This week’s guest on our popular ’15 Bigs’ series of PokerStake players is the Alaskan poker professional Jeremy Hamey. A long-time member of the PokerStake stable, he is passionate to a fault, playing tournaments every week of the year. Crushing more and more on the live circuit, Jeremy sells his action exclusively on the site. But can he outwit our poker teasers?

In tournament play, Jeremy knows better than anyone that when you’ve got 15 bigs left, you’re in that marginal zone of deciding whether to go all-in or fold. You might double back into contention or crash out and move ‘onto the next one’. Our 15 Bigs questions are similar, designed to put every one of our PokerStake players in a place where they dig deep to survive and touch on personal, professional and passionate areas of their life they’ve never talked about before.

Can Jeremy Hamey survive our 15 Bigs? Let’s push our chips over the line and find out.

You’re on a long-haul flight and can only choose one TV Show or Movie to watch on repeat, which is your pick?

I love movies and go to the theater once a week in average. I would say Good Will Hunting is a favorite that I never get tired of watching.

If you were stranded on a desert island with one book for company, what would it be?

When I was a kid, I read The Power of One by Bruce Courtenay. It was later made into a movie. The main character inspired me, and I think helped grow my competitive spirit.

What’s the song you could listen to on repeat forever?

So many songs! Lose Yourself by Eminem and Angel by John Secada come to mind but I will go with Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli. My favorite voice ever.

What’s your favourite place to play poker and why?

I have a place here locally called The Fish House in Orange, California that I really enjoy because of the people and friends that go there. However, nothing compares to being in Las Vegas for the WSOP every summer.  The ambience and excitement is second to none.

If you were to be shot at dawn, what would be your last meal and drink?

After buying a bullet proof vest, I’d head to Benihana’s for a nice long dinner with family.

Where’s your favourite non-poker holiday destination?

I’m going with Hawaii. Really it is anywhere that I can find a way to relax with family.  Renting a spot on the beach in Maui sounds perfect.

You can play poker every day for a year or play no poker for a whole 12 months – which do you choose?

Definitely playing every day. I mean, I kinda do this already! I have a very supportive wife.

Who is the person you don’t have around anymore that you miss the most?

My wife, Estela, lost her mom this year. She is so missed.

Which person would you most like to meet but never have?

Daniel Negreanu for sure. I feel like we would be good friends. We have very similar mindsets and likes in life. I still grind poker like he used to. He doesn’t need to anymore but dials it up for the WSOP.

When’s the last time life put you on tilt?

We all have tilting moments in life; I’ve certainly had my share. Last year I played a city league basketball game and broke my leg. My playing days are over and miss it.

If you couldn’t play the WSOP Main Event next year, which family member would you put into the action in your place?

My brothers have dabbled in poker but nobody in my family really took to it as a hobby, so I don’t really have anyone… yet. We’ll see about my kids or grandkids, hopefully I can hook one of them.

What’s your best poker skill?

Reading situations and people is certainly my best skill. After several thousand poker tourneys, I have a good feel for where I am at in hands and the strength of my opponents.

And your biggest leak?

I often take the conservative approach to hands and situations. The safer play is often not the correct play.

If you could make one rule change to poker, what would it be?

Easy one for me. No sunglasses or pets at the table! My allergies get me when someone brings their dog.

You have just ten seconds with the person of your dreams… what do you say?

Thankfully I met Estela in 2019, and I tell her how she repaired and completed me every day. We got married last year and I get every day with her the rest of our lives.

It’s impossible not to be charmed by Jeremy Hamey! Just ask his PokerStake stablemates… and investors. He smashed our 15 Bigs, and easily earns a double up at the felt.

If you want to be a part of Jeremy’s action at the felt next time he sits down in a tournament, get involved by heading to his official PokerStake staking page now.