Reality Check with Bodog Poker Pro Evelyn Ng

by Bodog Poker | May 21 2010

Much has been written about Bodog Poker Pro Evelyn Ng's passion for fashion and the fact that she can rock harder than most anyone at Guitar Hero, Rock Band and DJ Hero. Plus, if you've seen her play No Limit Texas Hold'Em then you know she's tough to read but easy on the eyes.

What you may not know about this Canadian cardsharp is that she's a reality TV junkie of the worst kind and a self-admitted nerd with a bite. In other words, she's totally cool.

In an exclusive phone interview with Bodog Poker, Evelyn "evybabee" Ng lets her freak flag fly unabashedly on such topics as sucking at Magic: The Gathering (but loving it anyway) and why she'd rather watch a high-stakes poker tournament on TV than a hockey game (gasp!).

Bodog: Hey Evelyn, what's new? What have you been up to these past few months?

Evelyn: Oh, not that much really. I've been spending a lot of quiet time at home reading books and playing video games and other time-wasting activities.

Bodog: What? No poker?

Evelyn: Well, when I was in Europe visiting my boyfriend [Dutch poker player Lex Veldhuis] I played in the EPT. I find that if I play too much poker it becomes kind of a grind, and all the traveling that's involved becomes way too stressful. I need this time to relax.

Bodog: Are you looking forward to playing in this year's WSOP tournament?

Evelyn: Well, it's sort of the same thing every year with me. On the one hand I'm looking forward to it, and on the other hand I'm dreading it. It's always such a grueling schedule and it's kind of stressful.

Bodog: Is there anything that Bodog can do to make it less stressful for you? More massages at the table, maybe?

Evelyn: I should start doing that this year! Sitting on your can for 12 hours straight does not do good things to your back.

Bodog: No doubt. It sounds like you're doing what's best for you - in preparation for what's to come.

Evelyn: When I feel like I have to play poker then I'm just not into it. I value my time away from poker. Then when I get back into it I'm ready… on a psychological level and on a physical level.

Bodog: Fair enough. So what does Evelyn Ng do for fun?

Evelyn: Well, I think most people have a skewed image of me. It's true that I like doing girly things like getting dressed up in designer clothes, but I'm not just about shopping and putting on makeup. I like to do un-girly things, too.

Bodog: Like outdoorsy stuff? Adventure sports like bungee jumping and caving?

Evelyn: Hell no! Not in a million years. I would rather be indoors playing video games or reading science books.

Bodog: You mean science fiction books?

Evelyn: No, I mean non-fiction science books. I'm really interested in science and reading about human behavior. I love staying in and watching television, too.

Bodog: You're kind of a nerd, Evelyn. Do you think you're nerdy?

Evelyn: I know I'm a nerd! I spend most of my time playing nerdy video games. I'm ashamed of how much reality TV I watch, though.

Bodog: It's okay that you watch reality TV. We're not going to judge you just because you watch reality TV. Everyone watches reality TV.

Evelyn: Really? I watch some bad ones - like "the Bachelor." I was really surprised by the ending!

Bodog: Okay now I'm embarrassed for you. What about "Jon & Kate Plus Eight?" If you tell me that you actually like Kate Gosselin I will puke into the phone.

Evelyn: NO!! I have never EVER watched a single minute of that stupid show! I mean, who really CARES about these people? They are SO uninteresting.

Bodog: I know! What about "Intervention"...? That's a great show. Please tell me you watch that show.

Evelyn: I have watched it but it is SO depressing! I mean, you watch these people go through this whole painful ordeal and you're pleading with the television, "Please stay clean! Please stay sober!" And they hardly ever do. It's so sad! Did you see the one with the guy from Three Dog Night? Did you see how messed up his son was on heroin? It was horrible!! That was it for me. After that I swore I'd never watch another "Intervention" ever again.

Bodog: That was pretty sad, I have to admit.

Evelyn: That's why I don't watch the news. Most of it is scary, depressing shit.

Bodog: "American Idol" is uplifting. Do you like that show?

Evelyn: I love that show! Crystal Bowersox has to win. She's amazing. She just BLOWS everybody out of the water every week. She's the real deal, you know? There's no way she'll lose.

Bodog: She's totally going to lose to Lee. Anyway, are you watching the NHL playoffs or the NBA playoffs? I went to one of my favorite pubs in Vancouver to catch a game and instead of hockey they had poker on all their TVs with the volume turned up. Can you believe it?

Evelyn: I'm Canadian so I get hockey. I understand why it's so popular. But professional hockey players make boatloads of money. With some of these televised poker tournaments, you're watching some guy who used to be a mechanic or whatever - and they go from making next to nothing to making millions. With the flip of one card you're seeing a life change completely. It's pretty dramatic.

Bodog: Just thinking about playing in a poker tournament in Vegas and sucking so bad on TV is making my palms all sweaty.  

Evelyn: And that's just it. With women, we're so worried about being the dumb girl at the poker table. I sucked at poker for a really long time. And I armed myself, too. I read all the poker books, I worked as a poker dealer for awhile - I wanted to learn as much as I could about poker so that when I finally did sit down to play I'd KICK ASS. And instead I was freaking terrible.

Bodog: That's hard on the ego.

Evelyn: It is but... Okay, it's like Magic: The Gathering. If you've never played it before it can be really confusing. I absolutely love it even though I suck at it. It's so challenging, it's so complicated and I'm going to keep on playing it until I'm good at it...or I'll die trying.

Bodog: It sounds like another game for nerds. I'm kidding! No I'm not kidding! Okay so I'm thinking that we should wrap up this interview before the battery on my phone dies. What advice do you have for women who are just getting started in poker?

Evelyn: First of all, follow your instincts. I mean, we always know when men are lying to us, right? We know what men think of us and I think women have to be really aware of what their table image is and how guys perceive them to be. Some women really feel like that they have to prove that they know everything. You know, there's no shame in playing up the ditz factor sometimes. If that's what people think then use that to your advantage! Don't feel as though you have to prove them wrong. Think instead, "Okay, I know that's not me but how can I profit from this?" If you know what their weaknesses are then USE THEM to your benefit.  There are always those women who feel they have to prove themselves all the time and they're always talking about strategy at the poker tables, which, by the way, I can't stand. The women who can put their ego aside are the women to look out for.

Bodog: Excellent advice, Evelyn. Last question: Can you give me five words that best describe you?

Evelyn: Studious, because I'm always reading and wanting to learn new things. Tall, because...well, because I'm tall compared to most women I see. Intellectual, because I'm always thinking. Positive, because being positive makes life way easier. Did I already say tall?

Bodog: Yes you did. Okay this time I swear this is my last question. What do you value most in life?

Evelyn: Tolerance and kindness towards others. I feel people are far too negative and for no reason. Compassion. Loyalty. I really value intelligence, too. All of my friends are smart and I like being with people who...well, I like people who have interests other than poker.

Editor's Note: Throughout the conversation Evelyn Ng made it absolutely clear that she loves poker and will always play poker. The point to this phone chat, however, was to show you that there is more to Evelyn Ng – Bodog Poker Pro. If you're going to be at the 2010 WSOP, look for her at the Hold'em events. “I know how to play all the other games,” she said. “But I like the Hold'em events the best.” 

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