Bálint “Nlzkm9” Sebestyén was kind enough to accept our invitation for an interview on the aftermath of his WCOOP bracelet win at WCOOP-15 for $57k. He is one of PLO’s rising stars.
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About You
1. What is your name, age and where are you located? What is your personal twitter account?
Hi! My name is Bálint Sebestyén, and I’m from Hungary. I don’t use twitter.
2. What are Your online poker Screen names?
Nlzkm9
3. How would you define yourself as a poker player? / What poker games do you normally play? Are you learning any new games?
I play only PLO for about 6 years, and this year I play 5card PLO also, when there is a good action.
4. What do you most enjoy about your job?
Freedom is very important for me. In this job I am my own boss, and I like my boss:)
Poker players can travel the whole world, while they don’t need to give up any workdays really.
5. Who are the top 3 players in your main game from your home country in your personal opinion?
danfiu, omaha4rollz, probirs
6. What reg in your game do you respect most? Can you briefly describe why?
Cobus83, Actionfreak. They can play an unbelievable amount of hands, while having a terrific win rate. A lot can be learned from them
7. Besides yourself who do you think the most underrated poker player is?
I think there no such a thing as an underrated poker player, since the results tell everything. Either you are a winner or not.
Past
1. Why and when did you start playing poker? Do you still play for the same reasons?
During the University, I lived with my brother when I saw him playing a few freeroll tours. I thought to give it a try, and I started learning on PokerStrategy. I started to build up my bankroll, which was really useful during school, and later I choose to stay with poker.
2. What were the best and worst months of your poker career? What happened?
The worst months were at the end of 2013, when I found some really good rake races. I had to play a horrible amount of hands to be in the top. This resulted in leaving out game development and learning, and I felt burned out because of the lot of working hours. Next to this I played losing poker, and I even finished lower in the rakerace than I expected. I won some money at the end, but overall it had a really negative effect on my game.
My best month was June, this year. I played really well, and it was a record month for me in winnings.
3. Are you satisfied with the last 12 months of your poker play?
Absolutely. I started to prepare myself for this year in last June, to be an SNE this year. I’m a little behind schedule, but I’m confident that I’ll do it.
4. How did Black Friday impact you? How did you adapt after Black Friday?
It didn’t have an effect on me at all.
5. What was the biggest factor in your development as a player?
After the unsuccessful rakerace, I started a mental and professional self development, read a lot of books, which really help me to get back on track.
6. What was the biggest mistake(s) you have done as a poker player?
To play rake races, and chasing rakeback, (however this lead to the before mentioned self development), and that it resulted in leaving out the learning.
7. What’s your biggest prop bet?
Haven’t done any.
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Present
1. How do you prepare for your poker activities?
It changes month by month. Sometimes I read about mental things to get ready in my head, other times, like now, I just analyzing hands in Holdem Manager.
2. If you could pick the brain of anyone in the world for 3 hours, who would he/she be?
Hmm, maybe Stephen Curry. I would like to see what is the world like with his eyes.
3. What 3 poker pros should PokerStars sign to their team online roster?
Dan Bilzerian(lol), Korda György, Stephen Curry.
4. What is your favorite way to relieve stress when running bad?
I’m never running bad(just kidding). I go to the gym, or run, or i go to the party whit my friends.
5. How much volume are you playing on Eurosites?
I am playing only on PokerStars.
6. Why are you not playing mid/high stakes already? If you are, what are the 3 most important things that got you there?
I’m playing mid/high stakes. The most important: learing from others. Besides game selection, and trying to always get better.
7. What is the most important positive change you’ve made to your poker approach this year?
I see through much better some given siuations, and I’ve learned a lot of new things from my opponents.
Future
1. What are your poker and other goals for the next 12 months?
First to reach my goals in 2015. The WCOOP bracelet in the pocket, but I want to reach the SNE status on PokerStars. For next year I’ll set my goals in January.
2. Are you confident that you will meet those goals? Why?
Of course! I reach my goals every time.
3. Do you see yourself still playing poker in 10 years?
It’s a hard question. This is a career, like other sportcareers, and one time it will be over, now I dont know when. It’s a very difficult mental job, in which you have to redefine yourself day by day, week by week, and it’s hard to keep up your motivation continuously. I will play for the next 1-2-3 years for sure, after that, we will see.
4. Do you have any ambition to coach/teach other players?
I am a hand analyzer on PokerStrategy, but that’s all. I’m not doing any coaching. Probably I won’t do it in the future either.
5. What’s the poker dream for you?
Win a SCOOP and WSOP event. Fortunately I’ve managed to win TCOOP+WCOOP already
6. How do you see the poker landscape changing in the next five years?
I don’t really bother with this topic. I believe the best will be successful in all environment.
7. How much time are you putting into studying financial issues like investing. What are your preferred sources for this? What investments are you making with your poker winnings?
For now, I’m focusing on my poker career. When I will have some free time next to it, I’ll spend some time studying the investment opportunities.
Other
1. Do you have any regular non-poker hobbies? Whats your favorite way to spend your spare time?
I love basketball, and I spend my time with my friends.
2. If you could give you from five years ago (make it ten if over 30) one major piece of advice, what would it be?
Improve your poker/mental game every day! Move from your comfort zone every time!
3. What are the 3 things everyone should have on their bucket list?
To get together with a beautiful woman, start a successful business, live a happy life.
4. Do you follow any poker podcasts or poker players on Twitch?
Nope
5. If you could change one thing with online poker, what would that be? What if you could change one thing with live poker?
I’d make online poker a bit more social somehow.
I’d put a ‘reset’ button on the short-tempered players, who cant handle their losses without agression, and when they are about to blow up you could reset their mind with this button to the ‘pre-lose’ status.
6. What is the best place and the best restaurant your have ever visited?
There were many many good ones, I can’t pick one. Come to Hungary.
7. Who do you challenge to do the Poker Player Snapshot next and why?
ActionFreak or Cobus, because they are the best.
Second place finisher, the Russian “MaxSinctin” received slightly over $28k for his efforts and third place went to the Austrian “kuhns89” for $26k.
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