Exclusive Interview with Tatjana Pasalic

February 2nd, 2012 | 10:09 am

Recently, Rakeback.com sat down with Bodog Poker TV host and sponsored pro, Tatjana Pasalic. She reveals her ideal first date, and whom can read her like a book...

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Bodog rep, and poker stunner Tatjana Pasalic was kind enough to sit down with Rakeback.com Poker News for this exclusive interview. 

Rakeback.com: Thanks ever so much for agreeing to this interview. 
Tatjana Pasalic: No problem, I just got back from Dublin so I caught a bit of time.

RB:  So, 2011 was certainly a wild year for poker, so what does 2012 have in store for Tasha? 
TP: As usual, a lot of traveling. As we speak, I am actually packing for Australia. After that it’s the usual - LAPC, EPT, WPT, and then WSOP.  Then hopefully I will have some more time for cooking as well though since I haven't taken a cooking course since Cannes.

Obviously, I’ll be working on my poker game too. If everything goes by plan, I will be repping Bodog at many tournaments this year.

RB:  Does that mean you’ll be repping Bodog again as a sponsored pro at the 2012 WSOP in Las Vegas?

  [See the exciting changes in store for WSOP 2012 here]

TP: Hopefully. My contract is up soon but I am very happy with the cooperation we had in the past year and I would be very proud if I got to re-join the team.

RB: With all the travel you do, you must have a favorite city by now?
TP: There are many but there are two - Sarajevo and New York City.

I fell in love with Sarajevo a few years ago and I never miss an opportunity to go for cevapi or a Srajevsko beer. 

The [Sarajevo] Film Festival is also amazing – A-listers from Hollywood sitting next to you in a bar; everyone is so friendly, welcoming and warm.  Bosnian people are very special to me.

New York - well, do I even have to explain that one? I fell in love the second I landed. It’s magical.

RB: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play you in the lead role?

TP:  Jessica Rabbit, obviously. Just look at that hottie.

[Watch the Micros parody of  Tatjana Pasalic]

RB: What was the last movie you went to see?  And please don’t say Roger Rabbit…
TP: I never last through a movie! It’s always pretty late when we decide to see one and I fade just after the action starts developing. That’s why I mostly watch TV series. I am addicted to "Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and BBC nature documentaries.

RB: While we’re still on the subject of hotties -  what did it feel like being on the cover of FHM magazine and being voted one of the sexiest poker players in the world?
TP: I would lie if I said it wasn’t awesome. It’s very flattering and a lot of fun - getting my hair and makeup done, getting dressed up like a doll, you know - all the girly stuff.

RB:  So besides hosting, playing, and modeling we understand you spend a bit of time on poker forums. What can you tell us about the poker forum on which you are a mod with over 5,000 posts?
TP: You mean 13 000 :)
RB: Sorry, our bad.  
TP: No worries, It’s a general forum and I’ve been a member since 2006. I’ve been moderating forums since I was about 19. Yes, I am a geek of my own if that's what one calls it. I spend more time on my laptop then outside. Sometimes I even take my laptop outside and look at Memebase. I know, I know…

RB:  So, you really ARE a closet internet nerd?
TP: You say nerd like it’s a bad thing!

RB:  Besides us calling you a nerd, when was the last time you smiled and why?
TP: When I woke up. I am a very happy person and grateful for everything I have in my life. Obviously, one can never say they have everything and always have to work on themselves, but I am blessed with an amazing partner, awesome job with fun colleagues and a great family. With those things sorted, it is easy to overcome any bad day.

RB: Speaking of your partner, what is the best poker advice you have received from McLean [Karr]? 
TP:  I was playing online and decided to call the BB instead of a raise when he said: "Woman, we do not limp in this house!"
RB:  We have the same house rule…

RB:  What’s your idea of a fun first date?
TP: If the person is right, any date is a fun date but I wouldn't pass on a cooking class.  In fact, my other job, apart from hosting, is cooking. I even work for poker players!  They usually hire me to come to their house or deliver food… 

RB: You’re making us hungry, so what would we find in your refrigerator right now?
TP: If I lived in a home and not out of a suitcase, you would find it fully stocked. I am a passionate cook and every single moment I have available I will spend in the kitchen. You will always find ingredients for Mexican meals as I have been training how to make Mexican street food.   

Hmm, then there would obviously be a bottle of wine, some beer - you never know when guests can pop in.

RB:  What is your favorite drink?
TP: Red wine. I used to like all sorts of sweet girly drinks but McLean’s Dad spoiled me as he’s a big connoisseur. He introduced me to all sorts of Argentinian and Italian wines which was definitely a mistake for my wallet! 

RB: Now let’s put you on the spot with some random questions:
TP: Go for it.  

RB: If you found yourself playing head-ups for the 2012 WSOP ME title in Las Vegas, who is the one player you would not want to be sitting across from?
TP: McLean. He would read me like a book.

RB: If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
TP:  Easy game - I would like to trade places with those women who help to raise lion cubs. It’s very sad and not a lot of people are aware of it but by 2020 we will lose all the lions and there are people in Africa trying to breed them and raise them so this [extinction] doesn't happen.

Those men and women get up every 2 hours feeding the cubs, nurse them, train them to live in the wild, and I would love to do that.

RB:  If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
TP: Teleporting.  With all the travelling we do I sometimes wish I could just say, "Beam me up, Scotty!" ... I need to stop watching Star Trek.

RB:   What sorts of people tilt you?
TP: Slow people. Don't you hate it when you are in a rush and 6 people cluster in front of you with their giant suitcases or bags and just stare around?

RB: How long to you plan to reside in London?
TP: I keep thinking about where I want to live and it’s so hard. When you have the option of moving anywhere, you get overwhelmed. However, if the States open for online business next year - I am snap packing for Vegas.

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Thank you again to Tatjana for taking the time to speak with us.  Best of luck in 2012, and we hope to speak to you again soon.

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