Know the Pro: Scott Clements

Topics: Epic Poker League, Know the Pro, Scott Clements

Family is important for Scott Clements. In his years of tournament poker, it was not unusual to see his wife, Courtney, on the rail at important events and in the audiences of final tables. Her support of his career, whether from home or in the poker room, made his successes all the sweeter.

Scott’s biography tells a tale of several colleges and a career path that took him from a mortgage company to poker. The latter allowed him to use his mathematical abilities and knack for cards to make quite a name for himself in poker in a relatively short period of time. Online as “BigRiskky,” he played on seven different poker sites and scored final tables at major events like the PokerStars WCOOP and even won an FTOPS title on Full Tilt for $290,500.

In live tournaments, Scott began cashing in 2005 and simply did not stop. In the first seven years of his career, he showed 90 cashes, 53 final tables, and 16 victories, two of which were WSOP bracelet wins. Those added up to nearly $5 million in earnings as well.

Well into his poker career, he married Courtney, and they settled in Washington where they lived previously. Over the years, the numerous trips to Las Vegas throughout the years prompted them to purchase property in Nevada as well. And after Black Friday in 2011, Scott had to set up shop in Canada as well, in order to continue playing online poker. The family was challenged with more travel, but the duo managed it all for their future.

That future included children, and their first baby was born on January 25, 2011. Lleyton brought much joy to Scott and Courtney, and their journey as parents has been a learning experience. “He’s growing so fast,” said Scott. “He’s amazing. There’s no better feeling than seeing him smile.”

The birth of Lleyton prompted him to take some time off from the poker circuit and spend more time at home. Ever since, travel has been somewhat limited. “I’ve been staying near the West Coast for the most part and only making quick trips to other places. If I need to be in Vegas, the family comes with me, so that works out well.” But overall, the travel sometimes takes its toll, and his time at home becomes more precious. “I enjoy every second with them, but it’s HARD to be away.”

When Scott does travel, he makes every moment count, as he simply wants to do well, make his family proud, and provide a good life for them. “I’m really driven to get certain things, like a certain house we would like for the growing family,” he admitted. But he has always been a determined and focused poker player, as anyone opposite him at the tables could attest. He takes his job seriously and works hard at consistently improving his game.

“Maybe I’ve become a little more focused since becoming a father,” he said. “I already have the goals of playing well every time, but now I want to get there quicker because of our family.”

Have his familial obligations hurt his game? “No, I try not to let that happen. I know what days I’m going to be away, and I know what I’m going to play and how I’m going to play my best. If I’m spending time away from my wife and baby for work, I want to make money and do well … for them and myself. My focus has been pretty good even though I miss them.”

Poker players often have a difficult time balancing the demands of family and tournament poker, but Scott seems to have a plan that works for Courtney and Lleyton.

This year will be another challenging one, as they are preparing for their second baby, which is due in the first week of July.