Bodog Poker Pro Amanda Musumeci Tells All

by Bodog Poker | May 11 2010

Bodog's newest Poker Pro Amanda Musumeci doesn't like sports. The 25-year-old hails from Philadelphia, PA - home to the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and 76ers - but she says she'd rather shoot pool than watch a football game.

And that's only if she's not busy playing online poker.

If you're a regular in the online poker rooms and forums, then you've probably seen a lot of "Manderbutt" over the past year. Now that she's a bona fide signed Bodog Poker Pro, you can expect to see even more of her, but playing under her new screen name, "BodogMander."

Bodog: Let's get right to the point, shall we? Now that you're signed you've probably got emails coming out of both ears to answer and you're probably itching to get back online so you can kick some butt. Okay first question: Why do you think we decided on making you our newest pro?

Amanda: Well, I honestly think that having another female's presence on Bodog Poker will entice more players - male and female - to come to Bodog and play online poker.

Bodog: What is it about your personality or online presence that you hope our players will respond to?

Amanda: Most people that know me online know that I'm not exactly shy. I have an outgoing personality, I'm active in the forums and people are always asking me for poker tips and advice on where the best place to start playing online poker is.

Bodog: And you tell them...what?

Amanda: Bodog, of course! I'm being completely honest with you when I say that it's where I started and that for so many reasons it's the best poker room for newcomers to the game.

Bodog: We believe you, we believe you! So now that you're in a position to really connect with our players and to make an impact - if that's something you're inclined to do - what, if anything, would you change? What would you like to see more of at Bodog Poker?

Amanda: Okay, first off you need to know that I couldn't be happier than I am right now. One of the things I wanted to be able to do as a Bodog Poker Pro - is to be able to speak honestly and openly with our online players and with other online players in other poker rooms…within reason and out of absolute respect for Bodog, naturally.

Bodog: Naturally.

Amanda: I'm very supportive of Bodog Poker and I have been since day one. Personally, I'd like to see more beginner-level players at Bodog. New poker players have a lot to gain from Bodog's online poker experience and I can promise you this - when they win they'll get a taste for the game and they'll return over and over again - with friends, too.

Bodog: What is it about our poker room that makes it a good fit for beginners?

Amanda: Bodog has the best customer service, the best lower- to mid-stakes tournaments for new players - overall it's just such a manageable and supportive environment from which to learn and grow as a poker player.

Bodog: And yet it's still got something for every level of player - including newcomers to the game.

Amanda: Absolutely! I think I won about $5,000 my first month. I got on with $150.00 and worked my way up. I was very, very lucky.

Bodog: And you were in college, right?

Amanda: I started playing online poker a month before I started college. Long story...my parents were all set to pay for my classes and everything but then we got into a huge argument and they stopped talking to me. They cut me off and refused to pay for my schooling, so I was stuck with the bill. I had to take a job as a waitress to slowly pay off my debts while I was in school and I didn't give up on playing poker online, either. Good thing, too! I ended up quitting my waitressing job because I was making way more money playing poker, plus it meant that I could stay home and chip away at my assignments.

Bodog: Determined as all hell and ambitious to boot. Talk about a winning combination! Speaking of winning combos…how do you think you measure up against our girl Evelyn Ng?

Amanda: She's definitely got way more experience than I do, but we're both very intelligent. Evelyn's got that live poker thing going on; I'm more of an online girl.

Bodog: What else are you interested in - besides poker? You have to be an Eagles fan, right? Or maybe baseball's more your thing?

Amanda: I'm sorry to disappoint you but I really don't like sports. I like billiards. Rock climbing, camping…

Bodog: Okay what about as a kid? Did you play a lot cards with your family growing up? Oh wait... you were super young in the 80s and grew up in the 90s... so you probably played a lot of video games. Yes?

Amanda: My grandfather taught me how to play blackjack, but no one in my family ever played poker. I only just ‘found' poker three years ago. I played a lot of backgammon growing up. I love strategy games because you constantly have to make new decisions. The competitive nature of games like poker is a real turn-on, I have to say. And yes, I did play video games growing up. Who didn't?

Bodog: At 25 you've got a lot of years ahead of you to do whatever you want. Why have you chosen to play poker for a living?

Amanda: I like the lifestyle, the money... I like that I'm learning something new every day. Maybe when I'm in my 30s and I have a family I won't be able to play the multi-tables; I might have to downsize and live a more conservative lifestyle. At least that's what I imagine I'll be doing by then. Who really knows?

Bodog: So while you're young you're living out your dream in Vegas. How's Vegas treating you?

Amanda: It's been great! As a poker player everything is extremely accessible to you in Vegas. I don't play a lot of cash games so I'm not a regular on the cash game circuit, but I have played tournament poker at most of the casinos here in Vegas. I played in the WPT Ladies Championship at the Bellagio a year ago; I've played in a few Venetian Deep Stack and Caesars Palace Mega Stack events; I've played in a few tournaments at the Wynn and of course the World Series events at the Rio.

Bodog: Dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Are you looking forward to playing in the WSOP this year?

Amanda: Of course!! It's always the best time of year! I'm not really a party girl, but during the WSOP…when all of my friends come to town…that's the one time of the year that I'll go to the clubs and bars.

Bodog: So what's your goal for this year's WSOP?

Amanda: Win!!!!! I think I can win the Main Event. ?

Bodog: That'd be great! We're very happy to have you as part of Team Bodog and look forward to seeing you and Evelyn Ng work your magic at the 2010 World Series of Poker.

Amanda: Thanks! I can't wait.

Bodog: Thanks again for taking the time to sit down with us.

Amanda: No problem, anytime.

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