“Sick R.O.I.” as the third generation would say, but they’d be right. Jason’s first notch on the Hendon Mob poker bedpost was a biggie: €869,000 as EPT San Remo Champion… at his first attempt. But it wasn’t a fluke as the results began flowing like Guinness in Dublin: sixth in Barclona, London High Rollers Champ, a bracelet in the summer, and now fourth place in WSOPE – a total of $3,752,230 in tournament winnings. He’s running hotter than the sun and second only, perhaps, to one Mr. ElkY.

Considering his achievements, you’d think his ego would have exploded and splattered across the felt, but no, he’s possibly the most laid back, easygoing player in the cardroom. He’s like a walking joint he’s so mellow. But maybe it’s his lack of conceitedness and that ability to keep his feet firmly on the ground that has been the main contributor to his success. Or maybe he’s just fucking good at cards.

Hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jason is unmistakable in his sports outfit and Elton John-esque shades. But despite his vocal attire, he is a quiet, restrained chap at the table. Nevertheless, during one of the breaks at this year’s WSOPE in London, I decided to ambush him with a flurry of questions. Thus, I present to you the following encounter which took place just two days before the Main Event drew to a close.

Snoopy: How important is sponsorship to you?

Jason Mercier: It's really nice to have it. I've been wanting it ever since I was introduced to live poker. I'm happy I'm with Stars, and I hope to be sponsored by them for a long time.

S: So why’d it take so long?

JM: I thought I was going to get it when I won the High Rollers event, and when it didn't happen, I felt there was a chance that I'd never get it until the laws got changed in the US. I guess winning the bracelet was what made Stars want to give me a deal. Most people want to get a deal with Stars, but it's pretty hard as an American to get signed by them.

S: Can you improve your deal in time?

JM: I don't think I'm actually supposed to talk about it, but I hope so.

S: Do you worry about your profile now you’re sponsored?

JM: Not really. I just do what I want. If I feel like chatting at the table, I will, but sometimes I might just want to be quiet. It depends on my mood.

S: Did you dress uniquely to get noticed?

JM: This is just how I am and what I wear. I’m often cold, which is why I wear long sleeves. Most of the time I just wear T-shirt and shorts, but I can't do that in a casino.

S: Do you still care about rankings?

JM: For online, no. I don't put enough volume in to have a chance to be highly ranked. I just worry about making money.

S: I spotted your 2+2 thread. Why were you selling so low?

JM: I didn't realise how quickly I could sell pieces. I just wanted to get it done quickly, so I made it 18 percent or whatever it was.

S: Were you often backed before being sponsored?

JM: No, I've never been backed, this is probably the lowest I've had of myself in any tournament.

S: Do you stake people yourself?

JM: Yeah, but It hasn't been going good. None of my horses have been doing well, online or live. I think eventually it will be financially profitable because I'm staking good players, but it's been rough for this year. I'll continue to do it for a little bit at least.

S: What do you play online these days?

JM: Now I only play on Stars. I play cash $2/4 to $5/10 PLO and pretty much every tournament on Sunday.

S: Do you take shots?

JM: I used to. I used to jump into $200/400 PLO sometimes on Tilt, but can't play on there anymore. I've kinda told myself not to play $25/50 any more. I've done it four or five times this year, and every single time I've got smashed. It depends on the game and players, so most of the time it's not worth taking shots, and often I'm doing it for the wrong reasons: pissed I've lost money, tilted or something.

S: Is tilt a big problem?

JM: No, not really. I don't think I play bad on tilt, it's just that I play higher. One time, about two years ago, I smashed my phone against the wall. I used to throw stuff when I was like 17 and 18, but I'm pretty calm now.

S: Are you a poker obsessive?

JM: I definitely have an addictive personality, which is why I stopped playing video games when I was 17. I used to play Madden, and sports video games, so I’m pretty much focusing my life games on poker these days and using my other time to relax and hang out with friends.

S: Are you a gambler? Chinese Poker?

JM: No, I like to play those games but I try not to get ridiculous about it. I don't play bigger than, say, 20 dollars a point.

S: What's your best achievement?

JM: I'd have to say winning San Remo is my best achievement. Maybe it's not my best, but it's the most significant because it's the first thing I ever won.

S: Is it true that you lost your job as a math teacher when you won?

JM: Not quite. I used to coach basketball and because it was a Christian school, they weren't keen on poker. I was travelling around then anyway.

S: Was it strange to have your best and worst moments happen within the space of a few hours? [Jason was stabbed in a bar the night after his win]

JM: Not many people know about that incident, but yeah, it was pretty ridiculous and kinda life-changing. It was a pretty brutal 36 hours, but once it was all over I was happy.

S: How did you approach the High Rollers?

JM: I was taking a shot to play. I didn't really care who was at my table, I was just going to play as well I could and take whatever came my way.

S: Anyone impress you?

JM: John Juanda, actually. I don't think I'd played against him before, but I was really surprised at how well he plays. A lot of the time you see these guys on TV, then play them live, and you're just not that impressed, but he played well and was unfortunate to lose to me heads-up.

S: What was it about him?

JM: He had great poise and maintains himself very well. He seems to know what he's doing at all times and why.

S: Is Omaha your game?

JM: I definitely started with Hold'em, playing it a while before I even tried Omaha, then started on Omaha for a little bit. After San Remo I started focusing on Omaha for cash games, then tried tournaments, and it seems to be working. Cash wise, Omaha is pretty much all I play. When I'm on the road I play less. I hope there's a big future for it. It's definitely a fun game, so I hope it keeps growing and more people keep getting into it.

S: What do you consider to be your strengths?

JM: I think I adapt well and can change the way I'm playing depending on my opponents.

S: Weaknesses?

JM: I'm not very good at mixed games. I'm decent, but I definitely need to work on Stud and Limit games?

S: Did anyone inspire you?

JM: Yeah, a couple of guys, Brent Hanks and Dan O'Brian. They're two of the guys that I talk a lot about poker with. Brent definitely helped me with online tournaments because I'd never really played them that much.

S: Do you use Poker Tracker?

JM: I use Poker Tracker for cash but I don't use it very much, just tracking whether I'm up or down.

S: How about sites like CardRunners?

JM: I don't really watch CardRunners videos, I think I watched one, a Sit 'N' Go, and really didn't like it. I just talk to people and learn that way. I tend to figure it out by myself and then ask other people's opinions.

For more interviews see:

Patrik Antonius
John Juanda
Annette Obrestad
James Akenhead
Richard Ashby
Sammy George
Roland De Wolfe
Jeff Lisandro
Freddy Deeb
Barry Greenstein