Rhett Butler
There were a lot of smiling faces around the final table of the 2006 World Series of Poker main event- million dollar smiles, you could say. Every one of the nine players seated around the table were millionaires by the time they took their seat, and eight of them had one job- get Jamie Gold before he ran away with the event. One by one, hand by hand, the smiles began to fade as it became clear that Gold was not going away- all except for one player. Rhett Butler kept smiling, all the way till the end of his run. Truth be told, he was smiling then as well, but you could see the disappointment shining through- as happy as he was with his good fortune, he would have been a bit happier with a better run of cards.
We here at Tourney Blog are thrilled to present our interview with 5th place finisher Rhett Butler!
TourneyBlog: Rhett Butler, we are thrilled you took time out to speak with us about your WSOP experience. Congratulations on your 5th place finish at the main event, and your three million payday! Alright, let’s get this out of the way… “Gone with the Wind”, Clark Gable, “Frankly my dear…” how completely sick are you of jokes about your name? Answer carefully, because we are fully prepared to make with the funny if need be.
Rhett: When I was younger I would constantly get asked about my name. Now the younger generation often does not know who Rhett Butler is.
TB: This we know about you, from other interviews and reports; you are in your 40’s, you hail from Rockville, Maryland where you work as an insurance agent, you’ve been playing poker for over two decades, and you are a father of three. Good so far?
Rhett: Yes.
TB: As an insurance agent, you are familiar with risk- in ways and quantities that lay people don’t think about on a day to day basis. How much of this risk assessment knowledge plays into your poker playing?
Rhett: Risk assessment is an accurate description of playing poker. You calculate odds and read your opponent just like you would underwrite an insurance prospect.
TB: You’ve been quoted as saying you were playing in the main event for “friends and family.” A life of card playing, you make to the final table at the Big Show, gunning for the biggest payout in poker history, and you are playing for these people? You had to be in it for yourself, at least a little bit…right?
Rhett: True, but if my family and friends were not involved – making the final table would not have been as meaningful. The look on their faces of everyone that was there during the main event was priceless. They were more nervous than me.
TB: You’ve said in other interviews that about half of your payout was going to pay back those who invested in you. As you climbed the pay ladder, heading for the million dollar mark and beyond, were you ever regretting getting backers?
Rhett: No , I do regret not getting some better cards the last 2 days of the tournament. Big difference between 5th and 1st.
TB: You picked up a rep as a tight player at the final table- how much of that was situational, and how much is an accurate read on you?
Rhett: I wanted everyone to think that. When I was in a hand ,players gave me a great deal of respect. It definitely helps when I was bluffing.
TB: Did you ever look over at the “Wall of Gold” and feel it was hopeless?
Rhett: No, I was one of the few players that thought Jamie would win. He was a good player that had the most amazing run of cards that I had ever seen. He got great cards for 5 days in a row. Sometimes, luck is with you. Most of the professional card players did not believe that I he could have a hand every time, but he did.
TB: You also picked up a rep at the final table for being a gentleman; always with a smile and something nice to say. When you stood up after busting in fifth place, what were you thinking? Still nice, or “I’m going to make Gold eat these wired fours.”
Rhett: I wanted only one caller with the 4”s. When Alan and Jamie both called, I need(ed) some luck.
TB: You picked up sponsorship from 888.com during the WSOP, and you can be seen grinning on their home page. What other opportunities have come about as a result of your exposure at the final table?
Rhett: I have done several charity appearances and have met some really interesting people. Everyone has been great and I’m lucky to be in a position to help raise money for others.
TB: What is your take on the recent maneuvering in Washington against online poker, short and long term?
Rhett: I thought that poker should have been removed from the gambling bill. There are over 20 million American online poker players. There is a big difference between betting sporting events and playing poker. Hopefully the government will figure out a way to tax the online revenue and the better sites like 888 will be servicing US players soon.
TB: What does the future hold for Rhett Butler? Being an insurance man, you must be preparing for it, whatever it is.
Rhett: I will play more live poker and a several tournaments over the next 12 months. My family is behind me and my job allows me the flexibility to travel. Hopefully make another final table in the near future.
TB: Rhett, thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. All the best in the future, at and away from the tables!
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