Poker News Daily: After being the victim of a one-outer against Bertrand “Elky” Grospellier, it has to feel good to be a member of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) November Nine. Tell us about your emotions a few weeks after the fact.
Cada: I’m still really excited. It’s definitely hit me now that I’m back in Michigan since everyone is talking about it. It’s kind of weird and I’m not used to it.
PND: What are people asking you?
Cada: They tell me congratulations, ask me how it was, and ask me if it was hard. Those are basically your standard questions.
PND: Would you have rather returned to the Rio to play down to a winner or are you comfortable waiting until November?
Cada: I’m cool waiting. I’ve had enough poker for a while. If you’re chip leader, there’s more hype, but if you have fewer chips, it’s no big deal.
PND: You’re fifth in chips entering the final table. Are you planning to pursue any coaching or adjust your game in any way?
Cada: I’m not pursuing any coaching. I’m trying to continue to play and improve. I guess you can play sit and gos online, but the structure will be shorter. I’m playing more live tournaments like the WSOP Europe, European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona, and the World Poker Tour (WPT) Legends of Poker in Los Angeles.
PND: We spotted you donning Ultimate Bet gear. Are there any sponsorship plans for the final table that you can share?
Cada: I haven’t negotiated deals with any sites yet. The deal with Ultimate Bet was a one-day agreement. It was something that was there to make some money on the side.
PND: Would becoming the youngest WSOP Main Event winner ever mean something to you?
Cada: The bracelet is what I want, especially the Main Event bracelet. It may be my only shot to get one. Winning the bracelet would be the bigger accomplishment, but being the youngest Main Event champion ever would mean something too.
PND: How did you get started in poker?
Cada: During the poker boom with Moneymaker. I had friends who played professionally at the time. I was always into cards and competition. Poker was fun and I went to friends for advice like Dean Hamrick, Tony Gargano, and a few people from school that were better than I was.
PND: You’re primarily a cash game player. Can you tell us what stakes you normally play?
Cada: I typically play $10/$20 heads-up. Since I made the November Nine, I haven’t jumped in stakes because I don’t feel like I’m ready.
PND: Because you play so many heads-up games online, will that give you an edge at the final table?
Cada: I feel that the more short-handed it gets, the bigger edge I’ll have unless it’s against Ivey, who has a great edge short-handed. However, over the majority of the field, I have an advantage.
PND: Is it daunting to be up against a final nine in the Main Event that includes poker pros Phil Ivey and Jeff Shulman?
Cada: I wouldn’t say so. I play against good players all the time. They are great players, of course, but it’s just like playing against other great players.
PND: Is playing heads-up a good way to build your bankroll?
Cada: If you’re a good heads-up player, that’s where the most money is to be made. You have to control your emotions and you don’t get any hands off. When you lose a few buy-ins and let it get to you, you’re sunk. It’s definitely mentally draining over nine-handed or six-handed games. I go back and forth, but I mostly play heads-up in shorter sessions.
PND: Talk about the rail that turned out to support you for the final day of the WSOP Main Event.
Cada: I really didn’t have a big rail, but my friends were loud. Tony was there to root me on and he had 1% of me.
PND: You finished second in the $150 rebuy on Full Tilt Poker just a few days removed from making the November Nine. Are you playing with more confidence now?
Cada: It’s definitely a lot easier to play now. Nothing affects me. After the recent score, I can’t complain about anything. If I take a bad beat, oh well. I just ran well in the Main Event.
