Dominic Cullen: finished in fifth place in EPT London winning £173,000

  PICTURE: Tom Boyle  

Gambling is my trade - poker is my relaxation

Name Dominic Cullen (amatur poker player)

Age 42

What is your nickname? I don't have a nickname and I'm not that keen to get one.

Where are you based? Bottesford, Leicestershire.

How long have you been playing Hold'em/poker? Ten years online

What is your biggest win? fifth place in EPT London - £173,000. I'm more pleased about the achievement of final-tabling than the prize-money at the moment. It's more about the kudos - it's always been an ambition to play in one of these things.

What is your local/favourite casino? I play a bit at Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham and in a home game with my brothers. The trouble is a £50 freeze-out at a casino can take about eight hours and I struggle to find the time.

Describe your playing style I'm tight-aggressive. But I've learned so much playing in the EPT this week. I had no fear but there was a lot fear on the tables here - you have to have thebottle to call or raise them.

What is your preferred format and
why? Online multi-table tournaments - it's good to be able
to play while I'm meant to be looking after the kids.

What triggered your interest in poker? Gambling is my trade. Poker is my form of relaxation.

What is your day job? I trade inrunning tennis on Betfair and bet pre-off on racing and football.

Who is your poker hero? Who would you most like to go
heads-up against? It's been amazing playing alongside Peter
Eastgate. But I had a nightmare last night about the prospect of
going heads up against the guy.

Favourite poker slang or jargon? I absolutely love it all!

What's the best bit of poker advice
given or received? My advice is push all-in with any two cards once you are down to seven big blinds, even when playing nine handed. The only exception would be when you are under the gun.

Name an up-and-coming poker player I hated being on a table with Benny Spindler - I know guys can be aggressive but he was raising over70 per cent of his hands.

What do you do in your downtime?
I gamble and drink when I'm working and drink and gamble to
relax - always wanted to say that.