Brian England and Grayson Ramage Making the Most of a Limited Sample

By Matt Clark

Online players are still on top of the newest edges in poker and that proved true on Day 3 of the Season XVI WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship. Brian England and Grayson Ramage (pictured) both live outside of the United States and make limited in-person appearances.

The small sample of live poker does not appeal to them outside of specific buy-ins and events. Hollywood, Florida, is a home away from their respective homes south of the US border. Each count cashes from Hard Rock to make up the majority of their recent live earnings.

Both players are on top of the latest trends in the game per their daily volume. Less than 35 players from the final table, all of their thousands of daily hands started to perform major dividends.

“I think the sample size is everything,” England stated. “The fields are great here. Getting to the long run, that’s the major thing. You gotta run pretty good in this thing. You’re only seeing so many hands in the tournament so you gotta make them count.”

Exploitable play is a common phrase used when describing the adjustment from online to live in a buy-in like a WPT Main Tour event.

Ramage is a live tournament veteran dating back to 2009 when he made the final four tables of the World Series of Poker Main Event. The balance between the two is a thin wire Ramage walks. The now is what matters in the live game.

“Here, you’re going to be making a lot more exploitable plays just because it’s a much smaller sample,” Ramage told WPT.com. “People aren’t going to be able to adjust because the sample is so small. You want to be making the best play in that given situation in most spots, not really worrying about future hands too much.”

The speed of online becomes a factor for England and Ramage to hone in on with the implementation of the Action Clock. Both agree the Action Clock does not offer an immediate advantage, but being accustomed to quick decisions helps when up against tight spots.

“I know what I’m going to do every single time before it gets to me,” England said. “Except for when it’s a weird multi-way spot or something. So, I just don’t like wasting time and I want to play as many hands as possible. You only get so many hands live. I didn’t three-bet that whole level (Level 21) and I feel like I’m playing like a nit.”

Ramage added, “I think it’s good because it speeds to the game up and yeah, I’m comfortable playing that quickly.”

The barrage of hands online and new techniques cultivated put the online duo ahead of their live competitors.

At the time of the interview, fellow onliner Scott Margerson is also still alive, as are virtual veterans Jeff Gross, Faraz Jaka, and Brian Hastings.

England says there are new strategies he has factored into his game during the three days of play. The gameplay was kept guard by England, but he admitted there are components even the best live players are behind with. At the same time, England notes there are live details he is catching up on.

“Absolutely, I’m not going to say what they are but definitely,” England confirmed. “There’s a massive difference, even with the regs. Online is the place to play if you’re going to stay on the absolute top of your game. I’m still behind in a few live aspects, patience probably being one of them.”

New Jersey cash game pro Ajay Chabra rode his online experience to a Five Diamond final table. The theme continues on the East Coast with the clock ticking toward Day 4.

Ramage went on to bust in 33rd place for $16,974, but England is still going strong.

Looking to win your way to a World Poker Tour event for your shot at becoming a WPT champion? Play for your chance on ClubWPT.com, where eligible VIP Members can play for over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month, including seats to WPT events, no purchase necessary.