Tiffany Michelle

How old are you?
26

Where do you live now?
Los Angeles, CA

What did you do before you became a professional poker player?
Acting, music, hosting, massage therapy

What are your hobbies?
I'm competitive, creative and athletic so anything along those lines: Going to sporting events, playing piano & guitar, songwriting & composing music, playing games, snow & water skiing... reading, writing, watching movies and napping.

How did you become a professional poker pro?
After playing low stakes home games and small tournaments in LA & Vegas for about four years, which was paying the bills, I played the 2008 WSOP Main Event and the rest is history. I signed a deal with UB and I guess that's what put me on the map in the professional poker world and gave me the title of "poker pro".

If you had to play poker against five famous opponents (dead and alive) who would they be and why?
My grandfather (who passed away in 2006) - Because he taught me how to play when I was just a kid and I'd love for him to see where my game is now.

• Eddie Izzard - Because he's insanely intelligent and I think he'd be entertaining and make me laugh the entire time.
• Barack Obama - I mean, wouldn't playing cards with the President be like the ultimate, lifetime brag?!
• Kristin Chenoweth - I have mad respect for her talent and think she's just a lil ball of sunshine. I think she'd lighten up a stressful game..
• Ellen DeGeneres - For similar reasons as Kristin... she seems like she'd be a fun time at the tables.

What top three tips would you give to amateur poker players hoping to make it as a poker professional?

• Do your homework! There is MUCH more to poker than just getting lucky and anyone can become great at the game if they apply themselves.
• Learn Patience! You have to spend a lot of hours sitting at the table & waiting for hands.
• Be Disciplined! It's pertinent that you are able to control your bankroll, emotions, lifestyle and habits when thrown into the crazy world of poker and gambling.

Where and when did you make your first significant cash win? And how much was it for?
Prior to my 17th place finish in the 2008 WSOP Main Event (obviously the most significant to date) I'd say my most significant cash was in 2005 when I won the very first tournament I ever played at Harrah's. It was a small buy-in tournament and I only won about $2,000 but that was good money for me at the time and it was the start of my love for playing tournaments. It really propelled me into playing more and becoming serious about the game.

What do you think you'll be doing in 20 years time?
I would love to have a family and kids. Ideally I'd like to have a production company and music label where I could write, produce and direct my own projects as well as develop other talent.

What has been your most embarrassing moment and funniest?
One time David Sutcliffe joined our weekly Hollywood cash game and I went to the kitchen to get drinks for the table and attempted to open his bottle of Perrier with a wine opener (I thought it was an alcoholic beverage). I'll never forget the look on his face as he stared at me like I was insane and then motioned with his hands for me to simply TWIST the cap off.

How does being an actress help your poker career, and potentially poker help your acting career?

Well, these days poker is getting so much televised and media attention which can be a foreign and uncomfortable element for a lot of everyday poker players. I think that having a camera and microphone in your face when you're trying to focus on the game can negatively alter how a person plays. Having a background in film/TV and theatre those kinds of foreign elements at the poker table don't bother me. I am comfortable on stage, which is really what the WSOP has become - a very public, televised stage.

As an actor a big part of your job is observation, watching people, behaviors and even adopting certain mannerisms yourself when getting ready for a role. This makes picking up and giving out reads at the poker table fairly easy for me because I'm very in touch with understanding people's motivations and what it means when they act a certain way.

Best big buy-in poker tournament location?
So far, Aruba is definitely the best location I've been for a poker tournament but if it has to be gauged by a 'big' buyin tourney then Monte Carlo... that place is so beautiful, classy... and EXPENSIVE! It feels like you're in a James Bond movie.

You came up quick in the poker scene. What is the best way for an up and comer to get good at the game?
In my opinion, practical experience in poker is one of the best instructors. You have GOT to know the fundamentals and mathematics of the game but unless you're comfortable at a table, familiar with the rhythm of a live game, handling chips, controlling your emotions and reading players, etc., then all the book knowledge you've obtained isn't going to matter.

You won the Miss Teenage California Congeniality Award. Was the movie Miss Congeniality starring Sandra Bullock like the real thing? Minus the undercover aspect of course :)?
Ha ha, there are some similarities to the movie. The pageant scene definitely has some interesting characters like in the movie. A few of the pageant tricks they used (Vaseline on teeth, glue spray on the butt for the swim suit) are totally legit. Fortunately I've never had to worry about bombs exploding when doing my catwalk!

Where can players find you playing on UB?
EVERYWHERE! I love tournaments and usually pop into whatever is about to start. I play everything from a $10 buy-in to the Sunday 200k tourney. When I'm not off traveling or at an event I play $1/$2 NL most nights.

What is your favorite tournament on UB?
I love any of the deep stack tournaments and the rebuy tournaments. I think the $7.5k GTD Deepstack and $120k GTD Deepstack are currently my favs.

How important is it to you to learn other games outside of NLHE?
When you first get into poker you'll realize very quickly that if you want a long and successful career you'll need to play all the games, plus NLH can get a little boring after awhile. It can feel a little foreign at first but I've enjoyed the challenge of learning the other games. Plus so many tournaments these days are diversifying into mixed games so if you want a crack at winning a WSOP bracelet or playing in some smaller fields that rely a little more on skill then luck, pick up some HORSE and give it a go!

What is next for Tiffany Michelle?
A Presidential Campaign?!? Ha ha. If life has taught me anything, its that I never know what is coming next. So, I just take each day at a time and enjoy the love, life, adventures, friends, challenges and opportunities that surround me. Between poker, music, my clothing line and acting, who knows what I'm gonna do with myself on a daily basis but www.tiffanymichelle.com has all the updates on the exciting things I'm up to.