This week’s announcement of 12 new PokerStars ambassadors and streamers has proved very popular, even with those not familiar yet with the list of new names.
So, let’s start one of those introductions right now. Here at the European Poker Tour (EPT) stop in Monte Carlo, we sat down for a chat with Steve Enríquez, one of Spain’s EPT commentators and one of the newest members of the red spade team.
PokerStars Blog: Hey Steve, congratulations on the PokerStars announcement. How have things been since the news broke?
Steve Enríquez: It’s a really huge announcement. It’s the dream of every poker player, and it’s come true. When you start playing poker, you always want to represent PokerStars. I’m very happy about it! My Twitter and Instagram are full of around 300 messages from people congratulating me.
For those not yet familiar with you, could you tell us your poker story so far?
I started playing poker in 2010 when I was 18, and I joined the PokerStars School in 2011, so it was very quick. I’ve been playing cash games from the start, but in 2014 I started playing multi-table tournaments. It went well! I won the Spanish Poker Championship in 2016, and I also finished second in a High Roller in Marbella on the Estrellas Poker Tour.
Last year I finished second in the first big tournament online in the new PokerStars client for Spain, France and Portugal. It was the first tournament with €1M guaranteed, and I finished second. It was a great achievement for me.
Not only are you an accomplished player, but you’re also a commentator and broadcaster.
Yeah, I’ve been doing the PokerStars EPT webcasts since 2013. That’s how I started broadcasting and doing television. I look forward to helping PokerStarsSpain on Twitch while also being an ambassador in the tournaments. It’s going to be a lot of fun for me.
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What are your plans, post-Monte Carlo?
My first plan is to play the Spanish Poker Championship next week in San Sebastian, and after that I’ll be at EPT Open Madrid. I’m then going to Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker (WSOP), so it’s going to be tricky! The EPT Open Madrid dates fall in the middle of the WSOP, but I think I’ll figure it out. Then I’ll be heading to EPT Barcelona in August as I won the charity event on Tuesday night. I won a €10K package, amazing. I was going to play anyway, but now it’s for free!
Enriquez took down the Right To Play Charity event in Monte Carlo, winning a €10K EPT Barcelona package
As a Spaniard, why do you think people should try and qualify for EPT Open Madrid?
Madrid is an amazing city. You’ll have the best city in the world, in my opinion. Spain is the best place to eat. In summer there aren’t many football games because the summer is over, but you have tons of things to do. Theatre, music, concerts, the city is full of them. You can do a lot of things in Madrid. And of course, all of the pros will be in Las Vegas for the WSOP!
Do you have any tips you picked up in PokerStars School that you could share with any newbies?
Just play poker normally as you would at your house. Don’t change anything about your game. Relax and listen to the dealer all the time. Wait for your turn and don’t be anxious to move. Take the time you need, and do your thing. Some people when they play their first tournament they are nervous and they make mistakes with their raises because they don’t use their voice and they put in only one chip, for example, which is a call instead of a raise.
Finally, what’s it been like having one of your good friends, Ramon Colillas, not only take down the PSPC for more than €5 million but also sign with PokerStars as a Team Pro?
I’ve known Ramon for two years and he’s a really good guy. I wasn’t in the Bahamas sadly because when I finished second in the FRESH Series Main Event I also lost out on the Platinum Pass. But I messaged Ramon during the event. I think he will be fine and a great Ambassador for PokerStars.
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