Our own insider: Post music man talks about his run in the WPT

An ear for music, an eye for cards.

In the interests of disclosure, Kendall Smith is director of The Denver Post’s Underground Music Showcase, a four-day annual festival every July that benefits The Post’s charitable Community Foundation. If there is a new band creating a buzz in Denver, or nationally, Smith most likely knew about them well before the rest of us. But unknown to many of his fellow employees until recently, he’s also quite the poker player.

Smith recently qualified for the regional event in the World Poker Tour at Isle Casino last weekend, Oct. 14-16. With the finals still a few days away at press time, we could only wish him well and talk to him about his life away from the rock clubs – at the poker table.

Q. How did you first get interested in playing poker?

A. The whole television boom of the game really piqued my interest. So, I decided to check it out by playing free “bar poker.” In doing so, I met a great group of people who were also learning the game. A couple of them decided to host a regular home tournament. That was about six years ago. The group has been through some changes, but we have been playing almost every Monday ever since.

Q. Do you play on a regular basis and if so, is it serious or more for fun?

A. I play in our Monday game. It’s serious and fun. We play for low stakes but we all take the game seriously – the best of both worlds as we learn. Plus, the room is full of great people. I’ll jump in other tournaments as time permits, but this World Poker Tour event is easily the biggest for me yet. I don’t think I would have bought right in at this point (the finals). That’s why I played the qualifier. Aside from directing the Underground Music Showcase this past summer, that qualifier was the most fun I have had being stressed in a while.

Q. How did you learn your strategies?

A. Mostly by playing. I try to read about the game from time to time but I don’t enjoy it much. Early on, I watched some videos by Howard Lederer that helped with the basics. Luckily, Monday Night Poker is full of students of the game who love to talk about it.

Q. Where do you like to go when you visit a casino in Colorado and why?

A. Honestly, I haven’t really been up the hill in a while. Right now I am digging the Isle. It’s so great they are hosting the Word Poker Tour.

Q. What would you do with the money if you won?

A. Like any good American, stimulate the economy.

- Sam DeLeo