Time Out with Bruno Portaro - The Bolord Double

Last Sunday, Melbourne’s Bruno ‘Bolord’ Portaro won the High Roller at the Poker SA Diamond Series. Then, the next day, a horse Portaro part-owns and which is named in his honour had its first win creating the Bolord-double. We thought we would catch up with Portaro for a chat about this unique feat!

Thanks for your time Bruno and congratulations on your win in the Poker SA Diamond Series High Roller Event over the weekend. What made you decide to make the trip to Adelaide and how did it feel to grab the win?

I wasn't planning to go to Adelaide. I played the EJ Whitten Charity event a couple of weeks ago and finished third, and part of the prize was return airfares, accommodation and entry to the Poker SA Diamond Main Event. After a deep run in the Main Event (22^nd place), I thought what to do on Sunday. High Roller! It was a quality field of 27 players, paying top five. At around 2am we were heads-up and after 40 minutes it was over. A great feeling. Finally cracked a good one.

There were a lot of well-known players in the field, but plenty of locals as well. What did you think of the field?  Do you feel more comfortable playing against a smaller field or do you prefer larger tournaments?

It was a top quality field with players from all over Australia there. The locals were tough especially on the own turf. I don't think it's the size of the tourney rather the quality of the players. These smaller slightly more expensive tourneys tend to bring the better players out and tend to make me play better poker.

Now to cap off your winning weekend, “Bolord”, a horse named in your honour, had its maiden win on the racetrack. We understand that a group of poker players are involved in the syndicate that owns the horse? Can you tell us where the nickname “Bolord” came from and why was it chosen for the horse?

Years ago I was signing up to an online poker site and needed a name. One of my employees at the time was renting a house from me as well, and he would call me his “Bolord”. “Bo” as short for “boss” and “Lord” from “landlord”. He suggested using that for online. All the owners of Bolord are poker players and wanted poker related names but didn't want to go with anything too obvious so we decided to use online names. So if you look around there is another horse getting around with one of the other owner’s online name.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Do you think the horse was inspired by your own victory?

Definitely. We have a special connection. (Pictured right: Bruno and Bolord) 

What felt better winning the High Roller Event or watching Bolord win its first race?

Winning the High Roller Event was just ahead of Bolord winning because I didn't get to watch the race. Instead, I had to listen to the race on my phone at the airport gate as I was boarding.

Would you rather be watching horses, playing poker or fishing?

That's not easy. I have postponed fishing for poker. And I have sat at Crown for a tourney while my horse ran, so I’d have to say in order - poker, fishing, horse racing.

What were your overall feelings about Poker SA and will you be back to play in the next major event?

From the time I got there to the time I left, the guys at Poker SA were great. They put on food and drinks each day, and the venue was truly surprising - a little suburban pub that's been renovated beautifully. The poker room is light and airy with great atmosphere. Not only will I be back again, but I will get as many poker players as I can to join me to experience what a great job Poker SA do.

Finally, and this is a tough one, which would you prefer - Bruno Portaro wins the Aussie Millions Main Event, or Bolord wins the Melbourne Cup?

I'm not a greedy person, but if that was the next Bolord double victory I think I would take it.

Thanks for you time, Bruno. We are looking forward to seeing whether you win another event before Bolord wins another race! Good luck to you both. 

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