Catching Up with Aki Pyysing – Winner of the Mixed Main Event & Sviten Special tournaments
We had a blast at Banco Casino in Bratislava! One of the main highlights was the epic poker action in the mixed games, both in tournaments and cash games. Aki Pyysing, hailing from Finland, claimed victory in not one, but two flagship tournaments of The Festival Series. After the event, we spoke with Aki and asked him several questions about the growing mixed games community. Check it out here!
Let's start from the beginning and give you a proper introduction! Aki Pyysing is a well-known Finnish poker player with years of experience in both No-Limit Hold’em and mixed poker games. He is respected for his great poker books, smart strategies and skills, and ability to stay calm under pressure. The poker books are based on his knowledge and fun stories he experienced along the way in the poker scene, often expressed in a great entertaining manner. His love for games like Stud Hi-Lo and his recent wins, such as at The Festival Series in Bratislava, show his determination to keep performing in the live poker circuit.
As mentioned, Aky Pyysing has authored two poker books. One of the is called 'Pokerin käsikirja' (The Poker Handbook), covering poker fundamentals, strategies, and insights into the psychology of professional players. It also touches a bit the world of online poker, offering tips and warnings for players. The second book he wrote is called 'Pokerihuoneen pokeriopas' (Poker Room's Poker Guide), which provides you with practical advice on various aspects of poker, targeting beginning- and more advanced players.
Melvin: You’ve been around poker for a long time and have had success in various formats. How do you adjust your approach when playing mixed games like H.O.R.S.E.S versus traditional No-Limit Hold’em?
Aki: I try my best to keep track of which game I’m playing at any given moment. In NLH it never changes.
Melvin: H.O.R.S.E.S Mixed Main Event requires skills over multiple poker variants. How do you maintain a high skill level across so many games, and which is your favourite in the mix?
Aki: Funnily enough, I reread my books on mixed games every now and then. I know the younger generations don’t approve, but I am old enough not to care what they think. I also play small-stakes cash to keep up the routine. I don’t have a real favourite, but if I had to pick one, I’d choose Stud Hi-Lo.
Melvin: Mixed games often require quick adaptability. How do you train for such a diverse skill set, and do you have any tips for aspiring mixed-game players?
Aki: I have a tip that works very well: Concentrate on the game, not on your phone.
>> Aky Pyysing's Sunday Column
Melvin: What advice do you have for players looking to break into the world of mixed games? What skills do you think are crucial for success?
Aki: Learn the rules of the games before you start playing for serious money. This is of course valid only if you like cash. Patience and willingness to learn new things are the most important skills.
Melvin: Sviten Special is a unique format that combines elements of Omaha and draw poker. What’s your strategy for handling the dynamics of Sviten Special, and do you think it should be more widely played?
Aki: Yes, Sviten Special deserves to be more widely played. The strategy is to aim for a draw hand and consider Omaha's hand as a bonus.
Melvin: If you could create your own poker variant and name it, what would it look like, and what would you call it?
Aki: I have zero interest in creating a new poker variant. I am here to play, not to create games. Besides, 5-card PLO8 with deep stacks has already been invented.
Melvin: How important is game selection to you? Do you look for specific types of tournaments or cash games that suit your style?
Aki: When I was a young poker professional, all I cared about was the value of the table. I would play PLO Stud with Russians, Courchevel with French, and Sökö with Finns if I thought the expected value was high enough. I would learn and play any poker that the businessmen liked to play. Nowadays I look more for nice cities, venues, and players.
Melvin: How do you approach studying poker in today’s environment with all the technology available? Do you have any favourite tools or methods you use to stay sharp?
Aki: I quit online poker because I didn’t want to spend my life studying GTO and solvers. If I feel I am in trouble with my game, I ask for help from my best friend Jim Beam.
Melvin: When you sit down at a tournament table, what’s the first thing you look for in terms of reads or table dynamics?
Aki: Do I know any of the guys? Of course, I try to figure out the relative stack sizes immediately as well.
Melvin: What do you think is the future of live poker in Europe? Are there any trends you’re noticing that might shape the game in the next five years?
Aki: I think the future is bright. Poker is such a good game that even stupid authorities or too-greedy casino owners can’t kill it.
Melvin: You’ve written many humorous poker stories. What’s the most absurd or funny moment you’ve experienced at a poker table recently?
Aki: Franke won two tournaments in Tallinn. He busted me in both.
Melvin: We hope you enjoyed The Festival Series in Bratislava, and of course, we hope to see you back in Rozvadov in June 2025. If you had to describe The Festival Series to people who are not familiar with the event, how would you describe it to them?
Aki: Plenty of well-run tournaments and, from a Finnish perspective, practically free booze.
>> Highlights The Festival Series Bratislava
