Playing poker while under scrutiny from every corner of the poker world is a challenge. Now add tens of thousands of dollars in prop bets riding on the results; it’s amazing Jeremy Becker even wants to do another interview at this point.
But the player who captivated the poker world with a big prop bet at the WSOP in the summer is serious about taking his game to the next level, even if it means personal sacrifices, like hanging out with friends.
Becker is playing in Day 1A of the $3,500 World Poker Tour Seminole Rock ‘N Roll Poker Open Championship, and this version is much more relaxed than the Summer of ’24 Becker.
“I’m definitely more relaxed,” Becker said. “I like pressure, but I had all eyes watching me, all sorts of people coming for me, but it’s a different vibe now.”
Life after THE prop bet
The Becker vs Landon Tice battle of the summer proved to be more hype than notches in the belt for both players. But Becker doesn’t have any regrets from the prop bet madness.
“There’s a ton of variance in tournaments,” he said. “I was making some runs during the summer, but you just have to beat thousands of people. It’s a little different when you have to beat one or 200.”
Becker spoke to PokerOrg standing next to the WPT Mike Sexton Champions Cup. Does he see his name on the trophy?
“That’s the dream, man. The World Series (of Poker) gives out a lot of bracelets with prestige,” he said. “But there’s not that many WPT titles and I think getting my name on the trophy means more than getting a bracelet.
Hitting his stride among the best
Becker hit a run in September at the Poker Masters, where he made $448,000, three final tables and won an event that featured Sean Winter, Dan Sepiol and Nick Schulman at the final table.
He proved his game, sharpened by the grind of Las Vegas dailies, could hang with the game’s best.
“Honestly, it’s always been my dream to play in there (PokerGo Studio),” said Becker. “So, it was pretty awesome to compete and actually win. You have to take it more seriously; there’s a different vibe, nobody’s talking about bad beats – it’s just an awesome experience.”
The last 18 months were a whirlwind for Becker, where he committed his life to playing cards. But what did it cost him away from the tables?
“It sucks that I can’t hang out with my friends anymore now having different priorities,” he said. “You really have to be obsessed with the game to get to the highest levels. I’m working on that, but luckily for me, I love it, and I’m trying to find a nice balance where I can do other stuff. But right now, I’m all in on poker.”
On the horizon
Becker sees 2025 as an opportunity to focus his efforts on higher buy-in events, but not at the expense of missing out on action.
“I want to really compete and be known as one of the best players at higher stakes,” he said. “If there’s nothing going on, I’ll still play the dailies – I just love to play.”
All photos courtesy of World Poker Tour
