Big Fisch - Poker Player Scott Fischman

Scott Fischman is coming soon to a TV screen, video game console, bookstore, and oh yeah, poker room near you.

Author: Lena Katz

Not too long ago, Scott Fischman was a kid on the way up. Founder of theFishTank.com and winner of two WSOP bracelets, Fischman was undeniably a talented player–definitely one to watch–but still not recognizable to anyone other than hardcore poker fans, Internet players and people in the business.

But all that’s going to change–and fast. During the next few months, the 20-something pro is set to publish a book, star in an Activision WSOP video game, provide commentary for a couple different televised series, and re-launch his own online card room, the FishTank. Oh, and he’s just been signed onto the InterPoker Extreme Team. If you wanted to be cheesy, you could say that this Fisch is about to splash down in a very big pond. And he’s more than ready.

“It’s been a slow buildup,” says Fischman, when asked about his seeming overnight succcess. Apparently, he and sister Beth Fischman have been patiently working on most of these deals for more than a year. “I knew it would get huge, but it’s dragged a bit,” he says. “The first deal [with FishTank and Doyle’s Room] didn’t pan out exactly as I would have hoped…but I’m really a perfectionist.” And in hindsight, he sees that experience as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

“I just signed with InterPoker, and my brand is now on their site–Fishtank powered by InterPoker… We’re collaborating, but I’ll have my own Team FishTank. They’re giving me a chance to get down and dirty, and make this an awesome site,” he says, and you can practically feel the enthusiasm crackling down the phone line.

“I’m able to do all these amazing tournaments, give away great prizes, and bring on amazing pros that everyone’s going to love.”

As far as what he’d ideally like to do for other players, Fischman says,”When you turn your computer on, you go to the Fishtank ’cause that’s where you like to play every night.”

I ask, only half seriously, whether it’s the only place that he’ll play, and he thinks for a moment before answering, “You can’t really stick to one site–it’s not smart.” He elaborates, “In my book, I advise people to go to more than one site. Find something you love on every site. Give yourself options so you don’t feel trapped all the time. That’s what’s so great about the Internet in the first place; you have all these options, You should take advantage of them.”

Here it seems appropriate to ask a few questions about the book, which is entitled Online Ace and set to hit stores in late 2006. It seems like every poker player has a book these days, and I’m curious to know how this one’s different.

“It will…I don’t want to say ‘revolutionize’…but it will really deal with how to start your career by playing online. I think that’s the best way to learn poker these days,” Fischman explains. “This book will really give people what they need to know to make it happen.” Coming from a 20-something pro who makes most of his considerable fortune playing online, this is quite a juicy promise.

As far as his other projects–the World Series of Poker video game (”This version is ten times better than the first…they brought all the pros into the studio to do voiceovers, modelings, gather artificial intelligence…”), the rumored MansionPoker television appearances (”I really like what they’re doing”), the hosting gig for the National Poker League (”In the Tank Q&A–a tips and tricks segment,”–Fischman is enthusiastic, but not always 100% informed. He refers me back to his sister and business manager Beth time and again.

“She’s done the world for me with these outside ventures…She’s the one that’s been making it all happen. She’s been working behind the scenes, setting up deals,” he says.

And that, of course, leaves at least some of his time free for that one other little minor piece of his career: playing poker.

“I stay home every Sunday and try to play all the big Sunday tournaments,” Fischman says. “When tournaments come to town, I make sure Beth handles everything business-related, so I can play.,, In fact, I don’t really skip tournaments to do other things. If someone needs me, I say ‘Sorry.’”

Spoken like a true poker player, this statement gives reason for celebration and trepidation in equal measure:

Be glad. Because Scott Fischman is one guy who’s determined not to let his media fame overshadow his game. Be afraid. Because as long as he’s out there doing his thing, your chip stack will never, ever be safe.