In just a week's time, on January 19, ACR Poker will launch the first of five Day 1 flights in its dual no-limit hold'em and pot-limit Omaha Mystery Bounty Venom tournaments.
With $10M guaranteed between the two events – $8M in the NLH version, $2M in the PLO version – it's not a bad idea to take a nugget of wisdom, or two, from an ACR Pro who knows what it's like to take a run at the juggernaut that is the Venom.
The NLH and PLO Venom Mystery Bounty tournaments kick off January 19. As such, PokerOrg reached out to Nacho Barbero to learn about how the Argentinian approaches the big-field events.
How do you prepare for a long online session?
Every player should approach the bounties differently; it depends on how many bullets you’re going to play. If you’re going unlimited, you’ve got to play as aggressively as you can. If you play two, I’d be more loose/aggressive the first and more careful the second try.
I definitely prefer PLO, it’s a bloodbath, everyone gambles super bad and loses. So, let’s get in there and make some money guys!
How should first-time Venom players approach the unique Mystery Bounty format? Do you have a preferred version – PLO or NLH?
Accumulating stacks is a good option, this gives you the chance to cover people on Day 2 and win the mystery bounties. It's an amazing sweat.
I like PLO cash games more, but I prefer NLH tournaments because they are very dynamic. You have to be able to play all stack sizes and depths. And PLO cash is super fun; there are so many things you can do, like running huge bluffs with blockers.
Sometimes I feel like deep-stacked hold’em becomes a boring game when I’m just trying to flop a set or cooler someone with AA vs KK.
In PLO, it’s more of a post-flop game with more interesting decisions, I think!
You had a lot of success in 2024 in High Roller events, especially PLO, which you’ve been playing a lot in recent years. What draws you to PLO?
I had a lot of success in PLO. I feel more confident in that game, to be honest. I played a lot online and grinded high-stakes cash games all over the world. I feel like it is a better and more fun game – the equities run closer and the recreationals have more chances. It also has more gamble in it, and you guys know I love gambling.
Nacho Barbero has had success at the highest levels of poker. Also, I feel like the fields are softer than those in the same buy-in, for example a $25K PLO is way fishier than a 25K NLH. I just enjoy it more. Although I think the NLH tournaments are extremely fun, I love the PLO streets.
You finished 2nd in a $5,000 Open Face Chinese tournament in 2013 at the Rio. What do you remember about that tournament? Can you win in any card game? Are there any you are bad at?
Well, I remember we chopped that one with Mike Schwartz and Victor Ramdin. I did not get the bracelet, though. It is my first picture on Instagram also!
I think I can win in every game, to be honest. I regularly play mixed games online, but I feel like the mixed pros are better than me overall. That's why I like 8-Game Mix or 10 Game Mix with some big bets. I have a better chance in those ones.
I’ve been playing and studying a lot of mixed games the last year, and it has made me improve a lot, but I still feel a bit worse than some of the mixed game wizards. I love it, though, it is such a fun format. Everyone should try it!
Image Courtesy of Joe Giron Photography
