10 Questions with PLON member Kayla Pursley
1. First, tell us a little about yourself, including how you got started in poker.
We played penny-ante, dealer’s choice, at Thanksgiving and Christmas growing up. Daddy’s favorite was Dr. Pepper — 10s, 2s, and 4s wild. I discovered Texas Hold ‘Em early in the 2000s when my stockbroker invited me to play with his cronies. He had games 6-7 times a year. I won one of his tournaments, prompting me to enroll in a WPT Boot Camp in Tulsa. Mike Matusow was one of the pros. After the final test, I asked if there was a prize for the worst score. I was disappointed to learn there wasn’t because I was sure the prize was mine.
2. Do you prefer online or live poker?
I play online only for now. Online gaming is a never-ending learning experience.
3. What is one of your favorite poker memories?
I moved to Oklahoma City in 2014 and discovered league poker, thanks to Tara Johnson and Renegade Poker League. I could play free tournament poker every night and twice on Saturday and Sunday. I had found my people!
4. How has your involvement in PLON helped your game and/or benefitted your poker life?
Looking to improve my game, I joined PLON and won my first PLON hoodie that says, “I beat out the best.” Through PLON, I’ve managed to beat some world-class poker players, building my confidence. The camaraderie and sharing make me want to be a better player.
5. Who is someone you admire in poker and why?
Lena Evans. We all know why. I would trust her with a key to my house.
I once drove to Dallas to meet Lena when she came to town for a ladies’ tournament.
6. What is a favorite pastime or hobby outside poker?
I publish a joke newsletter called Kindred Souls from stuff off the internet. “Give us a sense of humor. Give us the grace to see a joke. To get some humor out of life and pass it on to other folk.”
7. One thing most people don’t know about me is….
I had an aunt who used to say a woman who tells her age will tell anything. That applies to me.
8. If you won a free trip anywhere, where would you go?
Las Vegas. The world isn’t accessible. Vegas is, although I haven’t been there in at least 10 years. My choice of poker rooms was dependent on the hotel location and the battery charge on the scooter. One time the airlines disconnected the scooter batteries, so they did not charge my first night. Everywhere I parked the next day had to be by a wall plug. My favorite games to play are Hold ‘Em, HORSE, Eight and the new Fusion.
9. What lesson did you learn from one of your recent tournaments?
You can’t win them all.
10. Who are your dream competitors?
The ones I beat!
Test your skills against Kayla this Sunday, Nov. 5 in PLON’s WSOP FOMO ONLINE NLHE TOURNAMENT. More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/406506801217427.
