I never really decided to turn pro, but if I had to say a date it would be about 2 years ago. I started playing 2/5 NL at the Bellagio under a fake ID, which I bought from one of my friends sister for $300 bucks. For the time being I was known as Ashley and the first time I cashed in a tournament they announced my name and everyone was like they got your name wrong Chantel. It was pretty funny how it all turned out.

Last year I decided to switch over and learn limit poker. I had a really hard time because I wanted to play every hand. I owe a lot of my success to Dustin Woolf and Devin Miller for really helping me out with my limit game.

When I'm playing poker I'm very mouthy. I'm like Gavin Smith, Matusow and Tony G combined. I get a long with other players really good or they don't like me at all.

BIP: A lot of poker players before turning professional received a lot of flack from friends and family members, was this an issue for you? How did you over come this?

I received a lot of heat from my Dad. My Dad is very successful business man and a hard worker. My Mom was pretty cool with it and understands. After I started coming home really late and being late for class, my Dad finally said that if I wanted to play poker, I'm cut off and that he would stop supporting me with school and stuff. He thinks poker is just a phase and that I will grow out of it. I also feel that one of his biggest concerns is that he knows poker doesn't make me happy.

BIP: What kind of games are you mostly playing now?

Chantel: Right now I'm playing mostly $100/$200 and $200/$400 short handed online. I'm playing lower limits because I'm really trying to limit the swings and using proper bankroll management. I've been a lot happier and playing a lot better since from just improving my bankroll management.

I have also been getting into the mix games. I've really been enjoying the Triple Draw and Pot Limit Omaha games, but I really can't get into the Hi Lo games yet. I know that learning new games really helps my play in other games.

BIP: You are very popular in the online poker community, is this translating over in your daily life?

Chantel: Yeah, at first it was really bothering me, and I just didn't understand how this stuff got around. I got really upset, but now I take these things as compliments. Like, if someone really takes time from their day to write about me, I should be flattered right? My friends send me certain links of where I'm being talked about, but I just don't care anymore, these guys are just a bunch of nerds that have nothing better to do with their time. I understand why guys gossip about girls that play poker. It's a mans world and a lot of times girls bring it on themselves. I knew it would happen to me eventually, just didn't think it would blow up so big. People have been saying I'm a gold digger, if I was going to be a gold digger, I would go date a guy with a lot of money. I wouldn't be wasting my time with guys in their 20s if I was a gold digger.

BIP: So what do you think of the whole Captain Tom and Brandi Hawbaker situation?

Chantel: If any girl puts herself in that position like Brandi did, she might deserve it. Honestly I think we need to bring in Jerry Springer in on this one.

BIP: You are planning on going to Africa to do some volunteer work, what is driving you to do volunteer work in Africa?

Chantel: I have always been into charities. I've never had the money to donate and help out like I do now. After I saw the movie Blood Diamond I was really shocked and started researching Africa and how I could help. Like what $10,000 would do for them, I could give them $10,000 and feed a whole village for a month. I would rather do that then spend $10,000 at a club on alcohol I know what it's like to live poor and wealthy, and now I just want to help a little.

BIP: What do you see yourself doing in the next 20 years? Do you plan still being a poker player, or think you will move on to something else?

Chantel: In the next 20 years I will definitely not be playing poker for a living. I maybe want to play poker for another 10 years. I want to finish school and then open up my own business. Hopefully, I will be retired from poker in the next 15 years.

BIP: You've mentioned before that you prefer cash games over tournaments, will you be taking apart of this years WSOP? What events will have your interest?

Yeah, I will probably play them. But I always find myself bored after the first hour. I just never go in with the proper mind set and mentality. I try to just stick to the big tournaments, that way I feel there is more on the line and can focus better. I've been only playing about 1 tournament every month or 2.

BIP: Have you been approached by any poker rooms about endorsing or receiving a sponsorship? Would you like to endorse a online room?

Chantel: I haven't really been contacted by any online rooms, I get offers from other players that want to back me. But for me to get a sponsorship I will probably have to win a tournament or model for them. I'm not trying to become a famous poker player, I treat poker as a job and just want to make a living from it right now. Like if I won a million dollars right now, it wouldn't make me any happier, I'd still be the same person.

We would like to thank Chantel for being a great sport, she's a really straight up cool chick. Remember, what you promised when you make a final table at the WSOP ;)

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