5 days to London - Meet Silje Nilsen

Published by Alexander Nilsson on March 25, 2016

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Cash Game Festival: Hi Silje! Could you start by telling us what you do for a living?
Silje Nilsen: I am a professional poker player, and play poker full time. Before that I worked as a bartender.
CGF: How long have you played poker and what made you start playing? Are you a cash game or tournament player mainly?
SN: I’ve been playing poker since 2008, so about 8 years. But I didn’t start taking it seriously until 2012. The interest started out randomly when I was going to a party, and they played a tournament there. I joined in, not knowing a thing about poker and ended up winning that tournament actually. So that’s how it all started haha!
Actually I enjoy both cash games and tournaments, but when I’m home I play cash game several nights a week and max 1 tournament a week. I don’t play online anymore.
CGF: You broke through publicly finishing second in NM Main in November 2015 to former WSOP Main runner-up Felix Stephensen. Tell us more about that, how it felt and if/how it changed your life?
SN: Yeah, that lucky SOB. Haha! Yeah I lost to Felix for the Norwegian Championship title in November after a huge flip, and another 4-outer his way after that. So that sucked! I was honored to play heads-up against a good friend of mine. We even talked about it on day 2, that it would be awesome if we got to play heads up at the end. And so we did!
After the 2^nd place, I got a ton of phone calls and e-mails from gaming sites that wanted to sponsor me. They had a bit of a bidding war before I ended up choosing GUTS, and in the end I’m so happy I did pick them. We’ve had so much fun already! I have to travel and work (haha) a lot more now then I did before. But I love every second of it!
CGF: What does that deal mean for your poker and what are your obligations (social media/blogging etc)?
SN: The deal means everything for my poker future and I get to play many more tournaments and travel a lot more now than what I did before. I have a blog that I have to update, and a Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram that I update several times a week as a part of my work description. The hard part is definitely gonna be the blogging part since it’s been years I had my own blog! But I take any challenge I can get!
Other then that it’s the more obvious extras like being available for TV, radio and newspapers for articles or interviews like this one.
CGF: Do you have any other sponsorships outside of Guts?
SN: GUTS is my one and only sponsor in poker, although I’m now also a part of the Vi Menn Poker team. I have a few sponsorships outside of poker though, like hairdressers, make-up artists, clothing etc…
CGF: What events are you going to play live in the future for Guts?
SN: My next trip will be the Cash Game Festival in London. And after that Las Vegas and the WSOP is booked. I’m gonna be playing the main event and 3-4 other tournaments in Vegas. Before and after Vegas I’m not really sure where they’re sending me, haha!
CGF: You just came back from NM in Dublin. Tell us more about that week and how it went for you?
The Norwegian Championship in Dublin did not go as well as planned. I got to day 2 in the ladies event and lost a flip against Anette Obrestad in SB vs BB and busted 16th/96.
In the main event i got in the money but lost a huge flip AK vs 88 and ended up 106th/2100-ish. The HU was so awful I don’t even wanna talk about it. But I had a lot of fun, and I can’t wait until next year.
CGF: How would you classify yourself as a poker player? Strength/weaknesses? Different approach in cash game/tournaments?
SN: I’m a player that can get on a lot of peoples nerves, since I’m always talking, laughing, and say what’s on my mind. I’m not one of those that just sits there with their sunglasses on and try to look as serious as possible. I’ve never been that kind of girl. So many people get a little confused when I suddenly start talking in a big pot, or start singing or what ever I do! I obviously use this as a strength. I’m a tight-agressive player, and use my image well.
CGF: Do you have any other game or sport interest as a hobby/profession? And if so, does that interest help your poker skills in any way?
SN: No, not really!
CGF: Can you tell us your favourite poker destination(s) and what makes it the best stop/place?
SN: Two of my favourite destinations is Dublin (Norwegian Championship) and Vegas obviously. Dublin because its a week full of poker playing Norwegians that are there to have fun. Good money to make under that week! And Vegas is pretty obvious, but I just love America! Their culture, night life, food, poker, good weather. What’s not to love about Vegas!?
CGF: What do you think about the concept of a cash game only festival compared to the standard tournament festivals where cash games isn’t the focus?
SN: I love it! I can’t wait to go and enjoy the Cash Game Festival. I think it’s weird that no one has thought about this before.
CGF: What did you think about the past event(s) in Tallinn and what do you expect from the upcoming event in London?
SN: I expect to meet a lot of great people, and to have a good weekend with a lot of playing and learning. I never see my self as done learning, so every cash game or tournament I learn something new. It’s also my very first time in London! Yay!
CGF: Is Guts sending any other players to London? And if so, how did they qualify?
SN: YEs, GUTS are sending other players. I don’t know how many, since they’ve had a «Travel with Silje to London»-tournament. I’m also bringing my boyfriend, who’s makes his living by playing poker.
CGF: Thank you Silje, congratulations to your sponsorship with Guts and look forward to see you in London!