ElkY, born gambler

With her peroxide blonde hair and his sunglasses permanently screwed on the nose, Bertrand Grospellier has not gone unnoticed. Yet when it comes to the young man of 31 years to return to France, they are increasingly likely to recognize its particular profile, his fame has nothing comparable to the status it has acquired the abroad. It must be said that the disciplines in which it shines are rather confidential Nancy-based driver. Because before skimming all poker tournaments in the world, one who calls himself ElkY was professional StarCraft, a strategy video game. Between poker and video games, Bertrand Grospellier leads his career in only one rule, that the pleasure of playing.

S in a bin bag, a preparatory classes in physics and chemistry to integrate, at 18, the future of Bertrand Grospellier is emerging around a good place in a serious business. But the faculty MIAS (Mathematics, computer science and applications), this gifted student in science will not see much. Only three short days were enough to convince him. Rather than stand on the benches of a school that does not passion, it looks to make it where no other European had succeeded: the video game business in South Korea.

First European to succeed in Korea

His future is thus in Asia. More specifically South Korea, a country where the game is almost a religion, and where StarCraft is a supreme discipline. Supported by parents who understand that their youngest child lived only for play, he moved to Seoul without speaking a word of Korean, but with an obvious talent for the title of Blizzard. "My dream was to live video game, it was really an opportunity. I also understand that if I do not perçais in the video game, I could always go back to school later," said the young man, that never takes unnecessary risks.

The French will quickly establish itself among the elite of the game, and win his first professional contract. On its second year in the South Korean peninsula, he climbed into the final of a major world competitions StarCraft. "At that time there were only two foreigners to have taxed as professionals, it was very difficult because you had to constantly stay in the 10-15 best world," said one that Koreans prefer to call ElkY, rather than scratch his name. Revolves around his daily workouts, tournaments and televised performances before thousands of people.

If StarCraft remains his first love play, another game will start him make eyes. Introduced to poker by a friend, ElkY spends more and more time. "I discovered a passion for poker," recalls the young man. New in the discipline, it loses a lot, but learns quickly. Then in 2005, when his team StarCraft conflicts with his agent, he took the leap and give up his career in the video game. "I thought it was playable, I would try my luck and that there was no reason why it does not work."

Poker video game or even success

Bertrand Grospellier has a huge advantage over other beginners, it has an experienced player and know-how he will use a lot. His skills developed through years of video games made him a formidable opponent. The pressure does not affect. At 19, he was already in Korean theaters 20 000 people devoted to the cause of the premises. Online, excellent hand-eye coordination and speed of execution on the keyboard and mouse do grow very quickly by multiplying the tables simultaneously. He also holds a world record with 63 parts run simultaneously in one hour. But more than his ability to handle the computer, it is his understanding of player he has become one of the best in the world. "With StarCraft as poker, the information that we have the opponent is incomplete. In the video game, we only know that our units are, and poker is a bit the same." A little psychology, a lot of observation and talent of Bertrand Grospellier does the rest.

From the beginning, PokerStars, the site where he began practicing, reveals the potential of the French and asked him to become one of its sponsored players. While he hopes to stay in Korea, it faces from jetlag and tiring trips to the old continent for the European championship of poker. Then he moved to London, where he still lives between two solicitations. "I travel extensively, because there are tournaments all over the world. I am on the road about 45 weeks a year, but it's a lifestyle that I love," says one who was initiated into the video games by his brother just 3 years. The entry fee for tournaments and travel are the responsibility of the online site, when Bertrand Grospellier cash earnings. And significant gains, it has won enough to be financially secure today.

"I've always been passionate about the game It's nice to have bonus money, but it was not my main motivation." His motivation, ElkY pulls his pleasure. Born gambler and competitor at heart, poker assures unmatched sensations. "If tomorrow I find an activity that I like more than poker, I will not be afraid to go there, but, honestly, I do not see why it would change," he says. Lack of time, the video game is now back in his new busy life. Next week begins the world championships of poker in Las Vegas, two months of competition during which the French had a great chance to shine. Playing again and again.