Scott Stewart: Enjoying Surreal Experience of Main Event

The World Series of Poker $10,000 World Championship Main Event is midway through Day 7 with 16 players remaining and the pressure is mounting on each player – except Scott Stewart. On the most recent break he was one of the shortest stacks remaining but the smile stretched across his face wouldn’t reveal that.

Most players run to the bathroom or review hands from the stream on break but Stewart was hanging out on the rail, casually talking to friends. “It’s going good – earlier when I was I made a big call and doubled up, they almost immediately moved me when I feel like I really had a grasp on that table,” Stewart said. “I went to the other table and lost a bunch of chips, so I’m back in the shove/fold territory.”

The grind of the Main Event has been punishing on Stewart. “It’s been exhausting and because it’s been exhausting I’ve been getting plenty sleep every night,” he said. “It’s been a surreal experience, so much fun and the there’s nothing like the energy.”

“I’ve been lucky to have good tables where people are talkative and no one has their headphones on,” he added. “There’s always one or two sourpusses, but for the most part everyone seems happy to be here and having a good time. It’s been an unreal experience and I’m just couldn’t be happier to be here.”

Scott Stewart looks to be having the most fun on Day 7. (Photo: PokerPhotoArchive.com)
The toughest part of the card-playing side of the tournament for Stewart is holding back. “Patience – because of the two-hour levels, there’s nothing like it in the world, there’s a lot of spots where you get into where you have to have the mindset and the overall thinking process to fold them and wait for better ones,” he said. “So, that has been a real test of true patience.”

As one of the shortest stacks, Stewart isn’t going to sit back just to ladder up the pay scale. “I want to win. It’s as easy as that,” he said. “At this point, if I get a double up I’m still going for it. There’s not really that many short stacks – I’m one of them – if I can double then I can have some fun.”

Yes the American flag bandana is coming out today

— scott stewart (@YaBoyStu) July 17, 2017

“If I make the final table I’m gonna bring as many people as I can and have a real party.”