March Magazine Feature: Eric “acequad” Brix’s life after Sunday Million win
Bryan and I had a chance to catch up with one of the hottest, young internet poker players in the country last month — Eric “acequad” Brix. Bryan stopped by Eric’s pad to snap some photos, shoot the breeze, and to scope out the dual screen poker mothership.
From the March issue of Minnesota Poker Magazine:
No Brix on this river for “acequad”
24-year-old discusses life after PokerStars Sunday Million victory
By Phil Mackey and Bryan Mileski
Eric Brix, a 24-year-old from White Bear Lake known as “acequad” online, scooped $179,446 for winning the PokerStars Sunday Million on January 17.
A win like this obviously shines a spotlight on a player most people have never heard of, but Brix was crushing online tournaments long before his Sunday Million victory. In 2009, OfficialPokerRankings.com listed Brix as the world’s 185th-best player, out of the 1.7 million who played tournament poker.
Throughout the first part of 2009, most of Brix’s big scores were for between $2,500 and $10,000. He was consistent, but didn’t have that bankroll-changing score. In October, however, he notched a $18,000 cash, followed by a $39,000 cash. And finally, the Sunday Million in January.
As a result, Brix currently ranks as one of the top 10 online tournament players in the world, according to Official Poker Rankings.
Like a lot of other young internet players — and Eric certainly has emerged as one of the best in the world — Brix began playing poker in college. St. Cloud State, to be precise.
“I am just short of a degree,” Brix says. “I started playing poker in free bar tournaments and realized it was something I was good at. I opened a PokerStars account and here I am today. Poker is my full-time job and I treat it like it is. Poker is something I developed a passion for during my college years. In 2007, ended my college career to start doing what I truly have fun doing, poker.”
Props to that. A lot of people don’t have the you-know-what to simply do what they love. A lot of people never get the chance.
And props to winning the Sunday Million — truly a life-altering achievement for a 24-year-old kid.
Bryan Mileski (BM): Discuss a little bit about your Sunday Million run. What were your thoughts heading into the tournament? Did you play this tournament regularly? How did it progress?
Eric “acequad” Brix (AQ): The Sunday Million is a regular tournament for me. I have been down to the final 100 players a few times and had been knocked out prior to the final table. After I reached the money this time around, I had a good stack. When I got down to the final 50 players I was really short stacked and I thought the tournament was going to be over. I had 10 big blinds and I woke up with a hand. After doubling a few times I was in second place. On the final two tables I took advantage of the final payout jump by raising a lot.
BM: The day after (Monday) you and I swapped emails, and you mentioned you were in Mexico. Did you play the Sunday Million in Mexico or travel there the next day upon winning?
AQ: I had been traveling for a few weeks. Mexico was a planned vacation after being in the Bahamas for the PCA (PokerStars Caribbean Adventure). I had been playing all day on Sunday, as usual, the Sunday Million ran late into the night, ending around two in the morning.
BM: Official Poker Rankings currently has you as the 2nd-best tournament poker player in the world over the last 120 days. Does that sound weird?
AQ: Yeah, it does sound weird, but I know there are several good players right behind me waiting to step in my place. In order to keep my standings I plan to keep grinding. I also have a good friend, “cal42688,” Calvin Anderson, who also ranks in the top 25. We keep in close touch, always keeping each other focused.
BM: You started to gain some major momentum in the fall of 2009, with $18,000 and $39,000 cashes in October and November, then a $17k cash in December. Did it feel like you were building some major momentum toward the end of the year?
AQ: Yes! I had big plans with 2010 in the near future. During these last few months I believe I had found a system that has worked for me and maybe a better overall understanding of the game. Winning the Sunday Million I guess wasn’t something I pictured in my head, but it definitely is a great start to the New Year.
BM: Winning the Sunday Million truly is a bankroll-altering victory. Have you ever mapped out what your future would be like if you hit a big tournament like that?
AQ: I knew any bigger-sized win would help me out in the process of buying my first home. This definitely is something I look forward to in the near future with this win.
BM: Are you a tournament specialist at this point, or do you also play cash games?
AQ: I play both tournament and cash games, but I have found more success in tournaments. I feel like maybe I have more success in tournaments because my understanding of the way a tournament game is played is better.
BM: Do you surround yourself with poker-playing friends to throw concepts back and forth with?
AQ: Yes, several of my friends play poker, and the ones who do not I am always willing to share my experiences and knowledge. I met cal42688 after playing online with him on several occasions. We have since shared ideas and developed a better understanding of the game from each other.
BM: Do you play strictly online? Or do you mix in live games from time-to-time?
AQ: I mix it up every once in a while. I was just playing live at the PCA in the Bahamas and plan to attend the WSOP in Vegas coming up in June. This will be my third year attending the WSOP. With my Sunday Million win I will be able to play in a few more tournaments than years before this. I have future dreams of also owning a second home in Vegas maybe another Sunday Million win will help me in this dream.
BM: When playing in large fields as most online tournaments are, what’s your strategy going in? Any other tips you would suggest that has helped you become so successful?
AQ: Depending on the blinds and where we are in the tournament, my plays are always changing. I never give up and always stay positive. I really try to focus on bankroll management. Always understanding your limitations and playing within your bankroll, I feel like this is a huge element in being a successful poker player.
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