Final Table Interview: Florian Langmann
After a big score finishing second at the 2007 PokerStars European Poker Tour Main Event in London, Florian Langmann of Hamburg, Germany soon became a fixture on the tournament poker circuit all across Europe. He even crossed the pond a few times, too, booking eight cashes lifetime at the World Series of Poker.
But as the years wore on, the deep runs were suddenly few and far between and Langmann quickly tired of all the variance. In fact, for a time he all but gave up tournament poker and certainly changed his attitude towards the game.
Langmann now credits that attitude change with his successful run here in Event #54: $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Low, where he found himself the overwhelming chip leader as the final nine began play.
PokerNews stopped to talk with Langmann about his past, present and immediate future on the break for this latest Final Table Interview.
PokerNews: You've had a number of cashes here, but this is your first WSOP final table. Is it an exciting moment for you?
Well, the good thing is I don't take tournament poker very seriously anymore. A few years ago I would have, but it's a lot easier if you are not afraid to gamble. I'm not afraid to bust here and I think it's much better to have that mindset. And it's pretty fun when you run good.
PokerNews: There's clearly a break in your tournament cashes history the last few years. Did you give up on tournament poker for the most part?
I played a lot of tournaments up until 2009 and then I stopped and now I just play a few.
PokerNews: Any specific reason why?
It didn't pay off. I had a big win in 2007 and then I kind of had a bad streak and I thought about it and there's really too much variance. I definitely don't like no-limit hold'em tournaments anymore and there aren't a lot of pot-limit Omaha tournaments. If there were a lot of $5K PLO tournaments, I might play more.
PokerNews: Would you still consider yourself a professional poker player?
I don't know. I'm either a professional player or I don't have an occupation.
PokerNews: What's your plan going forward here with a healthy chip lead?
I'll try to win it.
PokerNews: But will you be aggressive or just let the game come to you?
You can't be too aggressive in this game. If you have a sh***y hand you have to fold. I guess I'm going to be the guy that's least afraid to gamble and that's worked out so far for me. I guess it's also good that people are a bit afraid of you when you don't mind to gamble and I don't, because in this game, you're not ever that far ahead or behind.
That's why people don't three-bet that much in this game. There's only a few hands you can do it with and then people will know you have it. And if you don't have it, you're always afraid that they might. There's way more post-flop play and that's what I enjoy.
PokerNews: Your attitude towards tournament poker might have changed, but now that you're this close, as a poker player, do you really want to win one of these WSOP bracelets?
I would be really happy to win one, yes. But for me, it's much nicer if I don't care that much about it. If I get second place here, I'd be happy with the money and that's it.
It's not like I have to have a bracelet, because I know you have to have a lot of luck to get one. Now I have a shot, so I guess I'll try my best.