Tighty interviewed Aaron after his APAT US Open online win and he had this to say:-
APAT Online Series - US Open Champion - Aaron Gustavson (AGUSKB)
The winner of the APAT Online series US Open tournament was Aaron Gustavson from New York. He kindly gave us some time to answer some questions for APAT members:
Tell us about yourself:
I am 20 years old (21 in December). I live in Long Island, NY. I play on PokerStars for the most part I play limit cash games and No limit tournaments. I am the biggest Kobe Bryant fan you will meet.
How did you hear about APAT?
Browsing through upcoming poker tournaments on Stars I saw this APAT tournament and decided to look it up, then decided to join even though I missed the beginning of the season and so far played in two events.
What is your poker background?
I have been playing regularly for probably 2-3 years. I play 95% online and basically 100% on PokerStars. I prefer playing limit but play no limit tournaments since there aren"t that many limit tournaments around.
What are your major poker achievements?
14th in the PokerStars Sunday Million, 28th in the PokerStars WCOOP limit event, Winning two seats into this years PokerStars Carribean WPT tournament in January, and just all my other online final tables/wins.
Tell us about your APAT competition win:
Definitely was nice to place first in my second APAT tournament ever, I regret not joining APAT earlier because I potentially lost a lot of points for the leaderboard.
Any key hands that you remember?
Not off the top of my head.
This was your second APAT tournament, and you finished second in your first, before winning this event. That is an excellent achievement. Any common themes for you in both competitions?
I expect to place deep in the APAT tournaments because of the big starting chip stacks I honestly never could of expected finishing 1st and 2nd in the only two events I played. Was actually stunned after this weeks win just for the fact I placed so deep in the previous one. Both tournaments (more so the first) I did accumulate a good amount of chips early which did give me a lot of breathing room to work with and pick better spots to get my money in.
What were your thoughts about the competitions in general. Standard of play? Structure?
I like them so far, obviously I"ve enjoyed both. The structure seems solid, definitely gives you more play the most of the other tournaments which are 1500 or 2500 starting chips. I like the idea of a "season" online with a points leaderboard, I think there should have been more advertisement through Stars earlier, maybe through bulk email or something.
You are up to Joint 6th in the Player of the Year Rankings. I assume you plan to play more of the Online series?
Anytime I am around I will play, honestly saturdays are the worst day for me but since I am 6th in the POTY rankings I will have to start making a point to be around when there is an online event.
