ShareRyan Depaulo became an overnight sensation in the poker world when he scooped WSOP gold and $160k while playing from a parking lot in New Jersey in the early hours of the morning last summer.
It sounds like the perfect poker story for a man whose YouTube channel is entitled Degenerate Gambler, but we caught up with the New Yorker to find out whether that tag describes the real Ryan and much more besides.
Q: How did you become a poker pro?
I loved poker for a long time and played on and off starting in 2010 but never thought of trying to become pro at all (although I dreamed of it deep down). I just would play micro stakes online sometimes or the occasional $1-$2 at casino trips. Very Recreational.
Then I started my YouTube channel in 2018 not sure what the focus would be. It ended up becoming about gambling and then in turn poker. This allowed me/forced me to get better at poker over time basically if I didn’t want to go broke but still have a YouTube gambling channel.
Q: How did you end up as an ACR sponsored pro?
Through Jeff Boski - who I knew a little bit - I got linked up with ACR. We didn’t get married on the first date, we built our relationship slowly. They saw early on that I would go on to become the greatest and most influential poker YouTuber in the history of mankind. So they gambled on me. I loved working with them and obviously they love me (because I am so great). But eventually they got up the courage to propose to me. I said yes!
Q: What are the best and worst things about being a poker pro?
Best thing is that I never have to answer to a boss or some bozo who I think I know better than. Worst thing is that I am the Bozo now so when I make mistakes I beat myself super hard.
Q: You can play online from any country in the world…which one do you choose?
Um USA? Or Chile maybe but ONLY because I want to play online on Easter Island.
Q: Which players do you look up to/rate highly among modern-day pros?
Actually no B.S. seriously first one that came to mind is Rob Kuhn (a fellow ACR pro). I am reluctant to say how great he is because he probably already thinks he’s top 3 players in the world. However I love his style of play. He coached me for a while and it helped my game immensely. Mostly I love his style of street poker.
Others are probably Landon Tice, Brock Wilson, all the young wizard kids. The amount of time they put in to study, to know so much at young ages, is so admirable and cool.
Q: Who do you want to beat heads-up for the ACR Venom crown?
JEFF BOSKI.
Q: The most useful tip for any aspiring poker pro is…?
STUDY. Just study anything. In 10 minutes of studying I learn more than 5 hours of playing. Just Study.
Q: You have to choose an ACR team-mate to take on the world (at anything)…who gets the buddy role?
Jeff Boski for sure. He is my friend, but also we are very good at different things. Also its good he is tall in case we end up having to play basketball.
Q: Biggest achievement, biggest failure and biggest goal?
My biggest achievement is building my YouTube channel and poker game enough to quit my day job.
I don’t know my biggest failure. I have plenty, but I seriously learn from them then forget them as after learning they have no use. I did fail art in 8th grade, that was pretty disappointing.
Q: Describe what the game of poker means to you in three words…
Degeneracy/Sophisticated Hybrid
Q: ‘Degenerate gambler’ – what do non-poker/gambling friends and family think of the tag?
Most know its tongue in cheek, except my aunt. She still fears I have a gambling problem and only recently watched one of my videos for the first time.
Q: Poker players have been involved in some pretty insane prop bets. What would you NEVER gamble on?
The New York Jets.
Q: Last year saw you scoop a bracelet from the parking lot…what would top that story?
Winning the main event on acid. Or just winning an actual parking lot.
Q: Your 2019 Colossus 3rd place for $200k…how special was that in your career.
Insane. It was the dream. It also allowed me and gave me the money to invest in a coach and be comfortable taking time off when I had no work at my day job to work on poker and YouTube. It was the dream run of every casual player. Low buy in and you hit. Very happy I was able to document it.
Q: You have to choose one fellow ACR pro to take on the world…which one gets the buddy seat?
I think same as earlier question but Jeff Boski. Unless it’s in actual poker then apestyles (Jon Van Fleet) or Rob Kuhn.
