4th Street Poker Tour

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Zoe Victoria Woodrick

Chad - Player Profile

2 Chad

Name: Chad Woodrick
Nickname (how'd you get it): Ah, the ever-evolving nickname...
First it was "two chip," because in one of the early games in the tour's history, I got down to two red chips, yet rebounded to a final table finish (not so impressive anymore since it is a feat that several others have since accomplished on the tour).  Then came "two trick" when, after C-Mint knocked me out of a tournament by crushing my full house with quad queens, I made some comment about not being beaten by queens like that since my days of turning tricks on Santa Monica Blvd.  Next came "II-Pod," when I listened to my mp3 player all the way to the finals of a tourney at the Box Office.

I see that the nickname has made a sharp turn to IISweet (Cheeks) after the most recent tournament. I can only thank my wife for that one.  At the final table, in any hand in which I was involved (and she was NOT involved), she would kindly say, "good luck, sweet cheeks."  After each one of these well-wishes, I would get some outrageous luck in the hand, including back-to-back A-K's that were BOTH pleasantly accompanied by a Q-J-10 flops (!).  I guess I can be more thankful that "IISweet (Cheeks)" stuck more than the other term of endearment that the Mrs. bestowed upon me after I knocked her out in third place: "....motherf***er."

I must comment on the creativity in the nickname process.  Complex Slim and the First Lady have raised the nickname selection to an art-form for everyone throughout the tour.  I may not remember the names of the players that I see week after week, but the colorful and descriptive nicknames are unforgettable.  Its a layer of the tour that makes it that much more fun.

Age: 36 (yet just a wide-eyed child at the poker tables)
Location: Playa Vista...more specifically, the Feif

Favorite hand to play:
I don't have cards that are near-and-dear to my heart.  As the old adage goes, "any two cards can lose," so I try not to get emotionally attached to any of them.  I'm a simple guy who "believes in" math, so I can't say I mind seeing A-A or K-K in my pocket.  Yes, that is lame and a big "duh," but I like to look around the table with those cards in front of me knowing that I most likely have everyone beat at the moment, waiting for Richie Rich to make a move with his 2-3 (fully aware that I may get beat by them). I know that the monsters get beat frequently, but hell, I'll take that chance, ready to toss them when I am sure they're beat.

Favorite pro player:
Probably Evelyn Ng.  Let's face it, the pros, as a whole, are a bunch of whiny social misfits with faces for radio and all play their cards with the same baffling inconsistency.  At least Evelyn Ng is one of the few worth looking at.

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
I got a call from Dino one day letting me know of a weekly tournament in which he had become involved. Since Dino, Susan and I had played together at King Richard's occasional poker games, he thought I might be interested (he was right).

When did you join the 4SPT:
Around summer of 2004, I believe.  Back when the tour only stretched between 4th and Oak Streets.

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
Knowing that I am obviously the best player on the tour (otherwise how else could I have won?).  Okay, that's not exactly true.  It's really so I can stop being that guy who has played for years, but never won.  I'm no Susan Lucci, damn it! Plus, I was always jealous of Susie getting to play in the TOC, now I get to too.

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
he aforementioned quad-queens by C-Mint killing my full house (I thought for sure it was a chopped pot between he and I until he turned over his pocket pair of queens to match the ladies on the board).  Also, watching my A-A lose to Slim's K-K, when a third K rolled out on the river...what can you do, I just had to smile and shrug.  More recently, on a positive side, I loved watching two A-K's flop nut straights (also mentioned above).

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why):
I love my wife, but she always has too much stuff at the poker table (food, candy, drinks, toys, mp3 players and usually a whole lotta chips spread all over).  I would much rather have her ACROSS the table from me, encroaching on someone else's space.

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
Playing at King Richard's early home games gave me a taste for it, but it is my wife's family that sealed the deal.  Susan's grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, uncles and aunts have all been playing for many, many years.  So being around them, it is hard NOT to play.  Susie and I have been going to the local casinos for several years now, honing our skills at losing money (we can be found most Friday and/or Saturday nights at Hustler - Susie at no-limit, me at limit).

Anyother interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know:
I think I can speak for Susie on this as well, we are very honored to be a part of the 4th Street Tour. It is such a great way to do what we enjoy doing (playing poker) with enjoyable people.  I enjoy playing at the casinos too, but most of the people there are scum.  On 4th Street, I get the best of both worlds! Thank you Jeff and Jennifer!! (the "thanks" here are cliche, but sincere)

WS05 Game 5 Results

Congratulations to Chad IISweet (Cheeks) for taking down his first Tour win! In the last game of 2005, Chad ensured his entrance into the 2006 T.O.C. We look forward to reading his long awaited Player Profile.