing appearances and events with Bodog are always fun and classy.  They have always treated us (Team Bodog pros) with a lot of respect and they value our input as well.  I also really like playing on my Evelyn Ng $2-$4 limit table on Bodog, the regular players are all very nice and I like chatting on there.

11. Has playing online poker helped your game any?

Before I started playing tournament poker, I was a cash game player grinding it out for over 10 years.  Playing live, you often see people at their worst, and it can get a little depressing after so long.  Online poker is more relaxing for me these days because you don't have to listen to anyone whine and complain- you can just play poker.  Now that I am recognized from TV a lot when I go to the casinos, I find it's a lot easier for me to concentrate when I am playing online.

12. Do you think it (online poker) has helped the game in general? If so, how?

Online poker has made it possible for people who don't live near any casinos to play the game, and televised poker has made it a very popular game around the world.  Those two factors are the main reason there was a "poker boom", and why the WPT and WSOP have prize pools of several million dollars each and thousands of entrants, compared to the much smaller numbers from the years before.

13. You're still young. Are you ever going to settle down, get married and maybe start a family?

I've never really dreamed about getting married and having children.  I do like being in a monogamous relationship, but I don't really feel the need to legally bind yourself to anyone and promise "until death do us part".  Maybe one day I might change my mind about kids and maybe even marriage, but it's definitely not a priority in my life.

14. Are there any drawbacks to the pro poker lifestyle? That is to say, it can't be all fun and games. What are some of the seedier sides of playing tournament poker?

It can be really tough when you go to work and have the possibility of losing a lot of money.  It can be really stressful when poker is your only income, and it can be hard to remain positive and confident when you've been "running badly".  A lot of poker players have vices and bad habits, and it takes a lot of strength and willpower not to fall victim to the lure of drugs and other degenerate behavior.

15. Who are some of your favorite players; pros that you look up to or respect most?

I've known Daniel Negreanu since I was 16, before either of us even started playing poker, and he has always been a very close friend and mentor to me.  Also, David Williams is not only my Bodog Teammate, but he is one of my best friends and also my neighbor!  Female pros that I really respect and admire are women like Jennifer Harman and Kristy Gazes-- smart and talented women who have worked hard to get where they are with dignity and class.

16. Do you follow sports at all? Who are your favorite teams?

I don't follow sports at all, the only sport I ever would watch on TV was Snooker when I was younger.  Stephen Hendry was my favorite Snooker player.

17. When you're at the casino, do you play any other games besides poker?

I don't play any pit games at all.  I used to gamble on Blackjack and Baccarat when I was younger, but I quit all of that once I learned how to play poker.

18. Did you watch any of this season's 'Celebrity Apprentice,' the season of Joan Rivers vs. Annie Duke? If so...what did you think of Annie Duke? The editors sure made her look like a real bee-atch.

I didn't watch the show at all, so I can't really comment about Annie's behavior.  Annie is definitely a strong-willed and opinionated woman- maybe too opinionated at times!  She can be bitchy and abrasive, but I doubt that if she was a man that she would be vilified as much as she is for that.

19. Okay, so let's say you've got a week off from playing poker and you're thinking VACATION. Where would you go?

I've always wanted to go to Tokyo, and I haven't gotten the chance to yet.  I'm really fascinated with Japanese culture, and I love the food too.  I also would love to go to some remote island... the Lost island would be awesome!

20. Dwight Howard or Kobe Bryant?

I have absolutely no idea.

21. What do you think of the WSOP? What changes would you suggest making?

What the... I already answered this in #8 and #9.  Wasn't this supposed to be 20 Questions?  Your time is up.

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