Lacey Jones Signs with Absolute Poker

Poker commentator Lacey Jones will take her career to the next level after signing with Absolute Poker this week. Outside of poker, Jones has also appeared on hits like HBO’s “Entourage,” NBC’s “Las Vegas,” and Fox’s “The O.C.” Poker News Daily sat down with Jones to talk about her poker and modeling careers.

Poker News Daily: Talk about how excited you are to sign with Absolute Poker.

Jones: I’m so excited and I feel like it’s the perfect fit. They signed me back in 2005. In 2007, after the passage of the online gambling bill (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) in the United States, they stopped sponsoring pros. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

PND: What promotions will we see you participate in on the online poker site?

Jones: We had the win your tuition promotion, so we’ll probably keep doing things with college campuses. I’m starting my own foundation and holding a USO poker tour. Instead of giving money, it’ll be more of a morale booster and we’ll go to bases. The prizes will be WSOP Main Event buy-ins and things like trips. I feel it’s really important to do that and my main focus is on the troops. I considered it back in 2005, but started talking to the USO on my own last year.

PND: The story of how you became involved with ESPN and Absolute Poker is pretty interesting. Can you talk about it?

Jones: I was living in Los Angeles and modeling. I was playing in a lot of home games with directors and producers, which was good networking. I was doing it for fun and my agent called to say that she had an opportunity for me. It was to play in an ESPN Mike and Mike in the Morning charity event for cystic fibrosis, which my uncle died from. I did well in the tournament and a week later, Absolute Poker called my agent and wanted to book me. I met with Mark Seif in Las Vegas and he asked me if I would go pro if they gave me the right tools.

PND: Do you play online poker now?

Jones: I took a break from online poker after the Neteller incident and focused more on my live game. When I signed with Absolute Poker, I remembered how much I love online poker. I can act like a guy online and people don’t treat me like a female. I love reading books on plays and what I should be doing. Then, I can practice them online.

PND: You were voted the Hottest Girl in Poker by Wicked Chops in 2008. Is that flattering or disturbing?

Jones: It’s totally flattering and it’s cool that they said I won by a landslide. I’m so honored to have great fans and friends. When I first started, it was a weird reception. Then, people started seeing how I play. It’s been a long uphill battle.

PND: Do men still treat women differently at the poker tables?

Jones: It’s starting to change, but you still get guys who don’t want to lose a pot to a girl. They will make hero calls or do things they wouldn’t normally do. Other guys will say things like, “Honey, you missed a bet on the turn.” If I know someone will pay me off or raise me, I’ll bait them.

PND: To what degree has reporting on poker improved your own game?

Jones: The best thing about being a reporter is that I’m also asking questions that I want to know the answers to. I am a student because I’m watching from the sidelines. I’m doing my own research to figure out how a person won, what their style is, and how it suits them. Then, I make that part of my game. A lot of people just want to copy one style and that’s not the right way to go.