Interview with Rajesh Modha

When you break onto the tournament scene with your first major win, it’s nice when the paycheck has seven figures on it, as recently happened to the UK’s Rajesh Modha, who nailed the victory in the Ladbrokespoker.com Poker Million on December 15th, just in time for the holidays.

Modha, a nuclear medicine technician from Northampton, picked up a Ladbrokes Poker qualifier for a tiny $9 investment, which paid off in the neighbourhood of 133,333 to 1.

Guidetopoker: Congratulations Rajesh Modha on your fantastic victory at the Ladbrokespoker.com Poker Million!

Rajesh Modha: Thank you very much. It was a fantastic week.

G2P: We appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to answer some questions about your adventure. Has your schedule filled up with interviews and press related duties after your win, or is it back to life as usual (plus $1.2 million)?

RM: I have been on the phone speaking to radio stations and newspapers, constantly. So, the schedule is a pretty much full and not being used to such a life style it is exciting. 

G2P: In what ways would you say the win has changed your life now and in the future, or is it too early to tell?

RM: Think its too early to tell yet but I’m sure there will be some changes as I may not work as hard as I used to and may take a few more holidays then normal.

G2P: You were not up against easy pickings at the final table, where you? What was it like playing with Mel Judah?

RM: I was looking forward to play against Mel because his reputation is awesome, plus knowing that he had two WSOP bracelets didn’t make things any easier. Also, with him having a substantial chip lead and sitting on my left made it doubly difficult. So I had prepared myself for a tough battle.

G2P: Mel was likely the biggest player at the table in terms of name recognition, but that might change now that you have such a huge victory next to your name. As of yet, however, there is little known about you to the general poker public…can you fill us in on a few particulars, starting with when and how you got involved in poker?

RM: Back in the summer of 2005 my brother, who came over from California, taught me the basics of holdem poker. At first I didn’t find the game very interesting but as I played more it began to grow on me. Then I joined Ladbrokespoker.com on line so that I could play in my free time and improve my poker skills.

G2P: When you won your entry into the Poker Million at Ladbrokes (for $9!) did you ever imagine you would be the eventual winner?

RM: Never in 1.2million years!! I guess when I entered the $9 satellite it was just wishful thinking. I never imagined that it would take me to such dizzy heights.

G2P: As you got started in the Poker Million, did you have a specific strategy in mind, and if so, how and why did it change throughout the event?

RM: I did have a strategy in mind. I knew that my poker skills were no match against the professionals that I was playing with. So I decided that the best way to keep out of trouble was to make it very difficult for them to read the strength or weakness of my hand. Hence, all the theatricals and pauses whether I had a good hand or bad. Also I was keeping my bets to a minimum, most of the time, so that they could not get a read on me.

G2P: During the Million, Ladbrokes was hosting an event at the Marriott Hotel where wagers were being placed on the outcome of the Poker Million. How aware of this were you, and did the scrutiny affect your play at all?

RM: I was aware of the odds that Ladbrokes were laying on me, however, I did not realise at the time how much money was going on me to win the Ladbrokes poker million. Even If I had known, I doubt very much if my play would have been affected. 

G2P: When you wound up heads up with Claus Marcussen, did you take a moment to say to yourself, “Okay, this is it- my chance at a million two!”?

RM: when we were sitting there waiting for the heads up to start I did think to myself, that this was the biggest heads up of my life. At this stage being the Ladbrokes Poker Million V winner was far more important to me then the prize money.

G2P: What is next on the horizon for Rajesh Modha?

RM: I am really looking forward to the start of 2007. Ladbrokes have given me the opportunity to go to WSOP in Vegas and to their Caribbean poker cruise in 2008. I hope also to be competing in some of the EPT events in Europe. Really, just looking forward to playing more poker.

G2P: Once more, congratulations on your spectacular win, and thank you for your time. Best of luck in the future!

RM: Thank you very much and hope to speak to you again sometime in the future.