Erica Schoenberg
Not JUST a Pretty Face
by Crystal Osgood-Gray
Photos courtesty of World Poker Tour
I met Erica for the first time at the 2008 LAPC Ladies event at Commerce Casino where she finished 2nd to Vanessa Selbst. I took 3rd place that day. Final table play was nothing less than impressive, where it was clear Erica set the standard. Unlike Vanessa, who seemed to hit whatever she played, Erica worked hard, moved her chips, calculated every move, was difficult to read and even more difficult to cull chips from. In one amazing play, she layed down 2 pair to my trips on the flop. I was shocked to see her hand when she declared "I can not beat trips."
Born in Akron Ohio, Erica early on had a natural fondness for numbers and enjoyed family card games around the kitchen table. Soon graduating from home games to blackjack, Erica learned quickly and used Blackjack to supplement her income with modeling and working as a personal trainer.
In 2007 Erica became a member of the Full Tilt Team and continues to cash and impress the crowd. And she recently announced her engagement to poker pro David Benyamine. I personally found it a wonderful experience to play with her. I learned a lot as I was truly impressed with her play and composure on the table.
I sat down with Erica and this is what she had to say:
LPA: Tell us about your family?
ES: I'm super close with my entire family my Mom Sharon, my Dad Ed, and my younger brothers Matt and Alex.
LPA: Significant other?
ES: Yes, professional poker player David Benyamine
LPA: Kids?
ES: No
LPA: Pets?
ES: Two awesome dogs, Jerry - a golden retriever, and Mundo - a Jack Russell mix
LPA: What do you do for a living?
ES: Professional poker player
LPA: Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
ES: I grew up in themiddle of Nowheresville, Ohio. I live in Los Angeles and Las Vegas now.
LPA: How did you learn to play poker? How old were you?
ES: I learned initially as a kid from my Dad around 9 or 10.
LPA: What are you most proud of as a poker accomplishment?
ES: My win in the $2500 WPT at Mandalay Bay. I was heads up against Anna Wrobeleski, who I like and respect so much, both in poker and life!
LPA: Tell us a bit about your experience being on the circuit now?
ES: It's pretty crazy. I love every minute of it, but it can get tiring and overwhelming.
LPA: Can you give us some advice as to your strategy for playing in a tournament setting?
ES: I really need my iPod when I play a tournament. Tournaments, for the most part, are really boring so it's important to find a way to stay focused and not get impatient.
LPA: What adjustments, if any, have you made in your game that you can attribute to increased cashes?
ES: I used to be really conscious of making the money. Now I don't pay any attention to that, I just play to win.
LPA: If you could give just one tip about how to win at No Limit Holdem what would it be?
ES: Remember, NL Holdem is one of the games with the most amount of gamble. Crazy plays, big bets/bluffs often win tournaments.
LPA: How often do you play?
ES: It varies, depending on whether there is a tournament or not, but I could probably play more often. I do think it's very important to find a good balance of a "normal" life and poker.
LPA: Where do you enjoy playing most often?
ES: Definitely the Bellagio.
LPA: What game(s) do you play?
ES: NL Holdem, Limit Holdem and Omaha
LPA: Which do you enjoy most Cash games or Tournaments?
ES: Tournaments.
LPA: What advice do you have for anyone just starting out?
ES: Practice, practice, practice! Don't get too frustrated and remember that poker is a little like golf in the amount of time you can spend doing it and still not be very good!
LPA: What was it like playing in your first live tournament?
ES: Hysterical. Years ago my Dad and I drove to the Casino Morongo in Palm Springs and entered some $60 NL tournament. I got 10th and got my money back, plus, like 30 bucks. I was hooked!
LPA: Do you play on the Internet?
ES: Of course, at Full Tilt!
LPA: What differences do you see between poker on TV and the tournaments you play?
ES: TV shows usually only show the exciting/interesting hands. They don't show the hours of folding.
LPA: What advatages do you believe women have in the game of poker?
ES: Women are generally underestimated, so I believe that can be used as an advantage.
LPA: What disadvantages do you believe women have in the game?
ES: None!
LPA: Who has been the biggest influence in your game? Why?
ES: Obviously, David. I have spent so much time watching him play, both online and live, he is the person that has shaped my game both directly and indirectly.
LPA: Is there anything you would like to tell women poker players out there?
ES: Don't let the guys intimidate you!
Thanks Erica we wish you the best of Luck!
