Jason Mercier, a sponsored pro at PokerStars, joins us in a new segment called Hot Tub Interview. This unique format was filmed at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada at the famed “Real World Suite” in the very hot tub that Trishelle Cannatella had three-way sex in during an episode of the MTV reality program.
Since nobody would agree to do the interview sober, Mercier graciously agreed to do the interview with our very own site editor Dan Cypra (once beers were in hand). In this interview they talk about what it means for PokerStars to add David Williams and Vanessa Sebst to their list of pros. They also discuss the horrific event at the EPT San Remo in Italy, where Mercier had just come off a huge live tournament victory and found himself in a fight for his life afterwards. He recounted the tale of the fight and the broken bottle that ended up in his back that nearly proved fatal.
Also discussed during the interview was the fact that Mercier has basically kept the same persona from his humble online beginnings (where he won FTOPS events) to where he is now, considered one of the best players on the planet. He also talks about his lucky shirt, which he happened to be wearing in this interview, thanks to the fact that he hadn’t done any laundry before the party.
Mercier took his game to a new level in 2009 when he won the $1500 Pot Limit Omaha WSOP bracelet. He had his biggest cash ever in October of 2009 by finishing fourth in the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event for $425,000. Mercier eclipsed that mark rather quickly by winning the NAPT Mohegan Sun $25,000 High Roller Shootout for $475,000. According to various poker databases, Mercier has over $4.8 million in career tournament earnings.
