Poker News Daily: How did you get started in poker?
Humberto Brenes: We played in our house with her family. When my father or anyone else would go to the bathroom or out of the room, I’d play some hands. I tried to learn and played with a group of people. I won every game. In 1986, I played in a poker tournament in Las Vegas and played with the best players. I like poker for its competition. I try to play with the best. I don’t play for the money.
PND: What is your best poker accomplishment so far?
Brenes: I have too many good experiences. When I first came here, I played five days and lost all five days and thought, “My God, what happened?” In 1987, I read a book about poker before coming back to Las Vegas and took 14th place in [the Main Event]. In 1993, I also had a good experience. Before that year, I had a lot of personal stress in my life. At the World Series of Poker that year at the Horseshoe, I was happy. Things were good with my family. It’s important when you play poker that things [in your personal life] are good. If things are going badly, it’s difficult to play poker. This is why when I come to Vegas, I try to exercise, eat well, and not drink. If you feel good, you’ll play good.
PND: Whose game do you respect the most?
Brenes: Daniel Negreanu. He’s a young player, but he’s also a professional. He works hard. He doesn’t [live it up] and spend a lot of his money. He’s responsible.
PND: Whose game do you not respect?
Brenes: It’s the person who doesn’t give respect to the dealers and doesn’t give respect to the other players at the table. I remember a very good player who, when he lost, threw the cards at the dealer. This is not good for poker. The reason that poker is a new sport for a new generation is because you can play with your son, you can play with your wife, and you can play with your brother. You can play with everyone.
PND: Do you have any hobbies outside of poker?
Brenes: I don’t have enough time for hobbies, but I love my country, Costa Rica. People cut the fins off of sharks down there and make soup. It’s terrible. When Costa Rica held a campaign, I went with my son to them. This year, we’re trying to raise money to protect the sharks in Costa Rica. Too many fishermen go to Costa Rica, de-fin the sharks, and then leave. We’ve held tournaments in Costa Rica where a portion of the prize pool goes to the organization. I matched 100% of any donations and PokerStars matched. The hammerhead sharks come near the coast and so it was easy for people to de-fin them. Now, 90% of them have died. I have a hammerhead shark [card protector] now, so it’s not just for fun, it’s also for awareness.
PND: Do you like the attention that you get?
Brenes: When I first signed a contract with PokerStars, I was very shy and didn’t speak much English. I was nervous to talk and do interviews. For the past few years, I have learned to speak with no problems.
PND: What is your favorite type of poker to play?
Brenes: My favorite game in tournaments is hold’em. It requires discipline. You need to concentrate. Too many people play now. In home games, I like Omaha. You can play more hands.
