Stephen Hendry: ‘In a fight, it would be hard to get past Jimmy White’

The seven-time world snooker champion talks his poker face, his golf handicap, Alex Higgins, Neutral Milk Hotel and why he never felt sorry for the Whirlwind

Hello Stephen! Small Talk isn’t good at much, goodness knows, but we like to think we can read a face. You’re a big poker fan, we’re guessing? It’s written all over your coupon! Yeah I am. I began playing during the boom when online poker first started around 2001. I played a lot. Steve Davis got me into it. I saw him doing it on his laptop all the time. We used to have a little school at night. A few players got into it. That’s how I learned to play.

Are you any good? I’ve certainly improved, there’s no doubt about that. You get sick of handing over money! But I wouldn’t say I’m a expert by any stretch of imagination. It’s a bit like chess to me: I know what the pieces do, but playing it well is the hard thing. But I enjoy it, and my association with Poker Stars is great. I’m an ambassador for them, and get to play at these massive events like the Marbella Poker Festival. It’s cool.

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Did I ever feel sorry for Jimmy White? No! If you haven’t got what it takes, then that’s your fault

Neal Foulds recommended Neutral Milk Hotel. It's an album that just gets to you

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