EPT San Remo: Constant craving

The bread and butter of the typical young pro these days is the internet. It’s where the big games are the, tournaments almost on demand and a poker economy that rewards those who count themselves among the best.

So it’s with surprise we learn that one of the chip leaders on day three is a 21-year-old Dutch pro who doesn’t play online. According to his friend, a member of the Dutch media who has watched him several times, it’s not his game.

“Constant likes to read players,” said a friend, “that’s how he plays”. It’s something that his stack of 450,000 would suggest he’s good at.

It makes him the opposite of most young players, those who learn their trade online before venturing into the “real” world of live tournaments like the EPT. But for Rijkenberg it’s what he’s used to, being a regular tournament player at his local casino in Amsterdam where he also plays limit cash games. It has stood him in good stead this week, his first EPT event, and things just got better…

Constant Rijkenberg

Leading the betting in a hand against Francesco Santo Trimboli, with the board showing 6♦ 2♠ J♣ 8♣ the pot was already big when Trimboli pushed all-in, called immediately by Rijkenberg. He showed 9♠ 9♥ to Trimboli’s K♥ 10♠ . While the Italian tried to work out what just happened, after a blank river card, Rijkenberg added another 200,000 to his stack.

It may be his EPT debut but Rijkenberg knows what he’s doing. For him at least the internet is strictly for fun.

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Watch EPT San Remo S5: Interview with Constant Rijkenberg Day 3 on PokerStars.tv