Feature Article from WPT Magazine
Source: The Official World Poker Tour Magazine
HOYT CORKINS
Alex Outhred profiles the mild-mannered man they call ‘The Nightmare’.
When you think of an American cowboy, you picture a gruff, stubbly character chewing tobacco. Add the knowledge that this person is a poker player, and the image does not change very much. But in reality, most American ‘cowboys’ are businessmen. Men that own ranches, or have businesses that have to do with the farming or livestock industries. Men who are simple in need, and wise to a bluff. This is starting to sound a bit more like Hoyt Corkins.
Hoyt owns 60 head of cattle in his native Alabama, and when he is not out and about playing in the top tournaments in the States, he is happy to be at home on the ranch, living the peaceful life, so to speak. The advent of online poker allows a bit of a twist in this cowboy’s daily routine. With a love for the outdoors and for playing poker, online gaming has afforded Hoyt the opportunity to enjoy both in the same location.
Most people are familiar with Hoyt from his first major TV appearance, at Foxwoods Casino during WPT’s second season. Hoyt was the proverbial thorn in the side of Phil Hellmuth, and quickly became a fan favorite as he beat Phil in pot after pot, maintaining a demure table image, whether he won a monster pot or lost to a bad beat.
Although this was the first many had seen of Hoyt, he had already won a bracelet at the World Series of Poker 11 years earlier in Pot Limit Omaha.
MAN WHO CAN BLUFF
For many people who watched the Foxwoods episode, Hoyt’s physical presence at the table redefined the meaning of ‘poker face’, because he offers no physical tells at the table. With his mirror shades, perfectly fitted black cowboy hat, black shirt, jeans and cowboy boots, Hoyt certainly is an image to behold, and if you didn’t know any better, you would be inclined to believe every bet that he made.
That’s what hard-working cowboys do, isn’t it? Tell it like it is? Perhaps in an interview, but at the poker table, not so fast. Hoyt has made a brilliant poker career blossom out of knowing how and when to mix up his game.
“Bluffing well just comes naturally to me,” Hoyt says. “There’s a time and a place to do it, and perhaps I pick the wrong moment every now and then, but more often than not, I read weakness properly, and can take advantage of that”.
That’s bluffing in a nutshell – bluffs do not succeed when your opponents are strong. And Hoyt also adds the semi-bluff to his repertoire. “When you bluff, it’s always good to have outs, just in case they catch your hand in the cookie jar”.
If you watch through Hoyt’s final tables, you’ll start to see how his sense of timing is perfectly honed. His opponents either have hands that are too weak to call a bet with, despite being better hands than Hoyt’s, or Hoyt has a healthy amount of outs with which he can make the best hand.
…AND DOUBLE-BLUFF
Hoyt’s true talent at the table is not simply a skill at bluffing, though. It is knowing how to adjust his game accordingly when he has established himself to certain opponents as a willing bluffer. Time and time again, Hoyt will continue his aggressive betting even when he has a monster hand, because his opponents are most likely to not believe him, and pay him off.
It’s important to be able to read your opponents, but a deeper aspect of that is to know how your opponents are reading you. Once you know how your opponents are going to react to your behavior, you are the puppeteer, and they are the marionettes. This is a skill that has helped propel Hoyt into being one of the most respected players in tournament poker.
IN THE LIMELIGHT
Hoyt’s lovely fiancée Natalie is well-known and well-regarded by other pros and fans on the tour. While the couple take every chance they have to relax at home, living the lifestyle of a top professional brings sponsorships and opportunities that only add to Hoyt’s chances for a big tournament payday.
His popularity has earned him invitations to numerous free-rolls. He took second at WSOP’s Tournament of Champions free-roll, one spot away from earning two million dollars. While he took the loss to Mike Matusow graciously, Hoyt was inches away from a hike in his bankroll that would have made every media appearance well worth the time.
Staying in the limelight offers more opportunities than it prevents, and Hoyt is very quick to thank Natalie for making this possible.
PERFECT MATCH
Natalie embraces Hoyt’s lifestyle, and does everything she can to make sure that when the tournament director announces, “Shuffle-Up and Deal!”, Hoyt’s mind is clear of everything except the cards and the players at his table. This is an invaluable asset, as many players bring the rest of their worldly issues to the table with them, which has them playing cards at a less than optimal level.
Natalie has also seen her own share of success playing online cash games, and could soon be a force to reckon with at the tables. The point is that life does not have to be a solo sport, and when two people find a way to live it together fully, it can be that much sweeter.
As Hoyt has committed his time to the WPT tournament circuit in the United States, he has gathered fans across the country, but look out for him closer to the UK, too. Hoyt has grown accustomed to the styles of play by some of Europe’s best, and is now looking forward to playing in European events as the game continues to go global.
EASY TO SPOT
While his stern poker face and cowboy hat might be the easiest way to recognize Hoyt, the next thing to look for would be a smiling redhead sitting close by who answers to the name of Natalie.
If that’s not specific enough, double check his chip-stack. If it’s plentiful and he’s surrounded by baffled opponents murmuring to themselves as they wonder where their chips went, that is most certainly Hoyt Corkins.
http://www.worldpokertour.com/magazine/?x=detail&aID=156
HOYT CORKINS
Alex Outhred profiles the mild-mannered man they call ‘The Nightmare’.
When you think of an American cowboy, you picture a gruff, stubbly character chewing tobacco. Add the knowledge that this person is a poker player, and the image does not change very much. But in reality, most American ‘cowboys’ are businessmen. Men that own ranches, or have businesses that have to do with the farming or livestock industries. Men who are simple in need, and wise to a bluff. This is starting to sound a bit more like Hoyt Corkins.
