Reality TV allum, Rob Mariano, or as he is better known, Boston Rob has headed over to the Irish Poker Open (IPO) to take part in both on and off the felt activities.
Boston Rob is well known within the poker industry having played for the best part of 20 years, cashing most recently at US events such as WSOP Paradise, the PokerGO Tour, WSOP Circuit events and the Run Good Series.
He was introduced to the game by his Grandfather, playing 5 card stud for pennies in his Grandad’s basement. It would start a love affair that would span decades. From those early basement days, to playing in college home games, then hitting the Seven Card High Low games as Foxwood, way back in the early 90’s. His first recorded cash came way back in 2006 at the Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker Tournament, San Jose.
However, Boston Rob is best known to audiences from his stints on US reality TV shows rather than his poker prowess. He has appeared on Survivor five times as a contestant and once as a mentor. He has also appeared on the The Amazing Race and the US version of the British breakout show, Traitors.
Are their obvious crossovers between the game of poker and out strategizing opponents on reality TV? Rob thinks so.
A successful player needs to be able to adapt to different situations, have self awareness and prioritize correctly — both on and off the felt. “You have to make adjustments in poker and the same goes in like a lot of these competition reality shows,” Rob says.
“Being able to accurately assess that is really important, kind of like knowing where you stand in a hand or within the context of your tribe or you know, you don’t want to be the one voted out and not have seen it coming, right?”
As to the allure of the Irish Poker Open, Rob says his decision to come was because of the great off felt activities that are available, not just the spread of poker events or the guarantees.
“I just think it’s really cool when you can play poker at night and go play golf during the day or watch live music or do extra things besides just sit at the table the whole day. That’s what really attracted me to want to come to these kind of events,” Rob says.
Connection with other players, the social side of things and traveling the world are also key factors on deciding which tournaments to attend.
“I love that aspect of the game, hanging out with people, the social aspect of it,” says Rob. “You know, for me that’s the biggest win. Being able to come to tournaments like all over the world and check out different places. PokerStars really like kicked ass on this one.”
Rob has always seemed to strike a balance between poker and his other interests. He will often take prolonged breaks from poker when he wants to switch focus onto other projects, such as his time on reality TV. “If I have other things going on, I take a break,” a healthy way of being able to give your all to a current project.
But it looks like the tide is turning, with Rob saying he has recently fallen back in love with poker.
Will this mean we will see Boston Rob at more live events this year? We think so! “I have a relationship with the game where when I’m really loving it, I play a lot. I love the game.”
The Irish Poker Open is currently underway in Dublin and is sponsored by PokerStars and Paddy Power. The IPO is fast becoming a standout live event of the year, breaking attendance records and impressing players. The €1,150 Main Event, which now boasts a €2.5 million guarantee, more than double its usual €1 million, is already underway.
During the IPO six PokerStars Ambassadors along with handpicked team mates are taking part in the Shamrock Showdown — a competition combining poker tournament action and creative off the felt games.
Each team includes a player who won their way to the Irish Open via an Emerald Pass. For people following the action on the PokerStars Blog, a chance to win a share of $2,000 in Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) tickets is also available.
If any PokerStars pros are looking for mentoring advice during the Shamrock Showdown, it seems Boston Rob is open to helping! The lPO continues through until April 21, 2025.