Patrick Leonard on Olga Poker Podcast: “I See Problems in Poker and Life as Puzzles to Solve”

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The Path to Poker

Patrick's competitive nature showed early – he played chess or football daily, and even though he wasn't the most talented, he consistently outperformed opponents through hard work. This trait fully emerged as he transitioned from sports to poker. Moving from football tournaments where he made some extra cash, he gradually shifted focus to poker, emphasizing discipline and dedication.

Patrick recalls formative moments – from a daring bluff in his early days that boosted his confidence, to an unsuccessful play against a famous opponent that eventually led to a valuable friendship and business collaboration.

Source – flickr/worldpokertour


The Evolution of Poker and Strategy at the Table

According to Patrick, the best players aren't just the most skilled, but also the “luckiest” – because their abilities create winning opportunities. Keeping a rational mindset and not taking failures personally is crucial.

“I see problems in poker and life as puzzles to solve,” he says. When it comes to bluffing, he advises patience – small, calculated bluffs have more impact than risky big ones, and they should never be used against players who rarely fold. He also critiques re-entries in tournaments: late registrations with minimal stacks disrupt the game's dynamic and should be limited.

Trust is essential for Patrick – he refers to cheating scandals that have tarnished the online environment's reputation. As an ambassador for Coin Poker, he doesn't want to be just a “brand face” but also a player voice alerting to issues.

He appreciates Coin Poker's flexibility and its focus primarily on poker, not side products. He believes the future holds opportunities through cryptocurrencies, innovations, and the potential to elevate poker to a recognized sport with international leagues.


Balancing Poker and Life

Patrick values routines – during tournaments, he always listens to the same music playlist, wears his “lucky” hoodies, and maintains a drinking and eating regimen. He combats tilt by avoiding bluffs in emotionally charged moments and prepares for the game's natural ups and downs. He enjoys independence, often traveling alone, which helps him maintain the discipline and focus required in professional poker.

You can watch the entire podcast episode with Patrick here:

Patrick likes to connect the worlds of football and poker – both sports increasingly rely on data analysis. Modern teams and players use numbers to enhance performance, and he sees the same in poker, where software and statistics give an edge over traditional methods. He's a loyal Newcastle United fan and remains involved in managing football teams, showing that his passion for competition extends beyond the card table.

 

Other Episodes of the Olga Poker Podcast