David Saab interview

By Ben Blaschke
07 December 2008

AUSTRALIA’S David Saab is one of the most accomplished Heads-Up No Limit Hold ‘Em players in the world, having won the 2006 Aussie Millions event for a $64,000 payday.
He talks to Big Game Poker’s Ben Blaschke ahead of today’s $3,300 Heads Up Challenge at Star City Casino.

You’ve drawn David Steicke in your first match today David. Your thoughts?
“I’m pretty happy with the match. I find that anyone that isn’t trained in on-line Heads-Up with the new level of aggression is going to be suffering a little bit. In a Heads-Up tournament, there are no bad players. People don’t enter a Heads-Up tournament unless they consider themselves to be one of the best players. So I didn’t expect an easy opponent but I think I’ve got one of the largest advantages so I’m pretty happy with the draw.”

You have a good record in Heads-Up play.
“That’s true. The year before last I won the Aussie Millions event and actually that night I went home and played the Pokerstars.net Heads Up tournament and won that as well! So within a period of a day I won two Heads-Up tournaments so I thought ‘Ooh, my Heads-Up form is pretty good!’”

Who did you beat on your way to that Aussie Millions win?
“There were a few local guys and an online pro but to be honest I can’t actually remember! Once a tournament is over I try to put it out of my mind and move on to the next one. I actually played the World Heads-Up championship last year as well and made it to round four before I was massively sucked out on, but that’s part of the game as well. I knocked out a couple of big names there. I love playing in those world tournaments where I can fly a little bit under the radar because I’m not very exposed in the US market. They don’t know who I am whereas here in Australia the guys that draw me in Heads Up are really trying to step up their game so I have to play with a bit more caution. But I’m very confident.”

What’s the key to success in Heads-Up play?
“Well I guess the most important thing is a technical understanding of some of the most common mathematical flaws. Things like fold rate, re-raise rate, being able to build unexploitable lines and understanding how exploitation works on the poker table. It’s about being able to adapt and getting into the head of your opponent. All of these things are very, very critical. They’re also critical in full ring and 6-handed but here you’ve only got one mindset that you have to deal with so you have to be really in tune with your opponent.”