Hoyt owns 60 head of cattle in his native Alabama, and when he is not out and about playing in the top tournaments in the States, he is happy to be at home on the ranch, living the peaceful life, so to speak. The advent of online poker allows a bit of a twist in this cowboy’s daily routine. With a love for the outdoors and for playing poker, online gaming has afforded Hoyt the opportunity to enjoy both in the same location.
Most people are familiar with Hoyt from his first major TV appearance, at Foxwoods Casino during WPT’s second season. Hoyt was the proverbial thorn in the side of Phil Hellmuth, and quickly became a fan favorite as he beat Phil in pot after pot, maintaining a demure table image, whether he won a monster pot or lost to a bad beat.
Although this was the first many had seen of Hoyt, he had already won a bracelet at the World Series of Poker 11 years earlier in Pot Limit Omaha.
MAN WHO CAN BLUFF
For many people who watched the Foxwoods episode, Hoyt’s physical presence at the table redefined the meaning of ‘poker face’, because he offers no physical tells at the table. With his mirror shades, perfectly fitted black cowboy hat, black shirt, jeans and cowboy boots, Hoyt certainly is an image to behold, and if you didn’t know any better, you would be inclined to believe every bet that he made.
That’s what hard-working cowboys do, isn’t it? Tell it like it is? Perhaps in an interview, but at the poker table, not so fast. Hoyt has made a brilliant poker career blossom out of knowing how and when to mix up his game.
“Bluffing well just comes naturally to me,” Hoyt says. “There’s a time and a place to do it, and perhaps I pick the wrong moment every now and then, but more often than not, I read weakness properly, and can take advantage of that”.
That’s bluffing in a nutshell – bluffs do not succeed when your opponents are strong. And Hoyt also adds the semi-bluff to his repertoire. “When you bluff, it’s always good to have outs, just in case they catch your hand in the cookie jar”.
If you watch through Hoyt’s final tables, you’ll start to see how his sense of timing is perfectly honed. His opponents either have hands that are too weak to call a bet with, despite being better hands than Hoyt’s, or Hoyt has a healthy amount of outs with which he can make the best hand.
…AND DOUBLE-BLUFF
Hoyt’s true talent at the table is not simply a skill at bluffing, though. It is knowing how to adjust his game accordingly when he has established himself to certain opponents as a willing bluffer. Time and time again, Hoyt will continue his aggressive betting even when he has a monster hand, because his opponents are most likely to not believe him, and pay him off.
It’s important to be able to read your opponents, but a deeper aspect of that is to know how your opponents are reading you. Once you know how your opponents are going to react to your behavior, you are the puppeteer, and they are the marionettes. This is a skill that has helped propel Hoyt into being one of the most respected players in tournament poker.
IN THE LIMELIGHT
Hoyt’s lovely fiancée Natalie is well-known and well-regarded by other pros and fans on the tour. While the couple take every chance they have to relax at home, living the lifestyle of a top professional brings sponsorships and opportunities that only add to Hoyt’s chances for a big tournament payday.
His popularity has earned him invitations to numerous free-rolls. He took second at WSOP’s Tournament of Champions free-roll, one spot away from earning two million dollars. While he took the loss to Mike Matusow graciously, Hoyt was inches away from a hike in his bankroll that would have made every media appearance well worth the time.
Staying in the limelight offers more opportunities than it prevents, and Hoyt is very quick to thank Natalie for making this possible.
PERFECT MATCH
Natalie embraces Hoyt’s lifestyle, and does everything she can to make sure that when the tournament director announces, “Shuffle-Up and Deal!”, Hoyt’s mind is clear of everything except the cards and the players at his table. This is an invaluable asset, as many players bring the rest of their worldly issues to the table with them, which has them playing cards at a less than optimal level.
Natalie has also seen her own share of success playing online cash games, and could soon be a force to reckon with at the tables. The point is that life does not have to be a solo sport, and when two people find a way to live it together fully, it can be that much sweeter.
As Hoyt has committed his time to the WPT tournament circuit in the United States, he has gathered fans across the country, but look out for him closer to the UK, too. Hoyt has grown accustomed to the styles of play by some of Europe’s best, and is now looking forward to playing in European events as the game continues to go global.
EASY TO SPOT
While his stern poker face and cowboy hat might be the easiest way to recognize Hoyt, the next thing to look for would be a smiling redhead sitting close by who answers to the name of Natalie.
If that’s not specific enough, double check his chip-stack. If it’s plentiful and he’s surrounded by baffled opponents murmuring to themselves as they wonder where their chips went, that is most certainly Hoyt Corkins.
http://www.worldpokertour.com/magazine/?x=detail&aID=156
posted by Hoyt Corkins at 8:07 PM
2 Comments:
Hello Hoyt,
my name is Daniel Larsson and i am a editor with Pokerlistings.com
I have been chasing down information on you for a "Poker Player BIO" and cant seem to find out when you were born in a fast and accurate way.
If you wouldnt mind emailing me at daniel.larsson@pokerlistings.com and giving me your birth date i would be thankful.
Maybe i can convince you to give a interview in the future, if you are happy with my Bio on the site of course.
/Best and humble regards - Daniel
Hoyt,
You are showing up everywhere! Can you make it a trifecta and make the cardplayer magazine this month? I enjoyed the article in Bluff. I really think this testifies to the hard work Natalie is doing behind the curtain. Good Work! Good Luck! Good Skill!
Post a Comment
<< Home