Catching up with Jeff Gross

Jeff Gross (pictured) jumped into Day 1 at the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown shortly before the dinner break, but that didn’t stop him from nearly doubling his chips before the 90-minute break. We caught up with him on that break, and he talked about how he decides to late-reg events, the Seminole Hard Rock property, and some of the things he likes to do in the region when he is not playing poker.

WPT: How has your first stretch of play gone heading into the dinner break?

Gross: “So I got in a little late, I was debating about registering after dinner, but I jumped in and luckily I had ace-queen suited, flatted, flopped the nuts, and the guy, I think he was a ClubWPT Qualifier, he had top two pair. I got a couple streets there and it was nice, so I have 54,000, it’s a good start.”

WPT: Do you like to mix it up and enter tournaments late sometimes? What goes into your decision-making process about when to enter a tournament?

Gross: “It depends a little bit, what event it is, what the structure is, if there are re-buys. It really depends generally, especially with this kind of event here, where it is back-to-back-to-back. The $10k, $25, $3,500, that’s a lot of playing, so on the Day 1s I’m not going to start on time. It’s a lot of play, it’s long days, I like to get a workout in, and I don’t mind coming in a little bit late.”

WPT: What makes you excited to play in the Seminole Showdown event?

Gross: “There’s a few that stick out to me that I just don’t like to miss. Seminole, Playground Poker in particular, I like to hit the California Swing for LAPC and Bay 101. Those are my favorite stops, and I’d imagine a lot of people’s favorite stops. This is great, huge guarantees, really nice facilities, and a hotel here. It’s really convenient, and a great location.”

WPT: This is definitely one of the larger properties on tour, and there is new construction as we speak. What do you like about the property?

Gross: “They do a really good job here. They have nightlife; they also have plenty of places to eat. It’s also nice that when you late-reg, there are plenty of tables so you don’t have to worry about getting boxed out. They do a really good job. I’m always more and more impressed, they seem like they really have their stuff together and they are kind of accommodating the players and going out of their way to make sure everything goes smooth. As a player who travels it’s nice to come somewhere you know that they are going to go the extra mile for you and have your best interests. I like coming and playing here.”

WPT: You are a guy who likes to experience what an area provides outside the casino as well. What is it that you enjoy doing while you’re down here in South Florida?

Gross: “I have some family and friends here. I usually spend time in Key Biscayne. I went to the [Roger] Federer tennis match yesterday, and I haven’t actually gone in the past but I guess it’s every year so that was cool. I actually do some wake surfing. I have a buddy who has a boat here. It’s pretty fun. I’m getting better at that; still not that good, but I enjoy that. Man, there’s just so much going on here. It really is fun. I’ve gone to Heat games; there is a lot of stuff to do so it’s nice. It really is a nice feel, nice city.”