Before heading off to Vienna to play in the Premier League Qualifiers we managed to catch up with PartyPokers latest sign up to the pro team Tomeu Gomila aka Amatos. He’s been flying the Spanish flag quite literally at some major live poker events since 2005. A major breakthrough came for him in 2010 when he final tabled the WPT Spanish Championship in Barcelona for a very nice pay day of $38,282 and then later in August 2011 where he took 5th at EPT Barcelona for a staggering $266,525.
Well known and liked in his home country he’s had his fair share of success online, and likes to maintain his Twitter account providing loyal friends, family and fans his tournament updates whilst on the poker road. On top of all this he’s well known in the Spanish poker community being the co-founder of the PokerVD training video site.
Thanks for your time, can you tell us when did you first start playing poker?
I started playing poker very young, among friends. I began playing online in 2003 or 2004. I was a loser until 2007, when I decided to start studying the game and, since then things have gone much better.
You’ve been a prominent member of the Spanish poker community for years. Could you tell us what you’ve seen as far as poker growing in popularity in Spain?
The truth is that I feel as a player beloved by the Spanish poker community. I imagine it will be for the hours I’ve spent in forums, making strategy videos for PokerVD and PokerSP, and always trying to cheer on everyone. In life outside of poker that’s what I always try. Getting along with people and take the positive things in every relationship.
Change is the only constant
How has the poker world changed since you started regularly playing live events back in 2006-2007?
I think poker has gone through many stages. The truth is that the beauty about poker is that you always have to be improving and looking for changes in play style. Poker is constantly changing, and that’s what motivates you to improve every day. I think that, in the end it’s doing the opposite of what everyone is doing. If aggression increases, I’ll play tighter. If people are playing more passive, we must be more aggressive. It is a constant change.
What are some of your favorite cities around the world to play poker in?
Without doubt “Las Vegas”. I love to spend two weeks each year to enjoy the city, shows, and soak in the poker atmosphere.
I want to Win!
Your biggest career cash by far came at EPT Barcelona in 2011; did you have an extra motivation to win that one on Spanish soil?
To be honest, what I want is to win a major tournament. I don´t mind the city where it’s played, I want it to be as big as possible. Right now, the biggest tournament is the WSOP Main Event. That´s my main goal.
You had friends and supporters railing you during your deep run at the 2010 WSOP Main Event. Does it help to have support like that at live events and followers on Twitter encouraging you?
There’s no doubt that feeling that there are friends railing and following it makes you play better and concentrated. They make you see how important it is; you’re fighting and helps you take those 12-hour marathons of play. I feel all of that encouragement and I do appreciate it a lot.
Any poker goals for the future that you’re still aiming for?
I want to win a major tournament (EPT, WSOP or WPT). On April 1st I’m going to Vienna to play the PartyPoker Premier League V. A tournament with 24 players and 2,000,000$ guaranteed. First, I’ll play a satellite to win the 125,000$ seat. Definitely, getting a place in the tournament and beating the best players in the world would be great.
Got what it takes?
This weekend is the final chance to qualify for the WPT Vienna Main Event with PartyPoker.com. Each prize package for the event which takes place between the 10th – 15th April at the Montesino is worth $7,000 and includes the $4,700 main event buy-in, hotel accommodation for six nights and $900 spending money.
The mix of freerolls, qualifiers and weekly satellites run until Sunday 25th March with the main $375 online satellite with one package guaranteed taking place at 15.20 ET (21.20 CEST). For more information visit our WPT Vienna promotional page.
